Getting There

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General Information

Travel to the UAE has never been easier since it is now one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Most of the leading airlines of the world fly into the UAE, but you can also travel by road or sea. The vast majority of visitors take advantage of the excellent deals on offer through a number of tour operators.

- BY AIR

- BY LAND

- BY SEA

- PACKAGE TOURS

BY AIR

1. AIRPORTS

2. AIRLINES

The national airlines Gulf Air (www.gulfairco.com) and Emirates Airlines (www.emirates.com) offer a comprehensive air service to the UAE's six international airports at Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Dubai, Sharjah, Ra's al-Khaimah and Fujairah. An international airport is due to be completed in Al Ain by the end of 2002.

Emirates operate international flights to and from Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Gulf Air flies to all six airports. See list below or check with your local travel agency for information on competitively priced package tours to the UAE.

Approximate flight times

From London to Abu Dhabi flight times are 6 hours 35 minutes, to Dubai 7 hours; from Frankfurt to Dubai 6 hours; from Hong King to Dubai 8 hours, from Los Angeles 19 hours 55 minutes, from Toronto 14 hours 10 minutes, from Sydney 16 hours 15 minutes. It takes 4 hours to fly from Nairobi to Dubai.

Departure tax

You do not have to pay departure tax at any of the UAE's airports.

AIRPORTS

 

- Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH)(02 5757500, flight enquiries: 02 5757611)

 

Web address: www.dcaauh.gov.ae

Over 40 passenger carriers operate scheduled flights to Abu Dhabi from approximately 90 destinations world-wide. Major international carriers include Air France, Air India, British Airways, KLM, Lufthansa, PIA, Britannia, and China Airlines.Check www.abudhabi-airptsvcs.com for list of passenger carriers and weekly flight schedules.

Airport facilities are superb and include an award-winning 3200-square-metre duty free shop, a 19-suite airport hotel, a golf course 400 metres from the terminal, a gym, VIP lounges, a tourist information centre, car hire, travel agency, hotel reservation, bank, bureau de change, internet access and a 24-hour business centre. Raffles for Dh500, 000 cash are commonplace at the airport and there is alcohol for sale on arrival.

On arrival or departure, Golden Class Service (02 5757466) provides a dedicated check-in counter, help with immigration and use of the VIP lounge. Prices range from Dh50-Dh70. A limousine trip to or from your hotel will cost extra. For Dh100 Sunshine Tours (02 4449914) will help you through immigration and customs and transfer you to your hotel in Abu Dhabi.

Abu Dhabi airport is situated on the mainland, 35km (22 miles) east of the city. The journey to the city centre should take about 45 minutes, depending on the traffic.

Limousines and Al Ghazal taxis (purple and white luxury saloons) can be pre-booked or picked-up at the airport. Fares are approximately Dh70. Orange and white airport taxis charge approximately Dh40 to the city centre. Many hotels run an airport shuttle service.

For the return journey, Gulf Air passengers can check in at a city terminal opposite the Beach Rotana hotel, up to 12 hours before their departure time. There is a 24-hour courtesy shuttle service every half hour from the city terminal to the airport.Bus services run from the airport to the bus station on East Rd approximately every 20 minutes. The fare is Dh3.

Note that there is no left luggage facility at Abu Dhabi airport.

 

- Al Ain International Airport (03 7855555)

 

Gulf Air operates scheduled flights to Al Ain from Bahrain, Qatar and Muscat. Egypt Air flies from Cairo, Royal Jordanian from Amman, PIA from Karachi and Lahore.

The airport is approximately 20km from the city centre. Airport to Hilton or Intercontinental hotels takes about 20 minutes and costs Dh15 in an ordinary taxi or Dh40 by special airport taxi. Bus fare for the 40-minute bus journey to and from the airport to the main bus station is Dh3. Buses run every 30 minutes, 24 hours a day.

 

- Dubai Airport (DXB) (04 2245555) Enquiries: 04 2066666

 

Website: www.dubaiairport.com

Almost all the world's leading airlines operate scheduled services to Dubai, including British Airways, Air France, Cathay Pacific, Cyprus Airways, Kenya Airways, Lufthansa, Northwest Airlines and United Airlines, to name but a few. Airport facilities include ATM, bureau de change, bank, post office, medical centre, pharmacy, cafes, restaurants, executive lounges, left-luggage, duty-free shopping, tourist information, car hire, internet access.

Dubai airport is located 5km (3 miles) south-east of the city, about 10 minutes in light traffic, although the airport roads are very busy at peak traffic times. Prepaid airport taxis must be booked in the arrival hall and charge a fixed Dh30 for destinations in the city centre. Airport buses (20 minutes to city centre for Dh1) leave for the city every ten minutes between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.

The metred taxi rate is Dh16 plus, 50 fils for 500 metres.

 

- Sharjah International Airport (SHJ) (06 5581111) Enquiries: 06 5581000

 

Web address: www.shj-airport.gov.ae

SIA's website provides detailed, real-time information on airlines and flight schedules. Scheduled airlines include Gulf Air, Aeroflot, Cathay Pacific, Egypt Air, Pakistan International Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways International. Destinations serviced include London, Singapore, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Bombay, Copenhagen, Delhi, Hong Kong, Muscat and Madras. Airport facilities include a 24-hour duty-free shop, car hire, bar, restaurant snack bar and bank. A meet, assist and transfer service (Hala) is operated by SATA. Special airport taxis are the only ones permitted to pick up passengers at the airport. Fares to the centre of Sharjah, a journey of 10km (6 miles) are approximately Dh40. It will cost you Dh60 to get to Deira in Dubai and Dh70 to Bur Dubai.

The website provides detailed, real-time information on flight schedules. Airport facilities include 24-hour duty-free shop, car hire, bar, restaurant snack bar and bank. A 'meet, assist and transfer service' (Hala) is operated by Sharjah (SATA). Special airport taxis are the only ones permitted to pick up passengers at the airport. Fares to the centre of Sharjah, a journey of 10 km (6 miles) are approximately Dh40. It will cost you Dh60 to get to Deira in Dubai and Dh70 to Bur Dubai.

 

- Ra's al-Khaimah International Airport (RKT) (07 2448111)

 

Website: www.rkt-airport.com

This is a small but modern and efficient airport whose facilities include a duty-free shop, restaurant and snack bar. The main carriers operating through the airport are Gulf Air, Egypt Air, Indian Airlines, Qeshm Air, Centrafrican Airlines, Kuban Air, plus a large number of CIS carriers. Destinations served by direct flights are Muscat, Bahrain, Doha, Cairo, Al Ain, Qeshm, Meshad, Uzbekestan, Krasnodar, Calicut, and a large number of CIS destinations. Destinations served via a connecting point include Colombo, Delhi, Bombay, Karachi, Tehran, Trivandrum, Madras, Tiruchirapalli, Manila and others.

The airport is approximately 22.5km from Ra's al-Khaimah city.

 

- Fujairah International Airport (09 2226222)

 

Website: www.fujairah-airport.com

Main carriers operating scheduled flights to Fujairah airport are Gulf Air (flights to Bahrain, Qatar, Muscat), Indian Airlines and Egypt Air.

The airport is close to the city centre. You can pick up a taxi outside the airport and the fare to your hotel will not cost more than a few dirhams

There are no buses.

Airlines

Once you have decided which airport you want to use and identified the main carriers that fly in to that airport, you can contact the relevant airlines in your country of origin for rates and schedules. For special deals check the travel section of the major newspapers, or trawl the web. STA Travel, which specializes in budget airfares, has offices in major cities across the globe. Trailfinders, a UK-based travel company, also specializes in low fares.

There are daily direct services from UK and travel hubs in mainland Europe to the UAE. You can fly directly to the UAE from New York (Emirates or Malaysia Airlines) or via Europe - try KLM, Lufthansa, United Airlines. If you are travelling from the west coast of the US or Canada, try British Airways, Cathay Pacific or Air Canada. Travelling from Australia or New Zealand fly Emirates, Singapore Airlines or Malaysia Airlines. There are numerous direct flights daily from the UAE to travel hubs in Asia, especially India and Pakistan. Most of the major cities in the Middle East are also serviced on a daily basis. If you are travelling from Africa, try Emirates Airline or Gulf Air.

We have listed some airline offices in the UAE below:

Abu Dhabi

• Emirates Airlines (02) 5757474 Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed St., between East Rd and Bani Yas St.
• Gulf Air (02 6332600, airport 575 7083) corner of Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed St.
• Air India (02 6322300) Abu Dhabi Travel Bureau Building, Al Ittihad Square
• British Airways (02 6225777) in Omeir Travel, corner of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed and Liwa St
• KLM (02 6323280) Abu Dhabi Travel Bureau Building, Al Ittihad Square
• Oman Air (02 6266800) Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed St., between Lulu and Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum St.
• Royal Jordanian (02 6225484) in Omeir Travel, corner of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed and Liwa St.
• Singapore Airlines (02 6221110) in Omeir Travel, corner of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed and Liwa St.

Dubai

• Emirates Airlines (04 2144444) Airline Centre, Al Maktoum Rd., Deira
• Gulf Air (04 2713111) Salah Al Din Rd., Rigga
• British Airways (04 3075555) Airline Centre, Al Maktoum Rd., Deira
• Air India (04 2276787) Al Maktoum Rd., Deira
• Cathay Pacific (8004343) Pearl Building, 11th Floor, 18 St., Deira
• KLM (04 3355777) Dubai airport.
• Qatar Airways (04 922290) Doha Centre, Al Maktoum Rd., Deira.

Ra's al-Khaimah

• Egypt Air (07 2335000) Al-Sabah St., Ra's al-Khaimah.
• Gulf Air (07 2210033) Oman St., Al-Nakheel, Ra's al-Khaimah.
• Indian Airlines (07 2221789), Al-Nakheel.

Sharjah

• Egypt Air (06 5735535) Al-Mina St.
• Gulf Air (06 5685366) Al Arouba Rd
• Indian Airlines (06 5610505)

Fujairah

• Gulf Air (09 2226969) Fujairah Trade Centre
• Indian Airlines (09 2231989) Hamad bin Abdullah Rd.
• The information on the following website is directed at pilots and flight planners.Government Civil Aviation Authorities

BY LAND

Car

Road access to the UAE from Saudi Arabia and Oman is excellent. Connections can be made with the Trans-Arabian Highway on the overland route to Europe.

Bus

A daily service runs between Muscat and Abu Dhabi via Al Ain. There is a twice daily bus service between Oman and Dubai via Hatta. There are also bus services between Abu Dhabi and Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.

BY SEA

The main international ports are Jebel Ali (30km or 18.5 miles from Dubai city) and Port Rashid in Dubai, Mina Zayed in Abu Dhabi, Port Khalid and Khor Fakkan in Sharjah, Port Saqr in Ra's al-Khaimah and Fujairah Port in Fujairah. These are all commercial ports and are not designed to cater for tourists. Some companies operate ferry services to Iran. Again, these are not designed for tourists but they can be booked through travel agents.

Cruises

The QE2 was one of the first cruise ships to dock at the luxury cruise ship terminal in Dubai, which was opened in March 2001. Dubai expects to welcome around 25,000 cruise ship passengers in 2002 to its 3300 sq. m dedicated cruise hub which is equipped to handle two ships simultaneously. Its deep basin gives Cruise lines the option of bringing in larger ships, especially in winter when it is a great alternative to the normally congested Caribbean islands. Telephone Dubai Port Authority (04 8815000) for more information.

 

- Emirates Holidays (800 5252)

Email - emiratesholidays@emirates.com

Web address - www.emirates-holidays.com

Fly on the world-class Emirates airline and choose from a number of top hotels in Dubai and elsewhere. Golf packages are also available.

 

- CSM Sports Holidays (04 3319233)

Web address - www.csminternational.net

Offers holidays with a sports theme including tickets and hospitality for major events such as Dubai World Cup, Dubai Desert Classic, the Men's ATP and the WTA Tennis Tournaments, the Dubai Pro Beach Soccer Tournament and the World Cup Indoor Trials.

Can accommodate your needs either as participant in one or more of the sports activities available in the country or as spectator at any of the famous sporting events, or indeed a combination of both. Package includes flights from Frankfurt or London.

 

- Abu Dhabi Holidays 4 less (UK +44 207 4007011)

Web address - www.abu-dhabi-holidays4less.co.uk

a joint marketing venture between the National Hotel Corporation of Abu Dhabi, a consortium of independent hotels and the Destination Group Ltd, offers discounted golf holidays at some of the UAE's finest courses, including hotel accommodation and green fees. The group also offers two centre holidays and golfing in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Tickets can be purchased on Flights 4 less website.

 

- Dnata (04 2951111)

This UAE-based travel agency also has offices in the UK (+44 (0)20 79329900)

 

- British Airways Holidays (+44 (0)8702424245)

Web address - www.britishairways.com

flies twice daily to Dubai from the UK and offers you a choice of eight hotels.

 

- www.supertravel.co.uk (+44 207 4592984)

run golf-orientated holidays from the UK.ebookers.com have special offers from the UK on flights and hotels.

See also www.betztravel.de and www.cheapflights.com

 

- Contact Abercrombie & Kent in Australia (+61 (0)3 96999766) or UK (+44 (0)20 77739600) for information on luxury trips.

 

- Global Destinations (+1 757 4903466)

Email - global@visi.net

arrange holidays to the UAE from the United States.

 

- Arabian Odyssey (+44 (0)1242 224482)

Email - tcahol@epinet.co.uk

Web address - www.arabianodyssey.co.uk

TCA Holidays Ltd, 1 St. Margaret's Terrace, Cheltenhan, Glos GL50 4 DT UK.

Arabian Odyssey will plan your trip from UK, including flights. You can stay at some of the region's most exclusive hotels and explore Musandam, wadis and waterfalls, deserts and mountains.

 

- Mare Nostrum (+49 (O)711 2858202)

Email - geiss@mare-nostrum.de

Web address - www.mare-nostrum.de

Vaihingerstr.55, 70567 Stuttgart, Germany organize package trips for handicapped individuals or groups from Germany, UK or United States. They will provide English-speaking guides.

 

- Eagle Golf Tours, (+44 (0)1273 749661 fax 01273 748821)

Email - info@eaglegolftours.com

Web address - www.eaglegolftours.com

Eagle Golf Tours arrange golf trips to the UAE.

 

- Home Tour A/S (+47 (0)22 113260)

offers tours from Norway to the UAE.

 

- Animal Watch/Wolftrail (+44 (0)1732 741612)

is a joint British/Dutch group that organizes an annual birdwatching spring tour to the Emirates spending 12 days in March touring all the bird sites. Contact Sarah Gillem, Animal Watch, Granville House, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 1DL.

 

- Birdquest (+44 (0)254826317; fax: 0254 826780)

organize bird-watching tours in the autumn. Contact Mark Beaman, Birdquest Ltd, Two Jays, Kemple End, Birdy Brow, Stonyhurst, Lancashire BB6 9 QY.

 

- International Travel and Tourism Marketing (ITTM +41 (0)22736 06 34)

ITTM promote an annual 12-day autumn birdwatching tour to the UAE supported by ornithological organizations in several European countries. Contact Christopher Sheryl, ITTM, P.O. Box 2099, 1211 Geneva 1, Switzerland.

 

- Natur-Studienreisen (+49 (0)5551 99470)

conduct two-day birdwatching tours to the UAE from Germany. All groups are accompanied by a highly experienced German ornithologist/naturalist. Contact Natur-Studienreisen GmbH, Untere Dorfstrasse 12, W-3410 Northeim, Germany.All-in package trips are often better value for the short-stay traveller. The following are some of the more popular and specialist tour operators providing package trips to the United Arab Emirates. See also the list of destination tour operators in the section on Trips to Take.