Find the cheapest flights from London to Dubai in 2026. Compare airlines, prices by month, and booking tips to save on your trip.
Route: London (LHR) → Dubai (DXB)
Distance: Direct flights not available
Flight Duration: 9h 15m – 14h 30m
Prices by Month
| Month | Avg Price | Demand |
|---|---|---|
| January | €520 | high |
| February | €420 | medium |
| March | €380 | medium |
| April | €450 | high |
| May | €340 | low |
| June | €360 | medium |
| July | €480 | high |
| August | €510 | high |
| September | €350 | low |
| October | €340 | low |
| November | €380 | medium |
| December | €580 | high |
Airlines on This Route
- Emirates (direct): from €420 — Book directly on Emirates.com for best prices. Use their fare calendar to find cheapest dates. Dubai stopover packages can add value.
- British Airways (direct): from €380 — Check BA.com for dynamic pricing – sometimes cheaper than OTAs. Tuesday/Wednesday departures often £50-80 cheaper.
- Virgin Atlantic (direct): from €390 — Virgin often undercuts BA on similar dates. Check their website for bundle deals including baggage and seat selection.
- Qatar Airways (connecting): from €380 — Doha connection can add 4-6 hours but often €50-100 cheaper than direct. Best for those who don’t mind the layover.
- Turkish Airlines (connecting): from €340 — Istanbul connection often the cheapest option. Turkish Airlines frequently runs sales – sign up for alerts.
Booking Strategy
For London to Dubai, book 6-10 weeks ahead for the best prices – this is when airlines release their most competitive advance fares. Tuesday and Wednesday departures are consistently €40-100 cheaper than weekend flights. May and September-October offer the lowest prices (€320-380), while December and January see prices spike to €550+ due to Christmas and New Year travel. Use Google Flights to track price trends – set alerts for your specific dates. Kayak’s ‘flexible dates’ feature shows the cheapest days in a month. If flying indirect, Turkish Airlines via Istanbul often undercuts Qatar and Emirates by €50-80, though adds 4-7 hours travel time. For premium cabins, Emirates and British Airways offer the most frequent direct services with Business Class starting around €1,800 return. Avoid booking through third-party sites for this route – airline websites typically match or beat prices and offer better rebooking flexibility.
Route Tips
- Use Heathrow Terminal 3 for Emirates and Virgin Atlantic – both have dedicated check-in areas and lounges. BA operates from Terminal 5.
- British passport holders get 30-day visa on arrival in Dubai – no pre-application needed. Ensure passport is valid 6 months beyond travel.
- Emirates passengers can avail free city tours during layovers over 8 hours – check at the transit desk in DXB.
- Avoid DXB during peak hours (6-9am and 5-9pm local) if possible – immigration queues can be long. Terminal 3 is generally faster.
- For luxury on a budget, book afternoon flights – Emirates and BA often discount Premium Economy on later departures.
- If holding a UK passport, you don’t need a visa for Dubai. Other nationalities should check visa requirements before booking.
- Download the RTA Dubai app for real-time Metro information and taxi booking – much cheaper than hotel taxis.
- Consider flying into DXB and out of AUH (Abu Dhabi) if planning to visit both emirates – often no price difference and saves backtracking.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the flight from London to Dubai?
Direct flights from London Heathrow to Dubai take approximately 6 hours 45 minutes. British Airways, Emirates, and Virgin Atlantic operate direct services daily. If flying with a connection (via Doha, Istanbul, or Abu Dhabi), expect a total travel time of 9-15 hours depending on layover duration. Qatar Airways via Doha typically adds 2-3 hours to the journey, while Turkish Airlines via Istanbul adds 4-6 hours but often at lower prices.
How much does it cost to fly from London to Dubai?
Economy class flights from London to Dubai start at around €300-350 for budget deals, with typical prices ranging from €380-500. The cheapest months are May and September-October when prices drop to €340-380. Peak season (December-January and July-August) sees prices surge to €500-600. Business class starts around €1,800-2,500 depending on the airline. Emirates and British Airways tend to be priced similarly, while Turkish Airlines and Qatar Airways connecting flights can be €50-100 cheaper.
Are there direct flights from London to Dubai?
Yes, multiple airlines operate direct flights from London to Dubai. Emirates offers the most frequent daily departures from Heathrow (up to 5 daily), followed by British Airways (3-4 daily) and Virgin Atlantic (2 daily). All three airlines use Dubai International Airport (DXB). Gatwick also has seasonal Emirates flights. Flight time is approximately 6h 45m. There are no budget carriers operating this route as it’s too long for low-cost models.
What is the cheapest month to fly from London to Dubai?
May and September-October are the cheapest months to fly from London to Dubai, with average prices of €340-360. These shoulder seasons offer excellent weather (30-35°C) without the extreme heat of summer or peak winter prices. February and March also offer good value (€380-420). The most expensive periods are Christmas/New Year (December-January, €550-600) and summer holidays (July-August, €480-520). Book 6-8 weeks in advance for the best shoulder season deals.
Which airlines fly from London to Dubai?
Direct carriers: Emirates (most frequent, premium service, Dubai-based), British Airways (direct from Heathrow, good value), Virgin Atlantic (direct from Heathrow, premium economy excellent). Connecting carriers: Qatar Airways (via Doha, 30kg baggage included), Etihad Airways (via Abu Dhabi), Turkish Airlines (via Istanbul, often cheapest), Lufthansa/KLM (via Frankfurt/Amsterdam). Emirates and BA dominate the direct route, while Turkish and Qatar offer the best connecting deals.
What is the cheapest month to fly from London to Dubai?
You will fly into Dubai International Airport (DXB), the busiest airport in the world for international passenger traffic. It is located 5 km east of downtown Dubai. The airport has three terminals – Emirates operates from Terminal 3, BA and Virgin from Terminal 1 and 3. Taxi to downtown Dubai costs approximately AED 50-70 (€12-17) and takes 15-20 minutes. The Metro Red Line connects Terminals 1 and 3 to the city – tickets cost AED 6-15 (€1.50-4) depending on zones. RTA buses run cheaper at AED 6-15.
How far in advance should I book London to Dubai flights?
For London to Dubai, book 6-10 weeks ahead for optimal prices. Airlines typically release their cheapest advance fare classes 8-12 weeks before departure. Booking too early (12+ weeks) can sometimes be more expensive as airlines haven’t yet discounted. Last-minute bookings (within 2 weeks) are rarely cheap on this route – expect to pay €150-300 more than advance booking. For December travel, book by early October at the latest. May and September trips can be booked 4-8 weeks ahead for the best deals.
Is it cheaper to fly from London to Dubai on weekdays?
Yes, Tuesday and Wednesday departures are significantly cheaper than weekend flights on this route. The difference is typically €40-100 between a Tuesday flight and a Saturday departure. Thursday falls in the middle. Friday departures are nearly as expensive as weekends due to business travelers combining business trips with weekends away. For the cheapest option, target Tuesday or Wednesday departures in May, September, or October – you can save €150+ compared to a weekend flight in peak season. Monday departures are also relatively affordable.
Data updated: 2026-03
