United Arab Emirates, UAE flights - cheap international flight tickets and hacker fares to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah,
Flights to Dubai. Book plane tickets to Dubai International Airport (DXB) online.

The UAE is open to international tourism

The United Arab Emirates is open to travelers from all countries. Vaccinated visitors must present the vaccination certificate, while those who are not fully vaccinated should present a negative result of an RT-PCR test conducted within 48 hours before arrival. Passengers, irrespective of whether they are vaccinated, do not need to quarantine on arrival.

Depending on your nationality, you can get a VoA (Visa on Arrival) or apply for your prearranged Visit Visa from Dubai Immigration before you travel. Nationals of GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries – Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia – are allowed to enter the UAE with their national identity card.

Transiting through Emirati airports is permitted. Transiting passengers are not required to present a health certificate (unless it is mandated by their final destination).



Arriving in Dubai

  • If you are flying to Dubai from abroad, you will most likely land at one of its biggest international airportsits main international airportDubai International Airport DXB (the main airport) or Al Maktoum International Airport DWC (also known as Dubai World Central - a new airport located at Dubai South).

    These are also the best (and the cheapest) airports to fly into Dubai. As they are used by many airlines serving the same routes, the competition for passengers is fierce – with decreased airfare as a result.
  • Once in Dubai, take advantage of frequent intercity flights operated by domestic airlines such as Emirates, Etihad Airways, Air Arabia, FlyDubai, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, Rotana Jet, and Royal Jet. Those in-country carriers typically offer lower fares, operate from smaller airports located closer to city centers (you save on ground transportation), and provide flexible schedules – with a wide range of departure times.
  • Planning to explore the region? Popular destinations near Dubai can be easily reached with regional low-cost carriers (LCCs) by the likes of Air Arabia, Air India Express, Cebu Pacific, FlyNas, Flyadeal, FlyDubai, Jazeera Airways, Pegasus Airlines, Saudia, SalamAir, Smartwings, Vistara, and Wizz Air. If you have a layover in Dubai and plan to fly only a short distance to one of its neighboring countries, these budget airlines are an excellent way to save money. However, the “no-frills” carrier may not provide free checked baggage allowance, complimentary food, in-flight entertainment systems, and fast customer support. You may not even get to choose your seats, unless you pay extra.

Airports of Dubai

Best airports to fly into Dubai: Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Dubai World Central Airport (DWC)
Dubai has two world class airports – Dubai International Airport DXB located around 8km from the Dubai City, and Al Maktoum International Airport (also known as Dubai World Central) DWC located in Jebel Ali, 37 km away from Dubai.
Things to know before flying to Dubai
Airlines flying to DubaiAeroflot, Air Arabia, Air Astana, Air Baltic, Air Blue, Air Canada, Air China, Air France, Air India, Air India Express, AnadoluJet, Arkia Isreali Airlines, Azerbaijan Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Cebu Pacific, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Condor, Cyprus Airways, Egypt Air, El Air, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, Eurowings, Expo Aviation, FlyArystan, FlyNas, Flyadeal, FlyDubai, Etihad Airways, Go First, Gulf Air, IndiGo, Iran Air, Iraqi Airways, Jazeera Airways, Kam Air, KLM, Kenya Airways, Korean Airlines, Kuwait Airways, LOT, Lufthansa, Luxair, Mahan Air, Middle East Airlines, Neos Air, Oman Air, Pakistan International Airlines, Palestinian Airlines, Pegasus Airlines, Philippine Airlines, Qatar Airways, Qeshm Air, Rwand Air, Royal Air Maroc, Royal Jordanian, Royal Nepal Airlines, Saudia, SalamAir, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Serene Air, Singapore Airlines, Smartwings, SpiceJet, SriLankan Airlines, SWISS, Syrian Arab Airlines, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines, Uzbekistan Airways, Wizzair, Vistara
Airlines of UAEEmirates, Etihad Airways, Air Arabia, FlyDubai, Wizzair Abu Dhabi, Rotana Jet, Royal Jet

Main airports in DubaiDubai International Airport (DXB)
Al Maktoum International Airport (Dubai World Central) (DWC)
Regular price (roundtrip)✈ €500 – €700 (from Europe)
✈ $800 – $1100 (from USA)
Flight hacks 40% — 80% off regular fare
Airline discountsDiscounted airline tickets to Dubai (student/family/seniors/military)

Low-cost flights from Dubai

Stay ahead of the game. Fly to popular destinations at a fraction of the regular fare.

Check airfares for Abu Dhabi first

If you are heading to Dubai, you may consider flying to Abu Dhabi (flights are usually cheaper than to Dubai) and then taking a direct bus to Dubai (less than 1.5 hours ride).

The cheapest time to fly to Dubai

Middle East countries, like UAE, are extremely hot from April to September. So, if you have a choice, try visiting Dubai between November and March for cooler weather (the temperates range from 30° C to 12° C). However, as these are the best months for tourists, they see a sharp spike in tourist footfall. Travelers from different parts of the world love to visit Dubai at the end of December and celebrate the new year as well – make sure to reserve your flights, hotels, rental car, etc well in advance.

Use Smart Gates for faster passport checking

Smart Gates installed at the Dubai Airport are a new contactless technology that eliminates the need for physical passport stamping at immigration. Its fast-track biometric system uses face and iris recognition, so there is no need to scan any document – you can pass through the Smart Gates by simply looking at the green light.

Who can use it? If you are UAE/GCC national or Visa-on-Arrival passenger with a biometric passport, you are eligible to use Smart Gates. There’s a requirement to be registered first, however, all passengers who have recently arrived at DXB are likely to have been registered when they entered the immigration touchpoint. If you still need to register, you can do this at the passport control desk.

Home check-in service on Emirates

In Dubai and Sharjah, Emirates partnered with DUBZ to offer a “home check-in.” DUBZ agents complete the check-in process in your home or hotel and take your bags to the airport. You can enjoy the rest of your day and breeze through the airport later. Remember to book the service at least 24 hours before your flight.

The home check-in service is complimentary for First Class passengers.

Next tips

Flights to Dubai from United States and Canada

  • There are no direct flights from the US or Canada to Dubai. However, most major hubs in Asia have non-stop flights to Dubai, as do some larger airports in the Middle East – your journey will have at least one stop. Direct flights from Canada (Toronto) to Dubai are operated by three airlines: Air Canada, Emirates, and Etihad Airways, with an average flight time of around 13 hours. If you're looking for a non-stop connection from the US, check out Emirates, Etihad Airways, JetBlue, and United Airlines for the latest offers. They have direct flights to Dubai from the largest hubs in the US, including Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York, Miami, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington.
  • Dubai is well-served via one-stop flights from North America. Flights to Dubai with one layover depart from most major North American airports, including Atlanta ATL, Dallas DFW, Denver DEN, Chicago ORD, Los Angeles LAX, Las Vegas DFW, Miami MIA, Seattle SEA, Houston IAH, New York JFK, and San Francisco SFO in the United States and Toronto YYZ, Vancouver YVR, Calgary LAS, and Montreal YUL in Canada.
  • The best airlines to fly to Dubai from the US and Canada are: Air Canada, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Korean Air, Qatar Airways, and Singapore Airlines. They are top full-service carriers, offering exceptional customer service, in-flight comfort, a generous checked baggage allowance, and reliable customer support channels – all included in the ticket price.

US and Canada to Dubai.
Ticket prices in March 2024.

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Connect to Wi-Fi

Dubai International Airport offers fast, unlimited free Wi-Fi that you can use immediately upon arrival. Use your phone to look for networks, select “DXB Free WIFI” then press “Get online now”.

Check your terminal at DXB airport

If you are transiting via Dubai DXB, double-check which terminal your next flight is from. Dubai International Airport is huge and getting between terminals involves taking a shuttle bus or the metro. Typically, most international flights operated by third-party airlines such as British Airways, Lufthansa, KLM, Turkish Airlines, etc depart from Terminal 1, Emirates and some low-cost carriers (Flydubai, Air India Express) use Terminal 2, and most of the full-service airlines (Air Canada, Garuda, Malaysia Airlines, Qantas, etc) fly from Terminal 3.

Avoid currency exchange kiosks at airports

Airports are infamous for making an exuberant amount of money from their currency exchanges due to the extremely high margins, and Emirati airports are no exception. Airport kiosks usually charge higher fees which are sometimes hidden within the poorer exchange rates they offer – their business is based on charging extra for being a convenient, last-minute option.

It is always a good idea to bring cash to Dubai. Plan ahead and exchange some money for Emirati dirham at home, or use one of the many ATMs at the airport and in almost every city.

Chill in the Zen Garden

You’ll find it at Terminal 3, between gates B7 and B27. It’s an area that comprises a fish pond, lush trees, and benches – a perfect spot for relaxing or reading a book while listening to the sounds of water. Zen garden also provides a play area for children to keep them occupied.

Next tips

Flights to Dubai from UK, Germany, France, Netherlands and other countries in Europe

  • There are no direct flights from Europe to Dubai — you’ll need to get a connecting flight from elsewhere in the Middle East or in Asia. Direct flights from Europe to Dubai are just a few hours long (around 6 hours if you fly non-stop from Frankfurt, and just 4 hours 30 minutes from Athens). Most European hubs have a nonstop connection to Dubai — including Amsterdam, Berlin, London, Madrid, Paris, Prague, Warsaw, Vienna, and Zurich. Among the airlines that operate Europe — Dubai routes, you'll find both full-service carriers such as Air France, British Airways, Emirates, Lufthansa, Neos Air, SWISS, Turkish Airlines, and low-budget companies by the likes of Air Arabia, Eurowings, FlyDubai, Pegasus Airlines, Smartwings, and Wizz Air.
  • Airlines that frequently fly from the UK, Germany, France, and other European countries to Dubai include Air France, British Airways, Condor, Cyprus Airways, Emirates, Etihad Airways, KLM, Lufthansa, Luxair, SWISS, and Turkish Airlines.
  • Consider departure airports in neighboring countries to increase your chance of spotting the best deal. Especially look for large airports that serve as hubs for multiple airlines. For example, if you live in Western Europe, check air tickets to Dubai from Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London, Madrid, Paris, and Rome. Leverage frequent promotions from European budget carriers like RyanAir, EasyJet, and Eurowings to reach a major hub; from there, take a cheaper long-haul flight to your final destination, potentially saving hundreds of euros.
  • These major European airports are excellent departure points for trips to Dubai: London LHR and Manchester MAN in the United Kingdom, Frankfurt FRA and Munich MUC in Germany, Paris CDG and Nice NCE in France, Amsterdam AMS in the Netherlands, Madrid MAD and Barcelona BCN in Spain, Rome FCO and Milano MXP in Italy, Brussels BRU in Belgium, Copenhagen OSL in Denmark, Oslo OSL in Norway, Stockholm ARN in Sweden, Zurich ZRH in Switzerland, Lisbon LIS in Portugal, Vienna VIE in Austria, Warsaw WAW in Poland, Prague PRG in the Czech Republic, and Dublin DUB in Ireland.

Europe to Dubai.Flight schedule and ticket prices.

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Last-minute flights to Dubai. The real cost of convenience.

Last-minute flights are often touted as a great way to save money, but the reality is far from it. Booking last-minute flights to Dubai almost always never works out. The convenience of being able to book a flight on the fly is a dangerous game of chance, and you will most likely end up paying significantly higher than booking in advance.

Last-minute flight cost spike
Late booking penalty: The flight prices rise as departure draws near. Last-minute flights are almost always more expensive than booking in advance.

The common perception may be that airlines decrease ticket prices to fill empty seats as the departure date approaches. However, the truth is that airfares depend on demand. Based on years of research and current customer data, the airlines know what people are willing to pay for specific flights and dates. They are also well aware that people are willing to pay a premium for flights they need to take immediately. To make the most money, the airline will sell its cheapest fares first and then increase the prices right before the flight to take advantage of business travelers and others who are willing to pay the premium price for late booking.

Occasionally, airlines can put some seats on sale to fill the remaining seats, but these are for unusual times and unpopular places. Popular destinations and dates around peak travel times tend to sell out quickly.

Planning ahead is key to securing a good deal on your flight. Last-minute flight deals are hard to come by, so as soon as you have a tentative travel timeline, book your flight. The earlier you book, the more likely you are to save money. If you are looking for a good deal, the best time to book your flight to Dubai is 2-8 months before the takeoff.

Looking for the best deals for Dubai? Check different departure airports.

Airlines often have varying prices for flights to Dubai from different airports – even if they are in close proximity to one another. So don’t limit yourself to just your nearest airport. The neighboring cities may have lower-priced flights that include a layover at Dubai, or may even have direct flights that are more budget-friendly.

For example, if you’re looking to fly from Paris to Dubai, it may be worth checking prices for flights departing from London, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, or Rome. Yes, you may have to fly a few hundred kilometers to these hubs, but domestic low-cost airlines like EasyJet, RyanAir, or WizzAir will happily take you there for less than €100.

Book flights from many departure airports
By entering more than one departure city in the flight search engine (at the top of this page), you can quickly find the airport with the cheapest flights to your destination

The same goes for long-haul flights to Dubai from anywhere in the world. By broadening your search to include neighboring airports, you may discover lower-priced options that can save you hundreds of euros!

Domestic flights from Dubai

Most domestic routes in UAE are operated by local carriers. When traveling to popular tourist destinations such as Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Al Ain, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah from Dubai Airport and Dubai World Central Airport, you’ll likely fly with one of these domestic airlines: Emirates, Etihad Airways, Air Arabia, FlyDubai, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, Rotana Jet, and Royal Jet.

This is often the best transportation method, providing speed, convenience, and cost-effectiveness. Local airlines often offer multiple daily flights to key destinations, providing flexibility in scheduling and competitive pricing. They also serve smaller regional airports, enabling access to a wider range of Emirati destinations.

Flights to Dubai from Australia and New Zealand

Australia and New Zealand to Dubai.Flight ticket prices today.

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“Hot seats” on long-haul flights

Those days seat selection is considered an optional, extra paid service – seats with extra legroom (front and exit rows) are usually priced higher. However, if you’re about to take a long-haul flight to Dubai, those “hot seats” are worth considering – expect to pay $50-$100, which is much less than upgrading to Premium Economy.

If you want to choose your seats, do this early (ideally during the booking) for a more extensive selection of available options.

Booking hot seats (preffered seats with extra legroom) on plane
Choosing a hot seat during the flight booking process is usually worth it. For a reasonable price, you will get more room to stretch your legs, as well as a wider seat pitch.

Booking group flights to Dubai

Flights are cheaper when purchased in bulk rather than as individual tickets. Booking group flights to Dubai can be a cost-effective option for a school trip, family reunion, or corporate group traveling to a conference.

To qualify for the special group rate, the group must usually have at least 10 passengers. Discounts depend on the airline, group size, and travel dates, and typically range from 5% to 20% off the regular airfare.

Airlines and flight search websites typically limit automatic group bookings to 10 passengers. This limit reflects the complexity of managing larger groups, which require personalized service and more time to coordinate. To get the price quote for your group, you’ll need to contact the airline or a travel agent directly.

If you’re open to different airlines or want more personalized service, a travel agent may be a better choice. Travel agents may have access to discounted group rates to Dubai and can help with logistics and scheduling.

Flights to Dubai from Bali, Bangkok, Delhi, Dubai, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Singapore, Seoul, Tokyo, and other major hubs in Asia

  • Asia is probably the best continent for short-haul and mid-haul flying. The sheer scale of this most populous region on Earth is reflected in the type of aircraft operating many shorter routes: intra-Asia flyers benefit from comfortable, wide-bodied aircraft by the likes of Boeing 777, 787 or Airbus A350, A330, and A380. When booking your flight to Dubai look for these bigger planes as they will almost always give you the best experience in every cabin, including better seat pitches, higher ceilings, and larger overhead bin space.
  • Asia is also home to most of the world’s best airlines. There are only ten airlines that received the prestigious 5-star mark of quality from Skytrax, and all of them are from Asia: ANA, Asiana Airlines, Cathay Pacific, EVA Air, Garuda Indonesia, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines. Choosing one of these airlines for your trip to Dubai will guarantee a pleasant journey – delicious meals served during the flight, great in-flight entertainment, and above-average airline customer service.
  • Asia is extremely well served by low-cost regional airlines. If you are visiting UAE and want to see several other countries on a tight budget, they often have great sales with rock-bottom prices, while still offering a relatively comfortable flight experience. Among the best Asian budget airlines you can book without hesitation are AirAsiaCebu Pacific, Citilink, FlyDubai, Indigo, Jetstar Airways, Scoot, SpiceJet, and VietJet Air. The cons? Being no-frills airlines they may not provide free baggage allowance, inflight meals, or onboard entertainment. The departure times may also be quite inconvenient as they try to save money by flying at off-peak hours.
  • Most major Asian airports have convenient and frequent flights to Dubai — including Changi (Singapore), Dubai (UAE), Hong Kong (China), Incheon (Seoul, South Korea), Indira Gandhi (New Delhi, India), KLIA (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia), Narita (Tokyo, Japan), Denpasar (Bali, Indonesia), Soekarno–Hatta (Jakarta, Indonesia), Ninoy Aquino (Manila, Philippines), Suvarnabhumi (Bangkok, Thailand), Taoyuan (Taipei, Taiwan), and others.

Dubai from major Asian airports.Flight prices in March 2024.

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Proof of onward travel – a simple hack

Travelers who go on long trips often don’t have a set itinerary and fly on one-way tickets. The problem? For many APAC countries, proof of onward travel is a legal requirement. If you arrive at the airport without an onward ticket (from UAE to another country), you’ll either be forced to buy one online or forbidden from boarding the plane altogether.

The cheapest solution? Renting an onward ticket! Use the websites such as OneWayFly or OnwardTicket to get a flight reservation for a limited amount of time (usually 2 to 14 days). They work by actually booking you on a real flight out of UAE and giving you a confirmable flight reservation with a PNR (Passenger Name Record) under your name. After the time limit, your spot on the flight is automatically canceled. Such “temporary tickets” tend to cost anywhere from $10 to $20.

Confirmed flight ticket reservation
Proof of onward travel: confirmed flight ticket reservation (source: OnwardTicket)

Fly now, pay later

Book Now Pay Later (BNPL) plans for flights have become a popular trend in the travel industry, allowing travelers to book flights and pay in installments. Among the airlines that offer this option are American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Qantas, Turkish Airlines, and United Airlines. They partner with external financial companies to offer their loan services on the checkout page.

The BNPL plans come with varying terms and fees. Some may be interest-free but have fees for late-payments and require forced autoplay on your bank account, while others may have high annual percentage rates (up to 30-40% APR).

When considering BNPL financing for your flight to Dubai, it’s crucial to carefully evaluate the pros and cons, and thoroughly review the terms and conditions.