Travelling from Dubai to Istanbul: what you need to know
Dubai has a couple of airports where you can set off on your adventure. Check out your options for booking a flight from Dubai to Istanbul flying out of Dubai Airport (DXB) or Dubai Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC).
Hop off your plane in Istanbul at Istanbul Airport (IST) or Istanbul Sabiha Airport (SAW).
The average time for a direct Dubai to Istanbul flight is 4 hours 55 minutes.
The timezone in Istanbul is UTC+3, which is one hour behind Dubai.
Dubai Airport (DXB) to Istanbul Airport (IST) is the most popular route between these two cities. There are 62 weekly flights to pick from. If you have things to do before heading off, the last flight from Dubai to Istanbul is with flydubai at 21:15. Opt for the first DXB to IST departure with Turkish Airlines at 02:00 to fit in more activities on your first day in Istanbul.
To ensure you don't miss your Dubai to Istanbul flight, allow plenty of time to check in and find your gate. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the standard rule.
During popular months such as December, it's a good idea to get to the airport earlier. Arrive two hours before a domestic departure and four hours ahead for an international flight whenever you're travelling during a peak period in general.
How to find the cheapest flights from Dubai to Istanbul
To pick up cheap Dubai to Istanbul flights, book early. Airlines typically offer the most competitive fares when flights first go on sale.
The 'Whole month' search tool shows you the cheapest plane tickets from Dubai to Istanbul across every month. It's a great way to find a bargain if your travel plans aren't set in stone.
You don't need to check every day to see if prices have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll let you know when a better deal is available on cheap flights from Dubai to Istanbul.
Save money on your Dubai to Istanbul flight with the help of our filters. Choose your preferred duration, number of stops and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.
Flying from Dubai
Dubai Airport (DXB)
Start your trip at Dubai Airport (DXB), which has a range of direct flights from Dubai to Istanbul. From DXB, you can fly seamlessly to Istanbul Airport (IST) or Istanbul Sabiha Airport (SAW).
These are some of the major airlines offering direct Dubai to Istanbul plane tickets from DXB:
Think about adding a stopover to possibly find a cheaper Dubai to Istanbul flight. Simply deselect 'Direct flights only' when browsing departures from Dubai Airport. Break up the journey at one of these popular airports:
Kuwait Airport (KWI)
Amman Queen Alia Airport (AMM)
Bahrain Airport (BAH)
Travelling from central Dubai to DXB takes about 35 minutes by public transport. If you drive, ride-share or take a taxi, you'll cover the 5 kilometres in 20 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Planning to catch an early flight from Dubai to Istanbul? Avoid the stress of rushing to the terminal (and get some extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these hotels close to Dubai Airport:
Of the flights that depart from Dubai Airport, 71% land on schedule at their destination.
Dubai Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC)
Split up your Dubai to Istanbul flight with a stop so you can freshen up or perhaps go somewhere you've never been before. Some great stopovers between Dubai Al Maktoum International Airport and Istanbul are:
Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER)
Prague Airport (PRG)
Stuttgart Airport (STR)
With public transport, you can travel from central Dubai to DWC in around 1 hour 20 minutes. The airport is roughly 48 kilometres away. Driving will take you about 40 minutes.
Kick off your holiday early with an extra night away from home. Before your flight from Dubai to Istanbul, kick back in one of these hotels close to Dubai Al Maktoum International Airport:
Dubai Al Maktoum International Airport has an on-time performance of 64%. This figure shows how often flights that leave from this airport land at their destination on time.
Arriving in Istanbul
Istanbul Airport (IST)
Istanbul Airport (IST) to central Istanbul takes about 45 minutes by car. The centre is roughly 32 kilometres away.
Getting to the centre on public transport will take you roughly 1 hour 10 minutes.
The last thing you want is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're arriving on a late flight from Dubai to Istanbul. Book one of these accommodation options near IST instead:
Pick up a Istanbul Airport rental car and discover Istanbul and beyond with your own set of wheels. Hit, Avec car rentals and Eren Rent a Car are top providers you can book with here.
To get the best deal, book your ride from Istanbul Airport around two weeks in advance of your Dubai to Istanbul flight.
Istanbul Sabiha Airport (SAW)
Once your flight from Dubai to Istanbul has touched down, you can reach the city centre in around 1 hour 5 minutes by car. Central Istanbul is approximately 31 kilometres from Istanbul Sabiha Airport (SAW).
You can expect the trip to take roughly 1 hour 40 minutes on public transport.
There are some great places to lay your head close to SAW. Settle in and get cosy after your Dubai to Istanbul flight at one of these perfectly located options:
Essence, Eren Rent a Car and 724 Rent make picking up a Istanbul Sabiha Airport rental car simple. These providers are located in or around the terminal and will have you on your way in a heartbeat.
Get first dibs on the best options. Booking your ride from SAW four weeks ahead of time often means better prices and a greater selection of vehicles.
Best time to go to Istanbul
March is the quietest month for flights from Dubai to Istanbul, while August is the most popular. Figure out the best time to visit Istanbul based on whether you like a bustling atmosphere or a more laid-back vibe.
The warmest month in Istanbul is July, with temperatures ranging between 21ºC and 30ºC. Lock in your Dubai to Istanbul ticket then if that's your definition of good weather.
If you like cooler conditions, look for a cheap flight from Dubai to Istanbul in January when temperatures average between 2ºC and 11ºC.
More about Istanbul
After booking your flight from Dubai to Istanbul, find a hotel that offers the right mix of comfort and location. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Istanbul:
All great adventures should include a little sightseeing. Hagia Sophia, Historic Areas of Istanbul and Hagia Sophia History and Experience Museum are must-visits when exploring Istanbul.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
Istanbul will leave a lasting impression, but there are so many other corners of Türkiye (Turkey) waiting to be explored. About 354 kilometres east of Istanbul, a trip to Ankara will fill your itinerary to the brim. Start with leading attractions like The Roman Theatre, Kocatepe Mosque and Museum of Anatolian Civilizations.
If you're eager to discover another well-known destination in Türkiye (Turkey), head for Izmir, roughly 322 kilometres southwest of Istanbul. Aegean Coast, Smyrna Basilika and Ataturk Konak Square are among the biggest draws.