Quick answer: Dubai to London averaged about AED 2,772 return over the past 12 months. October was the cheapest month (about AED 2,453) and May and March the most expensive. On this route the day matters: Tuesday departures were about 9% cheaper than average and Saturday about 9% more. The best time to book was about 10 weeks ahead.
Table of Contents
Short answers
- Christmas 2026 in the UK? The 10 week sweet spot has passed, so book now and fly on a Tuesday if you can.
- UAE spring break 2027 (5 to 11 April)? Book by late January 2027. March was the second most expensive month.
- Summer 2027? For early July, book by late April 2027.
- Cheapest month: October. Most expensive: May, then March.
- Heathrow or Gatwick? From Dubai, Heathrow averaged about AED 590 less than Gatwick.
- Before you fly: visitors who do not need a UK visa must have an approved ETA. Airlines check it before boarding.
Fares at a glance
| Detail | What the data shows |
|---|---|
| Average return, all London airports | About AED 2,772 (typical range AED 2,153 to 3,555) |
| Cheapest month | October, about AED 2,453 |
| Most expensive months | May (about AED 3,367) and March (about AED 3,246) |
| Cheapest day | Tuesday, about 9% below average |
| Most expensive day | Saturday, about 9% above average |
| Best time to book | About 10 weeks ahead, around 30% cheaper than last minute |
| Direct flights a week | Emirates about 84, British Airways about 7 |
| Direct flight time | About 8 hours |
Source: KAYAK Dubai to London route data, prices for the past 12 months and flight counts for the past 3 months, checked 11 November 2026.
The day you fly matters more here
On most of our Asian routes, the cheapest and most expensive days are only 3 to 6% apart. On Dubai to London the gap was about 18%: Tuesday averaged about AED 2,530 return and Saturday about AED 3,022. If your leave allows, moving a Saturday departure to a Tuesday is one of the easiest savings on this route. London also has a shorter booking window than Asia: about 10 weeks ahead was the sweet spot, against 15 to 26 weeks on routes like Manila, Dhaka or Cairo.
Which airport: Heathrow, Gatwick or Abu Dhabi?
| Route | Average return | Cheapest month | Most expensive month | Direct flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai to Heathrow | AED 2,797 | February (AED 2,457) | March (AED 3,302) | Emirates about 42, British Airways about 7 a week |
| Dubai to Gatwick | AED 3,390 | February (AED 3,040) | May (AED 3,797) | Emirates about 28 a week |
| Abu Dhabi to Heathrow | AED 3,017 | September (AED 2,468) | July (AED 3,596) | Etihad about 28 a week |
- From Dubai, Heathrow averaged about AED 590 less than Gatwick.
- Living in Abu Dhabi? Dubai to Heathrow averaged about AED 220 less than Abu Dhabi to Heathrow. From Abu Dhabi, Friday departures were about 9% cheaper than average.
- For summer, Abu Dhabi to Heathrow was most expensive in July and August, so compare it with Dubai before you book.
Sources: KAYAK route data for Dubai to Heathrow, Dubai to Gatwick and Abu Dhabi to Heathrow, checked 11 November 2026.
UK and UAE holidays that move the price
| Holiday | 2027 dates | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| UAE spring break | 5 to 11 April 2027 | UAE families travel; March and spring fares run high |
| Easter school holiday in England | 29 March to 9 April 2027 (London schools) | UK families travel to Dubai and back; busy in both directions |
| UK May half term | 31 May to 4 June 2027 | May was the most expensive month last year |
| UAE school summer | From 2 July 2027 | Book by late April for early July departures |
| English school summer | From late July 2027 | London to Dubai return seats fill up late August (expected) |
English school dates from the London Borough of Tower Hamlets term calendar; other London boroughs are similar but can differ by a few days. Comments marked expected are our assessment, not measured data.
Direct or one stop?
London has the biggest direct versus connecting gap of any route we track. One stop tickets through Bucharest averaged about AED 1,634 return, roughly half the direct average of about AED 3,288. The fastest connection, through Frankfurt, took about 10.5 hours one way, about 2.5 hours longer than flying direct. For a solo traveller with flexible dates, a connection can save well over a thousand dirhams. For families or a short trip, direct is usually worth paying for.
UK entry: ETA or visa
Since 25 February 2026, airlines refuse boarding to UK bound passengers who do not have the right digital permission. Visitors from visa free countries, including UAE nationals, need an approved Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before they fly; others need a visitor visa. What you need depends on your passport, not your UAE residence, so check before you book. Source: Gulf News.
Paying monthly for your London ticket
If a return ticket comes to AED 2772, the average fare above, that can be four Tabby payments of about AED 693. UAE residents can also use Tamara, or a 3 to 12 month plan on a UAE credit card from Mashreq, ADCB, RAKBANK, HSBC, FAB or Emirates NBD. We only need your phone number to send the payment link. Get a Dubai to London quote on WhatsApp. Our office WhatsApp, +971 4 220 2133, answers 24 hours a day.
Questions travellers ask us about Dubai to London
Which day is cheapest to fly from Dubai to London?
Tuesday, about 9% below the average day. Saturday was the most expensive, about 9% above.
Is Heathrow or Gatwick cheaper from Dubai?
Heathrow, by about AED 590 on average: AED 2,797 return against AED 3,390 to Gatwick.
How far ahead should I book Dubai to London?
About 10 weeks before you fly, which was around 30% cheaper than booking in the last two weeks.
Is Abu Dhabi to London cheaper than Dubai to London?
Not on average. Abu Dhabi to Heathrow averaged about AED 3,017 return, about AED 220 more than Dubai to Heathrow.
Do UAE nationals need an ETA to visit the UK?
Yes. UAE nationals need an approved ETA before flying to the UK, and airlines check it before boarding.
Can I pay for my London ticket in installments?
Yes. UAE residents can book through us and pay with Tabby, Tamara or a 3 to 12 month bank card plan.
More route fare guides from the UAE: Manila, Kochi, Kathmandu, Lahore, Dhaka, Colombo, Cairo.
Fare data from KAYAK, checked 11 November 2026. See all airlines you can pay for monthly.
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