emirates7 - Soaring peak-season fares to India are prompting travellers to choose nearby countries over their hometowns
For some UAE residents, flying home for Christmas this year has become a costly affair, prompting them to rethink their holiday plans.
With airfares to India surging during the peak festive period and additional expenses adding up quickly, they are opting to travel to nearby international destinations instead of their hometowns.
Kolkata-based expat Paul J, who lives in Dubai with his wife and two children, said the numbers simply did not add up this year.
“A round-trip ticket to Kolkata alone is around Dh3,400 per person. For four of us, flights would cost nearly Dh14,000, and once you add local travel, shopping, and family commitments, a one-week trip can easily cross Dh18,000,” he said.
“Instead, we are considering Cairo, where tickets are around Dh1,200, and the overall holiday works out much cheaper,” added Paul.
For Paul and his family of four, travelling home to Kolkata this Christmas would have cost close to Dh17,000, with airfares alone touching Dh13,600, while a week-long holiday to Cairo worked out to around Dh8,400, including flights, hotel, and expenses. By choosing an alternate destination instead of flying home, the family ended up saving nearly Dh8,500 during the festive break.
Naveen Kumar, an IT professional from Bengaluru, said high December fares changed his plans entirely. “Flights to Bangalore are about Dh1,800 for a round trip, which is still manageable, but extra expenses back home make it expensive. We realised that destinations like Istanbul or even Male offer better value for money during this period. It feels like a proper holiday without the financial stress,” he said.
According to a Khaleej Times analysis based on data from MakeMyTrip, Christmas-week airfares to Indian cities such as Kochi, Kolkata, and Mumbai are significantly higher than usual due to peak demand.
In contrast, international routes such as DXB–Cairo (Dh1,200), DXB–Istanbul (Dh1,200), and DXB–Male (Dh1,300) are proving to be far more economical for families.
Travel agents told Khaleej Times that this shift is becoming common. Pavan Poojary, a travel consultant at Luxury Travels, said that some residents are now prioritising destinations that are easier and cheaper to access.
“December and Christmas airfares to India are really high every year, but this season the spike is more noticeable. As a result, residents are choosing destinations that offer easy visa procedures or simplified entry,” he said.
He added that places such as Turkey, Egypt, and countries in the Caucasus region are emerging as popular alternatives.
“For families, the choice is no longer just about going home, and it is about managing costs. These destinations offer cheaper tickets, easier visas, and a holiday experience without stretching the budget,” said Poojary.
For some UAE residents, flying home for Christmas this year has become a costly affair, prompting them to rethink their holiday plans.
With airfares to India surging during the peak festive period and additional expenses adding up quickly, they are opting to travel to nearby international destinations instead of their hometowns.
Kolkata-based expat Paul J, who lives in Dubai with his wife and two children, said the numbers simply did not add up this year.
“A round-trip ticket to Kolkata alone is around Dh3,400 per person. For four of us, flights would cost nearly Dh14,000, and once you add local travel, shopping, and family commitments, a one-week trip can easily cross Dh18,000,” he said.
“Instead, we are considering Cairo, where tickets are around Dh1,200, and the overall holiday works out much cheaper,” added Paul.
For Paul and his family of four, travelling home to Kolkata this Christmas would have cost close to Dh17,000, with airfares alone touching Dh13,600, while a week-long holiday to Cairo worked out to around Dh8,400, including flights, hotel, and expenses. By choosing an alternate destination instead of flying home, the family ended up saving nearly Dh8,500 during the festive break.
Naveen Kumar, an IT professional from Bengaluru, said high December fares changed his plans entirely. “Flights to Bangalore are about Dh1,800 for a round trip, which is still manageable, but extra expenses back home make it expensive. We realised that destinations like Istanbul or even Male offer better value for money during this period. It feels like a proper holiday without the financial stress,” he said.
According to a Khaleej Times analysis based on data from MakeMyTrip, Christmas-week airfares to Indian cities such as Kochi, Kolkata, and Mumbai are significantly higher than usual due to peak demand.
In contrast, international routes such as DXB–Cairo (Dh1,200), DXB–Istanbul (Dh1,200), and DXB–Male (Dh1,300) are proving to be far more economical for families.
Travel agents told Khaleej Times that this shift is becoming common. Pavan Poojary, a travel consultant at Luxury Travels, said that some residents are now prioritising destinations that are easier and cheaper to access.
“December and Christmas airfares to India are really high every year, but this season the spike is more noticeable. As a result, residents are choosing destinations that offer easy visa procedures or simplified entry,” he said.
He added that places such as Turkey, Egypt, and countries in the Caucasus region are emerging as popular alternatives.
“For families, the choice is no longer just about going home, and it is about managing costs. These destinations offer cheaper tickets, easier visas, and a holiday experience without stretching the budget,” said Poojary.