Riyadh to Dubai flights: airlines, flight time and when to book
Quick answer
A non-stop flight from Riyadh to Dubai takes about 2 hours. Saudia, flynas, flyadeal, Emirates, flydubai and Riyadh Air fly it, mostly into Dubai International (DXB). Dubai is one hour ahead of Riyadh. Some airlines use Dubai World Central (DWC), which is farther from the city centre, so check the airport on your ticket.
Riyadh to Dubai is a non-stop flight of about 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours 10 minutes. Saudia, flynas, flyadeal, Emirates, flydubai and Riyadh Air fly it, mostly into Dubai International (DXB). Dubai is one hour ahead of Riyadh. Safrova shows the fares we recorded on a given date, not live prices, so you always confirm the final price on the booking partner's page.
The rest of this guide covers airports, baggage, when to book and where to stay.
Flight time and time difference
The non-stop flight takes about 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours 10 minutes, depending on the airline. Dubai is one hour ahead of Riyadh, so check the local arrival time on your ticket and plan your pickup or hotel check-in with that in mind.
Which airports to look at
Most travelers fly from Riyadh (RUH) to Dubai International (DXB). Dubai World Central (DWC) is also used by some airlines, and it is farther from the city centre. Sharjah (SHJ) and Abu Dhabi (AUH) are close to Dubai and are worth checking if the fares are lower. Before you choose one, consider the cost and time of getting from that airport to your hotel.
| Airport | Code | Where it is | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai International | DXB | In the city | Closest to most hotels; Dubai Metro Red Line stations at Terminals 1 and 3 |
| Dubai World Central | DWC | About 60 km from DXB | Far from the centre; plan your transfer |
| Sharjah | SHJ | In Sharjah, next to Dubai | Often cheaper; traffic to Dubai can be slow |
| Abu Dhabi | AUH | In Abu Dhabi | Only worth it if the fare saving covers the long transfer |
Airlines and direct flights
On 13 November 2026, Google Flights showed direct Riyadh to Dubai flights on six airlines: Saudia, flynas, flyadeal, Emirates, flydubai and Riyadh Air. Each has a route page on its own site (links in the sources). The flight takes 1 hour 45 minutes on Riyadh Air and 2 hours 10 minutes on Emirates, with the others in between.
Baggage allowances differ by airline, so check the Emirates baggage page and the flydubai baggage page before you book. The number of flights changes by season, so search your own dates.
Low-cost and full-service fares
Low-cost fares are often cheaper but may not include checked baggage, a meal or seat selection. Full-service fares usually include more. Compare the total price with baggage, not only the first price you see.
When to book
Fares usually move with demand. Weekends, school holidays, national holidays and big events in Dubai are busier, so book earlier for those dates. If your dates are flexible, search a few days either side of your plan. Our date comparison can show cheaper days.
These are the lowest fares we found on Google Flights on 13 November 2026, one-way, economy, in Saudi riyals:
| Travel date | Lowest direct fare | Lowest fare with a stop |
|---|---|---|
| Friday 20 November 2026 (first day of the autumn break) | SAR 642 | not recorded |
| Wednesday 25 November 2026 | SAR 529 | SAR 457 |
| Friday 8 January 2027 (first day of the mid-year break) | SAR 672 | SAR 562 |
| Wednesday 13 January 2027 | SAR 439 | SAR 392 |
In this sample, the Wednesday was cheaper than the Friday a break starts, by about SAR 113 in November and SAR 233 in January for a direct flight. It is a one-day snapshot, not an offer, and fares change every day.
Where to stay in Dubai
Choose the area by what you plan to do. Downtown Dubai and Dubai Marina are popular for sightseeing and dining, Deira is close to the old city and the airport, and Jumeirah is known for beaches. Check the cancellation policy and the distance to a metro station or the places you want to visit.
Entry and ID checks for Dubai
The UAE government portal says GCC citizens do not need a visa to enter the UAE. GCC residents apply online for an eVisa before they arrive. The portal says: "GCC residency must be valid for at least 1 year from the arrival date", the passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the arrival date, and the applicant's profession must be on the approved list. The entry permit is valid for 30 days from issue and allows a 30-day stay, extendable once for 30 days. Rules for other nationalities differ, so check our UAE visa page and the UAE government portal. Arrive at the airport in good time, and keep your booking confirmation and your return flight details with you.
A quick checklist
Compare total price with baggage. Check the arrival time in Dubai. Compare the airports. Choose a hotel near where you will spend your time. Confirm the final price on the partner's page before you pay.
Search Riyadh to Dubai on Safrova
Compare Riyadh to Dubai fares for your dates with the Safrova Riyadh to Dubai flight search, then continue to the partner's page to book. Safrova is a travel search site, and we do not sell tickets ourselves. We may earn a small commission when you book through a partner link, at no extra cost to you.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the flight from Riyadh to Dubai?
About 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours 10 minutes on a non-stop flight. Dubai is one hour ahead of Riyadh.
Which Dubai airport should I fly into?
Dubai International (DXB) is closest to most hotels. Sharjah, Dubai World Central or Abu Dhabi can be cheaper, but add the cost and time of the transfer before you decide.
How much is a flight from Riyadh to Dubai?
The lowest one-way economy fare we found on Google Flights on 13 November 2026 was SAR 392 with a stop and SAR 439 direct, for travel on 13 January 2027. On 20 November, the first day of the autumn break, the lowest direct fare was SAR 642.
Do I need a visa for Dubai?
GCC citizens do not. GCC residents need an eVisa before travel, on the conditions listed on the UAE government portal. For everyone else it depends on passport and residency. Safrova cannot confirm visa rules for your case.
Does Safrova sell tickets?
No. Safrova compares fares and sends you to a partner to book. We may earn a commission when you book, at no extra cost to you.
Sources
- UAE Government portal: do you need a visa to enter the UAE, checked 13 November 2026
- UAE Government portal: tourist visa and eVisa for GCC residents, checked 13 November 2026
- Riyadh Air: where we fly, including Dubai
- Google Flights: Riyadh to Dubai, fares of 13 November 2026
- Emirates: flights from Riyadh to Dubai
- flydubai: flights from Riyadh to Dubai
- flynas: flights from Riyadh to Dubai
- Saudia: flights from Riyadh to Dubai
- flyadeal: flights from Riyadh to Dubai
- Dubai Airports: Dubai Metro
- Dubai Airports: transfers between DXB and DWC
Last checked: 13 November 2026
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