How to Save Money on Flights from Dubai and Abu-Dhabi

TRAVEL
How to Save Money on Flights?

Traveling from the UAE is becoming increasingly popular. Dubai and Abu Dhabi are among the world’s busiest aviation hubs, with millions of passengers flying every year. However, airfares can be expensive, especially to popular destinations in Europe, Asia, and the USA. So how do you find cheap flights from Dubai and Abu Dhabi, save money, and still enjoy comfort? In this guide, we’ll share flight booking secrets, travel hacks, and strategies to cut your travel costs.

1. Use Flexible Dates to Find the Cheapest Airfares

Ticket prices vary significantly depending on the day of the week and the season. The cheapest days to fly are usually Tuesday and Wednesday, when demand is lower.

  • Tip: use “flexible dates” search on Skyscanner, Google Flights, and Kayak.

  • Example: a Dubai–Paris ticket on Tuesday can be up to 30% cheaper than on Friday.

  • Fact: flexible date searches save travelers up to 25% on international flights from the UAE.

2. Compare Flights from Dubai and Abu-Dhabi

Although Dubai is the UAE’s main hub, flights from Abu Dhabi are often cheaper due to competition from Etihad Airways and other airlines.
  • Example: Dubai–Milan: AED 1500, Abu Dhabi–Milan: AED 1100.

  • The new Midfield Terminal in Abu Dhabi has increased capacity and competition, driving down prices.

  • Fact: In 2025, Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports handled more than 120 million passengers, with about 20% of tickets sold under special promotions.

3. Low-cost Airlines and Budget Travel

Air Arabia, FlyDubai, and Wizz Air Abu Dhabi regularly offer budget tickets.
  • Example: Abu Dhabi–Bucharest from AED 150.

  • Combine low-cost airlines with major carriers for long-haul trips.

  • Fact: FlyDubai serves over 120 destinations and carries more than 13 million passengers annually.
How to Save Money on Flights?

Traveling from the UAE is becoming increasingly popular. Dubai and Abu Dhabi are among the world’s busiest aviation hubs, with millions of passengers flying every year. However, airfares can be expensive, especially to popular destinations in Europe, Asia, and the USA. So how do you find cheap flights from Dubai and Abu Dhabi, save money, and still enjoy comfort? In this guide, we’ll share flight booking secrets, travel hacks, and strategies to cut your travel costs.

1. Use Flexible Dates to Find the Cheapest Airfares

Ticket prices vary significantly depending on the day of the week and the season. The cheapest days to fly are usually Tuesday and Wednesday, when demand is lower.

  • Tip: use “flexible dates” search on Skyscanner, Google Flights, and Kayak.

  • Example: a Dubai–Paris ticket on Tuesday can be up to 30% cheaper than on Friday.

  • Fact: flexible date searches save travelers up to 25% on international flights from the UAE.

2. Compare Flights from Dubai and Abu Dhabi

Although Dubai is the UAE’s main hub, flights from Abu Dhabi are often cheaper due to competition from Etihad Airways and other airlines.

  • Example: Dubai–Milan: AED 1500, Abu Dhabi–Milan: AED 1100.

  • The new Midfield Terminal in Abu Dhabi has increased capacity and competition, driving down prices.

  •  Fact: In 2025, Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports handled more than 120 million passengers, with about 20% of tickets sold under special promotions.

3. Low-Cost Airlines and Budget Travel

Air Arabia, FlyDubai, and Wizz Air Abu Dhabi regularly offer budget tickets.
  • Example: Abu Dhabi–Bucharest from AED 150.

  • Combine low-cost airlines with major carriers for long-haul trips.

  • Fact: FlyDubai serves over 120 destinations and carries more than 13 million passengers annually.
4. Hidden Routes and Stopovers

Sometimes it’s cheaper to book flights with stopovers instead of direct flights.

  • Example: Dubai–London–Berlin can be cheaper than Dubai–Berlin direct.

  • Etihad offers a free hotel stay for 1 night on selected stopover itineraries in Abu Dhabi.

  • Fact: stopover tours allow you to visit a new city for free or at a discount.

5. Use VPN and Multi-Currency Cards

Airfare prices can change depending on your search location. Using a VPN can help find lower fares.

  • Example: Dubai–Bangkok tickets can be AED 200 cheaper when booked with an Indian IP.

  • Multi-currency cards like Revolut or Wise reduce foreign exchange fees.


6. Subscribe to Airlines Promotions and Newsletters

Etihad, Emirates, and FlyDubai frequently run flash sales and promotions.

  • Tip: sign up for newsletters and check offers late at night, when airlines often release fresh deals.

  • Example: Emirates Flash Sale 2024 offered Dubai–London tickets at 50% off.


7. Use Miles and Loyalty Programs

UAE banks offer credit cards with air miles on every purchase. Miles can be redeemed for free or discounted tickets.

  • Example: 20,000 miles = Dubai–Mumbai ticket.

  • Combine miles with airline promotions for maximum savings.
4. Hidden Routes and Stopovers

Sometimes it’s cheaper to book flights with stopovers instead of direct flights.

  • Example: Dubai–London–Berlin can be cheaper than Dubai–Berlin direct.

  • Etihad offers a free hotel stay for 1 night on selected stopover itineraries in Abu Dhabi.

  • Fact: stopover tours allow you to visit a new city for free or at a discount.

5. Use VPN and Multi-Currency Cards

Airfare prices can change depending on your search location. Using a VPN can help find lower fares.

  • Example: Dubai–Bangkok tickets can be AED 200 cheaper when booked with an Indian IP.

  • Multi-currency cards like Revolut or Wise reduce foreign exchange fees.

6. Subscribe to Airline Promotions and Newsletters

Etihad, Emirates, and FlyDubai frequently run flash sales and promotions.

  • Tip: sign up for newsletters and check offers late at night, when airlines often release fresh deals.

  • Example: Emirates Flash Sale 2024 offered Dubai–London tickets at 50% off.

7. Use Miles and Loyalty Programs

UAE banks offer credit cards with air miles on every purchase. Miles can be redeemed for free or discounted tickets.

  • Example: 20,000 miles = Dubai–Mumbai ticket.

  • Combine miles with airline promotions for maximum savings.
8. Consider Alternative Airports and Routes

  • Fly to nearby cities instead of major hubs: Paris → Milan or Brussels, New York → Washington or Boston.

  • The price difference can be up to 40%, with minimal extra travel time.

9. Real Travelers Stories
  • Alya from Dubai: booked Abu Dhabi–Budapest for AED 200 using a VPN and a FlyDubai promotion.

  • Saeed from Abu Dhabi: combined an Etihad stopover deal with a free hotel stay in Abu Dhabi.
These stories prove that saving money on flights is absolutely possible.

10. Top 15 Websites and Apps for Cheap Flights from UAE

  1. Skyscanner — best for cheap flights from Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
  2. Google Flights — flexible dates & price alerts.
  3. Kayak — Price Alerts for UAE flight deals.
  4. Momondo — hidden routes and budget combinations.
  5. Emirates Official Website — Emirates flash sales.
  6. Etihad Airways — Abu Dhabi flights + stopover deals.
  7. FlyDubai — budget flights across Middle East & Europe.
  8. Air Arabia — cheap flights to Asia and Europe.
  9. Wizz Air Abu Dhabi — cheap flights to Europe from AED 99.
  10. CheapOair — compares nearby-date fares.
  11. Expedia — flight + hotel package discounts.
  12. Trip.com — mobile app with discount alerts.
  13. Kiwi.com — combine multiple airlines into one trip.
  14. Travelstart UAE — local site for low-cost deals.
  15. Priceline — “Name Your Own Price” flight offers.
8. Consider Alternative Airports and Routes

  • Fly to nearby cities instead of major hubs: Paris → Milan or Brussels, New York → Washington or Boston.

  • The price difference can be up to 40%, with minimal extra travel time.

9. Real Traveler Stories

  • Alya from Dubai: booked Abu Dhabi–Budapest for AED 200 using a VPN and a FlyDubai promotion.

  • Saeed from Abu Dhabi: combined an Etihad stopover deal with a free hotel stay in Abu Dhabi.
These stories prove that saving money on flights is absolutely possible.

10. Top 15 Websites and Apps for Cheap Flights from UAE

  1. Skyscanner — best for cheap flights from Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
  2. Google Flights — flexible dates & price alerts.
  3. Kayak — Price Alerts for UAE flight deals.
  4. Momondo — hidden routes and budget combinations.
  5. Emirates Official Website — Emirates flash sales.
  6. Etihad Airways — Abu Dhabi flights + stopover deals.
  7. FlyDubai — budget flights across Middle East & Europe.
  8. Air Arabia — cheap flights to Asia and Europe.
  9. Wizz Air Abu Dhabi — cheap flights to Europe from AED 99.
  10. CheapOair — compares nearby-date fares.
  11. Expedia — flight + hotel package discounts.
  12. Trip.com — mobile app with discount alerts.
  13. Kiwi.com — combine multiple airlines into one trip.
  14. Travelstart UAE — local site for low-cost deals.
  15. Priceline — “Name Your Own Price” flight offers.
Final Thoughts: How to Save Money on Flights from Dubai and Abu-Dhabi
You can cut your travel costs by using:
  1. Flexible travel dates.
  2. Alternative airports (DXB, AUH).
  3. Low-cost airlines and budget carriers.
  4. Flash sales and promotions.
  5. VPN and multi-currency cards.
  6. Miles and rewards programs.
  7. Stopovers and hidden routes.

Savings can reach up to 50%, leaving more money for hotels, shopping, and unforgettable experiences.


Final Thoughts: How to Save Money on Flights from Dubai and Abu-Dhabi
You can cut your travel costs by using:
  1. Flexible travel dates.
  2. Alternative airports (DXB, AUH).
  3. Low-cost airlines and budget carriers.
  4. Flash sales and promotions.
  5. VPN and multi-currency cards.
  6. Miles and rewards programs.
  7. Stopovers and hidden routes.
Savings can reach up to 50%, leaving more money for hotels, shopping, and unforgettable experiences.
Found a cheap flight ticket from Dubai or Abu-Dhabi? Great! Now the next step is — to get a visa without any hassles!
Read Other Publications