How long is a direct Cairo to Dubai flight?

About 3h15 to DXB. Air Arabia usually lands at SHJ — add 45–75 minutes transfer to central Dubai.

Is flydubai cheaper than Emirates?

Often by EGP 500–1,500 mid-week, but Lite and paid bags can erase the gap. Compare all-in price.

DXB or SHJ for Dubai Marina?

DXB is usually 45–75 minutes faster by road. SHJ suits travellers who accept the transfer or stay in Sharjah.

When should I book a weekend trip?

5–6 weeks ahead for Dubai January and Eid. Wed–Mon is often 15–25% cheaper than Thu–Sat.

Is the Vocafly price final?

No — indicative. Enter your dates in search; final fare and baggage are on the partner checkout.

Cairo to Dubai 2026: EgyptAir, Emirates, flydubai or Air Arabia?

Quick answer: Cairo–Dubai non-stop is about 3h15 (2026). Compare EgyptAir, Emirates, flydubai, and Air Arabia (Sharjah) — the last is often cheaper but needs a Dubai transfer. Economy typically EGP 4,000–9,500 (AED 500–1,200); book 3–4 weeks ahead and avoid Thu–Fri when you can.
Next step: Compare Emirates, flydubai and EgyptAir on Cairo → Dubai then Dubai → Athens for a Gulf–Greece loop.

📌 Last checked: May 2026 — CAI–DXB/SHJ fares, weekend peaks, and UAE visa rules for Egyptian passports.

Dubai from Cairo is not only a shopping weekend — it is family time, business, or an Asia connection through DXB. On two comparison runs in March and April 2026 we priced EgyptAir, Emirates, flydubai, and Air Arabia on identical dates. The real gap was not the headline fare but airport choice (DXB vs SHJ), baggage, and departure slot. Plenty of travellers book Air Arabia at EGP 3,500 then discover Sharjah sits 45–75 minutes from Dubai Marina — the saving melts in the taxi.

Pair this guide with our UAE visa for Egyptians, GCC grand tours and visas if Dubai is one stop in a Gulf loop, and Egypt for Arab visitors when you combine Cairo and Dubai.

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CAI → DXB

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Cairo to Dubai 2026: EgyptAir, Emirates, flydubai or Air Arabia?-2.png">

Which airline is cheapest Cairo to Dubai in 2026?

There is no permanent winner. flydubai and Air Arabia often lead on Tue–Wed by EGP 500–1,500 (AED 60–190) versus Emirates, but Air Arabia lands at Sharjah (SHJ) — budget 45–75 extra minutes to Dubai Marina. EgyptAir competes mid-week and suits anyone who prefers the national carrier and CAI Terminal 3. Emirates costs more on some dates but wins on Thursday evenings and Asia connections from DXB Egypt eVisa vs Visa on Arrival 2026: Price, Queues & Which to Pick.

Always compare on the Cairo → Dubai route page with your exact dates before paying. Vocafly’s price is indicative; final fare and baggage sit on the booking partner.

How much does economy really cost?

Scenario	EgyptAir (MS)	Emirates (EK)	flydubai (FZ)	Air Arabia (G9/SHJ)
Mid-week, 23 kg bag	EGP 4,500–6,500 / AED 560–810	EGP 5,500–8,000 / AED 680–1,000	EGP 4,000–6,000 / AED 500–750	EGP 3,500–5,500 / AED 440–690
Thu–Fri short break	EGP 6,500–9,500 / AED 810–1,190	EGP 8,000–11,500 / AED 1,000–1,440	EGP 5,500–8,500 / AED 690–1,060	EGP 5,000–8,000 / AED 625–1,000
Dubai January / Eid	EGP 9,000–13,000+	EGP 11,000–15,000+	EGP 8,000–12,000+	EGP 7,500–11,000+
23 kg checked (typical)	Often in Classic	In standard Economy	Lite = paid (+EGP 700–1,200)	Light = paid

A hand-luggage-only flydubai fare can show EGP 3,200 (AED 400) then charge EGP 900 for a bag — count the all-in price.

Cairo to Dubai 2026: EgyptAir, Emirates, flydubai or Air Arabia?-3.png">

DXB or SHJ — which airport fits your trip?

Dubai International (DXB): hub for Emirates, EgyptAir, and flydubai. Metro, taxis, close to malls and Marina — 30–50 minutes to central Dubai depending on traffic. Best for a 48–72-hour shopping or family sprint.

Sharjah (SHJ): Air Arabia hub. The ticket may save EGP 500–1,500 (AED 60–190) but downtown Dubai can be 45–75 minutes by road — longer on Friday evenings. Works if you accept the transfer or stay in Sharjah/Ajman.

Factor	DXB	SHJ
Distance to Dubai Marina	Direct	~40–60 km farther
Hotel transfer cost	AED 80–150	AED 120–200
Non-stop from CAI	MS, EK, FZ	G9 usually
Families with kids	Easier	Factor transfer fatigue
Asia connections	Excellent from Egypt eVisa vs Visa on Arrival 2026: Price, Queues & Which to Pick	Add transfer to DXB

What does each carrier offer on this route?

EgyptAir: Familiar at CAI, Terminal 3, sometimes the best Tuesday price. Baggage is clearer on Classic than Light. Good default if you want DXB without surprises.

Emirates: Comfort, strong Asia network, Terminal 3, 23 kg on classic Economy in most buckets. Excellent if you continue to Bangkok or Singapore on one ticket.

flydubai: Sharp base fares and flexible dates, but watch Lite (hand only) and paid seats. You truly win if you accept DXB and travel light.

Air Arabia: Often the lowest fare but SHJ — count the transfer before celebrating the saving.

When should you book — and how do you save?

3–4 weeks ahead for most dates; 5–6 weeks for Dubai January or Eid.
Try Wednesday out, Monday back — often 15–25% cheaper than Thu–Sat.
Compare one day either side — swings of EGP 1,000 (AED 125) on the same airline are normal.
For a 36-hour trip, paying EGP 500–900 more for DXB + non-stop is usually worth it — time beats fare.

Complete your UAE visa before a non-refundable ticket.

Cairo to Dubai 2026: EgyptAir, Emirates, flydubai or Air Arabia?-4.png">

Direct or one-stop — when is the saving worth it?

Non-stop at ~3h15 is the baseline for a 48–72-hour break — every extra hour in Bahrain or Riyadh steals mall or beach time. A one-stop can save EGP 800–2,000 (AED 100–250) sometimes but adds 5–8 hours total. Only sensible if the gap is large or you bundle a farther destination on one ticket.

With kids or heavy bags, direct is often worth EGP 500–900 more. For connections through DXB, allow 3 hours between flights — the airport is vast.

How do baggage rules differ before checkout?

Airline	Cabin (typical)	Checked (Classic)	Common trap
EgyptAir	8 kg + personal item	23 kg often on Classic	Light with no case
Emirates	7 kg + personal	23 kg on standard Economy	Saver with less bag
flydubai	7 kg by fare	Paid separately	Lite = hand only
Air Arabia	10 kg cabin often	Paid separately	Basic = less

Field tip: weigh at home. Paying EGP 1,000 at check-in costs more than pre-purchased baggage. If you plan Dubai shopping, leave 5–8 kg spare outbound.

Which seasons spike fares — and how do you dodge them?

January–February: Dubai festivals + holidays — 20–35% uplift.
Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha: Thu–Fri crowds; book 6 weeks ahead.
June–August: hot but sometimes cheaper than January.
September–November: good balance of fare and weather.

Do Egyptians need a UAE visa?

Egyptian passport holders usually need a UAE visa before travel — tourism or work depending on purpose. Finish the application before a non-refundable ticket. For multi-country Gulf loops, see GCC grand tours.

What should you do at Cairo airport before boarding?

Terminal 3 is standard for MS, EK, and FZ (G9 from CAI lands SHJ). Arrive 3 hours early on peaks. Online check-in saves queue time. Keep visa confirmation and hotel proof offline on your phone.

Practical timeline: Cairo airport to first coffee in Dubai

Time	Step
T-3 hours	Arrive CAI Terminal 3
T-3h15	Non-stop CAI → DXB or SHJ
+30–75 min	Transfer to hotel (SHJ longer)
Evening day 1	Marina or mall
Day 2	Shopping / family / beach
Evening day 2 or morning 3	Return CAI or continue to Asia

Does an Asia connection through Dubai change the airline pick?

If you fly Cairo–Dubai–Bangkok or Manila, Emirates usually offers one smooth link from Egypt eVisa vs Visa on Arrival 2026: Price, Queues & Which to Pick. flydubai may be cheaper but watch terminals and separate bag rules. EgyptAir can show a lower fare with longer routing — count layover hours. Air Arabia rarely suits long Asia connections; use it for a Dubai break only.

Family tips on CAI–DXB

Infants may need a seat or bassinet per airline policy. Try a Wednesday morning departure to dodge Thursday delays. DXB has family rooms — SHJ has tighter space and longer transfers.

What we saw at both airports (May 2026)

At CAI Egypt eVisa vs Visa on Arrival 2026: Price, Queues & Which to Pick security took 25–40 minutes on peak Thursdays. At DXB Egypt eVisa vs Visa on Arrival 2026: Price, Queues & Which to Pick gate-to-passport control can be 20 minutes. Regulated taxi to Marina ran AED 90–140 (May 2026). From SHJ to Marina AED 130–200.

7 common mistakes booking Cairo–Dubai

Booking SHJ and expecting 20 minutes to Marina — transfer eats half of day one.
Lite fare with two suitcases — airport fees erase the saving.
Thursday evening without early booking — non-stop sells out and fares jump.
Ignoring UAE visa rules — denied boarding at CAI.
Comparing Air Arabia to Emirates without adding transfer — incomplete maths.
90-minute connection in DXB for Asia — you need at least 3 hours.
Non-refundable hotel before ticket confirmation — cancel the hotel first.

Does combining Cairo and Dubai in one trip change your pick?

Many Egyptians and Arab visitors spend days in Cairo then fly to Dubai. See Egypt for Arabs for domestic connections. If you continue to Qatar or Bahrain, GCC grand tours explains multi-entry visa rules.

Related guides

Conclusion

Cairo–Dubai 2026: weigh EgyptAir and Emirates for DXB comfort and Asia links, and flydubai or Air Arabia if you accept SHJ and light bags. Count the full price, finish your visa, and search the Cairo → Dubai route on Vocafly before you pay.

Related routes: Cairo → Dubai · Cairo → Abu Dhabi · Dubai → Athens

FAQ

How long is a direct Cairo to Dubai flight?: About 3h15 to DXB. Air Arabia usually lands at SHJ — add 45–75 minutes transfer to central Dubai.
Is flydubai cheaper than Emirates?: Often by EGP 500–1,500 mid-week, but Lite and paid bags can erase the gap. Compare all-in price.
DXB or SHJ for Dubai Marina?: DXB is usually 45–75 minutes faster by road. SHJ suits travellers who accept the transfer or stay in Sharjah.
Do Egyptians need a UAE visa?: Yes — tourism or work depending on purpose. Complete it before a non-refundable ticket.
When should I book a weekend trip?: 5–6 weeks ahead for Dubai January and Eid. Wed–Mon is often 15–25% cheaper than Thu–Sat.
Is the Vocafly price final?: No — indicative. Enter your dates in search; final fare and baggage are on the partner checkout.

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