Cheap Flights from Pakistan to Dubai: 4 Cities Compared

Compare Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad and Multan to Dubai flights: cheapest city, best months, airlines, flight times, visa and money-saving booking tips.

Dubai is the single most popular international destination for Pakistani travellers. People go for business, shopping, family visits, work and holidays. Flights leave every day from Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad and Multan, and with that much competition the price difference between a good and a bad booking is large. The same week can cost almost double depending on the city, airline and date you pick.

This guide compares all four main routes side by side: flight time, airlines, the cheapest months to fly, Dubai airports, visa basics and baggage. Use it to find the cheapest way to fly from Pakistan to Dubai for your trip.

Quick answer: how to get the cheapest Dubai flight

Karachi usually has the lowest base fares. It has the shortest flight time and the most daily departures.
Book 3 to 6 weeks ahead for normal dates. For Eid, summer and December travel, book 2 to 3 months ahead.
Fly in the quieter months. Late spring and the hot summer months are often cheaper outbound, while Eid weeks, school holidays and December–January are the most expensive.
Compare Dubai (DXB), Al Maktoum (DWC) and Sharjah (SHJ). Low-cost airlines often have cheaper fares into Sharjah, about 30–45 minutes by road from central Dubai.

Karachi vs Lahore vs Islamabad vs Multan: side-by-side comparison

Route	Approx. direct flight time	Main airlines	Best for
Karachi (KHI) – Dubai	~2 hours	Emirates, flydubai, PIA, Airblue	Lowest fares, most flights
Lahore (LHE) – Dubai	~3 to 3.5 hours	Emirates, flydubai, PIA, Airblue, AirSial, Fly Jinnah	Central Punjab, wide airline choice
Islamabad (ISB) – Dubai	~3 to 3.5 hours	Emirates, flydubai, PIA, Airblue, AirSial	Rawalpindi, KPK, AJK travellers
Multan (MUX) – Dubai	~2.5 to 3 hours	flydubai, PIA, Airblue	South Punjab, avoids long road trips

Flight times and airlines are typical and change by season. Check live schedules for your date.

Which Pakistani city is cheapest for Dubai flights?

Karachi to Dubai

Karachi is closest to the UAE, and the route is one of the busiest in the region. Emirates, flydubai, PIA and Airblue all fly it, alongside many connecting options. That competition is why Karachi often has the cheapest Dubai fares in Pakistan. If you live in Sindh or Balochistan, or can get to Karachi cheaply, start your comparison here. See recent fares from several airlines on our Karachi to Dubai flights page.

Lahore to Dubai

Lahore has grown into a very competitive Dubai market. flydubai began daily Lahore and Islamabad services in July 2024, and AirSial and Fly Jinnah have added direct Lahore–Dubai flights. That puts Lahore travellers among the best-served in the country. Fares are usually slightly higher than Karachi because the flight is longer, but the gap closes in off-peak months. Compare options on Lahore to Dubai flights.

Islamabad to Dubai

Islamabad International Airport serves the twin cities, KPK and Azad Kashmir. The airline mix is similar to Lahore's, and AirSial has added direct Dubai flights from Islamabad too. Demand jumps around Eid, when many overseas workers from the north travel at the same time, so book early for festival dates. Check recent fares on Islamabad to Dubai flights.

Multan to Dubai

For South Punjab, flying direct from Multan saves a 5–6 hour drive to Lahore or Islamabad. There are fewer daily flights, so prices can rise faster when seats fill, but in normal weeks Multan is often competitive once you count the travel cost to a bigger airport. See Multan to Dubai flights for recent prices.

Airlines flying from Pakistan to Dubai

The cheapest ticket isn't always the best deal. Baggage, meals and timings differ a lot. Here is how the main airlines compare:

Emirates: full-service, generous baggage, lands at Dubai International (DXB) Terminal 3. Usually not the cheapest base fare, but strong value once you count baggage and connections.
flydubai: Dubai's low-cost carrier with the widest Pakistan network (Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Multan, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Quetta and more). Often the best mix of price and frequency. Check which fare type includes checked baggage.
PIA: the national carrier, with direct flights from all major cities. A popular choice for families and workers because of its baggage allowance.
Airblue: a Pakistani private airline flying to Dubai from major cities. Often competitive on price, especially from Lahore and Islamabad.
AirSial and Fly Jinnah: newer Pakistani carriers on the Lahore and Islamabad–Dubai routes. Worth comparing for budget travel.
Qatar Airways: one-stop via Doha. Sometimes cheaper in peak season when direct flights are full.

Browse all carriers on our airlines page.

Cheapest months to fly from Pakistan to Dubai

Fare trackers don't agree on one "cheapest month", because their data comes from different years, but the overall pattern is consistent:

Usually cheaper

April–May (outside Eid dates), before summer holiday demand starts.
July–August outbound: Dubai's extreme summer heat lowers tourist demand. Watch out, though: Pakistan to Dubai fares rise at the end of the summer school holidays, when families and workers head back.
Mid-September to early November (outside public holidays).

Usually most expensive

Eid ul Fitr and Eid ul Adha weeks, in both directions.
December–early January: winter holidays, New Year in Dubai and peak tourist season.
Pakistani summer holiday start and end dates, when families travel together.
Big Dubai events and exhibitions, when hotels and flights both get expensive.

Tip: Eid dates move about 11 days earlier every year. Check where they fall in your travel year before deciding which month is "cheap".

How far in advance should you book?

Normal dates: book 3–6 weeks before departure. Dubai routes are short and have lots of flights, so prices rarely drop much further.
Eid, summer and December: book 2–3 months ahead. The cheapest fare classes sell out first.
Last-minute trips: compare all four Pakistani cities and all three UAE airports. One-stop flights via Doha or Muscat can sometimes beat the last direct seats.

Dubai International, Al Maktoum or Sharjah?

Dubai International (DXB): the main airport, close to the city centre and on the Metro. Emirates, PIA, Airblue and most flydubai flights use it.
Dubai World Central / Al Maktoum (DWC): south of the city. Some flydubai and charter flights use it. Good if you're staying near Jebel Ali or Dubai South.
Sharjah (SHJ): about 30–45 minutes from Dubai by road, depending on traffic. It is the base for Air Arabia, and fares into Sharjah can be noticeably cheaper. That makes it a good option if you're staying in Deira, Al Nahda or Sharjah itself.

Dubai visit visa basics for Pakistanis

Pakistani passport holders need a UAE visa arranged before travel. Visa on arrival isn't available. Visit visas are usually applied for through a sponsor (a relative or company in the UAE), an airline, a hotel or a licensed travel agency, using the official GDRFA Dubai or ICP systems. Recent reports mention longer processing times and stricter document checks for Pakistani applicants, so:

Apply well before your travel date, and avoid non-refundable tickets until the visa is approved.
Keep your passport (at least 6 months' validity), CNIC copy, photos, hotel booking or sponsor details and return ticket ready.
Check the latest fees and rules on the official UAE portals, not social media.

Baggage: the hidden part of the fare

Many Pakistanis fly to Dubai with heavy bags full of clothes, food or gifts, and come back with even more shopping. Low base fares on budget airlines sometimes include only cabin baggage. Before booking:

Compare the total price including checked baggage on each airline.
Check both directions. Return baggage from Dubai matters if you plan to shop.
Buy extra baggage online in advance. It is almost always cheaper than paying at the airport.

8 practical tips to save on Pakistan–Dubai flights

Compare all four cities if you can reach more than one airport.
Search flexible dates. Moving your trip by 2–3 days often makes a real difference.
Prefer midweek departures. Tuesday and Wednesday are usually quieter than Thursday to Sunday.
Try early-morning and late-night flights. They're often priced lower.
Book a round trip when your return date is fixed. Pakistan–Dubai return tickets are often better value than two one-ways.
Travel as a group? Look at group tickets for families, teams and labour groups.
Bundle your holiday. Our holiday packages combine flights and hotels for Dubai.
Know your payment and refund options. Read how to pay by bank transfer and our refund policy before you book.

Other Gulf routes from Pakistan

If Dubai fares are high for your dates, compare nearby destinations or plan your next trip:

Karachi to Doha flights
Lahore to Doha flights
Islamabad to Doha flights
Karachi to Jeddah flights. Planning Umrah? Read our guide to the cheapest time to book Jeddah flights.
Lahore to Riyadh flights

Frequently asked questions

Which city in Pakistan has the cheapest flights to Dubai?

Karachi usually has the lowest fares, thanks to its short flight time and the number of airlines on the route. Lahore and Islamabad are close behind in off-peak months.

How long is the flight from Pakistan to Dubai?

Direct flights take about 2 hours from Karachi, 2.5–3 hours from Multan, and 3–3.5 hours from Lahore or Islamabad.

Which airline is cheapest from Pakistan to Dubai?

Low-cost airlines like flydubai, Air Arabia (to Sharjah), AirSial and Fly Jinnah often have the lowest base fares. Once baggage is added, PIA or Emirates can work out similar or better value. Always compare the total price.

When should I book Dubai tickets for Eid?

Book 2–3 months ahead. Eid is the busiest travel period between Pakistan and the UAE, and cheap seats sell out early.

Can Pakistanis get a Dubai visa on arrival?

No. Pakistani passport holders need a UAE visa approved before travel, usually through a sponsor, airline, hotel or licensed travel agency.

Book cheap Dubai flights with ApnaTicket

ApnaTicket lets you compare fares from Emirates, flydubai, PIA, Airblue and more on every major Pakistan–Dubai route, with recent prices shown up front. Start with Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad or Multan to Dubai. Book in the 3–6 week sweet spot for the best price.

Fares, schedules and visa rules change often. The information in this article comes from publicly available fare data, airline announcements and news reports, and is a planning guide only. Always confirm the final fare and visa requirements before booking.

Cheapest Flights from Pakistan to Dubai: Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad & Multan Compared