Direct flights to Abu Dhabi from UK may be wondering the best way to get here if you plan to visit soon. We watch flight times worldwide to give you the most up-to-date, simple information. Here’s the most recent update.
You can fly directly to Abu Dhabi from London Heathrow and Manchester in the UK. Etihad Airways and British Airways run both of these lines every day of the year.
Book your flights to Abu Dhabi
The United Arab Emirates’ capital city is Abu Dhabi. It is a busy city that can compete with its more outgoing neighbour, Dubai. This exciting place is becoming increasingly popular because it combines Middle Eastern culture with a growing arts and nightlife scene.
Take a British Airways flight from London to Abu Dhabi to see this interesting city. Soft, sandy beaches along the coast and well-kept artificial beaches make it the perfect place to relax. Walk along the shore at the Corniche and take in city views. Then, go to the nearby Marina Mall to do some high-end shopping. The Louvre Abu Dhabi is the only Louvre gallery outside of France.
It is a great place to learn about the city’s cultural highlights. Then, go back to Qasr Al Hosn, a palace built in the 1940s around the city’s first fixed building. It was built in 1795 and is called “The Watchtower.” It’s now a museum with items from the last 6,000 years, and it’s a famous place in Abu Dhabi that everyone should see. Plan your trip to Abu Dhabi right now.
Flights from the UK directly to Abu Dhabi
| UK airport | Airline | Flight schedule | Average flight time |
|---|---|---|---|
| London Heathrow | Etihad | All year round | 7hr |
| London Heathrow | British Airways | All year round | 7hr |
| Manchester | Etihad | All year round | 7hr 30m |
Top 5 of the best things to do in Abu Dhabi
On holiday to Abu Dhabi, you can see hundreds of years old monuments, high-tech amusements, and lush nature wonders. Our top ideas are not to be missed:
The Corniche: The Corniche is an 8-kilometre stretch of Abu Dhabi’s shore full of things to see and do. As you ride your bike down the paved walkway, you can view the tall buildings that line the Arabian Gulf. You can also see the beautiful waterside area from traditional dhow rides.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque: Among them is the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. This marble wonder is one of the biggest churches in the world. It has tall minarets and huge domes on top. Inside, there is a prayer hall lit up with lights.
Souks and shopping malls: Abu Dhabi is a great place to shop. A traditional market called the Abu Dhabi Carpet Souk looks like a maze, and there are also air-conditioned shops with the newest clothes and tech. People like to go to the huge Yas Mall.
Qasr Al Hosn: History buffs can also find something they like. This watchtower from the 18th century is Qasr Al Hosn, a place to learn about the past. It is now used to show off Abu Dhabi’s past and culture.
Mangrove National Park: The city centre of Abu Dhabi is not far from Mangrove National Park. As you paddle through calm rivers, watch for flamingos and dolphins.
Adventure activities in Abu Dhabi
Holidays in Abu Dhabi will surely get your heart racing with record-breaking roller coasters, thrilling water parks, and off-road adventures in the desert.
Desert adventures: Abu Dhabi’s sandy mountains are a great place to play. The best ways to see the Rub’ al Khali (Empty Quarter) Desert are to do exciting things like dune bashing and sand riding.
Ferrari World: Like being up high? You can ride rides that will make your stomach turn, lap around the race track, and ride Formula Rossa, the world’s fastest roller coaster.
Water sports: In the city of the Emiratis, you can have fun with water sports. Along Abu Dhabi’s coast, you’ll jet ski, snowboard, and kayak. The seas are full of marine life and great scuba diving places.
Jebel Hafit: Jebel Hafit is great for travellers who love riding bikes. Bicyclists who make it to the rough peak will be rewarded with a view of the desert city of Al Ain. It’s an excellent spot to observe the sunset as well.
Yas Waterworld: This place is great for kids. The huge water park on Yas Island is full of exciting rides, water slides that spin, and splash pools for kids.
What’s the best time to visit Abu Dhabi?
Summer is the hottest time in Abu Dhabi, but spring and fall are the best times to visit because of the weather. The Emirate is also a great place to get some winter sun, so it’s a great place to go on holiday all year.
From June to August, when the weather is really hot, the prices of hotels, flights, and holiday packages decrease. Now is the least expensive time to go, and many cool sites and swimming pools help you escape the heat.
If you’re still looking for cheap holiday tips, our travel experts say to wait until the last minute to book your trip. You could also book your ATOL-protected getaway ahead of time with a small fee and pay for it over time in monthly instalments.
FAQs flights from London to Abu Dhabi
Should I fly directly through or with a stopover from London to Abu Dhabi?
The most convenient way to travel is on a direct trip, like Etihad from London Heathrow (LHR). If you’re going with a low cost airline, picking a flight with a stopover is often cheaper on these routes. To save money, remember that these cheaper stopover flights usually let you move yourself.
What kinds of flights does Qatar Airways have between London and Abu Dhabi?
You’ll be glad to know Qatar Airways has a few different lines if you want to fly with them. Most Qatar trips to Abu Dhabi leave London Heathrow Airport and go through Doha Airport (DOH). Another way to get to Abu Dhabi is to take a flight from London Gatwick through Doha. Most of the time, flights from Heathrow are a little faster.
What kinds of tickets does Lufthansa have from London to Abu Dhabi?
Lufthansa has different types of tickets for flights from London to Abu Dhabi. Economy Class, Premium Economy Class, Business Class, and First Class are some of the most common. Each class has different comfort levels, services, and amenities so all visitors can find what they want.
Does Heathrow Airport have any lounges for passengers?
Several passenger lounges are spread across Heathrow Airport (LHR) for travellers going. You can find Plaza Premium lounges in all of the terminals. Each has showers, a fully staffed bar with food, private relaxation rooms and, in Terminal 2, a wellness spa with various massage treatments. You can reserve a spot in the room online for as little as 30 GBP.
Is there a place to swap money at the Abu Dhabi Airport?
There are 16 Travelex currency exchange kiosks spread out across Abu Dhabi Airport. You can find them in the Terminal 1 arrivals hall, the Terminal 1 transit area near Gates 5 and 6, and other places to buy some United Arab Emirates Dirham after your flight from London to Abu Dhabi. There are also several ATMs in the arrivals area of each airport. However, keep in mind that some banks may charge fees.
When I fly from London to Abu Dhabi, which airports will I use?
There is only one big airport in Abu Dhabi, but there are five in London. This is where you will leave London: London City, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, London Luton, or London Stansted. You are going to get to Abu Dhabi Zayed International Airport.
What alliances of airlines fly from London to Abu Dhabi?
The airline alliances between London and Abu Dhabi are oneworld, Star Alliance, and SkyTeam. Star Alliance is the most popular for this route.
When can I take a direct flight from London to Abu Dhabi?
Every day, there are direct flights from London to Abu Dhabi.
Why should you go to Abu Dhabi?
Abu Dhabi is a city of extremes, like many places in the Middle East. Millions of travellers visit its coast yearly to see its sparkling buildings and hotel resorts, but there’s more to see if you go inland. There are some UNESCO World Heritage places in Abu Dhabi that you should not miss, such as the Al Ain Oasis. This lush green oasis in the desert is only 90 minutes from the city’s heart. More than 147,000 palm trees shade its peaceful walkways.
The Liwa Desert is another place to escape the city and enjoy peace. You can also go sandboarding on an organised tour or camp out for the night on a safari to watch the sun go down and eat dinner under the stars.
Is it easy to get around Abu Dhabi?
Once you arrive in Abu Dhabi, the trip to the city centre is easy. A 24-hour air-conditioned bus service runs every 40 minutes from the three airport terminals. A cab will get you to the city faster—less than 30 minutes.
When navigating the city centre, most visitors take a taxi or take advantage of the free shuttle buses to and from the main attractions. These services run from the main hotels and the city centre, stopping at Yas Island, Saadiyat Island, the Grand Canal area, and beyond.
Is it cheap to visit Abu Dhabi?
Abu Dhabi isn’t known for being very budget-friendly for tourists because it has a lot of high-end restaurants and hotels that are part of foreign hotel chains. On the other hand, booking an all-inclusive trip can help you spend less because you’ll already have paid for everything.
Also, you would miss out if you didn’t try some of the city’s local food. You can get a real taste of the city for a low price. To stretch your money further, look for kibbeh, knafeh, and luqaimat, sweet dumplings famous during Ramadan.
Is there a cheap month to travel to Abu Dhabi?
In the summer, when it’s really hot, you can find cheaper trips from London to Abu Dhabi. Use our low-fare finder to find the month when flights to Abu Dhabi are the cheapest.
Is Abu Dhabi Good for a family holiday?
Abu Dhabi is a great place for many holidays, including family trips. There are always fun things to do in the outdoors, at theme parks with lots of rides, and on the beach.
The hotels in Abu Dhabi are also very good, and tourists can choose from a wide range of choices for half-board, self-catering, and all-inclusive holidays. Each family will have all the amenities and comforts they need to relax.
Are you trying to find cheap direct flights to Abu Dhabi from UK?
Find a cheap flight to Abu Dhabi on World Flight Vibes by clicking on a deal on this page or typing in your travel dates, home airport, and whether you want one-way or round-trip tickets in the search bar. You can sort the flights by how flexible they are, how many stops they have, the company, and the times they leave and arrive.
The “Flexible Dates” schedule at the top of the page is the best way to determine the cost of flight tickets on other dates. If your trip works with that, how long is the flight to Abu Dhabi? You can choose the cheapest days to fly and find cheap flights to Abu Dhabi this way.
