Flying from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Dubai Airport (DXB): what you need to know
The average time for a direct flight from San Francisco International Airport to Dubai Airport is 15 hours 40 minutes.
Dubai's timezone is UTC+4, making Dubai 11 hours ahead of San Francisco.
You can choose from ten weekly San Francisco International Airport to Dubai Airport flights. The 15:40 departure with Emirates is the earliest flight available. Emirates operates the last service of the day at 17:05.
For a smooth journey, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This ensures you have enough time to catch your SFO to DXB flight.
You'll likely experience longer queues during popular months such as August. Arriving up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours for a domestic departure is a wise move.
Emirates offers direct flights from San Francisco International Airport to Dubai Airport. Book with this popular airline, then get ready to check out the sights in Dubai — and maybe even more of United Arab Emirates if your schedule allows.
The airline most travellers prefer to fly with on this route is Emirates.
Emirates is the most punctual carrier operating SFO to DXB flights. An exceptional 86.67% of its services on this route arrive without delay.
If you'd like to add a stop to your trip, simply deselect 'Direct flights only' when searching for your ticket from San Francisco International Airport to Dubai Airport. Here are the most popular stopovers between SFO and DXB:
Kempegowda International Airport
Hamad International Airport
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
How to find the cheapest flights from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Dubai Airport (DXB)
The lowest price we've seen for a one-way San Francisco International Airport to Dubai Airport flight is R 6,750. A return fare right now is R 12,322. Depending on the availability when you book, these fares could change.
To pick up cheap tickets from SFO to DXB, book your trip five months before your departure date.
Plan your trip for April. That's the cheapest month for flights from San Francisco International Airport to Dubai Airport. If your travel dates are flexible, use the 'Whole month' tool to find the lowest price across each month.
You won't have to check back in every day to see if fares have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll update you as soon as the price changes on cheap flights from SFO to DXB.
Select your preferred departure and arrival times, number of stops and airlines with the filters. Alternatively, sort your results by 'Cheapest' to find the best deals on flights from San Francisco International Airport to Dubai Airport.
Handy information about San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
77.36% of flights that take off from San Francisco International Airport make it to their destination on schedule.
San Francisco International Airport is about 21 kilometres from central San Francisco. If you're driving, ride-sharing or catching a cab from the centre, it'll take 20 minutes or so to arrive, depending on the traffic.
Expect a trip time of around 45 minutes on public transport.
Have an early flight from San Francisco International Airport to Dubai Airport? Avoid the stress of rushing to the terminal (and enjoy a little extra shut-eye) by picking one of these stays close to SFO:
Arriving at Dubai Airport (DXB)
The last thing you want is a long trip to your hotel if you're getting in late on a San Francisco International Airport to Dubai Airport flight. Reserve one of these accommodation options near DXB instead:
Pick up a Dubai Airport rental car and discover Dubai and beyond with your own wheels. AMEX, Autostrad Rent A Car and Quicklease Car Hire are top outlets to choose from here.
Get the best deal by booking your ride from Dubai Airport around three weeks before your travel date.
Getting from Dubai Airport (DXB) to central Dubai
Dubai Airport to central Dubai has a drive time of about 15 minutes. It's approximately 14 kilometres away.
It'll take around 50 minutes if you're using public transport.
When to fly to Dubai Airport (DXB)
It's time to choose your travel dates for your flight from San Francisco International Airport to Dubai Airport. January is the most popular month to visit Dubai. If you'd like a more relaxed vibe, go in April.
The warmest month in Dubai is July, with the temperature ranging between 30ºC (86ºF) and 42ºC (108ºF). Book your flights from San Francisco International Airport to Dubai Airport in this month if this is the kind of weather you like.
Look for cheap tickets from SFO to DXB in January if you like cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest around then, ranging between 14ºC (57ºF) and 25ºC (77ºF) on average.
Explore more of United Arab Emirates
You've visited Dubai, now it's time to explore other corners of United Arab Emirates. Travel around 23 kilometres north-east to Sharjah to tick off its must-visit sights. From Al majaz waterfront to Petrofac and Al Montazah Park, you'll have a full itinerary ahead.
Abu Dhabi is another must-experience destination in United Arab Emirates and is around 121 kilometres south-west of Dubai. No journey is complete without a visit to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Emirates Palace, Dubai and Qasr Al Watan.