It is seldom too early to make plans or too late to make bookings for a trip! One of the major UAE Public Holidays 2025 is just around the corner. If you are lucky, you could get 5 days off and a little less lucky – 4 days off. Time for the UAE National Day 2025 international trip.
The UAE National Day holiday – also called Eid al Etihad – is all about celebrating the unification of the Gulf state. Plans are already being made for major UAE National Day celebrations in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, in addition to other parts of the country.
Let’s take a look at some of the top visa free countries for UAE residents this national day holiday. But before getting on to the list, take a look at the possible dates for the major official holiday. You could be in for a lot of surprises.
When is UAE National Day 2025?
The official dates for the upcoming UAE National Day 2025 are December 2 and 3. It is going to be the 54th national day celebration and some major events, promotions and events are already being planned by different establishments.
If the aforementioned dates are taken into consideration, this means the major UAE public holiday is falling on Tuesday and Wednesday. But as per a resolution that came into effect starting January 1, UAE holidays can be shifted to the beginning or end of the week to ensure a longer holiday for the residents.
Isn’t it incredible? This means that December 1 (Monday) could also be a public holiday or, in a different instance, replace the December 3 holiday altogether. In the first case, you could be getting 5 days off and in the second case, 4 days off (if the weekends are also counted in).
Visa free countries for UAE residents for UAE National Day 2025
Thinking of making a short trip this UAE National Day holiday 2025? Let’s take a look at some of the most enchanting visa free countries near UAE. These places feature natural beauty, cultural heritage, memorable dining and friendly locals.
Where can UAE residents go visa free for a short National Day trip? To be concise, many! Your UAE residence visa grants you access to a number of beautiful destinations across different continents, helping you skip tiresome visa procedures and travel more effortlessly.
1. Make a trip from UAE to Sri Lanka this Eid al Etihad
Offering a rich mix of nature, culture, history and thrill, Sri Lanka is one of the top visa free countries for UAE residents. You can find a number of things to do here, including exploring ancient ruins, checking out tea plantations and clicking beautiful pictures on the beaches. One of the top experiences in Sri Lanka is going on a safari at Yala National Park or Minneriya National Park. You can also go on a scenic train ride from Kandy to Ella. Don’t forget to try Coconut Sambol and fresh seafood or take a cooking class in Galle or Kandy to enrich your trip.
You can find multiple flights from the UAE to Sri Lanka. There are three direct Emirates Dubai to Colombo flights. The first one departs at 2:40 am and lands in Sri Lanka at 8:35 am. The UAE national airline, Etihad, also operates multiple flights to Colombo. The first Etihad Abu Dhabi to Colombo flight departs at 2:20 am from Zayed International Airport. You can also find many direct Air Arabia Sharjah to Colombo flights. The duration of most of these flights is approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes.
Explore More: Guide to visa free Sri Lanka travel for UAE residents
2. You cannot miss this! Chalk up a UAE to Thailand itinerary
Planning a trip this UAE National Day 2025? You must prepare an itinerary for Thailand, one of the most popular tourist destinations today. Thailand offers the perfect mix of culture, nightlife, thrill and food. You can find a number of ancient temples to explore, beautiful beaches to take leisurely strolls in, vibrant markets for some shopping and luxury resorts for a dose of opulence and comfort. Do not forget to explore Phuket for its islands, Koh Samui for its luxury resorts, Koh Phi Phi for Maya Bay and Bangkok for its nightlife and temples.
There are multiple UAE to Thailand flight options. You can find multiple Emirates flights from Dubai to Thailand. The Dubai-based airline operates regular flights to Bangkok and Phuket. The national carrier, Etihad, also has flights from Abu Dhabi to Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai and Krabi. You can also rely on flydubai in Dubai and Air Arabia in Sharjah to reach the beautiful Thai destination. Most of these flights complete the journey to Bangkok in less than 7 hours. For Phuket, the duration could be 6.5 to 7.5 hours per side.
3. Land of the Rising Sun: Take a trip from UAE to Japan
You might need a little more than the 4-5 days off during the UAE National Day 2025 for a trip to Japan. Use your leaves for a grand trip to the Land of the Rising Sun. Combining ancient traditions and futuristic technologies, there are a number of exciting things to do in Japan. You cannot miss Shibuya Crossing, the busiest pedestrian crossing globally. There is Kyoto to experience the traditional side of Japan. Mount Fuji should be a part of your background. Don’t forget Nara Park to feed the friendly deer and ride the bullet train for the experience.
There are multiple direct flights from UAE to Japan, operated by Emirates, Etihad and other airlines. For instance, you can find regular Emirates flights from Dubai to Osaka and from Dubai to Tokyo. The direct flight from Dubai International Airport to Tokyo Haneda takes 9 hours and 40 minutes. The flight departs at 7:45 am and lands in Japan at 10:25 pm. Plus, there are regular Etihad Abu Dhabi to Tokyo flights. Most of the flights operating on this route offer maximum comfort and ease.
Explore More: Japan relaxes visa requirements for UAE passport holders
4. The future isn’t just in Dubai: UAE to Singapore trip pending!
The city-state of Singapore is small but incredibly dynamic. Offering the perfect blend of tradition and technology, Singapore is one of the best visa free countries for UAE residents this UAE National Day 2025. You can marvel at Marina Bay Sands, click beautiful pictures under futuristic tree-like structures, indulge in local food at Tiong Bahru Market or Lau Pa Sat, take a trip to Sentosa Island for Universal Studios Singapore, go shopping and explore Night Safari for a nocturnal zoo experience. Nonetheless, don’t forget Changi Airport.
There are multiple direct flights from UAE to Singapore. This UAE National Day in December, use Emirates for comfortable direct flights from Dubai to Singapore. The first flight on the route departs Dubai at 2:20 am and lands at Changi Airport at 2:05 pm. You could take around 7.5 to 8 hours to reach your destination. There are also other airlines operating flights to Singapore from or through the UAE. There are both direct and connecting flights, catering to one of the hottest tourist destinations in 2025.
5. Paradise is here: Plan a UAE to Georgia vacation
Georgia is a paradise, especially in the colder months of December and January. This Eid al Etihad 2025, plan a trip from UAE to Georgia, famous for its dramatic mountain landscapes, rich history, delicious cuisine, cultures and traditions, and generous hospitality. There are a number of things to do in Georgia, such as exploring the capital Tbilisi, taking a trip to Kakheti for local food and family-run vineyards, hiking up the Caucasus Mountains for spectacular glimpses of the nature all around, and indulging in the famous Georgian cuisine.
There are multiple direct flydubai Dubai to Tbilisi flights. The first one on this route departs Dubai International (DXB) at 1:40 am and lands in Georgia at 5:05 am – taking 3 hours and 25 minutes to reach the destination. This Dubai-based airline operates three flights to Tbilisi on a daily basis. Etihad also operates regular flights from Abu Dhabi to Georgia. You can also find regular flights operated by Air Arabia from Sharjah to Tbilisi. This UAE National Day 2025, make sure to plan a trip to the absolutely enchanting Georgia for a once-in-a-lifetime journey.
6. UAE to Serbia this Eid al Etihad 2025?
There is no reason not to do so, right? Serbia is one of the most underrated places in Europe. You should explore this country for its fascinating history, dramatic landscapes and memorable hospitality. Serbia trips can be budget-friendly, full of culture and still quite far from the hustle and bustle of city life or the busy streets during peak travel seasons. Explore Belgrade for its nightlife, medieval monasteries across the country, spas and thermal resorts in different places, and incredible festivals throughout the year, including during Eid al Etihad 2025.
flydubai is operating nonstop flights from Dubai to Belgrade in Serbia. One of the flights departs the bustling Dubai International Airport (DXB) at 9:05 am and lands in Serbia at 12:55 pm. You need approximately 6 hours to reach the destination. You can also rely on other airlines to get to Belgrade for a cosy holiday this December. Make sure to pack right for the season and temperatures in the UAE and Serbia during the Eid al Etihad holidays could be extremely different. Indulge in a fabulous, much-needed break.
7. Look up for flights from UAE to Jordan early
Jordan cannot be missed from the list of best visa free countries for UAE residents this UAE National Day Holiday 2025. This beautiful Middle Eastern destination is famous for its ancient history, dramatic desert landscapes and locals. Do not skip a trip to the rose red city of Petra, explore the Dead Sea and see if you actually float like all others on Instagram, camp under the stars and indulge in some of the most delicious foods. Try out falafel and hummus, Zarb (a Bedouin-style BBQ cooked underground), and Mansaf (the best combination of lamb, rice and yoghurt sauce).
Book your direct Emirates flights from Dubai to Amman today itself. The upcoming UAE National Day Holidays 2025 are sure to make this route more popular than it is today. The first Emirates flight on this route takes off at 11:30 am from Dubai Airport and lands in Amman at 1:40 pm local time. You need just 3 to 3.5 hours to complete this journey. The UAE National airline, Etihad, also runs flights from Abu Dhabi to Amman, though it is not a direct one. You can also rely on other airlines to reach your destination.
8. Seeking underrated? Plan a trip from UAE to Tanzania this UAE National Day Holiday
Offering epic safaris, tropical islands and rich cultures, Tanzania is one of the most beautiful places to explore this UAE National Day Holiday 2025. It is a dream destination for thrill seekers, animal lovers and beach seekers. Tanzania is home to the Serengeti, Mount Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar and the Big Five – making this place absolutely underrated and unmatched. Your trip from the UAE to Tanzania is going to be full of surprises and breathtaking memories. You can go on a safari in the Serengeti, explore the Ngorongoro Crater, relax in Zanzibar, visit Tarangire National Park for its huge elephants and baobab trees, and climb Mount Kilimanjaro.
There is one direct Emirates flight from Dubai to Tanzania. This flight departs Dubai Airport at 9:39 am on each day and lands at Dar Es Salaam International Airport in Tanzania at 1:55 pm local time. This entire journey is completed in less than 5.5 hours. On the return route, Emirates EK 726 departs Tanzania for Dubai at 3:25 pm. You can also rely on flydubai flights from Dubai to Zanzibar. The UAE’s national airline, Etihad, also operates flights from Abu Dhabi to Zanzibar in Tanzania. Your trip is going to be nothing short of memorable.
Explore More: flydubai expands flights from Dubai to key African destinations
9. Look for UAE to Indonesia flights as Eid al Etihad is just around the corner
This beautiful archipelago of more than 17,000 islands should definitely be on your UAE National Day long weekend. Full of culture, nature, tropical beaches, different species of animals – including the famous Komodo dragons – and sacred temples, there are a number of things to do in Indonesia all year round. Don’t forget to explore Bali for its temples and rice terraces, Hike Mount Bromo and Mount Ijen for the most beautiful sunrises, visit Komodo National Park, and snorkel in Raja Ampat.
Emirates operates regular direct flights from Dubai to Bali and from Dubai to Jakarta. On the Bali route, the first flight departs as early as 3:25 am and takes 9 hours and 10 minutes to reach the destination. You can also catch another flight departing at 9:10 am from Dubai International Airport. The first Etihad flight from Abu Dhabi to Sumatra took off on October 2. EY 480 departs Abu Dhabi Airport at 8:45 am and lands in Medan at 6:45 am. You can catch this flight on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
Explore More: Etihad starts direct Abu Dhabi to Medan flights
UAE National Day 2025 Holidays: In a nutshell
Be it 4 days or 5 days, your UAE National Day Holiday 2025 needs to be a memorable one. Hope this list of top nine visa free countries for UAE residents inspires you to catch a flight for that much-needed international trip. You can rely on multiple airlines to complete your journey.
Thankfully, the UAE is located at just a four-hour flight time from a good part of the globe, making a number of countries in different continents easily accessible for UAE residents. Your UAE residency visa offers you a lot of benefits, including this seamless connection.
You can expect the UAE National Day 2025 celebrations to last for multiple days. For instance, spectacular light displays could be seen at the top landmarks in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and other Emirates. Different establishments could also be releasing discounts and promotions. Keep an eye out for more updates.
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