When is the best time to book a flight to Dubai?
Dubai’s climate is consistently hot throughout the year, so there is no particular peak or off season. Instead, visitors choose a time of year based on the cultural events when booking flights to Dubai.
The Dubai Shopping Festival, a shopaholic’s idea of paradise, takes place between January and February. It’s not only famous for its large shopping discounts, but its music concerts, fashion shows and children’s events also attract tourists from all over the world every year.
The Omega Dubai Desert Classic is a world class golfing event that has proudly hosted the likes of Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, so it’s no surprise that golf fans seek out cheap flights to Dubai in February to be part of the event at the famous Emirates Golf Club.
Finally (and also in February, when the average daytime temperature is a pleasant 25 degrees), the Dubai Jazz Festival plays host to a fantastic line-up of artists and aims to spread the city’s love for jazz to all of its visitors.
In June and July, temperatures regularly rise above 40 degrees during the day, so you’re most likely to find the cheapest flights to Dubai during those summer months.
Which airlines operate flights to Dubai?
Jet Airways, United Airlines, SAS, Aer Lingus, Delta Air Lines, Emirates and Qantas are amongst the many airlines that operate to and from Dubai and have regular cheap flights throughout the year.
How long is the flight to Dubai?
Flights from London to Dubai: 6 hours 40 minutes
Flights from Manchester to Dubai: 6 hours 53 minutes
Flights from Birmingham to Dubai: 6 hours 49 minutes
Flights from Glasgow to Dubai: 7 hours 6 minutes
Dubai’s airport
Dubai International Airport (DXB) is the main airport in the United Arab Emirates city and is the busiest airport in the world in terms of international passenger traffic.
Dubai International Airport (DXB)
Acting as a hub for Emirates, FlyDubai and Qantas, DXB serves over 70 million passengers per year.
Getting between terminals
Passengers who are connecting flights through the same airline will automatically be guided to the necessary transport between terminals. Passengers who have separate flights can make use of the free 24-hour shuttle bus that operates between all three terminals.
Passengers in terminals 1 and 3 also have the option of the Metro that runs between them.
Distance to the city centre
3 miles (4.6km) east of Dubai city centre
Transport from Dubai airport
DXB is very close to the city centre, so the public transport service from the airport is unsurprisingly very good. Outside terminal 1, there is a bus stop across the road to the right as you exit customs (approximately 50m away); at terminal 3, there is a bus stop on the second level of the terminal. You will need to leave the terminal, head towards the car park, take the lift up and turn back on yourself to get back to the terminal building; the bus stop is on your right.
Taxis and limos are a popular alternative, albeit more expensive, whilst many hotels offer free shuttle transport from the airport, but, in many cases, you will need to arrange this in advance.
Hints and tips
- You cannot pay in cash on the bus from the airport (or in the city, for that matter), so you will need to buy a NOL card, which is an electronic payment card that works by touch-and-go technology.
- NOL cards come in four different colours, each with different access to modes and frequency of transport: silver, blue, gold and red. The silver card is the best option for those who want to travel regularly between different points in the city.