Dubai to Islamabad: flying it nonstop, and connecting through DXB

Last checked October 18, 2026

Flying it: nonstop options

Emirates operates 10 flights a week between Dubai and Islamabad (flight numbers EK 612/614 from Dubai), about 3 hours, from Emirates Terminal 3 at Dubai International ^[S1].
flydubai lists Islamabad on its Pakistan route page ^[S2]. News reports in 2026 said flydubai paused Islamabad, Lahore and Peshawar flights until late October 2026, so check with your airline that flights are running on your date (the pause wasn't confirmed on an official page).
PIA and Airblue are reported to fly Dubai–Islamabad (not confirmed on an official page; check with your airline).

Dubai (DXB): Emirates uses Terminal 3 ^[S1]. flydubai flies from Terminals 2 and 3, so check your booking for which one. Transfers between terminals at DXB are covered on the Dubai hub page.
Islamabad: Islamabad International Airport (ISB) ^[S1].

Coming from Manila: Emirates flies Manila–Dubai, so Manila–Dubai–Islamabad can be one Emirates ticket with one terminal at DXB (see Manila to Islamabad).
Coming from Bangkok: Emirates flies Bangkok–Dubai 35 times a week ^[S3], but Thai Airways also flies Bangkok–Pakistan more directly (see Bangkok to Islamabad).
Alternative hub: Qatar Airways flies Doha–Islamabad ^[S4] (see the Doha hub page).
Separate tickets: if your flights aren't on one booking, you may have to enter the UAE to re-check bags. US passports get a visa on arrival; Philippine passports need a pre-approved UAE visa to leave the airport (see the Dubai hub page).
Also flying to Lahore? See Dubai to Lahore.

Pakistan entry: We haven't confirmed Pakistan's visa rules for US or Philippine passports yet. Check Pakistan's online visa system: https://visa.nadra.gov.pk.
Dubai airside transit: US passports can stay airside without a visa (see the Dubai hub page).

[S1] Emirates, Dubai–Islamabad: https://www.emirates.com/english/destinations/dxb/isb/flights-from-dubai-to-islamabad/
[S2] flydubai, flights to Pakistan: https://www.flydubai.com/en-ae/flights-to-pakistan/
[S3] Emirates, Bangkok–Dubai: https://www.emirates.com/english/destinations/bkk/dxb/flights-from-bangkok-to-dubai/
[S4] Qatar Airways, Doha–Islamabad: https://www.qatarairways.com/en/destinations/flights-to-islamabad/from-doha.html

United Arab Emirates

Frequent flyer take

“Like a big shopping mall where you can buy literally anything”

US passport, leave the airport: Yes, visa stamped on arrival

Qatar

Frequent flyer take

“Great business lounges and easy transfers”

US passport, leave the airport: Yes, visa on arrival / visa-free entry

Transit Watch

Coming soon

Last checked October 18, 2026