Dubai International Airport - DXB

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (AE)

Getting around the airport

Three terminals

Dubai International Airport lies 5km east of the city. The world's busiest airport in terms of international passenger traffic, it's a large, sometimes overcrowded transport hub with plenty of plastic palm trees, duty-free shopping and business lounges. It is the headquarters for Emirates Airlines and flydubai.

The airport has three terminals:

  • Terminal 1: Contains Concourse C, connected to the terminal by the 1km long Sheikh Rashid Terminal.
  • Terminal 2: Serves mostly flights in the Persian Gulf area. You can't move easily from Terminal 2 to the other terminals - you'll have to take use the shuttle bus or take a taxi.
  • Terminal 3: The largest airport terminal in the world. Divided into Concourses A and B and used exclusively by Emirate, Qantas and some flydubai flights. Terminal 3 connects to Concourse A, B, C and D.
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Meet all your business needs

Connect Business Centre

The airport is ideal for business travellers as it features a business centre in the Sheikh Rashid Terminal. The Connect Business Centre is open 24 hours a day and includes conference rooms, high speed internet, business software, and private work stations with secretaries for hire.
Contact the Dubai International Hotel for booking (Tel: +971 4 224 4000).

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Faster Flight Connections

Use the airport lounges

If you have a connecting flight in Concourse A get on the Automated People Mover and take the elevator to one of the First or Business Class lounges. The lounges span the length of the building and have direct access to the boarding gates. You’ll be able to get on your flight without having to navigate through the busy terminal.

If you aren’t travelling First or Business Class, you can also book with the Marhaba Lounge and have a priority buggy take you to your boarding gate for AED 175 (USD 47).

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Getting into Dubai

Take the Metro or jump in a taxi

The airport isn't far from the city, and the Metro is a comfortable way into the city. Taxi is also a good option and shouldn't be very expensive.

Train

The Dubai Metro offers comfortable, air-conditioned carriages with Wi-Fi access, including 'gold class' front carriages for an even more comfortable journey. You don't have to use them, but there are separate carriages for women and children:

  • Terminals 1 and 3: The Dubai Metro Red Line runs from the airport (Zone 6) to the Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall (Zone 5). Trains leave every 10 minutes, with services running from 05:50-00:00 (Thu, 05:30-00:00; Fri, 13:00-00:00). Be aware that schedules change during the month of Ramadan. 
  • Terminal 2: Take the Green Line from the station near the airport (change in Union for the Red Line), or transfer to Terminal 3 and take the Red Line.

Note: you're only allowed two pieces of luggage, one of which is hand luggage.  

Cost: Around AED 2.50
Buying tickets: In the airport stations. Buy a Nol top-up card to save money on standard fares.
Location: Stations directly in Terminals 1 and 3, well-signposted. Airport Free Zone Station near Terminal 2.


Taxi 

Dubai Transport Corporation taxis are cream-coloured, and those with a pink trim have female drivers. Many hotels offer free transfers for guests, so check with them before you arrive. Note that there can be long queues for taxis, and fares can vary a lot depending on traffic and time of day.

Tip: Ignore anyone in plain-clothes offering you "taxi, taxi" and go to the official taxi ranks.

Cost: Around AED 100 to Dubai Marina, AED 35 to Deira, AED 45-80 to Jumeirah (plus AED 20 charge when leaving the airport)
Location: Ranks outside each terminal 

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Avoid taxi scams

Find the official taxi rank

If you need to take a taxi, we suggest going to the taxi queue outside the terminal. Avoid drivers who approach you and be aware that there are no fixed rates for airport fares. The airport pick-up fare is AED 20 (USD 5.45) plus regular fees calculated by distance. Trips passing through Sharjah or the Northern Emirates will be charged another AED 20. When returning to the airport, the starting fare will be AED 5 (USD 1.20).

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Zen Gardens

Peace and tranquility

For a little peace and quiet, visit the Zen Gardens. It is an indoor oasis with fish ponds and trees where time stands still. Departures, airside, near gates B7 and B27.

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SnoozeCubes

Take a nap at T1

Take a rest in one of 10 sound-proofed units installed adjacent to C 22 at Dubai International’s Terminal 1.
Enough room for a bed. A touchscreen TV offering music and movies and room to hang your coat and store your carry-on luggage. SnoozeCubes also offer high speed internet access through touch screens as well as free wifi access.

An hour of relaxation in a SnoozeCube costs:
AED 75 (USD 21) for a single cube
AED 100 (USD 28) for a shared cube
Minimum stay requirement is 2 hours.

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Pool, gym and sauna

Exercise and relax in T1 and T3

Cool off and rejuvenate in Dubai International Hotel's swimming pool located right in the airport.

For a small fee, you will have access not only to the pool but a fully equipped gym, jacuzzi, sauna, and shower facilities. To find out more call Dubai International Hotel, + 9714 224 4000 or visit the reception areas in

Terminal 1, Concourse C, arrivals level,
Terminal 3, Concourse A&B areas, level 5 

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Travelling between terminals

Walk from T1 and T3 or with shuttle bus to T2

A free shuttle bus takes you between Terminals 1, 2 and 3. Buses run every 20 minutes or so, 24-hours a day and take 20 minutes to go from Terminal 2 to 1, and 30 minutes to Terminal 3.
You can also take the Metro's Red Line between Terminals 1 and 3 or you can freely between the terminals at the common transit area without having to go through immigration.
An automated people mover in Terminal 1 connects you to Concourse D and in Terminal 3 it connects you to Concourse A.

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Dayuse.com, a hotel room for the day

up to 75% off the price of an overnight stay

Whether it’s a long layover, a flight delay, or just the will to enjoy the infrastructure of a beautiful hotel, Dayuse.com invites you to book a day stay at one of our hotels located in the immediate proximity of the airport.

How does it work:

1/ Review the hotels available around the airport & the services they offer (spa, swimming pool, fitness, restaurant, and so on)
2/ Check their time slot availabilities (arrival & departure time within one day)
3/ Book your hotel and receive your confirmation
4/ Pay only at the check in
5/ Cancel at no cost until last minute



BOOK WITH DAYUSE.COM

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Share your airport knowledge with us

Help us improve!

Our app wouldn't have won the Crystal Cabin Award for "Best Customer Journey" if it wasn't for all of our users' valuable feedback and constant support.

No matter whether you are travelling for business, leisure or you work at an airport, we could always use airport intel to help make our app even better and improve things for travellers all over the world!

Share your experience with us by sending an email to feedback@flio.com with any hints, tips or general information on any airport.

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Further information about Dubai International Airport

Popular airlines at Dubai International Airport

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