“With Easter coinciding with Ramadan during 2023, travellers from the Middle East are planning their trips during this period and making the most of time with family and friends,” said Ayoub El Mamoun, Skyscanner Travel Expert. “Travel is at the top of the agenda for Middle East travellers prioritising quality time abroad with family and friends.”
Top 10 Searched Countries
- India
- United Kingdom
- Egypt
- Philippines
- Pakistan
- Italy
- Thailand
- United States
- Turkey
- Maldives
More than half of travellers (52%) from the UAE are searching for a trip of a week or less. For travellers interested in a short break, the Middle East is a goldmine when it comes to culturally rich, gastronomically diverse and architecturally elegant destinations, and a lot of them are less than a three-hour flight from the UAE, including Oman, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Egypt, and with so many great places to choose from, the options can be overwhelming.
Ayoub continued: “Mini breaks, or long weekends, are a great way to experience a destination without using too much of precious holiday allowance. But if you only have about three days to take it all in, there’s a knack to making the most of it. So whether you’re considering a last-minute escape or heading out on a meticulously planned weekend getaway, make sure you’re prepped to see – and do – as much as you can”.
Skyscanner’s Ayoub shares essential tips for holidaymakers keen to maximise their breaks during Easter
Optimise your travel
“Mini breaks might be mini, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get a lot out of them, so planning your flights strategically is key. Aim for a flight that lands late the day before the holiday starts, or early on the first day. The departure times filter in Skyscanner’s flight search allows you to see these options easily, displaying landings and departures within certain time brackets.”
Pick the fastest route
“There are multiple ways to get to a destination – direct flights, stopovers and airport switches. But when it comes to mini breaks, speed is key. Find the fastest flights to your chosen holiday spot by filtering the results via journey times, so you can see which flights will get you there the fastest. The speediest options will jump to the top of the page, making it easy to pick the most efficient option for you.”
Be flexible on destinations
“Unless you have a specific location in mind, keeping your options open is a great way to keep your mini break at the right price point. Select the ‘explore everywhere’ option in the destination box when using Skyscanner flight search to see a whole host of tempting destinations alongside their lowest flights fares. Select the drop down arrows to see which cities you can fly into, as well as various accommodation suggestions.”
Be smart with your holiday allowance
“Holiday days are precious, so it’s important to save as many as you can by utilising bank holidays where possible. Look up where the public holidays fall this year, then search for flights either side of those dates. Make sure to try various date combinations to maximise your options.”
Use loyalty points to save money
“If you’re a member of any travel loyalty schemes (such as Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, Emirates Skywards or Etihad Guest) chances are you’re sitting on some valuable points just waiting to be used. Log in and check your balance to find out which airlines or hotels you can redeem them against – as well as how far they might take you. Most points cover multiple airlines and a plethora of accommodation types, so you could cut your costs significantly, or even bag the trip for free, by using them.”
Travel light: pack hand luggage only
“For some of us, heading on holiday with only hand luggage is a big ask, but packing light is worth it. Without sizeable suitcases, there’s no need to queue to check in bags, or wait around at baggage reclaim after landing – it’s as simple as walking off the plane and heading out on holiday.”
Live flight deals for Easter break from the UAE:
About Skyscanner
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