Dubai International Airport Guide

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Dubai International Airport

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Dubai - United Arab Emirates

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Phone +971 4 224 5555

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Dubai International Airport operated with more than 86 million customers in 2019, making it one of the world’s busiest airports for international passengers and the sixth busiest cargo airport. Concourse D serves all international airlines which operate in Terminal 1. While Concourse A is used exclusively by Emirates Airlines in Terminal 3.

Dubai International Airport Code, Location, and Contact Information

• Airport Code: DXB
• Location: Dubai International Airport is located in the Al Garhoud district, just 2.5 miles east of Dubai (around 20 minutes from the city center)
• Phone number: +971 4 224 5555
• Website: https://www.dubaiairports.ae
• Flight Tracker: https://ar.flightaware.com/live/airport/OMDB

Know Before You Go

Dubai International Airport consists of 3 terminals. Terminals 1 and 3 are connected and passengers can change terminals by foot or rail system without going through security twice. Terminal 2 is located separately from the other two but is accessible via shuttle buses, which takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes depending on if leaving from Terminal 1 or 3. Additionally, there is the Executive Flight Terminal, which is located next to Terminal 2. It hosts flights for high-end and premium travelers.

It’s a good idea to look up which terminal your flight is arriving at and departing from if you have a connecting flight to ensure enough time to move about from terminal to terminal. Emirates mostly operates out of Terminal 3 in Concourse A and can handle more than 19 million passengers. Terminal 1 has three floors and hosts about 60 international carriers while Terminal 2 operates mostly flights coming and departing to and from countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar).

Dubai International Airport Parking

Dubai International Airport has short and long-term parking lots in front of each terminal. Short term parking is most ideal if you are planning to be the airport for 5 hours or less. Anything longer than 5 hours and you should take the long term parking option. Airport shuttle buses are available to move you from the long term parking area, which can be a bit further away from the terminals.

Both Terminals 1 and 2 offer premium parking, which is located closer to the terminals, and economy parking which is located around a 10-minute walk from the terminals. The fee for the economy parking lots ranges from $5 for the first hour up to $20 for the day. Premium ranges from $7.50 for the first hour up to $30 for the day.

Driving Directions

The Dubai International Airport is located in the Al Garhoud district, which is about 2.9 miles (5 kilometers) east of downtown Dubai. It can be accessed either off the Airport Road (D89), which runs in a south-easterly direction from Dubai city center, on the eastern side of Dubai Creek or, via Al Quds Street, which runs across the northern border of Dubai Airport.

Beirut Street also runs along the eastern side of the Dubai Airport. It’s an additional road that leads to the terminal building access roads. Dubai International Airport is also located directly across from the number 11 motorway and Dubai Shopping Center.

Public Transportation and Taxis

The Dubai Metro is the easiest option to transport to DXB. It connects the airport to the city via two lines that operate from 6 a.m. until 11 p.m. during the week and from 1 p.m. until midnight on Fridays. The hours of operation may differ during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. The Red Line stations are located at Terminals 1 and 3, while the Green Line station is located near the Airport Free Zone, which passengers can use to access Terminal 2.

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) also operates buses that connect to the airport. The bus stations are located at the arrivals hall in each of the three terminals at the airport. The F04 Feeder bus departs from Terminal 2 and connects DXB to downtown. While the C01 bus departs from Terminal 3, it connects the airport with the Al Satwa bus station, which can be used to get to Dubai central.

Lastly, government taxis are a viable option through the Dubai Taxi Agency. Taxis depart from the arrivals hall of each terminal of the airport and are available 24 hours a day. There is a $5 service charge fee, and an additional $0.50 per kilometer traveled.

Where to Eat and Drink

Being a world-renown airport hub, there's a vast offering of foods from around the globe for an international traveler at Dubai International Airport. Each terminal has a mix of bars, cafes, and restaurants to choose from no matter your dining pleasure.

At Terminal 1, some of the dining options include Chowking Orient Restaurant, Nestle Toll House Cafe, and JB Co. For those looking for a quick bite or morning joe, Costa Coffee and Starbucks are available.

At Terminal 2, an even greater amount of dining options is available for the discerning traveler. Taste of India, McDonald's, Bombay Chowpatty, Subway, Krispy Kreme, and even Pulp Juice Bar are accessible.

Handy snacks and bites are offered at Terminal 3 including Giraffe, Jack's Bar & Grill, Le Pain Quotidien, and Ocean Basket. Upscale dining options are also located in Terminal 3 such as Red Carpet Cafe & Seafood Bar, Caviar House, Wafi Gourmet Restaurant Lebanese cuisine, and Moet & Chandon Champagne Bar, which is inside of the Emirates business class lounge in concourse B.

Where to Shop

Considering that Dubai is known for its opulent shopping options like the Dubai Mall, then it is no surprise that the airport would also be a hub for fabulous shopping. From top-end designer clothing shops to perfume and even confectionary, the duty-free shops located at all three terminals in Dubai International Airport has it all.

Some of the high-end jewelers are located within the duty-free shopping area at Terminal 3 including Pandora, Swarovski, and Bvlgari. Terminal 1, specifically, offers an area for gold and additional fine jewels. Each terminal offers technology shops such as Du and Etisalat.

One of the top-selling items within DXB’s duty-free shopping areas include perfumes from luxury brands like Armani, Prada, Dior, Tom Ford, and Diesel. Luggage and suitcases are also available widely throughout the duty-free shopping areas carrying brands such as Samsonite, Diesel, and Porsche. Therefore, don’t fret if you didn’t bring enough bags with you to stuff with your shopping items, just buy a new one. High fashion brands such as Chanel are available in Terminal 3.

Alcohol and cigarettes are also available within duty-free as well. Nevertheless, please note that the passengers are allowed to carry 1 liter of spirits or 2 liters of fortified wine when leaving the airport.

Wi-Fi and Charging Stations

DXB offers unlimited, free, high-speed internet throughout its terminals. In order to get connected you just follow three simple steps. First, select "DXB Free Wi-Fi" from the network list. Secondly, open your web browser and then just click "Get online now. It’s a simple, and fast process to get you online to connect with your family and friends across the globe while traveling. Mobile charging stations are also readily available throughout the airport.

Dubai International Tips and Tidbits

• DXB offers baby care rooms in order for travelers to have privacy to take care of the needs of children. You can head to the Information Zones or ask the "May I Help You" staff around the airport grounds to assist you in finding the rooms.
• Prayer rooms and ablution rooms are available throughout the airport and in the car park areas.
• Terminals 1 and 3 offer baggage storage services. The storage areas can be located on maps in the terminals. Fees are around $5 for 12 hours or less to hold standard-sized luggage (maximum dimensions of 21 x 24 x 11 inches). The fees are $7.50 for 12 hours or less for non-standard size luggage (larger than 21 x 24 x 11 inches).
• Showers are located in Terminal 3 between gates B13 and B19 in order to refresh after long, exhausting flights. Customers of Be Relax spa services also have access to the shower facilities at the spa near Gate A1, Terminal 3.
• Special assistance is available to passengers with restricted mobility and special needs. Just inform your airline in advance for assistance.
• Customers can now utilize home check-in services, thus allowing you to enjoy more time at DXB using the facilities. Passengers flying from Terminal 1 or 2 can use DUBZ powered by dnata to check-in, while people traveling from Terminal 3 can take access home check-in service from Emirates.