R5 048 Find cheap flights to the United Arab Emirates

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a KAYAK user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from South Africa to the United Arab Emirates departing on 18/1. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel. Click the price to replicate the search for this deal.
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Best United Arab Emirates Flight Deals

Cheapest return prices found by our users on KAYAK in the last 72 hours

Dubai
Dubai1 stopR7 563

Good to know

Low season

July

High season

December

Cheapest flight

R5 048
Best time to beat the crowds but there is an average 7% increase in price.
Most popular time to fly (13% more expensive on average)
Flight from OR Tambo Airport, Johannesburg to Dubai

FAQs - booking United Arab Emirates flights

  • How long is the flight to the United Arab Emirates?

    An average direct flight from South Africa to the United Arab Emirates takes 11h 59m, covering a distance of 10878 km. The most popular route is Johannesburg - Dubai with an average flight time of 7h 55m.

  • What is the cheapest flight to the United Arab Emirates?

    The cheapest ticket to the United Arab Emirates from South Africa found in the last 72 hours was R4 581 one-way, and R8 268 round-trip. The most popular route is Johannesburg OR Tambo to Dubai Intl and the cheapest round-trip airline ticket found on this route in the last 72 hours was R8 323.

  • Which airlines fly to the United Arab Emirates?

    Emirates, South African & Etihad Airways fly the most frequently from South Africa to the United Arab Emirates.

  • What are the most popular destinations in the United Arab Emirates?

    Based on KAYAK flight searches, the most popular destination is Dubai (93% of total searches to the United Arab Emirates). The next most popular destinations are Abu Dhabi (4%) and Sharjah (3%).

  • How does KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy?

    KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a given destination and date is likely to change within 7 days, so travellers know whether to wait or book now.

See more FAQs

Top tips for finding cheap flights to the United Arab Emirates

  • Looking for cheap airfare to the United Arab Emirates? 25% of our users found return tickets to the United Arab Emirates for the following prices or less: From Cape Town R14 900, from Johannesburg OR Tambo R25 401, from Durban R55 219
  • Book at least 1 week before departure in order to get a below-average price.
  • High season is considered to be January, November and December. The cheapest month to fly from South Africa is February.
  • Enter your preferred departure airport and travel dates into the search form above to unlock the latest United Arab Emirates flight deals.
See more tips

Top 5 airlines flying to the United Arab Emirates

Need help choosing which airline to fly with from South Africa to the United Arab Emirates? KAYAK airline reviews give an overall score for each airline based on loads of factors, including comfort, boarding, in-flight entertainment and more, to make your decision easier. See airline scores according to verified KAYAK customer reviews.
8,1
EmiratesOverall score based on 3486 reviews
8,1Boarding
8,3Crew
7,9Food
8,0Comfort
8,2Entertainment
Airline reviews

We had to deboard using stairs. Why didnt you have the aero-bridge?

10,0 ExcellentAbhay, Nov 2024CCU - DXB
Read more Emirates reviews

We had to deboard using stairs. Why didnt you have the aero-bridge?

The ground staff on Islamabad is horrible. The on board services are excellent.

Better boarding process at Hyderabad airport Better time management by air hostesses in providing the meals

Flight attendants were great. Comfort of seat and lie down bed pretty good. Food was very mediocre. Wine was good (red French wine) although I should have taken advantage of having more! :-) it was too late on the flight From znz—I was tired…then too early from Dubai. Woman sitting behind me dropped a full bag of garbage on my head while I was sleeping…orange peels, wet partially eaten food and very smelly food garbage which I literally had to pick out of my hair, off my face and away from my pillow. Not the airlines fault but still a very unpleasant experience.

The food was amazing on our flight. So many options for movies and shows to stay entertained for 12 hours.

Airline did not have enough vegetarian meals for all guests, and crew were not adequately trained to handle this.

Priority boarding for Silver and Premium Economy was very disorganised, in fact, non-existent.

Nothing, all that I know is that I will never travel with Emirates again Qatar is were I belong. You guys should send someone over to experience what true acomadation is, Emirates has the worst food that I ever eat on any airline ,even jetblue has better food and snacks that curry Indian garbage you guys serve just make people sick.

A very disappointing flight on this Emirates business class. Staff were not efficient and service was not the e usual Emirates experience. Good was particularly bad with very dry chicken and drinks that I had to press call button before getting a drink as my food sat and continue to get cold.

Worst flight I ever had I payed for special seats with underpriced which I never recieved. I will like you to make sure that I am refunded my 134.00 dollars that I paid for the seats that I never received. I am looking forward for Kayak to look into this issue with underpriced because they took my money and never booked the seats for me with the airline.

Flight was on time Seats ( business class) are terrible- you keep on slipping down as it doesn’t lie flat Food service is like economy class. Meals ( still wrapped in plastic) are just dropped in front of you

On time flight; otherwise not impressed by the check- in- purchased business class and the aircraft was downgraded; no refund given for the difference. Told I could access the lounge due to the above and was questioned by the lounge check- in person who was not friendly

Flight was cancelled with no notification until I reached the check-in desk at the airport. I also got downgraded and they lost my luggage.

Very bad. Linda the hostess was very rude all the time

Very bad, Linda the hostess was very rude all the time

The flight SA227 on 2nd March Sao Paulo to Cape Town was delayed by 3 hours. All other flights leaving Sao Paulo left on time. We were told that we were waiting for push back and a routing from Air traffic control. I don't believe this, what was the real reason for the flight delay?

I think more immigration officers at Or Tambo- I spent 90 mins in a queue before I can assisted and most people missed their appointments and meetings

Not sure it was a basic airline so nothing much to like but what was annoying was they delayed so much we missed our connecting flight and we had to almost fight to be out on the next flight and also even get food

Everything the crew werr nice and helpful plus the food was good

First row in business class is terrible - no storage space with video screen folded down between seats. Entertainment system didn't show flight info...

Doha airport is huge , takes long time to reach gate .

Check in desk people constrained by fear. Obvious typo on Uganda visa, even though approved, caused loss of flight. Something is definitely wrong with this system.

Between Air India and Qatar my luggage was lost for three days. I eventually found my own luggage location using the Apple Air Tag. Air India used a paper form to report my lost luggage. I could never get past getting past luggage personnel with my report number before they would hang up on me. Only after them specifically telling Air India at Chandigarh airport where my luggage was located which was right under their noses did they react. After three days I finally received my luggage. The Air India luggage folks didn’t seem proactive in finding the luggage’s rightful owner.

As gold member there is no priority checkin. Meaning you either have to board with your zone or last with business class pax. As economy pax all the baggage bays are filled by the time you arrive

More facilities to transport to the gates......felt too much walking distance

For a short flight, Qatar Airways offers very good onboard service.

It was good no problems made it on time for the next flight overseas!

This is my first and last flight with Qatar because when we go for boarding pass in Delhi airport the team asked for money charging me for hand baggage which is technically including with my ticket so also we get one our temple pics I ask them to checking in but they tell me I have to pay $500 dollars for that additional which is not make sense than I diseased to throw away because I can’t take with us . For carry in beg also I pay some Indian n currency for the guy who help I already pay 6 passengers ticket cost me $8000 so really I’m not happy . PLUS MY 6 checked baggage was damaged I already claim for four beg at airport but now I’m worried about my stuff inside maybe broken too which is more expensive stuff me really bad experience

They shld improve and provide a lunch or dinner in an international leg

Was required to print a boarding pass, which I'd prefer to avoid. Seat (economy x) was comfortable, service was excellent.

Pleasant, relaxed flight. I had 2 seats to myself, which was a bonus. I couldn't find a flight tracker ap so I could know where we were but that's a minor complaint. On the plus side, the passenger announcements did not come through my earphones but were on main speakers only. That was a nice touch.

Flight delayed by 3 hours 45 mins and no explanation given or apology. Rebooked on a flight departing to final destination 48 hrs later and baggage not delivered.

My outbound flight was grounded in Lusaka so we never made it to Paris. DO NOT fly this airline you will be stranded and your plans will be completely disrupted

Inflight entertainment with electronic charging stations can help during a long flight.

The flight was delayed with no notice. No inflight entertainment. Communication is vital in any business.

Poor communication: Flight come directly to kigali , didn’t come via mumbasa. Favouring to Rwandan passenger to move from economic to bussiness class after flight depart. Where they don’t asked other older passenger who need more comfort. Rude staff : chekin airport at Mumbai. Talking in local language (marathi) while serving and no sorry no thank you attitude.

Pros: "Seat reclining was good. Fleece blankets were warm"
Cons: "Blankets had a really bad smell Food options were very limited - even bread was eggless"
Pros: "Helpful friendly crew, reasonable ticket prices."
Cons: "Luggage was delayed by 24 hours, customer service desk in Johannesburg EXTREMELY helpful, in Kigali they were clueless. Transit area very crowded, humid and stuffy."

The kindness and good humor of all the people who this flight possible was a joy.

Awful, we had a delay of 3 hrs, impacting in my transfer flight to Cape town, and Kenya airways didnt do anything. They sent me twice to transfer services in Nairobi, not been available to sleep (from 1 am to 5 am); without any update.

It's the only direct flight between Accra and Nairobi, and you pay for it! Food is better on Asky. No entertainment on flight from Accra to Nairobi, but there other way did have screens. Generally timely boarding and departure.

They fed me at the right time the flight was smooth and the captain explain everything

Flying portion was fine. Below average comfort. We had 2 canceled flights and got stuck in 2 cities which took us 3 days to get home. Kenya hasn’t done anything or even reached out to us after complaining.

We were delayed about 5 hours each way from JFK to Nairobi. On the way out, we sat on the tarmac for 5 hours making for almost 20 hours on the plane. And the seats are so uncomfortable. My bottom has never been so sore on a long flight before. Bring a pad if you can. On the return, we were delayed 5 hours in the airport. It was reported as a 3 hour delay on the board and website but at the gate it was 5 hours. So, we waited with 3 kids in the airport when we could have been at the hotel resting instead. The flight was completely full probably due to the cancelled flight the night before. I wonder if the airline is in such shambles because of their possible impending bankruptcy. The staff were pleasant and the vegan meals we requested were impressive for an airplane tv dinner style tray.

Service was good, but I lost my baggage. There should be more accountability to passengers, and more concern to help find lost baggage.

Was too pissed about my luggage not being with me even though they assured me at the gate it was to recall any other problems. Planes on the inside are in terrible shape. Thank goodness the engines seem to run okay.

Terrible. Flew from Rwanda to Nairobi for transfer then on to Madagascar. Kenya Airways does not like to park at a gate. They park on the outskirts requiring a bus shuttle. That part is okay, but the bus drops you off outside of security. If I did not skip to the front of the line with my remaining half hour connection, I would have missed my flight. Complete security check plus taking off of shoes had to be completed (again). I made it to Madagascar, but my checked bag decided to take a trip to Dubai. I know tag on luggage was to Madagascar. No one can figure out how it made it to Dubai, except for incompetence. Even though I knew it was in Dubai, they would not allow a tracking to be done until Kenya Airways had the opportunity to get it on the next flight to Madagascar. Did not happen of course! I took 3 flights with Kenya Airways during this journey. Everyone of them had something go wrong. Please look elsewhere for another airline which I will be doing in the future.

Terrible. 6 hours late and zero urgency after the fact. Took over an hour to board and then an hour plus on the runway.

Book Cheap United Arab Emirates Plane Tickets

Recent return flight deals

24/1ven
1 stopRwandAir
13h 40mJNB-DXB
20/3gio
1 stopRwandAir
14h 30mDXB-JNB
R7 563
24/1ven
1 stopRwandAir
13h 40mJNB-DXB
19/2mer
1 stopRwandAir
14h 30mDXB-JNB
R7 599
18/1sab
1 stopQatar Airways
19h 35mJNB-DXB
25/1sab
1 stopQatar Airways
18h 05mDXB-JNB
R9 897
11/4ven
1 stopQatar Airways
12h 50mJNB-AUH
3/5sab
1 stopQatar Airways
12h 25mAUH-JNB
R10 005
10/2lun
1 stopKenya Airways
21h 15mJNB-DXB
14/2ven
1 stopKenya Airways
10h 55mDXB-JNB
R10 186
22/1mer
1 stopKenya Airways
21h 15mJNB-DXB
30/1gio
1 stopKenya Airways
31h 40mDXB-JNB
R10 204
18/1sab
directEmirates
8h 20mJNB-DXB
24/1ven
directEmirates
8h 15mDXB-JNB
R10 910
21/1mar
directEmirates
8h 15mJNB-DXB
26/1dom
directEmirates
8h 10mDXB-JNB
R10 964
6/12ven
directSouth African
8h 15mJNB-DXB
3/2lun
directSouth African
8h 15mDXB-JNB
R13 371
27/3gio
directSouth African
8h 15mDUR-DXB
6/4dom
directSouth African
8h 20mDXB-DUR
R14 384

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Recent one-way flight deals

18/1sab
1 stopQatar Airways
21h 10mJNB-DXB
R5 048
19/1dom
1 stopQatar Airways
17h 00mJNB-DXB
R5 319
17/1ven
1 stopKenya Airways
21h 15mJNB-DXB
R5 645
23/1gio
1 stopKenya Airways
26h 30mJNB-DXB
R5 663
4/12mer
1 stopRwandAir
13h 40mJNB-DXB
R5 735
29/11ven
1 stopRwandAir
13h 40mJNB-DXB
R5 880
18/1sab
directEmirates
8h 15mJNB-DXB
R7 689
1/12dom
directSouth African
7h 55mJNB-DXB
R8 124
3/12mar
directSouth African
9h 25mCPT-DXB
R8 268
24/1ven
directEmirates
8h 15mJNB-DXB
R8 467

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Last minute flights to the United Arab Emirates

Last minute flight, train and bus deals

23/11sab
multi-stopRwandAir
13h 40mJNB-DXB
26/11mar
multi-stopRwandAir
16h 10mDXB-JNB
R7 689
22/11ven
multi-stopRwandAir
27h 20mJNB-DXB
26/11mar
multi-stopRwandAir
16h 10mDXB-JNB
R9 517
22/11ven
multi-stopQatar Airways
17h 05mJNB-AUH
29/11ven
multi-stopQatar Airways
23h 25mAUH-JNB
R10 838
22/11ven
multi-stopQatar Airways
20h 25mCPT-AUH
8/12dom
multi-stopQatar Airways
20h 55mAUH-CPT
R10 874
25/11lun
multi-stopKenya Airways
21h 15mJNB-DXB
3/12mar
multi-stopKenya Airways
19h 20mDXB-JNB
R11 236
25/11lun
multi-stopKenya Airways
21h 15mJNB-DXB
2/12lun
multi-stopKenya Airways
10h 55mDXB-JNB
R11 652
21/11gio
directEmirates
7h 55mJNB-DXB
27/11mer
directEmirates
8h 25mDXB-JNB
R12 665
21/11gio
directEmirates
7h 55mJNB-DXB
26/11mar
directEmirates
8h 15mDXB-JNB
R12 683
24/11dom
directSouth African
8h 15mDUR-DXB
1/12dom
directSouth African
8h 30mDXB-DUR
R14 022
23/11sab
directSouth African
8h 15mJNB-DXB
27/11mer
directSouth African
8h 10mDXB-JNB
R14 673

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Everything you need to know for your flight to the United Arab Emirates

Cabin class types available on flights to the United Arab Emirates

Cabin classes available on flights to the United Arab Emirates. Prices are the lowest found on KAYAK over the last 7 days. Price and availability is not guaranteed.

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