London to Dubai(Jebel Ali) (LGW–DWC) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections

British passport holders receive a free visa on arrival in the UAE, valid for 30 days with a single 10-day extension available (AED 600, about $165). Passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of entry. No advance application, no fee, no photos needed at the border. Processing is automatic at the e-gate if you have a biometric passport.

You need a return or onward ticket. Immigration officers rarely ask for hotel bookings but technically can. For stays beyond 40 days, apply for a tourist visa extension through the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) or via the ICP smart services portal before the initial 30 days expire.

Direct flights from London to Dubai run 6 hours 45 minutes, to Abu Dhabi about 7 hours. The UAE dirham is pegged to the US dollar at 3.6725 AED per $1. No vaccination requirements for entry. Alcohol is legal in licensed venues in Dubai and Abu Dhabi but public intoxication carries criminal penalties. Import of codeine-based medications (common UK over-the-counter items) requires a UAE Ministry of Health e-permit obtained before travel.

The Gatwick Express runs non-stop from London Victoria to the South Terminal in 30 minutes, with trains every 15 minutes (from £21.50 one-way; advance fares cheaper online). Thameslink trains from London Bridge, Blackfriars, City Thameslink, and Farringdon are slower (35–45 min) but significantly cheaper; often £10–13 on Oyster or contactless. Southern trains also serve the route.National coaches (National Express, Megabus) connect Gatwick to Victoria Coach Station for £6–15. Taxis from central London cost £70–100+ depending on traffic. Driving via M23 and A23 takes 35–60 minutes; multi-storey car parks are directly connected to both terminals by a 2-minute monorail shuttle.