Flights from London to Dubai

The second-busiest airport in the UK, London Gatwick Airport (LGW) handles more than 40 million passengers each year. Located to the south of London, in West Sussex, Gatwick’s proximity to the M25 and its excellent public transportation links make getting away a breeze.

If you plan to arrive by car ahead of flights to Dubai from Gatwick, book parking well in advance to take advantage of cheaper rates. There are many on- and off-site parking options around Gatwick, plus a number of hotels that offer park and stay packages.

Buses, coaches and trains arrive direct at Gatwick Airport. The non-stop Gatwick Express train travels from central London in just 30 minutes.

There are two terminals at Gatwick Airport, North Terminal and South Terminal. A vast array of cafes, restaurants, bars and shops are located airside in each terminal. Spend time before flights from Gatwick to Dubai in an executive lounge, if relaxing in style suits your plans. There are a number of elegant options at the airport (tip: you can often make savings by booking online in advance).

If you’re travelling with children, there are fast-track family assistance lanes at security and play zones in departures. Some lounges allow children, some don’t.

Which terminal do flights from Gatwick to Dubai usually fly from?

Only Emirates operates direct flights from London Gatwick to Dubai. Flights with Emirates depart from the North Terminal.

If you are flying indirect with another airline, check which terminal you need on Gatwick’s website.

Around 75 million passengers make their way through the four main terminals of London Heathrow Airport (LHR) each year, making it not only Britain’s busiest airport, but one of the world’s most hardworking hubs.

The airport, which is around 15 miles west of central London, is easy to reach by car, bus, coach, taxi or train. Rail services arrive direct at the airport, with the Heathrow Express train connecting to London Paddington in just 15 minutes.

Heathrow’s proximity to the M25 means arriving at the airport by car is easy. Plentiful parking options, both on- and off-site, are available. But book online in advance to make savings on the drive-up price. Some airport hotels also include car parking in the cost of your stay, which is a great option if you are travelling from afar ahead of cheap flights from Heathrow to Dubai.

Following the 2015 closure of T1, flights depart from four main terminals – T2, T3, T4 and T5. Each features a wealth of opportunities to dine, drink, relax and shop, as well as executive lounges, for a spot of pre-flight relaxation and indulgence.

Family-friendly parking spaces or free child tickets on the Heathrow Express help to pave the way towards a relaxed getaway with the kids. There are also play zones in terminals 2, 4 and 5 and a family lounge in T3.

Which terminal do flights from Heathrow to Dubai usually fly from?

If you’ve booked flights to Dubai from Heathrow you’ll need to know at which terminal to arrive. This depends with which airline you are travelling.

Flights with British Airways take off from T5.

Flying direct with Emirates, Qantas Airways or Virgin Atlantic? You’ll need T3.

If you are travelling with Royal Brunei Airlines, head for T4.

Located near Luton, in Bedfordshire, being a short hop from London (25 miles to the north) and just off the M1 makes London Luton Airport (LTN) the fifth busiest in the UK.

The airport is easy to reach by car, bus, coach, taxi or train, with the fastest rail services connecting central London with Luton Airport Parkway railway station in around 30 minutes. Coaches shuttle passengers between the station and the airport every 10 minutes, with a journey time of five minutes.

Ever-increasing passenger numbers and some on-site works mean car parking at Luton Airport can be limited. Book online in advance to secure your space and to save money on the drive-up price. Some nearby hotels offer car parking as part of your stay – a great option if you are travelling from afar.

You can enjoy a spot of pre-flight shopping, dining or relaxing once airside, or spend some time in the Aspire Executive Lounge. Its Bliss Spa is the perfect place to unwind ahead of travel.

Which terminal do flights from Luton to Dubai usually fly from?

All flights from Luton depart from one main terminal.

It’s worth noting that there are no direct flights to Dubai from Luton; only indirect services to either Dubai International (DXB) or Al Maktoum International Airport, also known as Dubai World Central (DWC). These indirect Luton to Dubai flights can be very expensive, which is why most passengers choose to travel from one of the other London airports.

The fourth busiest airport in the UK, London Stansted Airport (STN) is located in Essex, around 30 miles northeast of central London.

Within minutes of the M11, Stansted is a convenient option for passengers from southeast England and the Midlands. If you plan to park at the airport, book well in advance to make the biggest savings. Securing your space is also worthwhile; some car parks, especially those closest to the terminals, do become full.

Other transport options include buses, coaches, taxis and trains. There’s a railway station at the airport, with the Stansted Express connecting you to London’s Liverpool Street station in just over 45 minutes. CrossCountry operates train services to other destinations.

The usual dining, drinking and shopping amenities keep departing passengers happy in the newly renovated terminal. The Escape Lounge is perfect for executives and children alike. Book online in advance to save a few pounds on the walk-up price.

Which terminal do flights from Stansted to Dubai usually fly from?

Stansted Airport has just the one main departure terminal. But many gates can only be accessed via the airport’s rail transit system, so allow yourself plenty of time to get to the gate.

There are no direct flights to Dubai from Stansted. For direct services between London and Dubai, travel from Heathrow or Gatwick. The low-cost Turkish carrier Pegasus Airlines offers a popular and low-cost indirect route between Stansted and Dubai, usually incorporating a stop in Istanbul.

Dubai International Airport (DXB) is a huge and well-equipped air hub (one of the world’s busiest) and onward transportation options are plentiful.

Taxis and hotel shuttle services are the most convenient options, as public buses and the Dubai Metro will only get you so far with your luggage in this sprawling urban area.

To enjoy the freedom of your own wheels, consider car hire in Dubai. Find out more on our Dubai car hire page.

The ever-changing face of Dubai makes for an endlessly fascinating holiday destination. If you visited before it became one of the hottest travel destinations on the planet, you’ll want to go back to see what’s new (there’s plenty of it). And if you have never been, you probably want to for the sheer indulgence of staying in luxurious hotels and stretching out on a patch of sun-drenched sand. Other popular activities include splashing about in a water park, splashing the cash in the malls or the souks, and splashing on the scent for a glamorous night out.

Amazing Dubai dazzles with its designer shopping and bling-tastic approach to pretty much everything, but its traditions and ancient charms still manage to shine through. Top historic and cultural attractions include the Jumeirah Mosque and Al Fahidi Fort, while sailing trips on Dubai Creek take visitors on a journey through time.

Zipping back into the gold-clad future, visit the Dubai Mall, ascend the Burj Khalifa or let the kids burn off some energy in the Wild Wadi Water Park.

These attractions – and others on our things to do in Dubai – are all dependent on you actually wanting to leave your incredible hotel in Dubai, of course; not that easy when you discover what’s on offer.