Quick answer: February is the cheapest month to fly from the UAE on most routes: it was the cheapest month on 26 of the 47 routes we track from Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. July is the most expensive, followed by May and December. Festivals shift the pattern on some routes, such as Dashain for Kathmandu and the wedding season for Amritsar and Jaipur. Booking 3 to 6 months ahead saved 20% to 64%.
We built this table from the 12 month fare data behind our route guides, covering 28 cities and all three main UAE airports. Each fare links to the full guide with airlines, flight times, the best day to fly and how to pay monthly.
Table of Contents
The pattern in one minute
- Cheapest months: February on 26 routes, September on 7, January and October on 5 each, November on 3.
- Dearest months: July on 19 routes, May on 14, December on 10.
- Summer costs about double on Kerala routes: Sharjah to Calicut averaged about AED 727 in October and AED 2,497 in July.
- Festivals beat school holidays on some routes: Kathmandu peaks in October (Dashain), Pakistan routes around Eid, Amritsar and Jaipur in the November and December wedding season.
- Exceptions exist: Sharjah to Delhi was cheapest in December, the dearest month from Dubai.
Fares below are average returns over the past 12 months, with the cheapest month underneath. A dash means we do not have a guide for that airport yet.
India
| City | From Dubai | From Abu Dhabi | From Sharjah | Dearest month | Cheapest airport |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi | AED 1,359 September | AED 1,468 September | AED 1,282 December | December | Sharjah |
| Mumbai | AED 1,274 February | AED 1,316 January | AED 1,353 February | December | Dubai |
| Chennai | AED 1,465 February | AED 1,343 February | – | July | Abu Dhabi |
| Bangalore | AED 1,539 February | AED 1,467 February | – | December | Abu Dhabi |
| Hyderabad | AED 1,451 February | – | – | July | |
| Kochi | AED 1,538 February | AED 1,501 February | AED 1,537 February | July | Abu Dhabi |
| Trivandrum | AED 1,607 February | AED 1,559 February | AED 1,557 October | July | Sharjah |
| Calicut | AED 1,583 February | AED 1,552 February | AED 1,489 October | July | Sharjah |
| Lucknow | AED 1,481 February | – | – | May | |
| Jaipur | AED 1,538 September | – | – | December | |
| Amritsar | AED 1,583 September | – | – | December | |
| Goa | AED 1,433 February | – | – | December |
Pakistan
| City | From Dubai | From Abu Dhabi | From Sharjah | Dearest month | Cheapest airport |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Karachi | AED 1,137 February | AED 1,197 February | – | March | Dubai |
| Lahore | AED 1,367 February | – | AED 1,406 November | Eid months | Dubai |
| Islamabad | AED 1,413 January | AED 1,449 February | – | March | Dubai |
| Peshawar | AED 1,415 January | – | – | July | |
| Multan | AED 1,582 February | – | – | May | |
| Sialkot | AED 1,360 February | – | – | July |
Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka
| City | From Dubai | From Abu Dhabi | From Sharjah | Dearest month | Cheapest airport |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dhaka | AED 1,860 January | – | – | May | |
| Kathmandu | AED 1,798 January | – | – | October | |
| Colombo | AED 1,658 November | – | – | July |
Philippines
| City | From Dubai | From Abu Dhabi | From Sharjah | Dearest month | Cheapest airport |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manila | AED 2,088 February | AED 2,825 February | – | December | Dubai |
| Cebu | AED 2,685 September | – | – | December |
Middle East, Africa and Europe
| City | From Dubai | From Abu Dhabi | From Sharjah | Dearest month | Cheapest airport |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeddah | AED 1,060 October | – | – | May | |
| Cairo | AED 1,880 November | AED 1,559 October | AED 1,495 September | May | Sharjah |
| Nairobi | AED 1,771 February | – | – | May | |
| Baku | AED 1,715 February | – | – | May | |
| London | AED 2,772 October | AED 2,856 September | – | May | Dubai |
Which UAE airport is cheapest?
- Sharjah was cheapest for Delhi, Calicut and Cairo. For Cairo it saved about AED 385 on Dubai.
- Abu Dhabi was cheapest for Chennai and Bangalore, and close to Sharjah for Trivandrum and Kochi.
- Dubai was cheapest for Mumbai, Lahore and Manila. For Manila it saved about AED 740 on Abu Dhabi.
Book early: the biggest savings
| Route | Booking ahead saved | Book about |
|---|---|---|
| Sharjah to Delhi | About 64% | 26 weeks ahead |
| Sharjah to Cairo | About 47% | 26 weeks ahead |
| Abu Dhabi to London | About 36% | 26 weeks ahead |
| Dubai to Jaipur | About 36% | 24 weeks ahead |
| Dubai to Goa | About 33% | 12 weeks ahead |
| Dubai to Lucknow | About 32% | 14 weeks ahead |
Savings compare fares booked that far ahead with fares booked in the last two weeks before departure.
Book any route and pay monthly
Found your month? We book every route in this table and UAE residents can split the fare with Tabby, Tamara or a 3 to 12 month credit card plan; we only need your phone number. Check the baggage allowance before you choose the cheapest fare. Ask us on WhatsApp. Our office WhatsApp, +971 4 220 2133, answers 24 hours a day.
Method: average return fares and monthly medians from KAYAK route data for the past 12 months, checked in November 2026. Fares change daily, so treat these as a guide to timing, not a quote.
Cheapest month to fly FAQs
What is the cheapest month to fly from Dubai?
February, on most routes. In our data it was the cheapest month on 26 of 47 UAE routes, including most of India, Pakistan and the Philippines.
What is the most expensive month to fly from the UAE?
July, when the school summer holidays start, followed by May (around Eid Al Adha) and December.
Is Sharjah cheaper than Dubai for flights?
Sometimes. Sharjah was the cheapest UAE airport for Delhi, Calicut and Cairo, while Dubai was cheaper for Mumbai, Lahore and Manila. Check each route in the table.
Is Abu Dhabi cheaper than Dubai?
For some cities. Abu Dhabi averaged less than Dubai for Chennai, Bangalore, Trivandrum and Cairo, and more for Delhi, Mumbai and Manila.
How far ahead should I book flights from the UAE?
Usually 3 to 6 months. On some routes booking about 26 weeks ahead saved a lot: around 64% on Sharjah to Delhi and 47% on Sharjah to Cairo, compared with the last two weeks.
Can I pay for flights monthly from the UAE?
Yes. UAE residents can book any of these routes with us and pay with Tabby, Tamara or a 3 to 12 month credit card plan. We only need your phone number.
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