Dubai
A destination where the cheap season is cheap for a real reason
Dubai inverts the usual holiday logic. Its high season is the Northern-Hemisphere winter, when temperatures are pleasant enough to be outside, and its low season is the middle of the year, when daytime heat regularly passes 40°C. The gap between those two states is not a matter of taste — it materially changes what kind of trip is possible.
November to March, when being outdoors is comfortable
The year, season by season
High season
November to MarchWarm days, cool evenings, and the only period when walking around, beaches and outdoor dining are genuinely pleasant. Everything is busiest and most expensive, particularly over December and New Year.
Shoulder
April and OctoberHot but manageable, especially early and late in the day. A reasonable compromise if you want lower rates without the full summer extremity.
Low season
May to SeptemberVery hot — frequently above 40°C, with high humidity near the coast. Hotels discount heavily. Workable for a shopping, indoor-attraction or stopover trip; poor for anything involving walking.
Where to base yourself
Getting around
The Metro is clean, cheap and covers the main tourist spine along Sheikh Zayed Road, but Dubai is built for cars and distances are long. E-hailing and taxis are inexpensive by international standards and are what most visitors end up using. A hire car is worth it only if you plan to leave the city — for Hatta, Abu Dhabi or the east coast.
Compare car hire →Worth knowing
- 01Summer heat is not a figure of speech. Between June and September, plan outdoor activity for early morning or after sunset, and expect to move between air-conditioned spaces the rest of the time.
- 02Ramadan shifts opening hours and dining norms across the city. Dates move each year — check before booking, as it affects the trip either way.
- 03Dubai is only two hours ahead of South Africa, so an overnight flight north leaves you functional on arrival.
- 04Entry and visa requirements depend on your passport and change periodically. Confirm current rules with the relevant authority before booking — we do not give visa advice.
Getting to Dubai
Current fares and availability are shown on Travelstart, our booking partner.
Search flights to DubaiPlanning the flight? Read the Johannesburg to Dubai route guide for when to book.
Common questions
When is the cheapest time to visit Dubai?
May through September, which is Dubai's summer. Rates drop substantially because daytime temperatures regularly exceed 40°C.
What is the best time of year to visit Dubai?
November to March. It is the only stretch where being outside for extended periods is comfortable, which is why it is also the most expensive.
Is a stopover in Dubai worth adding?
If you are already transiting, often yes — a stopover is frequently cheap or free to add to a longer itinerary, and a few days is enough to see the main sights.