A comparison shows UAE travellers can save hundreds of dirhams by flying from a different airport.
Flying from the airport closest to home does not always guarantee the cheapest fare. A analysis of return airfares from Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah found that travellers could save hundreds of dirhams on certain routes simply by choosing a different departure airport.
The comparison examined fares for the same travel dates across 13 popular destinations, including cities in India, Pakistan and Egypt, as well as holiday favourites such as Istanbul, Baku and Tbilisi.
Among the routes analysed, Abu Dhabi offered the lowest fares for most of the destinations reviewed, while Sharjah and Dubai provided the cheapest options on several other routes.
How KT compared fares
The comparison was based on the lowest available return economy fares listed on Booking.com for one adult travelling on the same dates. Searches were conducted on July 10. Since airline prices change frequently based on demand and availability, fares may vary.
Does the airport really make a difference?
Yes.
On several routes, the difference in fares between airports amounted to hundreds of dirhams for a single passenger.
For families, the savings can be even more significant. A difference of Dh250 per ticket, for example, could mean a saving of Dh1,000 for a family of four. The variation in prices is largely due to airlines operating different routes from different airports. Some destinations have more competition, while low-cost carriers often operate from specific airports, creating cheaper options on selected routes.
Travelling home?
The analysis found that Abu Dhabi offered the cheapest fares on most of the Indian routes reviewed.
A return ticket to Mumbai started at Dh1,206 from Abu Dhabi, compared with around Dh1,500 from Dubai. For Kochi, fares from Abu Dhabi started at Dh1,376, while the lowest fare from Dubai was around Dh1,959.
For Delhi, however, Sharjah emerged as the cheapest option, with return fares starting at Dh1,171, compared with higher fares from both Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
The trend continued on other Indian routes, with Abu Dhabi offering the lowest fares to Chennai, Kozhikode and Bengaluru.
The pattern was different for Pakistan routes.
For Karachi, Dubai offered the cheapest return fare at Dh1,083, while Sharjah had the lowest fare to Lahore, starting at Dh1,450.
Among other popular destinations, Abu Dhabi offered the lowest fare to Cairo, while Dubai was the cheapest option for Jeddah, with return fares starting at Dh1,001.
Cheapest airport by destination
| Destination | Lowest departure airport | Lowest return airfare |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Planning a holiday?
The analysis also found noticeable fare differences for popular holiday destinations.
For Istanbul, the lowest return fare started at Dh1,222 from Sharjah.
Travellers flying to Baku could find the best deal from Abu Dhabi, with fares starting at Dh1,501, while Sharjah offered the cheapest option for Tbilisi, with return fares starting at Dh1,631.
The findings suggest that travellers should compare prices across all three UAE airports rather than limiting their search to the closest departure point.
Is it worth driving to another airport?
In many cases, yes. If the difference is only Dh50 or Dh100, travelling to another emirate may not be worthwhile.
However, when the savings reach several hundred dirhams per passenger, choosing a different airport can make financial sense, especially for families.
Travellers should also consider fuel, parking or taxi expenses, baggage fees and flight timings before making a final decision.
Things to remember before you book
A few extra minutes spent comparing fares could lead to meaningful savings.
Before booking, travellers should:
- Compare fares from Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.
- Check nearby travel dates if their schedule is flexible.
- Compare both low-cost and full-service airlines.
- Review baggage charges before selecting the cheapest ticket.
- Include airport travel costs in the overall budget.
Is there an airport that consistently offers cheap flights?
The Khaleej Times analysis found that no single UAE airport consistently offers the cheapest fares.
While Abu Dhabi provided the lowest prices on most routes analysed, Sharjah was the cheapest for several destinations, and Dubai remained the best-value option for others.
For travellers booking summer flights, comparing fares across all three UAE airports could lead to significant savings, particularly for families travelling together.
