The UAE will observe a long weekend at the end of September, with a three-day break for both public and private sector employees. Friday, September 29, is a holiday to commemorate Prophet Muhammad’s (Peace be upon him) birthday, and when combined with the regular Saturday-Sunday weekend, it provides a three-day weekend.
Government employees in Sharjah will enjoy an extended break, with their official holiday for the occasion falling on Thursday, September 28.
To cater to residents planning to make the most of this long weekend, airlines and travel agencies in the UAE are offering a range of travel packages. However, they advise potential travelers to book early as packages are selling out fast, and prices tend to rise closer to the date.
Dubai-based airline flydubai is offering return flight deals starting at Dh725 for the holiday. The airline has specified that bookings must be made before September 27 for travel between September 28 and October 2. Return fares to destinations like Salalah start from Dh725, while fares to Alexandria are Dh1,095, Istanbul Dh1,230, Tblisi Dh1,545, Baku Dh1,575, Pattaya Dh1,665, and Sarajevo Dh2,265, among others. Flydubai is also offering holiday packages with rates starting from Dh1,549.
Skyscanner, a flight, car rental, and hotel booking platform, has a ‘everywhere’ search option that has revealed deals starting from Dh201 to Oman, Dh563 to Turkey, Dh730 to Austria, and Dh983 to Sweden, among others.
Uzbekistan is becoming a popular destination due to its visa-free policy for UAE residents. Travel agencies have reported a significant increase in demand for travel to Uzbekistan, citing its stunning landscapes and the appeal of visa-free travel.
Travel experts note that many residents are opting for destinations within a short flight’s reach, with packages priced around Dh2,200 being particularly popular. Destinations like Krabi, Phuket, Almaty, Baku, and Yerevan are among the preferred choices. The ease of travel due to visa-on-arrival or visa-free entry for UAE residents and the affordability of packages are driving this trend.
Spontaneous travel plans are also on the rise, with many residents booking trips shortly after a holiday is announced. Visa-on-arrival and visa-free travel options from the UAE are providing more travel opportunities for residents.
