Quick answer: Dubai to Nairobi averaged about AED 1,771 return over the past 12 months, and Sharjah to Nairobi about AED 1,672. February was the cheapest month (about AED 1,513) and May (about AED 1,994) and July (about AED 1,910) the most expensive. The flight takes about 5 hours 13 minutes, and the best fares appeared about 11 weeks ahead.
Table of Contents
Short answers
- Cheapest month: February, about AED 1,513 return from Dubai and AED 1,392 from Sharjah.
- Most expensive: May (about AED 1,994) and July (about AED 1,910).
- Cheapest day: Sunday. Saturday is the most expensive.
- When to book: about 11 weeks ahead. Last minute fares were only about 3% above average.
- Flight time: about 5 hours 13 minutes direct. Nairobi is 1 hour behind the UAE.
- Direct airlines: Emirates (21 a week), Kenya Airways (14) and flydubai (4) from Dubai; Air Arabia from Sharjah.
Fares at a glance
| Dubai to Nairobi | Fare (AED) |
|---|---|
| Average return, past 12 months | 1,771 |
| Typical return range | 1,547 to 2,092 |
| Average one way | about 944 |
| Cheapest direct return seen | 1,554 |
| February (cheapest month) | 1,513 |
| July | 1,910 |
| May (most expensive) | 1,994 |
Dubai or Sharjah for Nairobi?
| From Dubai (DXB) | From Sharjah (SHJ) | |
|---|---|---|
| Average return | AED 1,771 | AED 1,672 |
| Cheapest month | February, AED 1,513 | February, AED 1,392 |
| Most expensive month | May, AED 1,994 | May, AED 2,086 |
| Cheapest day | Sunday | Sunday |
| Direct airlines | Emirates, Kenya Airways, flydubai | Air Arabia |
Sharjah averaged about AED 99 less over the year and about AED 121 less in February. In May, Dubai was cheaper. Dubai has far more choice, with about 39 direct flights a week.
Kenya eTA before you fly
Kenyan citizens do not need one, but most other visitors must have an approved Kenya Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) before boarding. Apply only on the official portal, etakenya.go.ke, and allow at least two weeks. Some nationalities, including citizens of several East African Community states, are exempt. Check your passport on the official site before booking a non refundable fare.
When to travel
- February: the cheapest month to fly.
- July: high season, when safari travel to the Maasai Mara peaks. Book by mid April 2027.
- October: the quietest month on this route.
- Christmas 2026: book now for December travel.
Direct or one stop?
Direct returns averaged about AED 1,872. The cheapest one stop routing, through Jeddah, averaged about AED 1,498, around AED 374 less. Jeddah handles 45% of one stop trips, Addis Ababa 23% and Bahrain 22%. The quickest connection, through Doha, takes about 9 hours 37 minutes one way.
The earliest direct flight leaves Dubai at 01:25 and lands at 06:38; the latest leaves at 16:40 and lands at 21:53. A first checked bag, when not included, cost about AED 62 to AED 81.
Airlines on the route
Emirates, Kenya Airways and flydubai fly direct from Dubai, and Air Arabia from Sharjah. You can pay monthly on Emirates, flydubai and Air Arabia tickets, and on other airlines booked with us.
Paying monthly for your Nairobi ticket
At the average fare of AED 1,771, a return can be split into four Tabby payments of about AED 443. 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 or Sharjah to Nairobi quote on WhatsApp. Our office WhatsApp, +971 4 220 2133, answers 24 hours a day.
Questions travellers ask us about Dubai to Nairobi
Do I need a Kenya eTA to fly from Dubai to Nairobi?
Most visitors who are not Kenyan citizens need an approved eTA from etakenya.go.ke before boarding. Some nationalities are exempt.
Is Sharjah to Nairobi cheaper than Dubai to Nairobi?
On average, yes: about AED 1,672 return against AED 1,771. In May, Dubai was cheaper.
Which month is cheapest to fly from Dubai to Nairobi?
February, about AED 1,513 return from Dubai.
How long is the flight from Dubai to Nairobi?
About 5 hours 13 minutes direct. Nairobi is 1 hour behind the UAE.
Is it worth booking Dubai to Nairobi at the last minute?
Fares in the last two weeks were only about 3% above average, but the best prices appeared about 11 weeks ahead.
Can I pay for my Nairobi 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.
More route fare guides from the UAE: Manila, Cebu, Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi, Calicut, Trivandrum, Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar, Multan, Sialkot, Jeddah, Kathmandu, Dhaka, Colombo, Cairo, London.
Fare data from KAYAK, checked 12 November 2026. See all airlines you can pay for monthly.
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