Winter sun, world-class shopping, record-breaking skyscrapers and luxury beach resorts — Dubai and Abu Dhabi are Britain's favourite long-haul winter escape.
The UAE is Britain's single biggest long-haul destination — more than 1.7 million Brits fly to Dubai alone each year. It's a 7-hour flight to guaranteed winter sun (November–March, 25°C daily highs), tax-free luxury shopping, world-class hotels, and a safety record that's hard to beat.
Dubai draws most visitors — the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, Palm Jumeirah, Jumeirah Beach hotels, and the contrast between old Deira souks and new Downtown. Abu Dhabi (a 90-minute drive away) is the calmer, more cultural capital — Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is one of the world's most photographed buildings and Yas Island has Formula 1, Ferrari World and Warner Bros theme parks.
Also a superb long-haul stopover — Emirates and Etihad hubs here, making Dubai/Abu Dhabi perfect for 2–3 nights en route to Asia or Australia.
Emirates is the UK's biggest partner, operating from 6 UK airports to Dubai.
| Visa (UK passport) | Free visa on arrival, 30-day stay (extendable once for AED 600). Passport must be valid 6+ months from arrival. |
|---|---|
| Currency | UAE Dirham (AED, د.إ). 1 GBP ≈ 4.7 AED. Cards accepted everywhere; cash useful for taxis and souks. |
| Time zone | Gulf Standard Time (UTC+4) — 3 hours ahead of UK in winter, 4 hours ahead in summer (no DST). |
| Language | Arabic official. English is the de facto business language — everyone speaks it in tourist, hotel and retail environments. |
| Best months | November–March (mild 20–28°C). Avoid June–September (40°C+). |
| Flight times from UK | DXB 7h 20m · AUH 7h 20m · SHJ 7h 20m · RKT 7h 30m |
| Plug type | Type G — the same as UK! No adaptor needed. A rare perk. |
| Alcohol & conduct | Alcohol allowed in licensed hotels, bars, clubs. Don't drink in public. Dress modestly away from beach/pool — knees and shoulders covered in malls and mosques. |
November to March is peak tourist season — 20–28°C, low humidity, pleasant for the beach. April, May and October are shoulder (hot but tolerable). June, July, August: 40°C+ with high humidity — hotel prices drop by half but you'll only want to be between air-con buildings.
Perfect weather, beach-friendly, but busiest + priciest.
Hot (30–35°C) but manageable; cheaper hotels.
40°C+, humid, outdoor unbearable. Hotels 50% off.
No advance visa — UK passport holders get a free 30-day visa on arrival (can be extended once for 30 more days, AED 600). Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from entry.
The UAE Dirham (AED). Cards are accepted everywhere including taxis. Bring small cash (AED 20–50 notes) for souks, mosque donations and informal tips.
November to March. Temperatures are pleasant (20–28°C), humidity is low, and outdoor dining/beach days are perfect. Avoid June–August (40°C+ is genuinely dangerous for outdoor activity).
7 hours 20 minutes direct. Abu Dhabi is the same. All flights are overnight from the UK, arriving early morning — or lunchtime departure arriving evening.
Yes, in licensed venues — hotels, bars, clubs, restaurants and duty-free on arrival. Don't drink in public or buy alcohol from supermarkets (you need a resident alcohol licence). Never drink and drive — zero tolerance.
Extremely safe — Dubai has one of the lowest crime rates in the world. Respect local laws: no public drunkenness, no public displays of affection, modest dress in malls and mosques. Social media criticism of the UAE government is a criminal offence.