Dubai International Airport (DXB) serves as the Middle East’s busiest airport and consistently ranks among the top worldwide for total passengers. It remains the world’s busiest for international passengers, a position it has held for 11 consecutive years. Its geographic sweet spot puts it within a four-hour flight of a third of the world’s population and within an eight-hour flight of two-thirds. When I visited for the first time as a transit passenger en route from London Heathrow to Bangkok, I was pleasantly surprised by how seamless the process was. Despite handling massive passenger volumes, the airport rarely feels crowded thanks to a well-organized layout and efficient staff.
A central location
DXB sits just 2.9 miles from the city center in the Al Garhoud district, near the historic Deira quarter. I love the aerial views from this airport, which show the futuristic city flanked by the Arabian Gulf and the endless, golden desert. Book a window seat and look out for landmarks including Palm Jumeirah and Palm Jebel Ali, and Burj Khalifa (the world’s tallest building).
Getting to and from the airport
The easiest ways to travel between the airport and the city are by metro or taxi. Both are straightforward and readily available, so you can pick what works best for your budget and schedule.
Metro
Dubai’s metro is known for being spotless and efficient. It’s also refreshingly simple to navigate since it only has two lines. Terminals 1 and 3 both have a station on the Red Line, making it an easy and cheap way to get to the city center. You can buy single tickets at the station or grab a Nol card with prepaid credit for more journeys around the city.
Fares are very reasonable, and if it’s your first time visiting Dubai I highly recommend paying a little extra for a seat in the Gold Class carriage. Located at the front of the train, it has a huge front window with great views of the city. There’s also a carriage exclusively for women and children.
Taxi
If your flight departs or arrives in the early morning, the metro might not be running yet. Metro passengers are also limited to one large suitcase (not exceeding 81cm x 58cm x 30cm) and one carry-on bag (not exceeding 55cm x 38cm x 20cm). If you have a lot of luggage or just prefer to travel in private, a taxi is your best bet. You’ll find well-signposted, official taxi ranks at each terminal that operate 24/7.
I love that in Dubai, the cream-colored taxis have a pink roof if they’re operated by a female driver. After a taxi hijacking incident in Tanzania, I often worry about taking a taxi alone in a new city, and this is an amazing way to help put female visitors at ease. No matter which taxi you choose, fares are metered, standardized and subject to an additional airport surcharge (starting at AED 25 from the airport).
Car rental and parking
If you plan on exploring Dubai by car, you’ll find a choice of rental companies in all three terminals, including internationally trusted names such as Avis, Dollar, Hertz and Thrifty.
In terms of parking, Terminals 1 and 2 both offer a premium car park and a more affordable economy car park, with the main difference being the walking distance to the terminal. Terminal 3 has multi-level car parking facilities within walking distance. While there isn’t a facility explicitly named “long-term parking,” the economy car parks offer long-term rates (AED 85/day for economy at T1) and are recommended for extended stays. Daily rates add up quickly, so public transport is usually the smarter move for longer trips.
Navigating the airport
The airport connects with over 100 international carriers, offering flights to 262 destinations across 104 countries across three terminals. Terminal 1 houses D-Gates for international flights, while Terminal 2 handles F-Gates for regional and charter flights. Terminal 3 is the largest, with three concourses (A-Gates, B-Gates and C-Gates) and separate drop-off and check-in desks for First and Business Class passengers.
This terminal is predominantly reserved for Emirates flights, since the UAE flag carrier accounts for roughly half of all passenger traffic and is based at DXB. However, a few other airlines (flydubai, Qantas, United Airlines and Air Canada also fly from here.
You can walk to F-, B- and C-Gates, but you’ll need to take an airport train to reach the D-Gates in Terminal 1 and A-Gates in Terminal 3. Airside transfers are handled automatically for connecting flights. For landside transfers, you can hop in a taxi or ride the metro between Terminals 1 and 3. If you need assistance, simply ask one of the many airport staff wearing a “May I Help You” vest.
Useful services
Wi-Fi is fast, free and unlimited throughout DXB. Other convenient services in each terminal range from currency exchange bureaus to baby care rooms, medical centers, 24-hour pharmacies, Muslim prayer rooms and smoking rooms. Luggage trolleys are free, while porters, bag wrapping and short-term luggage storage (available 24/7 at all three terminals) are offered for a small fee. You can even find complimentary showers in Terminal 3, specifically between gates B13 and B19.
Lounges at DXB
The airport excels in the wide choice of airport lounges. Some are reserved for passengers on specific airlines (Emirates has multiple lounges, British Airways has a new lounge in Terminal 1, and Gulf Air has its Falcon Gold Lounge), while others serve Business and First Class passengers on any airline. The latter category includes the Ahlan Lounges for First and Business Class passengers, with locations in Terminal 3 (Concourses A, B and C) and Terminal 1 (Concourse D).
There are also several pay-per-use options for travelers in any class on any airline. It’s a good idea to book these in advance for the best rates and to guarantee access. My personal favorite is the Plaza Premium Lounge in Terminal 3 (located airside between Gates A2-A3), which stands out for its contemporary Arabic decor and live cooking stations.
I also like that this lounge offers private family suites for up to six guests, each with butler service. Standard offerings in all lounges include comfortable seating, work stations, showers and complimentary food and drink. The quality can vary, for example, Emirates Business Class Lounge guests can expect a Moët & Chandon Champagne Lounge in Concourse B for Champagne and canapé pairings.
If you’re traveling for business, the pay-per-use Their Patio lounge in Terminal 3 offers resources like meeting rooms, co-working spaces and printing services. The Dubai International Hotel also offers various business amenities.
Diverse drinking and dining
With numerous spots to eat and drink spread across the three terminals, you won’t go hungry. As with most things, Terminal 3 offers extensive dining options. From North American fast food to Asian a la carte dining and healthy juice bars, there’s something for every taste.
My favorites include Asian Street Kitchen (located in Terminal 3, A Gates) for made-to-order noodles and dumplings, and The Sports Shack for its pool table, sports screens and Western pub fare (a lifesaver when traveling with fussy kids). A quick note on alcohol: while it’s readily available in licensed restaurants and bars, be careful not to over-indulge, as being intoxicated in public is illegal in Dubai.
An upscale shopping experience
Let’s be honest, the shopping at DXB isn’t going to reinvent the wheel, but you’ll find plenty of options. Dubai Duty Free outlets are everywhere throughout the terminals. Inside, you’ll find everything from perfume and electronics to liquor and tobacco.
The airport also has a solid lineup of luxury boutiques and internationally known fashion houses are particularly well represented, so if your budget stretches to high-end brands, you’re in luck.
Ways to spend a layover
I’m often surprised that such a busy and well-serviced airport has relatively few recreational offerings. The focus is really on retail and restaurants. However, there are a couple of fun options: Game Space, a 24-hour gaming lounge in Terminal 3 (specifically Concourse B), and several spa outlets in Terminals 1 and 3 offering massages and beauty treatments between flights, including Timeless Spa, XpresSpa, World of Wellness, and Be Relax.
Options for catching up on sleep
If you have a long layover or a late arrival, you can check in at the 5-star Dubai International Hotel without clearing customs. It’s located in Terminal 3 and accepts both hourly and overnight bookings. The hotel offers a Meet & Assist service (Ahlan Meet & Assist) for guests, which makes arriving in a new country a lot less stressful. Other facilities include dining options, the Timeless Spa, and G Force Health Club with a gym, heated indoor pool, jacuzzi and steam room.
DXB also offers Sleep ‘n Fly lounges at Concourses A, B and C in Terminal 3, and in Terminal 1 (Concourse D). I love the idea of these lounges, where you can find some peace and privacy in various sleeping options including Igloo Sleep Pods, FlexiSuite Pods and YAWN Cabins available in single, double or bunk bed configurations. Some locations, such as the one in Terminal 3 Concourse B, even have showers. However, considering the cost and limited space, I think a conventional hotel room offers better value for your money.
Major changes on the horizon
A heads-up for future travel: DXB is set to be replaced by the new Al Maktoum International Airport (also known as Dubai World Central), which will be the world’s largest when fully operational with a capacity of up to 260 million passengers, 400 gates, and five runways. Work has begun on a new AED128 billion passenger terminal with Phase 1 (150 million passenger capacity) targeted for completion in the next decade. The airport will gradually take over all operations from DXB in the coming years.
This KAYAK-commissioned article is presented as-is, for general informational purposes only, and may not be up-to-date. The opinions contained in the article are original to the author and reflect their authentic experience, which may vary significantly from the experience of others.
