5 things to do at the Sharjah International Airport during a layover
Sharjah International Airport is the main international airport catering to the travel needs of residents of Sharjah. Many passengers from Dubai also opt to fly from this airport since it is the home terminal of UAE’s leading budget airline – Air Arabia. Compared to Dubai’s bustling international airport, Sharjah International Airport is smaller. However, there is no shortage of activities for transit passengers going through this airport. Whether it’s to shop, grab a bite to eat or catch up on some lost sleep, there are plenty of things to do at Sharjah International Airport during a layover or transit.
5 THINGS TO DO AT THE SHARJAH AIRPORT
If you are wondering what to do at Sharjah Airport during a long layover here are our picks of the top five things you can do to pass the time.
1. SHOP AT THE DUTY-FREE
One of the best things to do at Sharjah Airport on a layover is to shop at Duty-Free. Located at the Departures terminal, the Duty-Free in Sharjah airport features well-known brands of beauty products, fragrances and technology gadgets at great prices. You can pick up something special for a loved one, or treat yourself with a gift from our own favourite brand.
Along with the usual brand’s available at Duty-Free shops, passengers can also shop from outlets like Rasasi, Malabar Gold, Damas and Amani Fashion which are present at the transit corridor of the Sharjah Airport.
2. GRAB A BITE TO EAT
After shopping, the next best thing to do at Sharjah International Airport is grabbing a bite to eat. There are excellent dining options at Sharjah Airport’s food court.
Open 24 hours a day, passengers can choose to dine at popular fast food outlets like McDonald’s, or sample international menus from the other restaurants here. There are also plenty of cafes in the airport serving coffee, tea and juices as well as a tempting choice of snacks, cakes and desserts too. Here is a list of the cafes and restaurants in Sharjah Airport which transit passengers can dine at.
- McDonald’s
- Costa Coffee
- On The Wood
- London Dairy
- Dunkin Donuts
- Fusion Bites
- Mumbai Spices
- Chinese House Restaurant
- Krispy Kreme
- Cafe Med
- Green Leaf
- Tea Time Cafe
3. RELAX AT THE SHARJAH AIRPORT LOUNGE
The airport in Sharjah has amazing lounges where you can unwind after a long flight. Travellers can choose from the VIP Lounge, Family Lounge or the dedicated Sharjah Airport VIP Lounge for first and business class passengers.
The Sharjah Airport lounges offer premium facilities and services which include a shower room with toiletries and towels provided, a business centre with internet access and a separate smoking room. Passengers can also snack on refreshments which are served 24-hours a day.
Charges may apply for access to the airport lounges in Sharjah International Airport. However, certain credit card providers do offer free access, so make sure to check with your bank before travelling, to find out if your card offers free lounge access at the Sharjah Airport.
4. CATCH UP ON SOME SLEEP AT THE SHARJAH AIRPORT TRANSIT HOTEL
Travelling for long hours can be tiring. If you’d like to catch up on some sleep during your transit, one of the best things to do at Sharjah Airport is to book a room at the Transit Hotel.
Located within the Sharjah Airport itself, the Transit Hotel offers 16 rooms, including six sharing rooms, at affordable prices. The rooms are well-equipped with standard amenities including a bed, toilet, shower and internet access. Guests can also take advantage of the business facilities, 24-hour room service and laundry/dry cleaning services.
5. GO SIGHTSEEING
If your layover in Sharjah Airport exceeds eight hours, you can get a UAE transit visa and head out to explore the different attractions in Sharjah.
Sharjah is the acclaimed cultural capital of the region. Some of the best places to visit in Sharjah include the beautiful Sharjah Mosque, which is the largest mosque in the city and the Blue Souk or Central Market which is a local market where you can shop for gold and silver jewellery, textiles, carpets, antiques and even electronics.
Since Sharjah doesn’t have a metro line, the quickest way to travel around the emirate would be by taxi. If you only have time to visit only one location, the Al Qasba Canal is a great place to start as it has some of the best free activities in Sharjah and picture-perfect views.
That’s everything you can do if you have a long layover at Sharjah International Airport. We hope this guide was helpful and answered all your questions. The next time you’re visiting, stay for long and explore all the other exciting attractions Sharjah has to offer!
Sharjah is also great emirate to consider if are planning on moving to the UAE as it offers affordable living to its residents. Because of the abundance of apartments for rent in Sharjah and the calm lifestyle on offer, many UAE residents also opt to live in Sharjah and work in Dubai.
Would you consider moving to Sharjah? Let us know in the comments below. And if you’d like to receive regular updates from us, subscribe to our newsletter.