Dubai has always been a favourite destination for Indians to visit. Being one of the nearest international metropolitan cities to visit within a 3-hour flight, Dubai’s magnetic pull on Indians is unimaginable. The dazzling city with superlative landmarks like the Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Frame, along with extraordinary attractions, is an epitome of modern living and welcomes Indians graciously.
Not just to explore this fascinating, futuristic desert-cum-coastal city, many Indians have made it their second home, settling and earning their livelihood while shuttling between Dubai and Indian cities. So, one of the concerns for many Indians, be it a first-timer or someone jetting to and fro from Dubai frequently, is to try and get a better deal on flight tickets from India to Dubai. Because, let’s be honest – those plane tickets cost a lot of money.
So here’s a compact guide to book affordable Dubai flights with all the tips and tricks to snag better rates without breaking the bank.
Why is Dubai so popular with Indians?
Did you know that Dubai has approximately 3 million Indians residing as expats and around 2 million visiting as tourists annually? That is a huge influx, and rightly so, because Dubai is welcoming and comforting to Indian guests. Indians particularly love Dubai because:
- It’s a quick flight away! In just under 4 hours, you can land in Dubai from any metropolitan city in India. The flight frequencies to Dubai are also much higher for the convenience of Indian travellers. This is a prime reason that makes the UAE one of the best countries to visit from India.
- Many Indians take advantage of these short flight durations. They take 2 or 3-day trips just to enjoy a city tour and Dubai Desert Safari experiences.
- Dubai has an amazing collection of breathtaking attractions, many of which you won’t see anywhere else in the world. Indian travellers are captivated by these attractions just the same as other globetrotters, and look forward to enjoying a glistening city skyline view while enjoying a Dhow Cruise in Dubai.
- Visitors to Dubai love coming here because they already have acquaintances and families staying here. The Indian Diaspora is expansive, which makes many Indians feel at home. This is one of the key reasons why many first-time travellers want Dubai to be their first international travel destination.
- Dubai has a hassle-free, online visa procedure. In fact, Indians who have UK or USA residential visas can even take advantage of visa-on-arrival facilities. Dubai respects Indian culture and often freely showcases it by lighting up the Burj Khalifa during Indian festivals and National Days. The Indian community celebrates Diwali in Dubai in full swing, which is a great time to enjoy the culture and food scene here.
- The city embraces Indian food and has many options, from street food stalls to opulent Michelin-star restaurants ready to cater to you with the most wonderful Indian cuisine.
- Tourists love to shop, and Dubai’s tax-free allure is quite a pull for Indians. From getting branded merchandise from mega malls to buying gold in Dubai’s Gold Souk, Indians are quite enthusiastic about shopping in Dubai.
So, what should one do to fly to Dubai in an affordable way? Booking flights at a low cost takes practice, and mostly frequent flyers get the hang of it. For those who are just starting out, these tips for first-time visitors to Dubai from India will help you snag pocket-friendly flight deals.
How to Search for Flight Tickets Smartly
In this digital era, everything is available with just a few clicks on a smartphone app or desktop website. For your Dubai travel, whether you are booking a limo transfer, a Dubai visit visa, or reserving flight tickets, all can be arranged with an electronic device with a good internet connection and an international debit card.
But then again, the algorithm can manipulate the fares, especially on flight tickets, depending on the search engines you use, the apps you are using on your smartphone, and even the days you are booking the tickets. Many seasoned travellers are of the opinion that it is always best to use a desktop website rather than a smartphone to browse for good flight deals. Secondly, using incognito mode in a web browser also impacts the display of flight rates. Lastly, search for Dubai flight tickets in the middle of the week, preferably Tuesdays, when the prices are at their lowest. Also, use search engine tools specifically made for flight costs, such as Skyscanner and Google Flights, to compare the cheapest prices. Set up price alerts so that you don’t miss your chance when fares get lower.
Dubai Visa
Easy Documentation
Online Payment Option
Express Working Days
Other Essential tips:
Look for the Cheapest Time to Fly to Dubai
One of the best ways to ensure you can enjoy air trips at a lower rate is to book your travel tickets during the low season. However, Dubai is extremely hot during this time, as summer is in full swing. We recommend looking for the shoulder season of September and October to get fairly lower prices for your Dubai travel.
Book Your Flight Tickets in Advance
Before you plan your itinerary, take a look at the flight options well in advance to secure lower prices. Start your flight search early, as prices will fluctuate and increase as your travel dates approach.
Use Your Flyer Miles to Slash Prices Further
This goes without saying. If you are a frequent flyer and use credit cards to book tickets or are part of airline loyalty programmes, use those miles and points earned on previous trips to good use and get discounted rates on your flight tickets. These can potentially lower your costs significantly. The more travel miles you have, the more benefits you can redeem.
Emirates Airlines and Air India’s Loyalty Programmes are some of the airlines flying to Dubai that let you redeem miles for flights. Certain credit cards also let you convert points earned into miles with partnered airlines.
Fly with Low-Cost Airlines
Many airlines are offering cheap flights to Dubai from India, so visitors have a wide choice when deciding which one is best suited to their Dubai holiday budget. A couple of low-cost UAE airlines also operate flights from the main cities of India. Some of the best economical airlines to check out are:
- Air India
- IndiGo
- SpiceJet
- Air Arabia
- Flydubai
Major Indian Airports for Flights to Dubai
Many of the above-mentioned flights, along with the premier airlines like Emirates fly out to Dubai from these Indian airports:
- Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM) – Mumbai
- Kempegowda International Airport (BLR) – Bengaluru
- Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) – New Delhi
- Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (HYD) – Hyderabad
- Cochin International Airport (COK) – Kochi
- Chennai International Airport (MAA) – Chennai
- Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU) – Kolkata
- Goa Dabolim International Airport (GOI) – Goa
- Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport (NAG) – Nagpur
- Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (AMD) – Ahmedabad
Watch out for Hidden Costs
Find out about Dubai trip costs from India, so you have an estimate of how much you would be spending and can accordingly plan on getting a flight ticket within budget. Once you have zeroed in on a budget rate, look in-depth at the flight cost details to see if the fares will levy any additional hidden costs. These can sneak in as airline fees, with flight change or cancellation charges, seat selection charges, etc. Airlines can also add extra luggage charges if you exceed the maximum luggage capacity mentioned in your flight bookings. Extra luggage can quickly add a few thousand to your fare. Know what to pack for your Dubai trip from India, so you aren’t overwhelmed with this daunting task.
Most hidden costs for your flight to Dubai may seem insignificant on their own, but together, they can become a good chunk of money out of your pocket!
- Extra luggage fees can be anywhere from INR 1000 to 3000 per kilogram.
- Getting a seat of your preference while booking a flight ticket also costs you an extra INR 500 to 2000.
- Some travellers flying with certain airlines also have to go through an additional formality – ‘OK to Board’ (OTB), which is not entirely free. Some airlines charge a fee for this, ranging from INR 500 to 900 per person.
The fare cost isn’t the only thing to consider when booking a flight ticket. A valid visa and travel medical insurance also play an important part in your journey to Dubai. These may cost about INR 6000 to 8000 for a tourist visa and INR 1000 to 1500 for travel insurance.
Select Low-Cost Seats on the Flight
Select your flight seat in advance and opt for low-cost ones. Seats in the middle of the plane or in the back are usually cheaper. Seats with extra legroom are usually more expensive. Airlines may also charge more for a window seat. So keep these factors in mind before booking your tickets.
Conclusion
Dubai’s blend of proximity, affordability, and countless attractions makes it a favourite for Indians. For many, finding cheap flights to Dubai from India is the first thing to tick off on the travel checklist. With these tips in hand, you get renewed confidence to get the best flight tickets. So go on, check flight deals, grab your visa, and start planning your Dubai adventure today!
FAQs
