Cheap Flights from London to Dubai

Flights from London to Dubai

This information is correct as of August 2015

Airlines that fly from London to Dubai

Five airlines currently offer flights from London to Dubai-International Airport. British Airways from Heathrow, Emirates from Heathrow and Gatwick, Qantas from Heathrow, Royal Brunei Airlines from Heathrow, and Virgin Atlantic from Heathrow. There are currently no flights from London to Dubai-Al Maktoum.

Terminal Information – Departing

Qantas, Virgin Atlantic and Emirates all fly from Heathrow Airport Terminal 3. British Airways depart from Terminal 5. Terminal 3 has a good range of luxury shops and high end eateries, with stores like Burberry and refreshment stands like the Caviar House & Prunier. Terminal 5 is Heathrow's newest terminal and also boasts great shopping and dining. Terminal 5 is home to the Aspire Lounge & Spa, while Terminal 3 has two lounges: Servisair and No.1 Traveller.

Emirates fly to Dubai from Gatwick's North Terminal. The Gatwick Express comes in at the South Terminal, so you will need to take the free inter-terminal shuttle to reach the right place. There's a huge range of restaurants and shops in the North Terminal. Places to eat include quite a few Jamie Oliver outposts: Jamie's Bakery, Jamie's Italian, and Union Jack's Bar by Jamie Oliver. There are some great designer shops to browse including Cath Kidston, Ted Baker and Hugo Boss as well as a few high street favourites.

Terminal Information – Arriving

Most flights from London land at Dubai International's Terminal 1, while Emirates flights land at the exclusive Terminal 3. There's a taxi rank at each terminal. Both terminals are also served by the Dubai Metro system, making it easy to reach the city. Public buses are also available just a short walk away from the terminals.

Practical Information

British nationals get a free 30 day Visa upon arrival in Dubai. If you want to stay a bit longer you can extend it by 30 days by visiting a UAE immigration office. You will have to pay an extension fee for this service, however. You also need a valid passport to visit the UAE. Your passport must be valid for six months after your arrival date, even if you're only planning on staying in the country for a few days. Although you can visit Dubai with an Israeli stamp on your passport, you may not be allowed to work there. If you have dual nationality and are British-Israeli you might be refused entry. If in doubt, speak to your local Emirati embassy. Some prescription drugs are restricted, and you need permission from the UAE Ministry of Health to bring them into the country. A full list of these medications can be found here: http://www.uaeinteract.com/travel/drug.asp

What to expect in Dubai

Dubai is a lot less expensive than London, with a three course meal for two costing less than £30 on average. It's also a lot hotter than London, with summer temperatures regularly soaring above 36°C. Although Dubai is a glamorous city, it's still very religious. It's important to act respectful, especially during the month of Ramadan. This means no public displays of affection, no flashing your skin, and no public drunkenness. Electronic cigarettes are illegal, as is alcohol (although it is served in hotels and restaurants).

*Prices subject to change