Overview
Dubai International Airport – Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Dubai International Airport (IATA: DXB, ICAO: OMDB) is the main international airport serving Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Located close to central Dubai, DXB is one of the world's busiest international airports and a major global hub connecting travellers across the Middle East, Asia, Europe, Africa, the Americas and Australia.
The airport is a major gateway for travellers visiting Dubai and the wider United Arab Emirates, including popular areas such as Downtown Dubai, Deira, Bur Dubai, Dubai Marina, Jumeirah and Palm Jumeirah.
Dubai International Airport has three passenger terminals — Terminal 1, Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 — serving a large network of international airlines. Terminal 3 is primarily associated with Emirates and selected partner airline operations.
For official airport information, passengers can refer to the Dubai Airports website.
At a glance
Airport Information
- Airport Name
- Dubai International Airport
- Also Known As
- Dubai Airport / Dubai International
- IATA Code
- DXB
- ICAO Code
- OMDB
- Location
- Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- Nearest Major City
- Dubai
- Airport Type
- International
- Country
- United Arab Emirates
- Passenger Terminals
- Terminal 1, Terminal 2 and Terminal 3
Arrivals
Arrivals at Dubai International Airport
Passengers arriving on international flights normally proceed through immigration, baggage collection and customs before entering the public arrivals area.
Passengers can find a wide range of services in and around the arrival areas, depending on the terminal, including:
Arrival Process
- 1Arrival at the terminal
- 2Follow signs to passport control
- 3Immigration and passport clearance
- 4Baggage collection
- 5Customs clearance
- 6Enter the arrivals hall
- 7Currency exchange, ATM or mobile connectivity if required
- 8Taxi, ride-hailing, Metro, bus or other transportation
- 9Hotel or onward travel
Passengers should follow UAE immigration and Dubai Customs requirements and declare goods, currency or other items where required.
Arrival Facilities
- Currency exchange
- ATMs
- Mobile and telecom services
- Medical and accessibility assistance
- Duty-free and retail facilities
- Restaurants and refreshments
- Car rental
- Taxi services
- Ride-hailing services
- Metro access from Terminals 1 and 3
- Bus connections
- Information and guest services
- Hotel and accommodation services
Departures
Departures from Dubai International Airport
Passengers departing from Dubai should allow sufficient time for airline check-in, baggage drop, immigration, security screening and reaching the correct departure gate.
Because Dubai International Airport has three terminals and several concourses, travellers should check their airline, terminal and departure gate before travelling to the airport.
Dubai International Airport provides a wide range of facilities for departing passengers, including:
Departure Process
- 1Confirm your airline and terminal
- 2Arrive at Dubai International Airport
- 3Airline check-in
- 4Baggage drop
- 5Passport control / immigration
- 6Security screening
- 7Departure lounge
- 8Proceed to the boarding gate
- 9Flight departure
Departure Facilities
- Airline check-in facilities
- Self-service facilities where available
- Currency exchange
- ATMs
- Dubai Duty Free
- Restaurants and cafés
- Airport lounges
- Hotels and rest facilities
- Medical services
- Accessibility assistance
- Telecom services
- Car rental services
- VAT refund services where applicable
- Transit and connection facilities
Facilities vary by terminal and concourse.
Terminals
Terminals at Dubai International Airport
Dubai International Airport consists of three main passenger terminals.
Terminal 1
Terminal 1 serves many international airlines operating to and from Dubai. Its departure operations use the D Gates, which are connected to the main terminal by an airport train.
Passengers travelling on an airline using Terminal 1 should confirm the terminal shown on their ticket before arriving at DXB.
Terminal 2
Terminal 2 serves a range of regional and international flights.
Passengers using Terminal 2 should note that it is located separately from Terminals 1 and 3, so additional travel time may be required if changing terminals.
Terminal 3
Terminal 3 is primarily used by Emirates, with selected other airline operations also using its facilities.
Terminal 3 includes the A, B and C Gates. Passengers can walk between some gate areas, while airport trains provide connections to other concourses.
Always check your airline and flight details before travelling because terminal and gate assignments may change.
Transfers
Connecting Flights at Dubai International Airport
Dubai International Airport is one of the world's major international connecting hubs, with thousands of passengers transferring between flights every day.
Passengers travelling on a through-ticket will normally follow airport signs for Connections / Transfers after arrival.
Typical Transfer Process
- 1Leave the arriving aircraft
- 2Follow signs for Connections / Transfers
- 3Complete security screening where required
- 4Check the departure gate for the onward flight
- 5Travel to the correct concourse or terminal
- 6Proceed to the boarding gate
Passengers travelling on separate tickets may need to clear immigration, collect their baggage and check in again for the next flight. If your journey involves changing between Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC), you will need to clear immigration, collect your baggage and arrange transportation between the two airports. Always allow sufficient connection time and check the requirements of your airlines.
Getting into the city
Transportation from Dubai International Airport
Travellers arriving at DXB have several transportation options depending on their destination, budget and preferred level of convenience.
The main options include:
- Dubai Metro
- Dubai Taxi
- Uber
- Careem
- Bolt
- Public buses
- Hotel transfers
- Private transfers
- Car rental
Dubai Metro
The Dubai Metro Red Line provides one of the most convenient and affordable ways to travel between Dubai International Airport and many areas of Dubai.
Metro stations are available at:
The Red Line provides connections towards areas including:
Passengers can purchase tickets or a Nol card from ticket offices and vending machines.
Metro operating hours vary by day and may change during public holidays and special events, so passengers should check current Dubai RTA timings before travelling.
Airport Terminal 1
Airport Terminal 3
Deira
BurJuman
Dubai World Trade Centre
Downtown Dubai / Burj Khalifa
Business Bay
Mall of the Emirates
Dubai Internet City
Dubai Marina / DMCC
Ibn Battuta
Expo City area
Best for
- Solo travellers
- Budget-conscious travellers
- Travellers staying near Metro stations
- Passengers travelling to Downtown Dubai
- Travellers with manageable luggage
Dubai Taxi
Official Dubai taxis are available 24 hours a day from designated taxi ranks at Dubai International Airport.
Taxi ranks are available at each passenger terminal.
Airport taxi fares start with a special airport flag-fall charge, after which the fare is calculated according to the journey.
Taxi is one of the most convenient options for travellers carrying luggage or travelling directly to hotels and residential areas.
Best for
- Families
- Tourists with luggage
- Late-night arrivals
- Groups
- Direct hotel transfers
- Travellers staying away from Metro stations
Uber, Careem and Other Ride-Hailing Services
App-based transportation services are available for passengers arriving at Dubai International Airport.
Options may include:
Passengers should follow airport signs and the instructions in the relevant mobile app to locate the designated pickup area for their terminal.
Ride-hailing can be useful for travellers who prefer to book and pay for their journey through a mobile application.
Uber
Careem
Bolt
Public Bus
Dubai's RTA bus network provides public transportation connections between the airport and different parts of the city.
Bus routes and stops vary by terminal and destination.
Passengers planning to use public buses should check the latest route, timetable and Nol card requirements through Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority before travelling.
Public buses can be a useful lower-cost option, particularly for travellers whose destination is not directly served by the Metro.
Car Rental
Car rental companies operate at Dubai International Airport, with services available across the airport terminals.
Hiring a car may be suitable for travellers planning to explore Dubai or other emirates independently.
Travellers should ensure they meet UAE driving licence requirements and understand local road and parking regulations before renting a vehicle.
Where to go next
Transportation to Popular Areas in Dubai
Downtown Dubai / Burj Khalifa
Recommended options
- Dubai Metro
- Taxi
- Uber / Careem
- Private transfer
Downtown Dubai is home to major attractions including the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall.
The Red Line connects Airport Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 with Burj Khalifa / Dubai Mall Metro Station.
Deira
Recommended options
- Metro
- Taxi
- Uber / Careem
- Public bus
Deira is one of the closest major commercial and residential areas to Dubai International Airport.
Because of its proximity to DXB, Deira is convenient for short stays and travellers looking for accommodation close to the airport.
Bur Dubai
Recommended options
- Metro
- Taxi
- Uber / Careem
- Public bus
Bur Dubai is a popular area for hotels, restaurants, shopping and access to Dubai's historic districts.
Travellers using the Metro can connect between the Red and Green Lines at BurJuman or Union, depending on their destination.
Dubai Marina
Recommended options
- Dubai Metro
- Taxi
- Uber / Careem
- Private transfer
Dubai Marina is a popular waterfront area known for hotels, restaurants, beaches and entertainment.
The Metro is a convenient option for travellers staying close to stations in the Marina and Jumeirah Lakes Towers areas.
Palm Jumeirah
Recommended options
- Taxi
- Uber / Careem
- Private transfer
- Metro combined with local onward transportation
Palm Jumeirah is one of Dubai's best-known leisure and resort destinations.
Travellers carrying luggage may find a direct taxi or private transfer more convenient.
Jumeirah / Jumeirah Beach
Recommended options
- Taxi
- Uber / Careem
- Private transfer
- Bus connections where convenient
Jumeirah includes popular beaches, hotels, restaurants and residential areas.
Direct road transportation is often the easiest option because many parts of Jumeirah are not directly beside a Metro station.
Before you land
Tips for Travellers Arriving at DXB
- Confirm your arrival terminal before travelling.
- Keep your passport and travel documents easily accessible.
- Follow UAE immigration and customs requirements.
- Collect your baggage before leaving the arrivals area unless it is checked through to a connecting flight.
- Use official taxi ranks or reputable ride-hailing services.
- Purchase a Nol card if you plan to use Dubai Metro and public transport frequently.
- Check Metro operating hours if arriving late at night or early in the morning.
- Allow additional travel time during peak traffic periods.
- Check your hotel's exact location before choosing between Metro and taxi.
- If connecting to another flight, confirm whether you need to change terminals.
- If changing between DXB and DWC, allow substantial additional travel and check-in time.
Flights from Sri Lanka
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Common questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Dubai International Airport uses the IATA airport code DXB.
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DXB · Dubai Airport guide
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iCanFly is an independent Sri Lankan online travel booking platform and is not the official website of Dubai International Airport or Dubai Airports. Airport facilities, transportation services, terminal assignments, operating hours and other airport information are managed by the relevant airport, airline and transport authorities and may change. Passengers should confirm current information with Dubai Airports, their airline or the relevant transport provider before travelling.