Cheapest Time to Fly to Dubai (and the Most Expensive)

The cheapest time to fly to Dubai is often late April–May and late August–September—while November–March, late December–early January, and spring break weeks are usually the priciest.

Cheapest Time to Fly to Dubai (and the Most Expensive)

Dubai flight prices can jump fast depending on the time of year. For US travelers, the biggest swings usually come from winter travel demand, holiday weeks, and how many seats are available on your exact dates.

Quick Take

  • Cheapest time to fly to Dubai: late April–May, late August–September, and early October (some weeks)
  • Most expensive time to fly to Dubai: November–March, late December–early January, and peak spring break weeks (March)

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Cheapest Time to Fly to Dubai

These windows usually line up with softer demand—so you’ve got better odds of finding a deal.

Late April to May (shoulder-season value)

Once winter peak travel fades, prices often ease up. Late April and May can be one of the better stretches for deal-hunting if you can avoid weekend-heavy dates.

Money-saving tip: Midweek departures: Tuesday–Thursday often price better than Friday–Sunday patterns.
Heads-up: Holiday timing: long weekends can still push fares up.

Late August to September (late-summer deal stretch)

This is often the most deal-friendly part of the year for Dubai flights, mostly because fewer leisure travelers choose these dates.

Money-saving tip: Flexible returns: shifting your return by 1–2 days can change the fare a lot.
Heads-up: Back-to-school weeks: pricing can vary depending on your departure airport and seat sales.

Early October (some weeks)

October can be a nice middle ground—some weeks price closer to shoulder season before winter demand ramps up.

Money-saving tip: Watch 2 nearby weeks: the first half of October can price differently than the second half.
Heads-up: Demand builds fast: once winter travel starts booking up, prices can climb quickly.

Most Expensive Time to Fly to Dubai

Dubai usually gets pricier when US holiday travel and peak winter tourism overlap.

November to March (winter peak)

This is when Dubai demand is often strongest, which usually means higher fares and fewer “cheap seat” drops.

Peak within peak: Late November through February is frequently the toughest stretch.

Late December to Early January (holiday surge)

Late-December departures and early-January returns are regularly priced at a premium.

Peak within peak: The week after Christmas through the first week of January.

March (spring break weeks)

Some March weeks spike hard—especially if they overlap school breaks and weekend-heavy travel.

Peak within peak: Friday–Sunday travel usually costs more than midweek-to-midweek trips.


Want Nice Weather Without Peak Flight Prices?

If you want Dubai when it feels comfortable outside—but you don’t want to pay the highest airfare—these windows often land well:

  • Late October: sometimes cheaper than November, with similar travel timing
  • Early December: can be a deal window before late-December prices jump
  • Late March (after spring break): prices can soften once break weeks pass

Money-saving tip: Compare nearby airports: flights into Dubai can price differently than flights into Abu Dhabi on the same dates—worth checking if you don’t mind the extra transfer.


Best Booking Window for Cheap Flights to Dubai

For long-haul routes, the best deals usually come from tracking early and grabbing the drop when it hits.

  • Lower-demand periods: start tracking 2–5 months ahead
  • Peak periods (Nov–Mar, late Dec): start tracking 4–8+ months ahead

Money-saving tip: Lock the flight first: Dubai pricing can move fast—once you see a real drop, it often doesn’t last.


Seasonal Flight Demand Dubai

Use this chart as a quick guide to the cheapest vs. priciest months to fly.

MonthDemand LevelPrice LevelNotes
JanHighHighPeak winter travel; some dips after New Year week
FebHighHighStrong winter demand
MarHigh → MediumHigh → MediumSpring break spikes; can soften late month
AprMediumMediumPrices often ease after peak season
MayMedium → LowMedium → LowOften strong value
JunMediumMediumSummer patterns vary by route
JulMediumMediumCan be mixed—depends on capacity and promos
AugMedium → LowMedium → LowLate month often deal-friendly
SepLowLowFrequently one of the best deal months
OctMediumMediumDemand builds toward winter
NovHighHighWinter peak ramps up
DecMedium → Very HighMedium → Very HighEarly deals; late holiday surge

What is the cheapest month to fly to Dubai?
Answer: The cheapest month to fly to Dubai is often September, with strong deal potential also in May.
What is the most expensive month to fly to Dubai?
Answer: The most expensive month is often December, especially for late December departures and early January returns.
What is the cheapest day of the week to fly to Dubai?
Answer: The best pricing odds are often on midweek departures (Tuesday–Thursday). Weekend-heavy itineraries usually cost more.
How far in advance should I book flights to Dubai?
Answer: Plan on 2–5 months ahead for cheaper seasons and 4–8+ months ahead for peak windows like November–March and late December.
Is it cheaper to fly into Dubai or Abu Dhabi?
Answer: It depends on the week. Dubai often has more nonstop options and competition, but Abu Dhabi can price lower on certain dates. If you’re flexible, price-check both and compare the total trip cost.
What’s the cheapest way to find deals on flights to Dubai?
Answer: Use flexible-date calendars, aim for late April–May or late August–September, and try midweek-to-midweek travel. If you want deals sent to you, sign up for airfare alerts from Jetsetter Alerts and get notified when amazing deals on flights to Dubai pop up.

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