Flying from Dubai to Johannesburg: what you need to know
Dubai has a couple of airports that could be the jumping-off point for your adventure. Explore your options for reserving a flight from Dubai to Johannesburg departing from Dubai Airport (DXB) or Dubai Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC).
Come in for landing at Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport (JNB), the primary gateway of Johannesburg.
The average length of a direct Dubai to Johannesburg flight is 8 hours 15 minutes.
Johannesburg is two hours behind Dubai and is in the UTC+2 timezone.
With 28 weekly flights between the two airports, Dubai Airport (DXB) to Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport (JNB) is the most popular route. Board the earliest flight from Dubai to Johannesburg with Emirates at 04:05. If you'd like to get more out of your day before you fly, the last flight from DXB to JNB is with Emirates at 23:25.
Give yourself plenty of time to catch your Dubai to Johannesburg flight. As a rule of thumb, arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
During popular months like December, it's a good idea to get to the airport even earlier. Arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead of international flights when you fly during high season in general.
How to find the cheapest flights from Dubai to Johannesburg
Don't wait until the last minute. You're more likely to get cheap Dubai to Johannesburg flights if you book in advance. Airlines often offer some great early bird rates.
If you can be flexible with your travel plans, use the 'Whole month' search tool. It'll show you the cheapest price in each month when looking for your plane ticket from Dubai to Johannesburg.
You don't need to check every day to find out if prices have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll tell you as soon as there's a better deal on cheap flights from Dubai to Johannesburg.
Save on your Dubai to Johannesburg flight with the help of our filters. Select your ideal duration, departure time and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.
Flying from Dubai
Dubai Airport (DXB)
Jet off from Dubai Airport (DXB) on a nonstop flight from Dubai to Johannesburg. From DXB, you can fly directly to Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport (JNB).
Look out for deals with Emirates. This airline offers direct Dubai to Johannesburg plane tickets out of DXB.
Think about adding a stopover to potentially find a cheaper Dubai to Johannesburg flight. Simply deselect 'Direct flights only' when searching for departures from Dubai Airport. Take a break from travelling at one of these popular airports:
Hamad International Airport (DOH)
Addis Ababa Airport (ADD)
Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta Airport (NBO)
DXB is around 5 kilometres from central Dubai. If you're ride-sharing, driving or catching a taxi from the centre, it'll take 20 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic conditions. If you're planning to take public transport, expect the travel time to be around 35 minutes.
Booked an early flight from Dubai to Johannesburg? Avoid the last-minute rush to the airport (and get some extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these hotels close to Dubai Airport:
When it comes to the on-time performance of Dubai Airport, 71% of flights arrive within the scheduled time frame.
Dubai Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC)
Take a moment to stretch your legs during your Dubai to Johannesburg flight with a stopover. Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) is a great option between Dubai Al Maktoum International Airport and Johannesburg.
DWC is about 48 kilometres from central Dubai. It'll take 40 minutes or so to get to the airport in a car from the city centre. Public transport takes roughly 1 hour 20 minutes.
Kick off your holiday early with an extra night away from home. Before catching your flight from Dubai to Johannesburg, take it easy in one of these hotels near Dubai Al Maktoum International Airport:
64% of flights out of Dubai Al Maktoum International Airport meet their expected arrival time.
Arriving in Johannesburg
Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport (JNB)
The distance from Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport (JNB) to central Johannesburg is approximately 23 kilometres. It takes around 30 minutes to get to the centre driving.
It usually takes 35 minutes to get there when travelling by public transport.
If you have a late flight from Dubai to Johannesburg, nothing beats the convenience of staying near the terminal. Grab your luggage from the carousel and then be showered and resting soon after at one of these accommodation options near JNB:
Grab a Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport rental car and explore Johannesburg and beyond with your own wheels. Carwiz, Alamo and Green Motion are top outlets to choose from here.
Reserving your ride from Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport around three weeks ahead can help you get the lowest rate.
Lanseria Airport (HLA)
After your flight from Dubai to Johannesburg has hit the tarmac, you can make your way to the city centre in around 45 minutes by car. Central Johannesburg is roughly 32 kilometres from Lanseria Airport (HLA).
If you're catching public transport, it'll take around 1 hour 15 minutes.
After your flight from Dubai to Johannesburg, tuck yourself in at a hotel close to HLA. These are some comfortable accommodation options that'll help you get into relaxation mode:
The quickest way to get to where you're going is with a Lanseria Airport rental car. Pick up your wheels from First - Car Rental, Tempest - Car Rental or Firefly powered by Hertz and hit the road in a heartbeat.
Snap up a deal by booking your ride from HLA four weeks in advance. You'll also have access to a wider selection of vehicles.
Johannesburg Randgermiston Airport (QRA)
Jump off your flight from Dubai to Johannesburg and head for your hotel or start checking out the sights right away. The centre of Johannesburg is about 11 kilometres from Johannesburg Randgermiston Airport (QRA).
Set your GPS and zoom off on the next leg of your journey with a Johannesburg Randgermiston Airport rental car. Whether you're after something compact or a family van, you'll find your ideal set of wheels from Avis or Budget.
Rental companies sometimes offer promotions for early bookings, so book your ride from QRA a few weeks in advance of your flight from Dubai to Johannesburg. Plan ahead and your wallet will thank you.
Best time to go to Johannesburg
It's time to plan your travel dates for your flight from Dubai to Johannesburg. April is the busiest month to travel to Johannesburg. If you want a quieter atmosphere, go in March.
Before locking in your Dubai to Johannesburg tickets, think about the weather you're most comfortable in. January is the warmest month in Johannesburg, with temperatures ranging from 15ºC (59ºF) to 30ºC (86ºF).
If you want to travel in cooler conditions, look for a cheap flight from Dubai to Johannesburg in July when temperatures average between 3ºC (37ºF) and 20ºC (68ºF).
More about Johannesburg
Once you've booked your flight from Dubai to Johannesburg, find a hotel that keeps you close to what you want to see. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Johannesburg:
All great adventures should include a little sightseeing. Apartheid Museum, Nelson Mandela Statue and Top of Africa are must-do's during your Johannesburg adventure.
Explore more of South Africa
You've done Johannesburg, now it's time to discover more of South Africa. Travel around 21 kilometres west to Soweto to tick off its leading sights. From Soweto to Hector Pieterson Memorial and Mandela's House, there's plenty to keep you busy.
Around 56 kilometres north of Johannesburg, Pretoria is another favourite stop in South Africa. No visit is complete without checking out Nelson Mandela Statue, Ditsong National Museum of Natural History and Idube Game Reserve.
