Cheap flights to Dubai

Quick summary

Identity

A desert port that built a skyline

Dubai was founded in 1833 on the shore of a Gulf creek by the ruling Al Maktoum family and the Bani Yas tribe, and lived from fishing, maritime trade and pearl diving until pearling collapsed in the 1930s with the arrival of Japanese cultured pearls. Oil, found in the emirate's waters in 1966, changed the city's course; it joined the United Arab Emirates on 2 December 1971, and from the 1990s it diversified into finance, trade and tourism.

More than 3.5 million people live in Dubai today, most of them foreign nationals, and the skyline counts more than 300 towers over 150 m (Wikipedia, Wikivoyage). That contrast is the appeal: a wooden abra crosses the creek a few kilometres from a 163-floor tower, and winter sun, beaches, malls and desert fit in a single trip.

The symbol

Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world

Completed in 2010, the Burj Khalifa stands 828 m tall with 163 floors and is still the tallest structure ever built. The standard visit, At the Top, goes to levels 124 and 125, and a premium ticket goes up to level 148. Late-afternoon slots, from 4 to 7 pm, are the busiest and most expensive; plan 60 to 90 minutes. The entrance is on the lower ground floor of The Dubai Mall (Wikivoyage).

At its foot, the Dubai Fountain, 275 m long with jets reaching about 150 m, performs every evening to music and is free to watch (Wikipedia, Wikivoyage). The Dubai Mall, opened in November 2008, has more than 1,200 stores, a large aquarium and an ice rink.

Not to miss

The Burj Al Arab, symbol of Emirati luxury

Designed by British architect Tom Wright and completed in 1999, the Burj Al Arab recalls the billowing sail of a traditional dhow, a tribute to the maritime history of the Emirates. Built on an artificial island 280 metres from the shore and rising to 321 metres, this hotel is still the most recognisable image of Dubai around the world.

The hotel is for guests only: the way in for others is a booking at one of its restaurants or bars (Wikivoyage DE). To see it without going in, the Jumeirah coast, with its 10 to 15 km of beach, gives open views (Wikivoyage).

To discover

Al Fahidi, Al Seef and the creek: old Dubai

Bur Dubai, Deira and Al Shindagha form the historic core of the city, developed on both sides of the creek long before oil. The Al Fahidi district, with its coral houses and traditional wind towers, is the starkest contrast with the glass towers of the modern centre.

The Deira Gold Souk packs hundreds of jewellers, and the neighbouring Spice Souk smells of cardamom and saffron; both are free to walk through (Wikivoyage). You cross the creek by abra, a small wooden boat that costs very little: it is the cheapest sightseeing in Dubai. Air-conditioned water buses are part of the public transport system. In Deira, the Al Rigga night market, between the Union and Al Rigga stations, lines up small food stalls (Wikivoyage DE).

Museums and monuments

Al Fahidi Fort, Museum of the Future and Dubai Frame

Dubai has modern museums and a few heritage sites. Opening hours and fees change, so check them before you go, and book online for the busiest sites.

Al Fahidi Fort and Dubai Museum. The fort, built in 1787, is the oldest surviving building in Dubai; it houses the museum on traditional life in the emirate before oil: dioramas, pearl-diving boats, swords and jewellery (Wikipedia). Check that it is open before you go.

Museum of the Future. Opened on 22 February 2022 in the financial district, this seven-floor museum, in a torus-shaped building whose windows form a poem in Arabic, explores the future of science, technology and innovation (Wikipedia). Book online in advance.

Etihad Museum. Housed in the former Union House, it traces the social and political history of the Emirates and the signing of the Constitution (Wikipedia).

Dubai Frame. This 150 m high frame in Zabeel Park is both an observatory and a museum, with views of old Dubai to the north and the modern city to the south (Wikipedia).

Jumeirah Mosque. One of the few mosques in the city open to non-Muslims (Wikivoyage).

Engineering feat

Palm Jumeirah and Dubai Marina

Palm Jumeirah, an artificial island shaped like a palm, holds resorts, private villas and the Aquaventure water park; a 5 km monorail links it to the tram and the Atlantis hotel (Wikivoyage). Dubai Marina, built around an artificial canal lined with residential skyscrapers, comes alive in the evening along its promenade and the Bluewaters complex, with the Ain Dubai wheel in the background.

The two districts show the city's ability to create its own coastline. For a seaside base, choose Jumeirah, the Marina or the Palm; Al Barsha, near the Mall of the Emirates, is a mid-range base.

Excursion

Desert safari

Less than an hour from the centre, the red dunes of the Arabian desert are the opposite of the urban bustle: 4x4 safaris, sandboarding, camel rides and dinners in a tent camp with a show, usually organised late in the day to catch the sunset over the dunes.

Prices vary widely between operators, so compare before you book. Abu Dhabi, about 1 h 15 to 1 h 30 by road, makes a day trip, and Hatta, in the mountains, suits nature activities (Wikivoyage).

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Dubai airport

One of the busiest airports in the world

Dubai International is the hub of Emirates and of the low-cost carrier flydubai, and its Terminal 3 is the largest airport terminal in the world (Wikipedia). The Red Line of the metro serves Terminals 1 and 3 (Wikivoyage DE), so the link to the centre is short. A second airport, Al Maktoum (DWC), is at Jebel Ali, nearly 60 km from the centre, and is served mostly by low-cost carriers; Sharjah airport is about 30 minutes away by road (Wikivoyage). Always check which airport your ticket uses.

Getting around

Metro, tram, abra and taxis

Metro. Two lines: the Red Line, opened in September 2009, runs along the coast and serves the airport, Downtown (Burj Khalifa - Dubai Mall station), the Mall of the Emirates and the Marina; the Green Line, opened in 2011, runs through Deira and Bur Dubai. Trains are air-conditioned and driverless. You pay with a Nol card, and the fare depends on the number of zones crossed (Wikivoyage, Wikipedia). Avoid the rush hours on the Red Line.

Tram, monorail and boats. A 14.5 km tram serves the Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence along Al Sufouh Road and connects to the metro and the Palm monorail (Wikivoyage). On the creek, abras and water buses complete the network.

Taxis and driving. Cream taxis with coloured roofs run on the meter, and can also be ordered by app (Careem, Uber and others). They are hard to find at rush hour and on Friday evenings. The city is very car-oriented: drivers pay the Salik toll, in place since 2007, and drink-driving carries zero tolerance (Wikivoyage).

When to go

Climate and best time to visit Dubai

The climate is hot desert, with about 100 to 130 mm of rain a year (Wikipedia, Wikivoyage). The best period runs from November to March, with days of roughly 20 to 30 °C; it is also the high season, from December to February. July and August are best avoided for outdoor activities, although accommodation is often cheaper then.

Food and drink

Shawarma, mandi and world cuisines

Dubai's population is very international and so is its plate: Asian, Lebanese, Indian and Pakistani food is everywhere, and the city has its own Michelin Guide.

Local specialities. Traditional Emirati cooking combines rice, meat or chicken and spices; mandi, rice cooked with meat, is very popular. Luqaimat, small fried dough balls with syrup, are the classic dessert. Emirati restaurants are mostly in Deira, Bur Dubai and Jumeirah (Wikivoyage).

Eating cheaply. Shawarma and falafel are everywhere and cost little; with a karak chai, a spiced milk tea, they make a cheap meal in old Dubai. Karama and Satwa are known for inexpensive Indian and Filipino set menus.

Drinks and rules. Alcohol is served only in licensed premises, usually hotels, and drinking in public is illegal. During Ramadan, eating and drinking in public in daylight is not illegal for non-Muslims, but it is better to avoid it out of respect (Wikivoyage).

Budget, length of stay and rules

A high-end destination, but not only

Dubai is a high price-level destination: accommodation and dining are generally dearer than in most European capitals, although the offer runs from very affordable to very luxurious. In summer, hotels and flights are often cheaper. We do not publish precise prices, because they change and do not cross-check between sources.

Three to five days are enough for the main sights; allow five to ten if you add the beach, the desert and a day trip to Abu Dhabi. In public places, dress more covered (shoulders and knees). Laws are strictly enforced, so learn the local rules and read your government's travel advice before you go (Wikivoyage).

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions about flights to Dubai