Flying from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Dubai: what you need to know
Take a direct flight from San Francisco International Airport to Dubai and you'll be travelling for around 15 hours 56 minutes.
Dubai is 11 hours ahead of San Francisco, where San Francisco International Airport is located. Dubai operates on the UTC+4 timezone.
With 10 weekly flights between the two airports, San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Dubai Airport (DXB) is the busiest route. Emirates operates the earliest flight at 15:40. If you'd like to get more out of your day before you fly, the latest departure from SFO to DXB is with Emirates at 17:05.
To ensure you get on your flight from SFO to Dubai, leave plenty of time to navigate the airport and find your gate. Turning up two hours before international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the general travel rule.
Popular months like August or high seasons such as summer and spring break will mean bigger queues at check-in and security. If you're travelling then, play it safe and get to the terminal even earlier. Arriving two hours before a domestic flight and up four hours ahead of international flights is a smart move.
Direct flights from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Dubai are available for booking. Dubai Airport (DXB) is where you'll disembark.
Keep an eye out for promotions from Emirates. This carrier operates direct flights from San Francisco International Airport to Dubai.
Stopovers are the ideal opportunity to break up your trip — and maybe even visit a new city. When browsing flights from SFO to Dubai, deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Consider one of these popular options:
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol Airport (AMS)
Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
Hamad International Airport (DOH)
If you hold a passport from United States, you will need a visa to visit United Arab Emirates. This applies when booking a cheap ticket from San Francisco International Airport to Dubai for tourism purposes. Requirements may be different if you're travelling for business or other reasons. Always consult official visa guidelines ahead of booking and definitely before flying.
Located around 21 kilometres from the centre of San Francisco, SFO can be reached in about 20 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey on public transport is roughly 47 minutes.
Want a handy hotel close to SFO? If you're boarding an early flight from San Francisco International Airport to Dubai, these stays will put you moments from your departure lounge:
How to find the cheapest flights from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Dubai
370 € is the best price for a one-way ticket from San Francisco International Airport to Dubai. A return flight starts from 689 €. These fares may change based on demand.
Get cheap tickets from SFO to Dubai by booking 8 months ahead. According to our research, that's the sweet spot for landing a bargain.
The cheapest month for tickets from San Francisco International Airport to Dubai is April. You can easily compare prices using the 'Whole month' tool and choose the date that offers the best deal.
Snapping up a cheap ticket from SFO to Dubai couldn't be easier with Price Alerts. Simply set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll notify you as soon as there's a better deal.
Tailor your trip with filters. Pick your ideal arrival and departure times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort results by 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest' flights from San Francisco International Airport to Dubai.
Airports in Dubai
Dubai Airport (DXB)
Dubai Airport (DXB) to central Dubai is roughly 14 kilometres. It takes around 16 minutes to reach the centre driving.
If you're travelling by public transport, expect a journey time of around 49 minutes.
If you're arriving on a late flight from San Francisco International Airport to Dubai, few things beat the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Grab your bags from the carousel and then be showered and snoozing not long after at one of these hotels near DXB:
Dubai World Central - Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC)
Dubai World Central - Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) is roughly 56 kilometres from central Dubai. Once you've disembarked your flight from San Francisco International Airport to Dubai, it'll take you around 45 minutes to reach the heart of the city in a cab or ride-share.
Travelling by public transport will take around 2 hours and 5 minutes.
There are some great places to call home for the night near DWC. Kick back and get cosy after your flight from SFO to Dubai at any of these perfectly located options:
Best time to go to Dubai
It's time to pick your travel dates for your flight from San Francisco International Airport to Dubai. July is the busiest month for a trip to Dubai. If you want a more low-key vibe, go in April.
Book your flight from San Francisco International Airport to Dubai for July to visit the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures to range from 30ºC to 42ºC.
Look for cheap flights from SFO to Dubai in January if you want to travel in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest around then, ranging between 14ºC and 25ºC on average.
More about Dubai
After locking in your flight from San Francisco International Airport to Dubai, think about where you want to stay in this city. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Dubai:
There are so many things to do and see in this city it can be hard to know where to begin. Burj Khalifa, The Dubai Mall Heart and Desert safari tourism are highlights which should be on every Dubai itinerary.
Complete your Dubai trip with a car rental
Finding you a cheap flight from San Francisco International Airport to Dubai isn't the only trick up our sleeve. Check out our car rentals in Dubai and explore the city on your own terms. We search for deals from trusted car rental companies and put them all in one place. You can instantly compare rates and then book with no fees.
