Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Sharjah? Which UAE Airport Offers the Cheapest Summer Flights?
Travellers flying from the UAE this summer could save hundreds of dirhams by comparing fares across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah airports instead of booking from the nearest airport, according to source analysis of return economy airfares.
The comparison, based on the lowest available return fares on Booking.com for one adult travelling on the same dates, covered 13 popular destinations across India, Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and tourist hotspots including Istanbul, Baku, and Tbilisi. The findings showed that Abu Dhabi offered the cheapest fares on most routes, while Sharjah and Dubai provided the lowest prices for several other destinations.
Among Indian routes, Abu Dhabi emerged as the most affordable departure airport for Mumbai, Kochi, Kozhikode, Chennai, and Bengaluru. Sharjah offered the cheapest fares to Delhi, while Dubai had the lowest return fare to Karachi. Sharjah also proved the most economical option for Lahore, whereas Abu Dhabi offered the best fares to Cairo. Dubai recorded the lowest airfare to Jeddah, while Sharjah was the cheapest choice for Istanbul and Tbilisi. Travellers heading to Baku found the best deals from Abu Dhabi.
Cheapest UAE Airport by Destination
| Destination | Cheapest Departure Airport | Lowest Return Fare |
|---|---|---|
| Mumbai | Abu Dhabi | Dh1,206 |
| Delhi | Sharjah | Dh1,171 |
| Kochi | Abu Dhabi | Dh1,376 |
| Kozhikode | Abu Dhabi | Dh1,256 |
| Chennai | Abu Dhabi | Dh1,236 |
| Bengaluru | Abu Dhabi | Dh1,672 |
| Karachi | Dubai | Dh1,083 |
| Lahore | Sharjah | Dh1,450 |
| Cairo | Abu Dhabi | Dh1,915 |
| Jeddah | Dubai | Dh1,001 |
| Istanbul | Sharjah | Dh1,222 |
| Baku | Abu Dhabi | Dh1,501 |
| Tbilisi | Sharjah | Dh1,631 |
The report noted that airfare differences can amount to several hundred dirhams per passenger, making it worthwhile for families to consider departing from a different emirate. However, travellers are advised to factor in additional expenses such as fuel, parking, taxi fares, baggage charges, and flight timings before making a final booking.
As airfares remain dynamic and fluctuate with demand and availability, passengers are encouraged to compare prices across all three UAE airports, check flexible travel dates, and review baggage policies to maximise savings during the busy summer travel season.
