Ramadan 2025

Ramadan 2025: UAE travellers choose foreign destinations during holy month, Wego data shows

🕌 What is Ramadan and why is it different in Dubai?

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar -- a holy time for fasting, prayers, self-reflection and generosity. From dawn to sunset Muslims do not eat, drink, smoke or use indecent words. And you, as a guest, you're expected to try a little too.
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✅ What to do

• Try iftar -- dinner after sunset. This is literally a culinary festival. In every hotel, tent, restaurant and corner, you'll find an all-you-can-eat treat that no one will refuse. Start with dates and soup, end with grilled lamb chops and 6 desserts.

• Dress decently. Now more than ever. Hide the shorts and necklines in the trunk. You're not in Ibiza. Give your shoulders and thighs a vacation -- at least during the day.

• Be extra nice. Whether you're an Uber driver, barista, or receptionist -- everyone is fasting and doing it with a smile. The diminutive word “thank you” or “Ramadan Kareem” works wonders.

• Visit cultural places. Museums, galleries, mosques — during Ramadan the atmosphere is deeper, quieter and often spiritually moving. Plus there tend to be discounts.

• Enjoy Dubai at night. The city comes alive after the west. Restaurants fill up, streets light up, and in parks it lives into the night. It's like a silent carnival without alcohol.

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❌ What NOT to do (or you'll end up with the awkwardness of the year)

• Do not eat, drink and smoke in public during the day. Yes, not even water. Yes, even if it's 42 °C. Yes, even the redbull from the backpack can be left alone.

• Don't chew. Not funny or uninspired. You look like a rebel without a cause, and you could even be admonished by the police.

• Disvoice music. In the car, on the phone, in headphones... peace, silence and humility are now in fashion.

• Don't organize a daily brunch. No one's coming. Everyone will either be at home or hungry and irritated. Don't take it personally.

• Don't ask “why don't they eat all day? That as a fact? “ Yeah, really. And it's a spiritual challenge for them, not a diet.

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⚠️ What will change in Dubai during Ramadan 2025

• Opening hours: Most restaurants will be open until after the west, but some even during the day — but discreetly (curtains drawn, back entrance... almost like a coffee speakeasy).

• Nightlife: Clubs and bars run limited or not at all. If you're looking for alcohol, check what's open. But most of all... decently.

• Shops & Offices: Many places have reduced working hours. Supermarkets run nonstop, but banks or government offices, for example, close early.

• Transportation: Morning rush hours aren't as wild, but around iftar in the afternoon? Hell. Everyone wants to be home at the table on time. Uber is then having its second Christmas season.

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According to new data from the travel platform Wego, which is a leader in travel in the Middle East and North Africa, residents of the United Arab Emirates are increasingly looking for trips abroad during Ramadan 2025. Searches for international flights increased by 32.45% compared to last year.

The findings show that the five most sought-after destinations from the UAE during the holy month include Egypt, India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Jordan. This is followed by the Philippines, Lebanon, Morocco and Nepal.

Nepal became the most prominent destination with a year-on-year increase in searches of 214.76%, while Pakistan saw an increase of 82.65% compared to 2024 figures.

Egypt dominates travel from UAE during Ramadan despite 42% rise in prices

Further, the data shows that nine out of ten popular destinations saw ticket price increases. The largest increase was recorded in Egypt (42.29%), followed by Lebanon (40.94%). The only destination with a slight drop in prices remains Jordan, where prices are down 1.17% compared to last year.

The analysis also shows that travelers from the UAE typically book flights more than a month in advance during Ramadan, a pattern that analysts expect this year as well.

Domestic travel during Ramadan: Dubai hotels get significantly cheaper‍

For those staying in the UAE, hotels in Dubai during Ramadan 2025 represent significant value — average prices are down 54.04% compared to last year. This decrease led to a 3% increase in searches for staycations on the Wego platform.
Four-star hotels, which account for 40.15% of all bookings, have become the most popular choice — so travelers are looking for a balance between luxury and affordability during the holy month.

Source: Arabian Business