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Travel tips: Avoid public affection, drinking alcohol and staying with somebody of the opposite gender outside of marriage.

Cheap Flights to UAE

There are direct flights from South Africa to Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). To book a cheap flight to the UAE:

  1. Use the flight bookings tool on the left to search, contrast and reserve the cheapest flight deal.

  2. Use SouthAfrica.TO flight discount vouchers to reduce your airfares more. If you've got no vouchers then start earning them with your flight to the United Arab Emirates - simpy email us a writeup of your trip & we will send you a voucher to reduce the cost of your next flight.

From Johannesburg
From Cape Town
From Durban
Visa Requirements
Attractions
When to Go

News

  • 30 July 2013. There's a faint possibility of visa free travel to the UAE in the not too distant future. SA's ambassador to the United Arab Emirates has said that they'll be debating visa-free travel later in 2013. “The UAE has long requested revisiting the visa rules for Emiratis in South Africa and we will openly discuss the issue to find the best-suited arrangement for both our countries’ citizens,” said the South African ambassador.

Johannesburg to UAE

  • Fly from Johannesburg to Dubai International Airport (JNB-DXB) with Emirates (direct), RwandAir Express (via Kigali), Qatar Airways (via Doha), Etihad (via Abu Dhabi), SAA/Jet (via Mumbai), Egyptair (via Cairo), BA (via London), Turkish Airlines (via Istanbul), Ethiopian Airlines (via Addis Ababa), Kenya Airways (via Nairobi), Lufthansa (via Frankfurt), Virgin Atlantic (via London), KLM (via Amsterdam), Air France (via Paris), Cathay Pacific (via Hong Kong), Singapore Airlines (via SIN) or Air Mauritius (via Mauritius).

  • Fly from Johannesburg to Abu Dhabi International Airport (JNB-AUH) with Etihad (direct), Qatar Airways (via Doha), Egyptair (via Cairo), SAA/Jet (via Mumbai), Turkish Airlines (via Istanbul), Lufthansa (via Frankfurt), Kenya Airways (via Nairobi), KLM (via Amsterdam), BA (via London), Virgin (via London), Air France (via Paris) or Cathay Pacific (via Hong Kong).

Cape Town to UAE

Durban to UAE

  • Fly from Durban to Dubai International Airport (DUR-DXB) with Emirates (direct) or British Airways (via London).

  • Fly from Durban to Abu Dhabi International Airport (DUR-AUH) with BA/Qatar (via Johannesburg/Doha) or SAA/Etihad (via Johannesburg).

Visa Requirements

Visa requirements for South African citizens to enter the United Arab Emirates include:

  • Passport

  • Completed application form

  • Application fee

  • Copy of passport of sponsor (either a hotel or tour operator)

  • Proof of travel insurance

  • Business visitors require no additional documents

It's possible that the requirements have changed since the above was written - to check the latest requirements contact the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates at 012-342-7736 or uae@mweb.co.za. Their physical address in South Africa is at 992 Arcadia Street, Arcadia, Pretoria. Note that the embassy is closed on public holidays of the UAE.

South African High Commission in the United Arab Emirates

Keep these contact details handy in case you lose your passport, or something happens in the United Arab Emirates requiring embassy assistance.

  • Physical address: Corner Airport Road and 25th Street, Villa No. A029, Al Mushref Area, Abu Dhabi

  • Email : abbaomary@dirco.gov.za

  • Phone number : + 971-2-44-734-46

Currency

The currency used in the United Arab Emirates is the UAE dirham.

Languages

Arabic is the national language. English is spoken by almost everyone.

Attractions

Places of interest in the United Arab Emirates include:

  • Dubai is a place of extremes—towering buildings, endless shopping, the hippest bars, restaurants, and clubs, luxurious hotels. There’s no denying that the city is a fascinating place. Under the madness you’ll find a more laid-back Dubai. Check out the traditional dhow boats in the creek, the tranquil Bastakia neighborhood, or the multicultural Karama neighborhood.

  • Hatta is the best place to get away from the rush of Dubai. The drive over is scenic and features camels, sand dunes, jagged mountains, and green oases. Stop by the Mezereh roadside market for souvenirs. Once in Hatta, enjoy the cooler climate and mountain scenery. Relaxing is the main pastime though trips into the mountains will suit the adventurous.

  • Abu Dhabi is Dubai’s more laid-back cousin. Though not as flashy, the city is much more livable with its green spaces, slower pace of development, and relaxed Emirati flavour. It’s also a great jumping off point to venture into the vast desert and its pretty oases towns.

  • Ras al-Khaimah (also called RAK) isn’t the most trafficked tourist destination but that might be why you want to go. It boasts awe-inspiring mountain views as well as unspoiled beaches that haven’t seen much development. Twenty five kilometres south of RAK, the Al Hamra Fort Hotel & Beach Resort is a well-known place to indulge in water sports.

When to Travel to UAE

Visit between October and November or February and March for mid-20s weather and tolerable humidity. December and January is high season; most activities take place at that time but hotel prices are steep. Ramadan should be avoided as you’ll find cheap hotels but business hours vary and you can’t eat or drink in public until after sundown. July and August is generally too hot for comfort.

UAE’s Public Holidays

You may either want to time your visit to the United Arab Emirates to coincide with a public holiday and join in the fun, or avoid the date so as to avoid additional travel costs (and possible crowds):

  • 1 January

  • 24 January (Prophet Mohammed’s Birthday)

  • 2/3 December (UAE National Day)

Floating Public Holidays:

  • Eid al-Fitr

  • Eid al-Idha 

  • Israa & Miaraj Night

  • Ramadan

  • Arafat (Haj) Day

  • Hijri New Year’s Day

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