Flying from Istanbul to Dubai: what you need to know
Start your holiday planning by considering where you'll board your flight from Istanbul to Dubai. Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) are the main airports in Istanbul.
Dubai Airport (DXB) and Dubai World Central - Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) are Dubai's chief entry points.
The average time for a direct Istanbul to Dubai flight is 4 hours 30 minutes.
The timezone in Dubai is UTC+4, which is one hour ahead of Istanbul.
With 62 flights a week between the two airports, Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to Dubai Airport (DXB) is the busiest route. Board the earliest flight from Istanbul to Dubai with Turkish Airlines at 00:30. If you prefer to get more out of your day before jetting off, the last departure from IST to DXB is with Emirates at 23:40.
To ensure you board your Istanbul to Dubai flight, leave plenty of time for things like check-in and baggage drop. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the standard rule.
You can expect longer lines during popular months like April. Arriving up to four hours in advance for international flights and two hours for a domestic departure will help ensure a smooth travel experience.
How to find the cheapest flights from Istanbul to Dubai
Currently, R 1,372 is the best price we've seen for a one-way ticket from Istanbul to Dubai. The cheapest price for a return flight is R 2,585. Keep in mind fares can change due to availability at the time of booking.
Lock in cheap Istanbul to Dubai flights by booking eight months ahead. According to our research, that's the sweet spot for finding a bargain.
Schedule your trip for November. That's the best month for landing a great bargain on plane tickets from Istanbul to Dubai. If your travel dates are flexible, use the 'Whole month' tool to find the cheapest price across each month.
Cut down on the time spent looking for cheap flights from Istanbul to Dubai by creating a Price Alert. We'll send you an email or notification on the app when a special offer becomes available.
Save on your Istanbul to Dubai flight with the help of our filters. Choose your preferred times, number of stops and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.
Flying from Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
You can get a direct flight from Istanbul to Dubai leaving from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST). Begin your journey at IST and land at Dubai Airport (DXB).
You'll have your choice of airlines that offer direct Istanbul to Dubai plane tickets out of IST. Let one of these carriers take you there:
Consider adding a stopover to potentially find a cheaper Istanbul to Dubai flight. Simply deselect 'Direct flights only' when browsing departures from Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Break up the journey at one of these airports:
Kuwait International Airport (KWI)
Bahrain International Airport (BAH)
Hamad International Airport (DOH)
IST is about 32 kilometres from central Istanbul. If you're catching a cab, ride-sharing or driving from the centre, it'll take you 50 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic. If you're using public transport, expect the trip time to be around 1 hour 45 minutes.
Need a handy hotel close to Istanbul Ataturk Airport? If you're boarding an early flight from Istanbul to Dubai, these accommodation options will put you moments from check-in:
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Consider booking your direct flight from Istanbul to Dubai departing Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW). Nonstop services from SAW will get you to Dubai Airport (DXB).
Book a direct Istanbul to Dubai plane ticket with one of these popular carriers that operate from SAW:
Make the most of your holiday with a stopover on your Istanbul to Dubai flight. Visit friends or family or cross another city off your list. Whatever your plans, check out these options between Sabiha Gokcen International Airport and Dubai:
Trabzon Airport (TZX)
Bahrain International Airport (BAH)
Baghdad International Airport (BGW)
SAW is about 31 kilometres from central Istanbul. It'll take 55 minutes or so to get to the airport by car from the city centre. Public transport takes roughly 1 hour 30 minutes.
Want to treat yourself to an extra night away before your flight from Istanbul to Dubai? Check in to a hotel near Sabiha Gokcen International Airport before your trip officially starts. These stays are calling your name:
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport has an on-time performance rate of 76.93%. This figure highlights how often flights departing from this airport arrive on schedule.
Arriving in Dubai
Dubai Airport (DXB)
Dubai Airport (DXB) is approximately 10 kilometres from the centre of Dubai. If you're catching a cab or a ride-share, the drive will take around 15 minutes.
It typically takes 50 minutes to get there on public transport.
If you're arriving on a late flight from Istanbul to Dubai, few things beat the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Grab your bags from the carousel and then be showered and snoozing soon after at one of these hotels near DXB:
Pick up a Dubai Airport rental car and explore Dubai and beyond with your own set of wheels. AMEX, Autostrad Rent A Car and Quicklease Car Hire are popular providers you can book with here.
To get the lowest price, reserve your vehicle from Dubai Airport about three weeks ahead of your Istanbul to Dubai flight.
Dubai World Central - Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC)
Central Dubai is approximately 40 kilometres from Dubai World Central - Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC). As soon as your flight from Istanbul to Dubai has touched down and you've made your way to arrivals, the drive should be around 45 minutes.
If you choose to travel on public transport, the journey will take you 2 hours 5 minutes or so.
Hang up the 'Do not disturb' sign and unwind at a hotel close to DWC. Here are a few options where you can take a load off after your flight from Istanbul to Dubai:
The fastest way to get to where you're going is with a Dubai World Central - Al Maktoum International Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Quicklease Car Hire, Quick Drive or Golden Key Car Hire and hit the road in a heartbeat.
Lock in the best price by booking your ride from DWC three weeks ahead of time. You'll also have access to a greater range of vehicles.
Best time to go to Dubai
It's time to pick your travel dates for your flight from Istanbul to Dubai. January is the busiest month to travel to Dubai. If you like a more relaxed vibe, go in April.
Lock in an Istanbul to Dubai 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 average temperatures of between 14ºC (57ºF) and 25ºC (77ºF). Search for cheap flights from Istanbul to Dubai around that time if you like cooler conditions.
More about Dubai
When it comes to searching for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the most popular stays in Dubai right here. Explore these hotels as soon as you've booked your flight from Istanbul to Dubai:
There are so many things to see and do in this city it can be hard to work out where to start. Burj Khalifa, The Dubai Mall Heart and Desert safari tourism are popular attractions which should feature on every Dubai itinerary.
Explore more of United Arab Emirates
Dubai will leave a lasting impression, but there are so many other parts of United Arab Emirates just waiting to be discovered. Around 23 kilometres north-east of Dubai, a visit to Sharjah will keep you on the go. Start with leading attractions like Al majaz waterfront, Petrofac and Al Montazah Park.
Around 121 kilometres south-west of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is another essential stop in United Arab Emirates. No visit is complete without checking out Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Emirates Palace, Dubai and Qasr Al Watan.
