Flying from Dubai Airport (DXB) to Istanbul: what you need to know
Take a direct flight from Dubai Airport to Istanbul and you'll be travelling for an average of 4 hours 25 minutes.
Istanbul is one hour behind Dubai, where Dubai Airport is located. Istanbul runs on the UTC+3 timezone.
Dubai Airport (DXB) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) is the most popular route, with 62 weekly flights to pick from. If you prefer a later start to the day, the last flight from DXB to IST is with flydubai at 21:15. Choose the first departure with Turkish Airlines at 02:00 if you want to get on your way earlier.
To avoid missing your DXB to Istanbul flight, leave enough time for things like baggage drop and finding your gate. Arriving two hours before international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general travel rule.
Taking off during a peak time like a bank holiday? Expect longer queues at security and check-in. To give yourself peace of mind, arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours ahead of domestic departures.
Begin your journey at DXB and fly straight to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST). That's where you can expect to land when searching for Dubai Airport to Istanbul tickets.
Direct flights from Dubai Airport to Istanbul are operated by a good range of airlines. Travel with one of these:
We make it a breeze to book flight tickets from DXB to Istanbul with a stopover. To see the options, uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Next, pick a flight with a stop long enough to tour the city of your choice. Popular stopovers include:
Kuwait International Airport (KWI)
Queen Alia International Airport (AMM)
Bahrain International Airport (BAH)
The journey from central Dubai to DXB takes around 50 minutes by public transport. If you drive, ride-share or take a cab, you'll cover the 10 kilometres in 15 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
Have an early flight from Dubai Airport to Istanbul? Avoid the stress of rushing to the terminal (and enjoy a little extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these stays near DXB:
74.31% of flights that take off from Dubai Airport make it to their destination on schedule.
How to find the cheapest flights from Dubai Airport (DXB) to Istanbul
The lowest price we've found for a one-way Dubai Airport to Istanbul flight is ج.م. 4,475. The cheapest price for a return flight is ج.م. 9,925. Remember fares may change due to availability at the time of booking.
To pick up cheap flights from DXB to Istanbul, reserve your journey one month before your departure date.
May is the best month for picking up an amazing deal on Dubai Airport to Istanbul tickets. If you want to travel during a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will give you the lowest prices for each month.
Finding a cheap flight from DXB to Istanbul is a breeze with Price Alerts. Simply set up one of these automatic notifications and we'll get in touch as soon as there's a better deal.
Select your ideal departure and arrival times, airlines and number of stops with our filters. Then, sort the results for your flight from Dubai Airport to Istanbul by 'Best,' 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest.'
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to central Istanbul takes about 50 minutes to reach by car. The centre is roughly 48 kilometres away.
If you're using public transport, expect a journey time of around 1 hour 45 minutes.
Consider booking a hotel near IST if you have a late flight from Dubai Airport to Istanbul. Pick one of these accommodation options and skip the long transfer:
Go wherever you want, whenever you want with an Istanbul Ataturk Airport rental car. Pick up your wheels from Hit, Avec car rentals or Eren Rent a Car and find adventure across Istanbul and beyond.
Reserving your vehicle from Istanbul Ataturk Airport around two weeks in advance of your flight from DXB to Istanbul can help you get the best possible rate.
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
The centre of Istanbul is around 48 kilometres from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW). Once your flight from Dubai Airport to Istanbul has hit the runway and you've made your way through the terminal, the drive should be around 55 minutes.
Travelling by public transport will take around 1 hour 30 minutes.
After stepping off your DXB to Istanbul flight, tuck yourself in at a hotel close to SAW. These are some comfortable accommodation options that'll help you sink into relaxation mode:
Forget about inconvenient public transport timetables or long cab queues. Grab a Sabiha Gokcen International Airport rental car and take your journey in whatever direction you like. Compare availability and rates from Essence, Eren Rent a Car and 724 Rent.
Lock in the lowest price by booking your ride from SAW four weeks ahead of time. You can also expect to have a greater range of vehicles.
Best time to go to Istanbul
Visit Istanbul during high season if you prefer a lively atmosphere, but remember that prices tend to be higher. Alternatively, book your flights from Dubai Airport to Istanbul in the off-season when prices are cheaper and it's less crowded.
The warmest month in Istanbul is August, with temperatures ranging between 20ºC and 30ºC. Lock in your Dubai Airport to Istanbul flight ticket then if that's your ideal forecast.
January has average temperatures of between 2ºC and 11ºC. Look for a cheap ticket from DXB to Istanbul around that time if you like travelling in cooler conditions.
More about Istanbul
Start your Istanbul trip off on the right foot by choosing the ideal place to stay. Once you've booked your flight from Dubai Airport to Istanbul, explore our selection of hotels including:
The Basilica Cistern and Topkapi Palace are just the start of the popular attractions to add to your Istanbul must-do list. Continue your sightseeing adventures at Galata Tower.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
You've visited Istanbul, now it's time to explore other corners of Türkiye (Turkey). Travel about 354 kilometres east to Ankara to tick off its leading attractions. From Museum of Anatolian Civilizations to Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii) and Genclik Park, there's plenty to keep you on the go.
Around 322 kilometres south-west of Istanbul, Izmir is another favourite stop in Türkiye (Turkey). Start your sightseeing at Kordonboyu, Kadifekale Castle and Alsancak.
