As UAE residents plan their end-of-year escapes, many are asking a crucial question: Is it cheaper to travel during the National Day weekend or during the Christmas–New Year break? A look at airfares, travel packages, and booking trends reveals a significant cost divide.
A Tale of Two Holidays
UAE National Day is officially celebrated on 2 December, marking the country’s founding. Wikipedia For many residents, this long weekend forms a quick, spontaneous escape opportunity. Middle East News 247+2Khaleej Times+2 On the other hand, Christmas and New Year coincide with a peak travel season — driven by school holidays, long family leaves, and high demand. JobXDubai+2The National+2
Airfare Trends: National Day vs Christmas
- National Day surges too: While National Day is cheaper than Christmas for many destinations, airfare still spikes. According to Gulf News, long-haul flights can go up by 80–90% during the National Day break. Gulf News
- Visa-free routes get expensive: Routes to visa-free or visa-on-arrival countries (Georgia, Armenia, etc.) see sharp airfare increases ahead of National Day — up to 300% for some destinations, reports Khaleej Times. Khaleej Times+1
- Christmas travel costs more for long-haul: According to Khaleej Times, destinations like London and Helsinki are significantly more expensive during Christmas week compared to National Day. Khaleej Times
- Advance booking matters: For December travel, booking early is strongly advised. According to JobXDubai, waiting too long could result in airfare hikes of 30–50% on some routes. JobXDubai
Holiday Package Costs
- Travel agents say that National Day packages (short 4–5 day breaks) average around AED 2,700 per person. Khaleej Times
- For Christmas and New Year, many are paying 30% or more compared to National Day deals, especially for family travel. Khaleej Times
- Staycation demand is also high: for National Day, some group trip packages start from AED 2,500 per person. Khaleej Times
Hotel Rates
- In destinations like Tbilisi, hotel rates are more favorable during National Day; three nights during the break average around AED 780 (~AED 260/night). Khaleej Times
- But for Christmas, demand in some cities pushes up hotel rates. For example, in Helsinki, nightly rates during Christmas week can rise to AED 3,000–4,000. Khaleej Times
- In the UAE itself, National Day staycations are witnessing a surge, with high-end properties seeing steep last-minute bookings. Zawya+1
Changing Traveler Behavior
- Many long-term UAE residents are rethinking Christmas travel because of escalating December flight costs. The National
- Instead of expensive long-haul trips, travelers are now favoring shorter, budget-friendly destinations or even staycations. The National
- According to Khaleej Times, holiday bookings have shot up by 56% as people lock in winter getaways early. Khaleej Times
So, Which Is Cheaper?
- Short-haul trips: National Day is generally cheaper. Airfares are lower relative to Christmas, and holiday packages are more affordable. Middle East News 247+1
- Long-haul and family travel: Christmas is significantly more expensive, especially for popular destinations like Europe. Khaleej Times+1
- Booking strategy: For maximum savings, travelers should book early, especially for the Christmas break. Waiting increases the risk of finding fewer seats and paying surge fares. JobXDubai
Expert Tips to Save
- Travel off-peak days: Choose weekdays or avoid peak holiday dates to get better rates. Middle East News 247
- Use visa-free destinations smartly: Countries like Georgia offer good weekend escapes but can be expensive if booked last minute. Khaleej Times
- Book accommodations early: Hotel rates in popular destinations (especially in Europe) go up sharply around Christmas.
- Consider staycations: Given rising international travel costs, local getaways within the UAE might offer better value.
