Travel News

What is the best way to get from Birmingham to Dubai?

Simon Calder’s Travel

Q Do I fly Emirates from Birmingham to Dubai direct for £600 return? Or should I choose Royal Jordanian from Stansted to Dubai, with one stop in Amman, for £341 return? Is it safe to travel that way, and would I still need a visa just passing through?

Richard Tolton

A Plenty to unpick here. First, the only time I flew between Dubai and Birmingham on Emirates, earlier this year, I was unimpressed. It is fair to say the airline does not put its freshest aircraft on the route – there’s a marked difference compared with those used between London Heathrow and Dubai. The plane was around 90 minutes late. So, were I choosing a flight to the UAE, Emirates might not be at the top of my list.

I am intrigued, though, that your alternative is Royal Jordanian from Stansted, which is a long way from Birmingham. But it is certainly a good choice. The link from the Essex airport to the Jordanian capital, Amman, is a reasonably recent addition. To help fill seats until it becomes fully established, Royal Jordanian is offering some attractive fares from Stansted to Dubai.

The afternoon flight from the UK has a one-hour connection in Amman before the onward departure to the UAE. You need have no worries about this: Amman airport is modern and reasonably compact, and a swift “airside” transfer should be easy. You will not clear passport control, and no visa is necessary. Royal Jordanian is a good airline. The downside from my point of view would be the 4am touchdown in Dubai.

To keep the cost below £400 or so, I suggest Turkish Airlines from Gatwick via Istanbul. Ideally, you could build in a 24-hour stopover in Turkey’s largest city, which would cut the air passenger duty (and therefore the fare) by £77. That is probably enough to pay for a hotel stay. Turkish is an excellent carrier. It also flies from Birmingham to Istanbul, with connections to Dubai, but fares are running at about £500 return – at which price point I would be looking at Emirates once again.

Visitors to Panmunjom look across the border to North Korea

Visitors to Panmunjom look across the border to North Korea (Simon Calder)

Q We are heading to Korea in September, spending a lot of the trip in Seoul. What recommendations do you have for the city and for day excursions?

Paul C

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