When is the best time to book a flight to Dubai?
Dubai’s climate is consistently hot throughout the year, so there is no particular peak or off season. Instead, visitors choose a time of year based on the cultural events when booking flights to Dubai. The Dubai Shopping Festival, a shopaholic’s idea of paradise, takes place between January and February. It’s not only famous for its large shopping discounts, but its music concerts, fashion shows and children’s events also attract tourists from all over the world every year. The Omega Dubai Desert Classic is a world class golfing event that has proudly hosted the likes of Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, so it’s no surprise that golf fans seek out cheap flights to Dubai in February to be part of the event at the famous Emirates Golf Club. Finally (and also in February, when the average daytime temperature is a pleasant 25 degrees), the Dubai Jazz Festival plays host to a fantastic line-up of artists and aims to spread the city’s love for jazz to all of its visitors in June and July, temperatures regularly rise above 40 degrees during the day, so you’re most likely to find the cheapest flights to Dubai during those summer months.
Flights to Dubai! Which day is cheapest to fly to Dubai?
Wednesday is currently, on average, the cheapest day to fly to Dubai. Flying on Friday will result in higher flight prices.
Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun £400 £600
What time of day is cheapest to fly to Dubai?
To get the best value, try booking a flight in the morning when visiting Dubai. Generally the prices will increase for flights in the afternoon as these tend to have higher demand.
Which airlines operate flights to Dubai?
Jet Airways, United Airlines, SAS, Aer Lingus, Delta Air Lines, Emirates and Qantas are amongst the many airlines that operate to and from Dubai and have regular cheap flights throughout the year.
Dubai’s airport
Dubai International Airport (DXB) is the main airport in the United Arab Emirates city and is the busiest airport in the world in terms of international passenger traffic.
Dubai International Airport (DXB)
Acting as a hub for Emirates, FlyDubai and Qantas, DXB serves over 70 million passengers per year.
Getting between terminals
Passengers who are connecting flights through the same airline will automatically be guided to the necessary transport between terminals. Passengers who have separate flights can make use of the free 24-hour shuttle bus that operates between all three terminals.
Passengers in terminals 1 and 3 also have the option of the Metro that runs between them.
Distance to the city centre
3 miles (4.6km) east of Dubai city centre
Flights to Dubai! Transport from Dubai airport
DXB is very close to the city centre, so the public transport service from the airport is unsurprisingly very good. Outside terminal 1, there is a bus stop across the road to the right as you exit customs (approximately 50m away); at terminal 3, there is a bus stop on the second level of the terminal. You will need to leave the terminal, head towards the car park, take the lift up and turn back on yourself to get back to the terminal building; the bus stop is on your right.
Taxis and limos are a popular alternative, albeit more expensive, whilst many hotels offer free shuttle transport from the airport, but, in many cases, you will need to arrange this in advance.
Hints and tips
- You cannot pay in cash on the bus from the airport (or in the city, for that matter), so you will need to buy a NOL card, which is an electronic payment card that works by touch-and-go technology.
- NOL cards come in four different colours, each with different access to modes and frequency of transport: silver, blue, gold and red. The silver card is the best option for those who want to travel regularly between different points in the city.
How long is the flight to Dubai?
Air France, KLM, and British Airways offer flights from several cities in the United Kingdom to Dubai. Flight times vary considerably based upon your city of departure. For example, there is a 10h 25m flight on KLM from Cardiff and a 10h 45m flight from Bristol. Also, from Aberdeen and Leeds, you can get to Dubai in around 10h.
Where can you get direct flights ?
Direct flights to London are possible from both Gatwick and Heathrow Airports in London. Emirates Airline also offers a nonstop flight from either Edinburgh or Newcastle upon Tyne. Other places where you can catch a direct flight from the United Kingdom to Dubai include Peterborough, Salisbury, and Winchester with British Airways and Emirates.
How do you get from Dubai International Airport to the city centre?
If you’re interested in public transportation, you can ride the train or bus to downtown Dubai. Both are very economical and convenient travel options. Catch either the train or bus outside of Terminal 1 or 3 of the airport. As with most large airports, you can also hail a taxi outside of the arrival center. Some of the largest taxi companies in Dubai include National and Metro. The cars are cream-colored and operate 24 hours a day/ days a week. If you’d prefer to have your own car, consider renting a vehicle at the airport. International car rental companies including Dollar, Hertz, and Budget all have offices here. For convenience, a few hotels in downtown Dubai provide complimentary transportation from the airport. This includes Time Grand Plaza Hotel and Best Western Premier Deira.
What are some things to do ?
Dubai has numerous tall skyscrapers. To experience Dubai’s skyline, you can visit the observation floor of the Burj Khalifa, a 160-foot tall building. Shopping is also popular with tourists because of the many posh boutiques and luxurious stores in the city. Some places to shop include the Mall of Emirates, WAFI Emirates, Deira Gold Souk (for jewelry) and the Dubai Mall (the largest mall in the world). If you’re interested in arts and culture, you’ll want to tour Kbmovers Museum, Jumeirah Mosque, and Al Fahidi Historical District. Dubai is also a vibrant city known for its many nightclubs and bars such as White Dubai, Cavalli Club, and N’Dulge.
Do I need a passport or visa to fly to Dubai?
To travel to Dubai, you will need a British Citizen passport. This passport must be valid and legal for up to 6 months following your arrival date in Dubai. Your passport will be exchanged for a visa while you’re in the United Arab Emirates. For underage children, a birth certificate will be required for entrance into the country.
Dubai airport overview
One of the seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates, Dubai is a wealthy player in this oil-producing region. The city is one of most visited in the world; in fact, Dubai relies on tourism, and has marketed itself as the “shopping capital” of the Middle East. Indeed Dubai International Airport’s duty-free areas are a major tourist attraction in their own right. The airport is a major aviation hub in the area, and one of the biggest airports in the world by passenger volume.
Transfers at Dubai International can be stressful. It’s a huge, linear building – so be prepared to do some walking if you’re catching a connecting flight. Terminals 1 and 3 are used solely for international tourists and make up 90 per cent of the airport’s total passenger traffic. Terminal 3 is used only by Emirates Airlines and is connected to Terminal 1 via a transit area, so you don’t need to go through immigration to get from one to the other. However, you do have to make your way through the duty-free area – which is often very crowded. Terminal 2 is used by regional and low-cost airlines. It’s on the opposite end of the airport, so you’ll have to get to and from it via airport shuttle, an almost 30-minute journey.
What airport do you fly into for flights to Dubai?
Dubai Intl (DXB), located 6.8 mi from the city center, is the airport you fly into when you book flights to Dubai. DXB handles an average of 26 flights per day from London. You should also have a few airline options to choose from. 30 airlines have flights to Dubai Intl from London.
How popular are flights to Dubai Intl (DXB) this year?
There has been a 272% increase in demand for Dubai flights over the last year.