UAE travel: Travelling during Easter? Here’s how much the trip will cost you

Short-haul, visa-friendly destinations rank high on UAE travellers list

Last updated:
Dhanusha Gokulan, Chief Reporter
3 MIN READ
UAE travel agents are seeing increased interest in lesser-known European destinations such as Slovenia, Albania, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
UAE travel agents are seeing increased interest in lesser-known European destinations such as Slovenia, Albania, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Shutterstock

Dubai: Are you planning a quick trip away with the family for the upcoming Easter weekend? While Easter is not a public holiday in the UAE, it still sees strong demand among expatriates, particularly Europeans and South Asians, according to travel agents.

“Booking trends for Easter 2025 show a healthy lead time, on par with the winter break but behind Eid travel. This is largely due to Easter being less rigidly defined regarding time off. Eid, by contrast, tends to drive larger family bookings with longer stays,” explained Rikant Pittie, CEO and Co-founder of EaseMyTrip.ae

Easter airfares

While a quick trip away during Easter comes at a price, airfares for travel from April 19 to 25 are lower than fares during the Eid break.

For example, non-stop flights from Dubai to Riyadh start from approximately Dh566 - Dh576 on budget carriers like Flyadeal and Flynas. Air Arabia from Sharjah is around Dh731. Compared to the airfares during the Eid Al Fitr break, ticket prices for travel over the weekend are at least Dh1,000 cheaper.

Current non-stop flights from Dubai to Mumbai are available from around Dh865 - Dh992 on airlines like Air India, IndiGo, and Spicejet. Some connecting flights are available at slightly lower prices, starting around Dh764.

Dh15,000 to Bangkok?

Fares to South Asian destinations, including Mumbai, were significantly inflated during the December 2024 break and were still high in January 2025, potentially ranging from Dh1,900 to Dh3,100. The Eid period (late March) saw some moderation from the December peaks.

Non-stop flights from Dubai to Bangkok on Emirates start from a significantly higher price of around Dh15,445.

However, flights from Sharjah to Air Arabia are much lower, starting at approximately Dh3,467. Connecting flights are available from Dubai starting from around Dh 1,718.

Non-stop flights from Dubai to London (Gatwick) on Emirates start at around Dh5,255, while British Airways to Heathrow starts at Dh8,585. Connecting flights are available from around Dh2,549. Non-stop flights from Dubai to New York (Newark) on United Airlines start from about Dh3,235. Emirates' non-stop to JFK is significantly more expensive, starting at around Dh25,995. Connecting flights are available from around Dh5,075.

Hotel rates

“While hotel rates in popular destinations have seen moderate increases of 5-10 per cent, this hasn’t deterred bookings, as travellers are more value-conscious than price-averse,” said Pittie. Easter travel decisions, according to the travel expert, are influenced less by sticker price and more by perceived experience, value-adds like breakfast inclusions, flexible cancellations, and airport transfers have become differentiators. “We’re also seeing more travellers use fintech tools like ‘Book Now, Pay Later’ to manage costs,” he added.

Easter breaks are more targeted and shorter in duration, but often to higher-end or offbeat destinations. “Fare promotions and visa facilitation are also supporting the surge in interest,” he added.

Top destinations

This year, travel agents anticipate continued demand for short-haul, visa-friendly destinations, with Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan ranking high on UAE travellers’ lists.

European cities like London, Paris, and Rome are expected to attract families and couples this year, especially as Schengen visa issuance processes have gradually improved. Closer to home, Maldives and Thailand continue to draw strong interest due to their appeal for relaxation-focused travel. “We’ve seen encouraging early booking volumes for these destinations, indicating a strong travel intent for the Easter period,” he said.

Inbound travel

Even during Easter, The UAE remains a key inbound destination, especially for visitors from the UK, Germany, Russia, and the Indian subcontinent. Dubai and Abu Dhabi are well-positioned as year-round leisure hubs, and the Easter period falls just before peak summer, making it ideal for European travellers seeking warm weather.

“We also see regional visitors, particularly from Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, choosing UAE cities for shopping, luxury experiences, and family-friendly entertainment during Easter. This aligns with Dubai’s broader strategy of sustaining tourism flows year-round,” said Pittie.

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