Flying from Johannesburg to Dubai: what you need to know
Johannesburg's main base, Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport (JNB), is where countless awesome holidays begin. Explore your departure choices from here for your flight from Johannesburg to Dubai.
Dubai Airport (DXB) and Dubai Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) are Dubai's major gateways.
The average length of a direct Johannesburg to Dubai flight is 8 hours 10 minutes.
Dubai's timezone is UTC+4, making Dubai two hours ahead of Johannesburg.
With 28 weekly flights between the two airports, Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport (JNB) to Dubai Airport (DXB) is the busiest route. Hop on the earliest flight from Johannesburg to Dubai with Emirates at 10:05. If you prefer to make the most of your day before you fly, the last departure from JNB to DXB is with Emirates at 22:20.
To ensure you don't miss your Johannesburg to Dubai flight, leave plenty of time to navigate the airport and find your gate. Arriving two hours before international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general travel rule.
You can expect bigger queues in popular months like April. Arriving up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours for a domestic departure will give you plenty of time for security and boarding.
How to find the cheapest flights from Johannesburg to Dubai
Booking early is often the key to scoring a cheap Johannesburg to Dubai flight. Flight prices rise as demand increases, so the closer your departure date, the more you'll likely pay.
If you can be flexible with your trip dates, try using the 'Whole month' search tool. It'll show you the cheapest price across each month when searching for your plane ticket from Johannesburg to Dubai.
Finding a cheap flight from Johannesburg to Dubai is a piece of cake with Price Alerts. Simply set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll get in touch as soon as the price has dropped.
Lock in a cheap Johannesburg to Dubai flight with the help of our filters. Select your preferred times, number of stops and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.
Flying from Johannesburg
Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport (JNB)
Take off from Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport (JNB) on a nonstop flight from Johannesburg to Dubai. From JNB, you can fly directly into Dubai Airport (DXB).
Emirates is a well-known airline that offers direct Johannesburg to Dubai plane tickets leaving from JNB.
Think about adding a stopover to potentially find a cheaper Johannesburg to Dubai flight. Simply deselect 'Direct flights only' when browsing departures from Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport. Take a break (and maybe save some cash) by stopping at one of these airports:
Addis Ababa Airport (ADD)
Durban King Shaka International Airport (DUR)
Lusaka Airport (LUN)
Travelling from central Johannesburg to JNB takes around 35 minutes on public transport. If you drive, ride-share or take a taxi, you'll cover the 23 kilometres in 30 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
After an easy start to your travels? Stay near Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport. Whether you're taking an early flight from Johannesburg to Dubai or just don't want to be rushed, these hotels are perfect:
75% of flights leaving from Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport land at their destination on schedule.
Arriving in Dubai
Dubai Airport (DXB)
Dubai Airport (DXB) is approximately 5 kilometres from the centre of Dubai. If you're catching a taxi or a ride-share, the drive takes around 20 minutes.
It usually takes 35 minutes to get there when travelling by public transport.
Consider booking a hotel near DXB if you have a late flight from Johannesburg to Dubai. Select one of these accommodation options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
Grab a Dubai Airport rental car and explore Dubai and beyond with your own wheels. AMEX, Autostrad Rent A Car and Quicklease Car Rental are leading providers you can book with here.
Booking your vehicle from Dubai Airport about three weeks in advance can help you get the best possible rate.
Dubai Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC)
Central Dubai is around 48 kilometres from Dubai Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC). As soon as your flight from Johannesburg to Dubai has touched down and you've navigated your way to arrivals, the drive should take about 40 minutes.
You can expect the journey to take approximately 1 hour 20 minutes on public transport.
You'll find some great places to lay your head close to DWC. Kick back after your Johannesburg to Dubai flight at any of these perfectly located options:
Quicklease Car Rental, Quick Drive and Golden Key Car Rental make collecting a Dubai Al Maktoum International Airport rental car easy and quick. These reliable suppliers are located in or around the terminal and will have you on your way in a heartbeat.
Score the best price by reserving your ride from DWC three weeks ahead of time. You'll also have access to a greater selection of vehicles.
Best time to go to Dubai
It's time to pick your travel dates for your flight from Johannesburg to Dubai. December is the most popular month for a trip to Dubai. If you want a more low-key vibe, go in March.
The warmest month in Dubai is July, with temperatures ranging between 30ºC (86ºF) and 42ºC (108ºF). Lock in your Johannesburg to Dubai ticket then if you enjoy this type of weather.
If you'd rather travel in cooler conditions, search for a cheap flight from Johannesburg to Dubai in January when temperatures average between 14ºC (57ºF) and 25ºC (77ºF).
More about Dubai
Start your Dubai trip off on the right foot by choosing the perfect place to stay. As soon as you've booked your flight from Johannesburg to Dubai, explore our selection of hotels including:
Every great adventure has to include some sightseeing. Burj Khalifa, Dubai Opera and Dubai Gold Souk are essential stops on your Dubai itinerary.
Explore more of the United Arab Emirates
Sharjah is just one of the many places in the United Arab Emirates waiting to be explored after you've seen Dubai. Around 26 kilometres to the east, top sights here include Sharjah Archaeology Museum, Cultural Palace and Sharjah Science Museum.
Around 129 kilometres southwest of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is another favourite stop in the United Arab Emirates. Experience this destination's highlights firsthand at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Zayed The 2nd Mosque and Masjid.