As the final semester comes to a close for most schools in the UAE, families are getting ready for their summer travels. Many travelers have already started making plans in advance for the upcoming Eid Al Adha holidays and the summer break, according to an online marketplace.

So, where are UAE residents flying to this summer? Based on data from Wego, the top international destinations for UAE travelers are Egypt, India, Jordan, Morocco, Pakistan, Thailand, Lebanon, Turkey, Tunisia, and Saudi Arabia.

Mamoun Hmedan, the chief business officer of Wego, explains that this trend reflects the desire of many travelers to visit their friends and relatives in their home countries during the summer. It’s worth noting that most of these countries do not require visas for GCC nationals.

Hmedan also advises travelers to plan and book their trips as early as possible to secure the best deals, especially since airfares tend to rise during the summer period.

Wego has observed an increase in summer airfares to these popular destinations compared to earlier this year. Flight prices to Egypt have gone up by 42.72%, to Jordan by 64.08%, and to India by 32.10%. However, when compared to last year’s summer rates, average flight prices are still cheaper. The year-on-year drop in airfares to Saudi Arabia, Thailand, and the UAE ranges from 18.36% to 27.63%.

Turkey and Thailand have emerged as preferred holiday options, with travelers showing interest in experiencing unique tourist attractions and exploring new cultures.

If you’re planning to travel to Turkey, return flight fares to Istanbul start at Dh651. For a three-week holiday in early July, you can expect to pay approximately Dh651 for a direct flight to Istanbul.