Travelling from Dubai to Istanbul: what you need to know
There are a couple of main airports you can start your journey from in Dubai. Explore your options leaving from Dubai Airport (DXB) or Dubai World Central - Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) when booking your flight from Dubai to Istanbul.
When working out where to land in Istanbul, Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) are the primary gateways.
Take a direct Dubai to Istanbul flight and you'll be flying for an average of 4 hours 55 minutes.
Istanbul is one hour behind Dubai and is in the UTC+3 timezone.
With 62 flights a week between the two airports, Dubai Airport (DXB) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) is the busiest route. Board the earliest flight from Dubai to Istanbul with Turkish Airlines at 02:00. If you'd like to get more out of your day before you fly, the last flight from DXB to IST is with flydubai at 21:15.
To ensure you board your Dubai to Istanbul flight, allow plenty of time for things like baggage drop and finding your gate. Turning up two hours before international departures and one hour before domestic flights is a good rule of thumb.
Travelling during a peak month like January? Public holidays and other popular seasons can mean longer lines at check-in and security. Be extra cautious and arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours before a domestic departure.
How to find the cheapest flights from Dubai to Istanbul
Book two months before you want to travel. Pricing trends show that this is the ideal window for finding cheap Dubai to Istanbul flights.
The best month for picking up cheap plane tickets from Dubai to Istanbul is May. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare all available prices, then choose the dates offering the lowest fares.
Cut down on the time spent looking for cheap flights from Dubai to Istanbul by setting up a Price Alert. You'll receive an email or notification through the app when a new discounted fare appears.
Choose your preferred arrival and departure times, number of stops and airlines by using the filters. Or sort your Dubai to Istanbul flight results by 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest.'
Flying from Dubai
Dubai Airport (DXB)
You can book a direct flight from Dubai to Istanbul jetting out of Dubai Airport (DXB). Set out from DXB and then hit the runway at Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW).
You'll find a good range of airlines that offer direct Dubai to Istanbul plane tickets out of DXB. The most popular include:
We make it a breeze to book a Dubai to Istanbul flight with a stopover. To see your options leaving from Dubai Airport, deselect 'Direct flights only.' Then, pick a flight that has a stop long enough to explore your chosen city. Major stopovers include:
Queen Alia International Airport (AMM)
Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA)
Basra International Airport (BSR)
DXB is around 10 kilometres from central Dubai. If you're driving, ride-sharing or catching a cab from the centre, it'll take 15 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic conditions. If you're taking public transport, expect the travel time to be around 50 minutes.
Planning to catch an early flight from Dubai to Istanbul? Avoid the stress of rushing to the terminal (and sneak in some extra snooze time) by choosing one of these hotels near Dubai Airport:
Of all flights leaving Dubai Airport, 74.31% arrive on time at their destination.
Dubai World Central - Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC)
Get more out of your holiday with a stopover on your Dubai to Istanbul flight. Visit friends or family or tick another city off your list. Whatever your plans, here's where you can stop between Dubai World Central - Al Maktoum International Airport and Istanbul:
Luxembourg Airport (LUX)
Stuttgart Airport (STR)
Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER)
You can reach DWC from the centre of Dubai in about 45 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The ride on public transport will take roughly 2 hours 5 minutes to travel the 40 kilometres or so.
Want to enjoy an extra night away before your flight from Dubai to Istanbul? Unwind in a hotel near Dubai World Central - Al Maktoum International Airport before your holiday officially begins. Stay at one of these accommodation options:
Dubai World Central - Al Maktoum International Airport has an on-time performance of 56.64%. This figure provides insight into how frequently flights that depart from this airport arrive at their destination on schedule.
Arriving in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to central Istanbul takes about 50 minutes by car. The centre is roughly 32 kilometres away.
When travelling by public transport, expect a journey time of roughly 1 hour 45 minutes.
Book a hotel close to IST if you're coming in on a late flight from Dubai to Istanbul. Check in to one of these accommodation options and skip the long transfer:
Pick up an Istanbul Ataturk Airport rental car and explore Istanbul and beyond with your own set of wheels. Hit, Avec car rentals and Eren Rent a Car are well-known companies you can book with here.
To get the lowest price, reserve your vehicle from Istanbul Ataturk Airport around two weeks ahead of your Dubai to Istanbul flight.
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Central Istanbul is approximately 31 kilometres from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW). After your flight from Dubai to Istanbul has landed and you've made your way to arrivals, the drive should take about 55 minutes.
If you're travelling on public transport, it'll take approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.
There are some great places ready to welcome you near SAW. Unwind after your Dubai to Istanbul flight at any of these perfectly located options:
Essence, Eren Rent a Car and 724 Rent make collecting a Sabiha Gokcen International Airport rental car simple. These providers are located around or in the terminal and will have you on your way in a heartbeat.
Get the lowest price by booking your ride from SAW four weeks in advance. You can also expect to have a wider selection of vehicles.
Best time to go to Istanbul
April is the busiest month for flights from Dubai to Istanbul. To travel when it's less crowded, visit Istanbul in February.
Before locking in your Dubai to Istanbul tickets, think about the kind of weather forecast you're hoping for. August is the warmest month in Istanbul, with temperatures ranging from 20ºC to 30ºC.
Search for cheap flights from Dubai to Istanbul in January if you want to travel in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 2ºC and 11ºC on average.
More about Istanbul
Start your Istanbul trip off on the right foot by choosing the perfect place to stay. After booking your flight from Dubai to Istanbul, browse our selection of hotels including:
Topkapi Palace and The Basilica Cistern are just a couple of the big attractions to put on your Istanbul itinerary. Keep the adventure rolling by checking out Galata Tower.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
You've seen Istanbul, now it's time to explore more of Türkiye (Turkey). Journey around 354 kilometres east to Ankara to check off its leading attractions. From Museum of Anatolian Civilizations to Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii) and Genclik Park, you've got a jam-packed schedule ahead.
Izmir is another well-known destination in Türkiye (Turkey) and is around 322 kilometres south-west of Istanbul. No trip is complete without dropping by Kordonboyu, Kadifekale Castle and Konak Square.
