Traveling to Dubai during the months of November and December offers the city at its peak winter season. As such, choosing between the two months to visit this getaway destination from India comes down to balancing the rising travel costs. While both months are slightly more expensive than other times of the year, November is about 15% to 35% cheaper than December for Indian travellers. This is because, as December approaches, especially from mid-December onwards till the New Year, flight tickets and hotel prices, as well as excursion prices, surge due to global holiday demand and major festival events. This unstumbled guide lays out the flight costs, accommodation costs, visa fees, local transport costs, and event surcharges across both months.
Flight Cost Comparison: India to Dubai (DXB Or SHJ)
All of the major flight routes, direct as well as those with stoppages, from major Indian hubs such as Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Kochi, Hyderabad, and Chennai, to the Dubai International Airport (DXB) or Sharjah (SHJ) witness a sharp price jump as December closes in.
Airfares In November
Return Economy Class (Metro Hubs): For the Economy class, a round-trip ticket can cost around INR 18,000 to INR 25,000 per passenger. This is especially the case for budget carriers such as IndiGo, SpiceJet, and Air Arabia. However, throughout November, airfare remains relatively stable, even during early post-Diwali travel windows.
Airfares In December
During early December, between 1st and 12th Dec, round-trip tickets can cost around INR 22,000 to INR 28,000. In the latter half of the month, from 15th to 31st Dec, which is the peak festive season, round-trip tickets can cost around INR 35,000 to INR 60,000.
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Hotel And Accommodation Rates
The majority of hotels in Dubai operate on a dynamic seasonal surge model. This means that accommodation, especially in popular tourist destinations such as Downtown Dubai, Dubai Marina, and Palm Jumeirah, witnesses a drastic hike owing to Christmas, UAE National Day, and New Year’s Eve demand. Depending on the kind of property you choose to stay at, your accommodation cost can differ. The following breakdown can give you an idea:
Budget or 3-Star Hotels in Areas Such As Deira, Bur Dubai)
Average Tariffs in November: Expect to spend around INR 4,500 to INR 7,500 per night
Average Tariffs in Early December: Expect to spend around INR 6,000 to INR 9,000 per night
Average Tariffs in Late December or Festive Season: Expect to spend around INR 11,000 to INR 18,000 per night
Mid-Range or 4-Star Hotels in Areas Such As Al Barsha, Business Bay
Average Tariffs in November: Expect to spend around INR 8,500 to INR 14,000 per night
Average Tariffs in Early December: Expect to spend around INR 11,000 to INR 17,000 per night
Average Tariffs in Late December or Festive Season: Expect to spend around INR 20,000 to INR 35,000 per night
Luxury or 5-Star Resorts in Areas Such As Downtown, Marina, JBR, Palm
Average Tariffs in November: Expect to spend around INR 18,000 to INR 32,000 per night
Average Tariffs in Early December: Expect to spend around INR 24,000 to INR 40,000 per night
Average Tariffs in Late December or Festive Season: Expect to spend around INR 50,000 to INR 1,20,00 per night
Major Events And Price Surcharge Triggers
If you are traveling to Dubai during these months, it would be prudent for you to understand local events owing to which December commands premium pricing over November.
UAE National Day (December 2nd and 3rd): This long weekend across the Emirates triggers a temporary spike in hotel rates and attraction queues.
Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) (December 4th to January 17th): This particular event brings major retail sales, outdoor pop-ups, and entertainment, all of which draw massive international crowds as well.
New Year’s Eve Gala Mandates: A number of premium hotels and beachfront resorts enforce mandatory gala dinner charges on December 31. This can add around INR 15,000 to INR 50,000 per guest to the bill.
November, on the other hand, hosts events like the Dubai Fitness Challenge and outdoor food festivals. Such events provide entertainment without the extreme resort surcharges seen in late December.
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Summing Up
Visiting Dubai in winter is quite the experience. However, if budget and expenses are a concern for you, November is a better time to visit. The period between the first week of November and the first week of December is ideal. You can avoid the surge in charges that happens around prime holiday periods, and you can still experience winter in this glittering city of towering skyscrapers. Keep in mind that this is a desert region. As such, winter here is very different from winter in other parts of the world. Even during November, the temperature during the day hovers around 28°C to 31°C. This temperature is ideal for beach visits, water parks, and desert safaris.
