Flying from Istanbul to Dubai Airport (DXB): What you need to know
There are two main airports you can start your journey from in Istanbul. Check out your options departing from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) when reserving your flight from Istanbul to Dubai Airport (DXB).
Take off on a direct Istanbul to Dubai Airport flight and you'll be travelling for an average of 4 hours 25 minutes.
Dubai is one hour ahead of Istanbul. Dubai Airport is located in Dubai, which follows the UTC+4 timezone.
The most popular route is from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to Dubai Airport (DXB), with 62 direct services every week. If you're ready to head out sooner, the earliest flight from IST to DXB is the 12:25am Turkish Airlines service. If you need some extra time before takeoff, the last departure is at 11:40pm with Emirates.
To ensure you get on your flight from Istanbul to DXB, leave plenty of time to navigate the airport and find your gate. Turning up two hours ahead of international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general travel rule.
If you're travelling during a major holiday or other peak period, allow for even more time. Get there two hours before domestic flights and up to four hours before international departures. Security and check-in lines will be longer.
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Take the express route from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST). Nonstop flights from Istanbul to Dubai Airport (DXB) operate from here.
Leading airlines that offer direct flights from Istanbul to Dubai Airport departing IST include:
The airline with the highest booking numbers between IST and DXB is Turkish Airlines.
Stopovers are the ideal opportunity to take a break from travelling and perhaps even explore another city. When searching for cheap flights from Istanbul to DXB departing from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST), deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to find out where you can stop along the way. Your journey might pause in:
Hamad International Airport (DOH)
Kuwait International Airport (KWI)
Bahrain International Airport (BAH)
IST is around 48 kilometres from central Istanbul. If you're ride-sharing, driving or catching a cab from the centre, it'll take you 50 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic conditions. If you're taking public transport, expect the trip time to be around 1 hour 45 minutes.
In search of a comfortable hotel close to Istanbul Ataturk Airport? If you've booked an early flight from Istanbul to Dubai Airport, these stays will have you sleeping just around the corner from the terminal:
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
You can book a direct Istanbul to Dubai Airport (DXB) plane ticket out of Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW). Work out whether departing from SAW makes the most sense for you.
The most popular airlines that have direct flights from Istanbul to DXB jetting off from SAW include:
On the SAW to DXB route, flydubai is the go-to airline for most travellers on this route.
Among the carriers operating flights between Sabiha Gokcen International Airport and Dubai Airport, Pegasus has the most consistent on-time performance.
Make the most of your holiday with a stopover on your flight from Istanbul to Dubai Airport. Here's where you can connect between Sabiha Gokcen International Airport and DXB:
Bahrain International Airport (BAH)
Baghdad International Airport (BGW)
Trabzon Airport (TZX)
Using public transport, you can travel from central Istanbul to SAW in around 1 hour 30 minutes. The airport is roughly 48 kilometres away, and getting there by car will take approximately 55 minutes.
Flying off with the first light? Think about staying at one of these accommodation options near Sabiha Gokcen International Airport the day before your Istanbul to DXB flight:
As far as flight punctuality goes, Sabiha Gokcen International Airport has an on-time arrival performance of 76.93%.
About Dubai Airport (DXB)
Have a late flight from Istanbul to Dubai Airport? Don't let it hijack your sleep schedule. Stay at one of these hotels near DXB and hit the pillow fast:
Grab a Dubai Airport rental car and explore Dubai and beyond with your own wheels. AMEX, Autostrad Rent A Car and Quicklease Car Hire are leading providers you can book with here.
Booking your vehicle around three weeks ahead of your Istanbul to Dubai Airport flight can help you find the best deal.
Getting from Dubai Airport (DXB) to central Dubai
The centre of Dubai is about 10 kilometres from Dubai Airport. Travel times by car hire or cab will vary based on traffic conditions, so do a little research ahead of your trip.
It takes roughly 50 minutes if you're travelling by public transport.
How to find the cheapest flights from Istanbul to Dubai Airport (DXB)
The cheapest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Istanbul to Dubai Airport is R 1,765. For a return flight on this route, the best price is R 3,547. Depending on how early you book and the availability, these fares can change.
Get cheap flights from Istanbul to DXB by booking six months ahead. Based on our research, that's the sweet spot for finding a bargain.
The best month for finding cheap Istanbul to Dubai Airport tickets is November. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare flight prices, then select the dates that offer the biggest savings.
There's no need to check back in every day to find out if prices have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll notify you the moment a lower fare pops up on plane tickets from Istanbul to DXB.
Filters make it easier to snap up a deal on your flight from Istanbul to Dubai Airport. Pick the flight times, carriers and stops that line up with your plans. Then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to find the best price quickly.
The best time to fly from Istanbul to Dubai Airport (DXB)
It's time to decide when to book your flight from Istanbul to Dubai Airport (DXB). July is when most people visit Dubai. If you're all about a more relaxed kind of trip, think about going in April.
Book an Istanbul to DXB plane ticket departing in July if you want to visit the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures in Dubai to range from 30ºC (86ºF) to 42ºC (108ºF).
January sees temperatures of between 14ºC (57ºF) and 25ºC (77ºF). Search for cheap tickets from Istanbul to Dubai Airport around that time if you like cooler conditions.
More about Dubai
When it comes to looking for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the top stays in Dubai right here. Check out these hotels as soon as you've locked in your flight from Istanbul to Dubai Airport:
Palace Hotel and Burj Khalifa and Burj Khalifa are just a couple of the popular attractions to put on your Dubai to-do list. Continue your sightseeing adventures at At the top Burj Khalifa.
Explore more of the United Arab Emirates
Dubai has its own special appeal, but there are so many other parts of the United Arab Emirates you'll want to see. Around 129 kilometres south-west of Dubai, a visit to Abu Dhabi will keep you on the go. Start with attractions like Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Mosque, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and Emirates Palace, Dubai.
If you're ready to explore another major stop in the United Arab Emirates, consider Khawr Fakkān, about 105 kilometres east of Dubai. Hisn Khorfakkan, Khorfakkan Public Beach and Khor Fakkan Beach are key highlights.
