Quick answer: Dubai to Islamabad averaged about AED 1,413 return over the past 12 months, and about AED 602 one way. January was the cheapest month (about AED 1,249) and March (about AED 1,616) and July (about AED 1,546) the most expensive. Booking about 21 weeks ahead saved around 21%. For Eid Al Adha 2027, book by mid December 2026.
Table of Contents
Short answers
- Cheapest month: January, about AED 1,249 return from Dubai and about AED 1,142 from Sharjah.
- Most expensive: March (about AED 1,616) and July (about AED 1,546).
- Cheapest day: Monday from Dubai, Thursday from Sharjah. Friday is the most expensive from both.
- When to book: about 21 weeks ahead from Dubai, 19 weeks from Sharjah.
- Flight time: about 3 hours 10 minutes direct. Islamabad is 1 hour ahead of the UAE.
- Direct airlines from Dubai: airblue (14 flights a week), Emirates (10), PIA (4) and AirSial. From Sharjah: Fly Jinnah (15), PIA (3) and airblue (3).
Fares at a glance
| Dubai to Islamabad | Fare (AED) |
|---|---|
| Average return, past 12 months | 1,413 |
| Typical return range | 1,244 to 1,676 |
| Average one way | about 602 |
| Cheapest direct return seen | 1,249 |
| January (cheapest month) | 1,249 |
| July | 1,546 |
| March (most expensive) | 1,616 |
April is the busiest month, by far
April is the busiest month on this route, with about 74% more passengers than usual, and September about 40% fewer. March was the most expensive month because Eid Al Fitr fell on 20 March 2026; in 2027 Eid Al Fitr is expected around 9 or 10 March, so the peak should come slightly earlier.
- Eid Al Fitr 2027: the booking window has passed from both Dubai and Sharjah. Book now.
- Eid Al Adha 2027 (expected around 16 or 17 May): book by mid December 2026 from Dubai or the end of December from Sharjah. Sharjah averaged about AED 1,899 in May, so price Dubai as well.
- Summer 2027: July is the second most expensive month. Book by February 2027.
- September and January: the quietest and cheapest times to travel.
Baggage can change the cheapest fare
On this route, adding a first checked bag in economy cost about AED 129 to AED 367, higher than on most routes we track. A fare that looks AED 100 cheaper without baggage can end up more expensive once a bag is added. Families bringing gifts home should compare fares with baggage included. We always quote with your baggage needs in mind.
Dubai or Sharjah for Islamabad?
| From Dubai (DXB) | From Sharjah (SHJ) | |
|---|---|---|
| Average return | AED 1,413 | AED 1,436 |
| Cheapest month | January, AED 1,249 | January, AED 1,142 |
| Most expensive month | March, AED 1,616 | May, AED 1,899 |
| Cheapest day | Monday | Thursday |
| Book ahead | about 21 weeks | about 19 weeks |
| Direct airlines | airblue, Emirates, PIA, AirSial | Fly Jinnah, PIA, airblue |
Over the year the two airports were within about AED 23 of each other. Sharjah was cheaper in January, Dubai around Eid Al Adha in May. Choose by your dates and the airport closer to home.
Flight times
Half of the direct departures from Dubai leave in the morning, and none in the afternoon. The earliest leaves at 03:10 and lands at 06:20; the latest leaves at 21:30 and lands at 00:40. Islamabad International is the main gateway for Rawalpindi, Azad Kashmir and the north, with domestic connections to Gilgit and Skardu. If you are connecting north, pick a morning arrival and leave time for a separate domestic ticket.
Direct or one stop?
Direct returns averaged about AED 1,450. The cheapest one stop routing, through Riyadh, averaged about AED 1,189, around AED 261 less. Most one stop trips connect in Riyadh (32%), Jeddah (30%) or Bahrain (26%), and the quickest, through Muscat, takes about 7 hours 17 minutes. Taking a UAE phone home? Pakistan’s PTA registration rules are explained in our Dubai to Lahore guide.
Airlines on the route
airblue, Emirates, PIA and AirSial fly direct from Dubai, and Fly Jinnah, PIA and airblue from Sharjah. You can pay monthly on airblue, PIA and Emirates tickets booked with us.
Paying monthly for your Islamabad ticket
At the average fare of AED 1,413, a return can be split into four Tabby payments of about AED 353. Tamara works too, and so do 3, 6, 9 or 12 month plans on UAE credit cards from Mashreq, ADCB, RAKBANK, HSBC, FAB and Emirates NBD. UAE residents only need to share a phone number for the payment link. Ask for a Dubai to Islamabad quote on WhatsApp. Our office WhatsApp, +971 4 220 2133, answers 24 hours a day.
Questions travellers ask us about Dubai to Islamabad
When should I book Dubai to Islamabad for Eid Al Adha 2027?
By mid December 2026 from Dubai, or the end of December from Sharjah. Eid Al Adha is expected around 16 or 17 May 2027.
Which month is cheapest to fly from Dubai to Islamabad?
January, about AED 1,249 return from Dubai and about AED 1,142 from Sharjah.
How much is extra baggage on Dubai to Islamabad flights?
Adding a first checked bag cost about AED 129 to AED 367, depending on the airline. Compare fares with baggage included.
Is Sharjah to Islamabad cheaper than Dubai to Islamabad?
Not on average. The two were within about AED 23 over the year. Sharjah was cheaper in January, Dubai in May.
Is there an afternoon flight from Dubai to Islamabad?
No direct afternoon departures appeared in the recent data. Flights leave in the morning, evening or at night.
Can I connect to Gilgit or Skardu from Islamabad?
Yes, by domestic flight from Islamabad. Book a morning arrival from Dubai and leave a buffer, as northern flights depend on the weather.
Can I pay for my Islamabad ticket in installments?
Yes. UAE residents can use Tabby, Tamara or a 3 to 12 month credit card plan. We only need your phone number.
Compare all Dubai to Pakistan fares by city. More route fare guides from the UAE: Manila, Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi, Calicut, Trivandrum, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Jeddah, Kathmandu, Dhaka, Colombo, Cairo, London.
Fare data from KAYAK, checked 12 November 2026. See all airlines you can pay for monthly.
Enjoying our content? Make us a preferred source on Google.
Add us as a Preferred Source on Google
