The Dubai International Airport is a major landmark in the city, which has been connecting the UAE to the rest of the world, since 1960. Till date, the airport has welcomed over 89.1 million passengers making it one of the world’s leading international airports. If you plan to travel via the DXB airport soon, here’s a quick guide on what you can expect when you land and the things you should keep in mind when flying out of this airport.
Accessing the Dubai Airport
The Dubai Airport is possibly one of the most well-connected landmarks in the city. Whether it is by the Dubai Metro, public bus, taxi or car, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has set up an advanced system for the Dubai International Airport to be easily accessed by any mode of transportation. Here’s a look at how you can use each of these transportation methods to access the airport in Dubai.
Taxi:
RTA taxis and other ride-hailing apps are one of the most popular and stress-free ways to get to and from the airport. If you are coming out of the airport, there are dedicated taxi lanes from where you can hail a cab. The taxis leaving from the airport have a starting charge of AED 25 and subsequently charge AED 1.96 per km.
If you are travelling to Dubai Airport from any part of the city, you can easily book an RTA cab by calling +971-4-208-0808 or hailing it on the go.
Dubai Metro:
Currently, the metro stations Dubai International Terminal 3 and Dubai International Terminal 1 are the only two metro stations that connect to the Dubai Airport. These stations are named after the terminal they connect to. Accessing the Dubai Metro requires a NOL card which you can purchase from the station itself. For more information, here’s a guide on how to travel by the Dubai Metro.
Bus:
All three terminals at the Dubai International Airport have bus stops that stand right opposite the entrance. These buses also require a NOL card with a minimum balance of AED 7.91. You won’t be able to pay cash to the driver, so its best to head to any metro station first and purchase a card.
Car:
If you plan to travel by car, there are kiosks of international car rental companies from which you can rent a car. Some of the car rental companies in Dubai Airport include:
- Budget
- Hertz
- Diamond Lease
- Dollar
- EuropCar
- Fast Rent A Car
- Payless
- Sixt
There is also a multi-storey car park at the Dubai Airport Terminal 1, 2 and 3 which is charged at an hourly rental rate starting from AED 25, AED 15 and AED 30 respectively. An extra AED 100 is charged for each additional day the car is parked there.
DXB Airport Terminals
The Dubai International airport is divided into three terminals: Terminal 1, Terminal 2 and Terminal 3. All these DXB airport terminals are equipped with the latest technology to handle the arrivals and departures of various airlines.
Dubai International Airport Terminal 1 (T1)
Terminal 1 is the first terminal of the Dubai International Airport. It specifically caters to international flights and has the capacity to accommodate more than 20 million passengers every year. It’s connected to the airport’s Concourse D, which is an extension, recently added to accommodate more international flights and passengers. Currently, more than 60 international carriers can operate into DXB through this T1 because of Concourse D.
T1 has been undergoing multiple refurbishments and modifications under Dubai Airports’ Strategic Plan 2020. It now has its own train which takes passengers to and from the gates. The check-in stations, immigration stands, baggage carousels, e-gates and other counters are all equipped with the latest tech. Other facilities that are now part of this terminal include a food court, retail outlets and free Wi-Fi.
Dubai International Airport Terminal 2 (T2)
Terminal 2 was inaugurated back in 1998 to relieve the congestion at Terminal 1. It handles international flights and even caters to scheduled, charter and special interest flights during special occasions. At the moment, T2 arrivals in Dubai can accommodate over 5 million passengers, with approximately 50 airlines operating out of there. Dubai’s first budget airline, flydubai also operates out of T2.
T2 also boasts the latest facilities and amenities including modernised e-gates, check-in stations, immigration stands, baggage carousels, a food court, retail shops and more.
Dubai International Airport Terminal 3 (Dedicated for use by Emirates Airline and Qantas)
Terminal 3 exclusively operates arrivals and departures of all Emirates Airlines flights. It is the newest of the three terminals in Dubai and can handle a capacity of 43 million passengers. Concourse A, which is A380-dedicated facility, and Concourse C are both parts of T3 DXB. T3 also features upgraded facilities to handle arrivals and departures from Dubai. Which includes modernised e-gates, check-in stations, immigration stands, baggage carousels, a food court, pharmacy, retail shops, and more.
Dubai Duty Free
One of the most talked-about parts of travelling through the DXB International Airport is shopping at the Dubai Duty Free. Whether its luxury brands, makeup, electronics, food or liquor, you can find everything at Dubai Duty Free. After all, it is the largest travel retail operator in the world, recording over USD 2B in year-end sales in 2019. The Dubai Duty Free has been successful since its inception. When it was founded in 1983 it recorded sales of $20 million in the first year itself. It’s also been recognised nine times as the ‘Best Airport Retailer of the Year’. They’ve also gone on to successfully sponsor massive events such as the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship and host mega raffles.
Dubai Duty Free shops can be accessed during both the concourses for arrivals and departures. For arrivals, it’s right after immigration and baggage claim. For departures, it’s situated near the boarding gates.
Other facilities at DXB International Airport
The airport in Dubai is one of the most well-maintained airports in the world with tons of retail, dining and lounge options that travellers can access. If you are in transit at the Dubai International Airport, here are some of the amenities and facilities you can access around the gates
DXB Airport Lounges
The airport in Dubai has some amazing airport lounges that you can access to enjoy premium services. Whether you want to sip on a glass of bubbly, have a hearty meal, rejuvenate yourself with a massage, the Dubai Airport lounges offer the best facilities. Free access to the airport lounges in Dubai Airport are usually offered by certain credit card providers. So if you have a credit card, make sure to check with your bank if your card offers free lounge facilities to the lounges in Dubai Airport.
Restaurants in Dubai Airport
Apart from the airport lounges, there are plenty of great restaurants in the Dubai Airpot you can head to grab a coffee, quick bite or even an entire meal. Starbucks, Costa Coffee, KFC, Burger King, McDonald’s, Bombay Chowpatti, Jacks Bar and Grill, Delize are some of the places you can grab a quick bite. You can also find outlets of upscale restaurants such as Cho Gao, at the airport in Dubai
Sleep & Shower facilities
If you happen to have a long wait before your next flight and need a place to crash, there is the ‘sleep ‘n fly’ sleeping pods in the Dubai Airport. Whether you want an entire cabin or just a single sleeping pod, sleep ‘n fly provides multiple cabin sizes that you can choose from, depending on your requirement. These are located in Terminal 1’s D Gates and Terminal 3’s A Gates.
After your nap, you can make use of the complimentary shower facilities located in Terminal 3 between gates B13 and B19. There are also shower facilities at the Be Relax spa near Gate A1 in Terminal 3.
FAQs
What’s the Dubai International Airport code?
The IATA code for Dubai International Airport is “DXB” and the ICAO code for the Dubai airport is “OMDB”.
How many airports does Dubai have?
Dubai has a total of two airports in the city. They are:
- Dubai International Airport (DXB)
- Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC)
Are there any hotels near Dubai International Airport?
Holiday Inn Express and Premier Inn Dubai are two of the most affordable hotels near DXB Airport. If you are looking for something more upscale, the Le Méridien Duba Hotel and Roda Al Bustan two of the best hotels close to the airport in Dubai.
What can I do when in transit at the airport in Dubai?
From relaxing in the premium lounges to getting a massage at a spa, there plenty of fun things to do in the Dubai Airport. Here’s a list of the best activities at the Dubai Airport you can try when in transit.
What items are banned in the DXB Airport?
Some of the items that are banned at the DXB airport include narcotic drugs, weapons, duplicate or forged currency, goods from boycotted countries, certain medicines and even live animals such as bats and swine. To find out the here is the complete list of items banned in Dubai Airport.
How can I get a VAT refund in Dubai Airport?
Tourists visiting the UAE can claim VAT refunds at the VAT refund counter at Dubai Airport. To find out exactly how to do it, here is a descriptive article on VAT refunds for UAE tourists that will answer all your questions.
Is there a way to travel between Terminals?
Usually, if you’re connecting flights, you will be automatically transferred as part of your connection. However, should the need arise, there is a free 24-hour shuttle bus service between Terminals 1 and 3, which takes about 15-25 minutes. The helpful staff at the airport can help you find these shuttle buses between Dubai Airport terminals. Alternatively, you can also be used the Dubai Metro to travel between Terminal 1 and 3.
How do I contact the DXB Airport?
The Dubai Airport Phone Number is +971-4-224-5555. This line is available to passengers 24/7. For Dubai immigration specific queries you can call on +971-4-313-9999 or email amer@dnrd.ae.
That brings us to the end of our Dubai airport guide. We hope you found this informative enough to plan your trip to or out of the city. If this is your first time visiting, here is the complete Dubai tourist visa guide that will guide you through the process.
As for the long term residents in the UAE, there are some great places out there waiting to be explored. Here’s a list of all the visa-free countries you can visit from Dubai during your next vacation.
