Flying to Dubai
Pay in instalments with PayJustNow, Float or Happy Pay. Totals include every fee.
Johannesburg (JNB)
about 8 hours · Non-stop
R 2 182 ×3
R 6 546 all in
Cape Town (CPT)
about 9 hours · Non-stop or one stop
R 3 003 ×3
R 9 009 all in
Per-payment figures are the all-in total divided by 3 and rounded. The number of payments and the schedule differ by partner — Happy Pay splits over 2 — and your own plan depends on that partner's approval. You see it in full before you confirm. Fares are the lowest seen for a sample date about six weeks out, not a quote; airline pricing moves constantly.
Best time to fly
Weather, crowds and fares move together in Dubai. These are the trade-offs.
November to March
The season. Warm, dry and comfortable, with everything outdoors actually usable.
April to May and October
Shoulder months — hot but manageable, with better rates.
June to September
Extreme heat, regularly above 45°C. Life moves indoors; hotel prices fall sharply.
Before you go
Summer heat
June to September is genuinely severe. If you go then, plan around air conditioning.
Local laws
The UAE has laws around alcohol, public behaviour and dress that differ from South Africa's. Read up before you go rather than after.
Currency
UAE dirham, pegged to the US dollar. Cards are accepted almost everywhere.
Ramadan
Eating and drinking in public during daylight is restricted during Ramadan, and hours change. Check the dates against your trip.
About Dubai
Dubai is the Gulf's shopping, dining and stopover capital, built at a scale that still surprises first-time visitors. The Burj Khalifa, the malls, the beach hotels along Jumeirah and the desert an hour inland are the standard circuit.
For South African travellers it is one of the most established long-haul destinations — short enough to do in a long weekend, and a common stopover on the way further east.
Getting in from the airport
Dubai International (DXB) is close to the city — around 5 km from Deira and 20 to 30 minutes from most hotel districts. The Metro connects the airport to much of the city and is cheap and efficient; taxis are plentiful and metered.
Entry requirements for South African passport holders
The United Arab Emirates requires South African passport holders to hold a visa, which is commonly arranged in advance — frequently through the airline or hotel as a sponsored visa. Requirements have changed over time. Confirm the current position with the UAE embassy or your airline well before travelling.
Entry rules change. Confirm the current requirements with the destination's embassy or consulate before you travel — this page is a guide, not an authority.
Flying to Dubai, answered
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Last reviewed by Fly n Pay Later editorial team.