Dubai is located on the southeast coast of the Persian Gulf. It is the capital of the Emirate of Dubai, one of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The most convenient route to Dubai is by air to Dubai International Airport (DXB), located about 14km (9mi) northeast of Downtown Dubai (Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall), and about 31km (19mi) from Dubai Marina.
The following are the most convenient and quickest routes to Dubai International Airport (DXB), Dubai.
From Australia: Emirates offers the most convenient daily scheduled flights to Dubai.
Adelaide to Dubai is 13 hrs 10 min, direct flight
Brisbane to Dubai is 14 hrs 10 min, direct flight
Sydney to Dubai is 14 hrs 10 min, direct flight
Melbourne to Dubai is 14 hrs, direct flight
Perth to Dubai is 11 hrs, direct flight
From New Zealand: Emirates offers the most convenient daily scheduled flight to Dubai.
Auckland to Dubai is 17 hrs 5 min, direct flight
From Singapore: Singapore Airlines and Emirates offer the most convenient daily scheduled flights to Dubai.
Singapore to Dubai is 7 hrs 10 min, direct flight
From United Kingdom: British Airways and Emirates offer the most convenient daily flights to Dubai.
London to Dubai is 6 hrs 50 min, direct flight
Manchester to Dubai is 6 hrs 55 min, direct flight
From Ireland: Emirates offers the most convenient daily flights to Dubai.
Dublin to Dubai is 7 hrs 25 min, direct flight
From France: Air France and Emirates offer the most convenient daily flights to Dubai.
Paris to Dubai is 6 hr 35 min, direct flight
From Germany: Emirates and Lufthansa offer the most convenient flights to Dubai.
Dusseldorf to Dubai is 6 hrs 25 min, direct flight
Frankfurt to Dubai is 6 hrs 15 min, direct flight
Hamburg to Dubai is 6 hrs 15 min, direct flight
Munich to Dubai is 5 hrs 55 min, direct flight
Berlin to Dubai is 7 hrs 55 min, connecting flightˆ
From United States: Emirates, JetBlue Airways, British Airways and KLM offer the most convenient daily flights to Dubai.
Boston to Dubai is 12 hrs 15 min, direct flight
Chicago to Dubai is 13 hrs 25 min, direct flight
Dallas-Fort Worth to Dubai is 14 hrs 45 min, direct flight
New York to Dubai is 12 hrs 30 min, direct flight
Los Angeles to Dubai is 15 hrs 50 min, direct flight
San Francisco to Dubai is 15 hrs 40 min, direct flight
Atlanta to Dubai is 15 hrs 59 min, connecting flightˆ
From Canada: Air Canada, Air Transat, Delta Air Lines and Emirates offer the most convenient daily flights to Dubai.
Toronto to Dubai is 13 hrs, direct flight
Montreal to Dubai is 14 hrs 40 min, connecting flightˆ
Vancouver to Dubai is 16 hrs 50 min, connecting flightˆ
(ˆincludes transfer time.)
Dubai International Airport (DXB) is located about 14km (9mi) northeast of Downtown Dubai (Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall), and about 31km (19mi) from Dubai Marina.
Transfers between terminals take 15 to 25 minutes using the airport shuttle service or airport train.
Terminal 1, which serves most non-Emirates international flights, is connected to its departures area (Concourse D) via travelators.
Terminal 2 is used primarily for charter flights, low-cost carriers, and some routes within the Gulf region.
Terminal 3 (and its Concourses A, B and C) is solely for Emirates and Qantas flights.
Taxi: Prepaid taxis can be booked 24 hours a day or flagged down at any of the terminals. The charge for each km is AED1.96 plus an AED25 flag charge from the airport.
The journey to the downtown area takes 10 to 15 minutes with an average fare of AED50.
Bus: Bus services run to the city centre from stations opposite Terminals 1, 2 and 3. Buses arrive and leave from stands opposite Terminal 1,2 and 3. For routes and times, visit the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) (tel: +971 800 9090; www.rta.ae).
Note that no change can be used on public buses; instead travellers will need to buy an electronic Nol card at the metro station or from the vending machines outside the terminal.
In addition, Dubai International Airport Buses provide air-conditioned transport into the city centre and more than 80 hotels.
Emirates also offers a complimentary coach service, which operates three daily services to and from Al Ain, and four daily, to and from Abu Dhabi.
Etihad Courtesy Shuttle bus operates a frequent daily service between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, taking about 1 hour 40 minutes.
Rail: The Metro link runs frequently between the airport and Dubai city centre (Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall) – although there are no service runs on Friday mornings. Stations are located in Terminals 1 and 3.
Journey time to the city is between 10 and 20 minutes, depending on the destination, and the fare is usually less than AED5.
There are numerous car hire companies available in the arrivals areas of all terminals, including Budget, Dollar, Europcar, Hertz, and Sixt, as well as a number of local operators.
Money: Banking services, ATMs and bureaux de change are available from a number of banks in each terminal and within the concourses. Dubai Duty Free also offers foreign currency exchange, banking and internet facilities.
Food: A large range of cafés, bars and restaurants are located in Concourses A, B, C and D.
The food court in Concourse C is home to a range of fast-food outlets, Concourse A has a good range of restaurants that serve Asian and Western food and bars, while Concourse B offers wider range of dining choices. Concourse D has a wide range of fast food outlets, café, and restaurants that serve international cuisine.
The public areas of Terminals 1 and 3 host a good range of eateries, while Terminal 2 has a small selection of cafés, restaurants and fast-food outlets.
Shopping: A large selection of duty-free shops are located at Dubai International Airport throughout Concourses A, B, C and D with a smaller choice in Terminals 1 and 2. Shops here range from newsagents to outlets selling designer clothes and watches.
Wi-Fi: Unlimited, free, high-speed Wi-Fi internet access is available to passengers in all terminals and at the gates. Touch-screen internet kiosks, which take credit card payments, are located in Concourse C.
There is a 24-hour post office near gate 18 on Concourse C.
Other: Other facilities at Dubai International Airport include prayer rooms, showering facilities and fully equipped medical centres in all terminals and concourses.
Those with some time before their flight can relax in the spas in Concourse B. Additionally, the on-site Dubai International Hotel offers access to their swimming pool, Jacuzzi and gym for a fee.
There is a dedicated business lounge in Concourse C with work areas and shower facilities, and Emirates lounges in the Terminal 3 departure concourses. Several first, business-class lounges and VIP lounges are available throughout the airport.
Note: access to the luxury Marhaba lounges (tel: +971 4389 8989) in Terminals 1 and 3 should be arranged at least 24-hours in advance.
The Al Majlis VIP Service (tel: +971 4504 5196) is available in Terminal 3 and encompasses various lounges, limousine transfers to the aircraft and assistance with check-in, immigration and baggage.
There are helpdesks for passengers with disabilities (tel: +971 4224 5555) in the main Terminal 1 departures hall. Electric carts are available to transport passengers to/from the concourses, where disabled passengers can access special lounges.
Passengers should request assistance (prior to travelling) from their airline, which will in turn notify the airport of any particular needs.
A passport valid for at least six months beyond intended period of stay as well as a ticket for return or onward travel. Generally, a visa is issued on arrival for a stay of up to 30 days; extensions are possible.
Note: Holders of passports containing an Israeli visa need to obtain a clearance from the C.I.D. (Crime Investigation Deptartment) before arrival.
Taxis are plentiful and the best way of getting around the city and the suburbs. Hiring a car is a good option if you plan on going further afield.
Latest update: How to get to Dubai: 11 May, 2022
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