Cheap flights to
Dubai
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Flights to Dubai overview
Going searches for the best fares and sends members deals bookable 1-12 months in advance. Going members save approximately 35% compared to normal flight prices to Dubai.
Cheapest Going deal
Average price roundtrip
Average Going deal price roundtrip
Best month to fly
Going found the most deals with travel dates in September and October.
Worst month to fly
Going found the least deals with travel dates in June, July, and August.
Top tips for finding a cheap flight to Dubai
Book in the Goldilocks Window
There’s no magic formula for finding cheap flights, but there is a window when airfare tends to be cheaper. We call it the Goldilocks Window because it’s not too close to your departure date and not too far away. The perfect time period is about 1–3 months before a domestic trip or 2–8 months before an international trip. If you’re traveling during peak season, start looking even earlier; if you want to escape winter and visit Dubai in January, start looking for flights in July.
Last-minute cheap flights to Dubai are very rare. Start looking early, and whatever you do don’t wait until a few weeks before your trip. Fare jumps happen at the 21-, 14-, and 7-day points before trips, so book before then if at all possible.
Use the Greek Islands Trick
The Greek Islands Trick can be a useful way to find cheap flights to expensive or hard to reach places. Essentially, you get as close as you can to your destination for the cheapest price, then find a regional flight or alternative mode of transit for the last leg. It works particularly well in the Greek Islands (often it’s much cheaper to fly from the US to somewhere like London, then take a regional budget airline flight to the island), but a version of it can be used anywhere.
To reach Dubai from the US, first you need to get across the ocean. If flights to London, Istanbul, Cairo, or Singapore are significantly cheaper than flying straight to Dubai, it might be worth then looking for a second flight to Dubai. It won’t always work and can be more work, but in many cases, it can be a major money saver.
Search alternative departure airports
Travelers living near Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson probably don’t consider flying out of other airports. Why would they when the world’s busiest airport is right there in their city? But there are some situations where you could actually save money by looking at long-haul flights from other cities, even if it requires another short flight. It seems counterintuitive, but we see shockingly cheap fares from airports all over the country every day. If you’re only looking at your home airport, you’ll miss them.
If you see a $305 roundtrip deal from LA to Dubai, for example, then you could add a $250 flight from Atlanta to LA, and it’d still save you a lot of money. It takes more effort, but if you see an incredibly cheap fare, it could end up saving you hundreds of dollars.
Fly when it’s cheaper
The simplest way to save on flights to Dubai is to travel during the off season, from June–August. Of course, that means you’ll be dealing with very hot, very humid weather. However, if you plan to check out museums and the city’s hundreds of restaurants, this is a great way to score deals on flights and hotels.
We like traveling during the shoulder seasons, the periods tucked on either side of the high or low season. For Dubai, that’s May or October. The weather will still be hot but not stiflingly so, and you’ll enjoy fewer crowds and lower prices than during the winter.
And, if traveling outside the peak season isn’t an option for you, look for fares on the cheapest days to fly: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. Fridays and Sundays are generally the most expensive days to fly.
Set alerts for specific trips
Keeping track of ever-shifting airfare takes time. And what if you miss a dip in prices? Luckily, you can avoid that with fare alerts.
Set up fare alerts for your Dubai travel dates, and simply wait for an email telling you prices have dropped. Do this well ahead of the Goldilocks Window we talked about above so you can see prices fall during that time. And if your travel dates or departure airport are flexible, set up a few alerts to cover your bases.
Dubai is one of the busiest airports in the world, serving more than 90 million passengers a year, with direct flights from 264 cities around the world. Most travelers around the world will be able to visit Dubai with one connection or nonstop.
Frequently asked questions about flying to Dubai
What is the airport code for Dubai International Airport?
The airport code for Dubai International Airport is DXB.
When is high season in Dubai?
High season in Dubai is from November to April, when the weather is sunny and warm but not too hot. Visitors from Europe, the UK, and the US flock to Dubai’s beaches during this time, and there are lots of festivals and events. The week around Eid al-Fitr, when people from neighboring countries generally have off work and plan vacations, can also be very busy. That date varies each year, so confirm whether it will be on during your travels.
When is the best time to visit Dubai?
The best time to visit Dubai is from November to April, which is also the high season. Weather during this time is warm, sometimes hot, during the day but cooler at night. It’s perfect for beach days or to explore the city’s numerous outdoor attractions, outdoor restaurants, and markets. Be sure to pack a light jacket, even if daytime temperatures look high. Dubai is in the desert, and many visitors are surprised at how chilly it can get at night during the winter.
Shoulder months, like May and October, are also great times to visit. It will be hotter than during peak season but not oppressively so, and prices will go down a bit.
June to September is brutally hot in Dubai. Many residents try to go to Europe or elsewhere during this time, or hang out in one of the many air-conditioned malls. While it’s hard to enjoy the beach (water temperature can reach 95 degrees F) or spend much time outdoors (air temperature can reach 120 degrees F), if you plan to check out Dubai’s restaurants or museums, summer is a good time to visit to save money.
Does DXB have its own on-site hotel?
Dubai International Hotel is located inside Terminal 3 of the airport. It has a health club and spa with relaxation pool, sauna, and steam rooms; a restaurant, coffee shop, and bar; meeting rooms; turndown service; and free wifi. Rooms start at $105 per night.
The airport also has Sleep ‘n Fly lounges in Concourse A, B, C (all in Terminal 3), Concourse D (in Terminal 1), and two near Duty Free. You can book a sleep pod, double bunk cabins, or family-size pods. Some have restrooms. You can book for a specific number of hours or a full night. Rates range from $28–$123 for two hours, depending on the type of room.
What lounges are available at DXB?
There are 14 lounges in DXB. Some are airline-specific, while others are available for any business or first class passenger.
- Concourse A: Emirates First Class Lounge, Plaza Premium Lounge, Al Majlis, Marhaba Lounge
- Concourse B: Emirates Business Class Lounge, Al Majlis, Marhaba Lounge
- Concourse C: Al Majlis, Dubai International First Class Lounge, Marhaba Lounge
- Concourse D: British Airways Lounge, Gulf Air Lounge, Lufthansa Business Lounge, Al Majlis, Marhaba Lounge
In Concourse D, the British Airways Lounge has snacks, a full bar, spa services, wifi, and TVs. It is available for British Airways First or Club class passengers, as well as Silver and Gold Executive Club members. The Gulf Air lounge has a hot and cold buffet, numerous alcoholic and non-alcoholic drink options, a luggage storage room, smoking area, prayer room, and workstation area. Falconflyer Black, Gold, and Silver cardholders can use the lounge. The Lufthansa Business Lounge has snacks, beer and wine, spirits, showers, and free wifi. Lufthansa business and first class passengers can use the lounge.
Emirates operates two luxury lounges in DXB. The Business Class lounge features a Health Hub, a food station with salads, smoothies, and wraps. There’s a Möet and Chandon lounge with food designed by a variety of Michelin-star chefs, as well as a Costa coffee shop. The lounge also has a spa with facial, massagem and nail services; a business center; and free wifi. Access is available for Emirates or Qantas business class passengers, as well as those with Skywards Gold or Platinum status. Paid access starts at $175 but can be cheaper for Skywards members. The Emirates First Class Lounge has the same amenities as the business class lounge, plus a cigar bar, a la carte dining, a vegan menu, limited-edition whiskies, a Le Clos store, and complementary (rather than paid) spa treatments. Emirates first class passengers and Skywards Platinum members can use the lounge. Paid access starts at $300.
The rest of DXB’s lounges are available for paid use or on Priority Pass. The Plaza Premium Lounge has family suites with butler service, smoking rooms, showers, a self-serve bar, relaxation areas, and live cooking stations. Prices start at $95 for three hours. Marhaba Lounges, which are in every terminal, have business services, a buffet, and a full bar. Prices start at $50.
There are 25 Al Majlis VIP lounges across the DXB airport. They have flat-screen TVs, wifi, a dedicated Duty Free store, prayer rooms, and smoking rooms. Dedicated BMW of whatever the year’s latest model is can transport passengers between terminals, and passengers arrive and depart separately from the rest of the airport. Check-in and baggage are handled at the lounges. Reservations can be made online and start at $680 per person.
What are the rules for traveling with pets to DXB?
You should check with your airline for its rules on traveling with pets. All pets traveling with Emirates fly under Emirates SkyCargo. Pets traveling from the US to Dubai will need an import permit from the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment. Cats and dogs need a microchip and must be at least 15 weeks old; they also must have rabies vaccinations and other vaccinations. Some dog breeds, including Mastiff dogs, Tosa, Rottweiler breeds, Doberman Pinschers, Canario, Karabah/Kangal, and Caucasian Ovcharka are banned from the UAE.
How far is DXB from Dubai?
The airport is about 15 miles from downtown, which takes about 20–30 minutes to reach in light traffic. To reach the Marina, a popular hotel and tourist area, it can take closer to an hour.
What are the transportation options for getting from DXB to Dubai?
Airport taxis are the quickest way to reach Downtown Dubai. To Downtown, a taxi will cost $40–50. Careem, a local rideshare service that works like Uber, is available at DXB and will be about the same price, sometimes slightly cheaper.
The red line of the Dubai Metro runs from the airport at Terminals 1 and 3 to Downtown Dubai. It takes about 30 minutes to reach the Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall stop Downtown. It costs about $1.50.
How long is the flight to DXB?
The flight to Dubai depends on where you’re coming from. From New York, nonstop flights take about 12.5 hours. From Chicago, they’re about 13.5 hours, from Dallas about 14.5, and from Los Angeles about 16.
Seattle, LA, San Francisco, Dallas, Houston, Miami, Orlando, Washington (DC), Boston, and New York offer direct flights to Dubai, as do Vancouver and Toronto. From elsewhere in the US, you’ll have to make a connection, either in one of those cities or, sometimes, in Europe.
Numerous European cities offer nonstop flights to Dubai, usually taking 6–7 hours. Dozens of cities across Asia also have nonstop flights, from 7–11 hours. If you’re elsewhere in the Middle East, your flight time will be short, from 1–4 hours. From Nairobi, a flight to Dubai is about 5 hours, while from South Africa it’s about 8. Dakar, Accra, Addis Ababa, Mombasa, and Dar es Salaam also have nonstop flights to Dubai. From South America, the only nonstop options are from Brazil.
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* Prices are per person and include all taxes & fees in USD. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing, however, prices are not guaranteed, as airline pricing can change by the minute. Average Going fares are based on average prices of deals found by Going.