A Comprehensive Guide to the Dubai Airport

Spread across 7,200 acres of land, and ranked as one of the busiest airports in the world, Dubai airport can get a little taxing for people if they are unaware of the airport facilities or their whereabouts. Here is your comprehensive guide to the Dubai airport, covering almost everything that you should know.

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Terminals at Dubai Airport

Three main terminals and the Dubai World Central is where the airlines at Dubai International Airport operate from.

• Terminal 1: Operates all international flights, except for Emirates and Qantas
• Terminal 2: Operates regional, low-cost carriers and Fly Dubai flights
• Terminal 3 - Dubai International (DXB): Qatar Airways, Gulf Air, Qantas and Emirates flights
• Dubai World Central: Qatar Airways, Gulf Air and Wizz Air.  

Travelling between Terminals

Terminal 1 and 3 are well-connected, and takes 5 to 30 minutes on foot, depending on which part of the terminal you are in. Alternatively, you can use the metro or the 24-hours free shuttle buses, operating every 20 minutes, taking about 15 to 20 minutes. Transferring from Terminal 2? Collect your luggage first and move to respective terminals, using public or private transport.  While travelling from Dubai International to Dubai World Centre, or vice versa, go through immigration, collect your luggage and then cover the 64 km in about 40 minutes by bus (available in plenty 24x7.)

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Getting In and Out of Dubai Airport

 Metered, reasonably priced and driven by courteous drivers, taxis are the best option. You can hail them down the road, or easily order for one at the airport. They are usually cream in colour, and those with pink rims are driven by female drivers. Also available are the metros from Terminal 1 and 3, which are convenient and cost-effective, and run every 10 minutes. Besides this, a number of buses arrive and leave from opposite Terminals 1, 2 and 3. Remember to purchase the NOI card from a nearby metro station, as buses do not accept cash.

Taking Care of your Luggage

Terminal 1 and 3 have 24x7 short-term baggage storage facility, where you will be charged anything between AED 20 to 25 for a few hours, depending on the size of the baggage.  Porters are also available at terminals to ferry your luggage.

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Things to Do at Dubai Airport

You can easily spend hours at the Dubai Airport. If you are at Terminal 3, visit the Zen Gardens, or opt for a luxurious spa or beauty treatments at the gorgeous Timeless Spa—one of the best facilities at Dubai airport.

Go on a Shopping Spree

Spread across 26,000 square meters, the Duty-Free Mall at Terminal 3 is an experience in itself. This is the only place where you can officially purchase alcohol in Dubai. Perfumes, jewellery, gold and electronic items are a must-check-and-buy. Lucky at lotteries or raffles? Try a hand, and you just may win a Bentley or a Porsche! Besides this, there are few other shops at Terminal 1 and 2 for you to check out.   

Eating at Dubai Airport

Terminal 1 and 2 have a wide selection of restaurants and bars, including McDonald's (for burgers), Jashan (for Indian cuisine), Bistro (for Lebanese), and Tansu Kitchen (For Chinese and Mongolian Barbeque). Located between Gates 113 and 115 at Terminal 1 is the food court offering about 25 options. Food Court at Terminal 3 is spread across 2000 square meter, housing Costa Coffee, Burger King, Starbucks and a host of other restaurant and bars, which are open 24x7.  

Rest, Recoup and Freshening Up

While there are reserved private lounges, Marhaba at Terminal 1, 2 and 3 is open for all. It comes at a cost though, unless complimentary! Here you can shower, enjoy a hot meal buffet, and relax on comfortable massage chairs. If you are looking to catch up on sleep, head for the Snooze Cube, which are like mini-hotel rooms, completely soundproofed and equipped with TV, music, Wi-Fi and clean, comfortable beds. They charge by the hour. Else, book into the five-star Dubai International Hotel, located within the airport.

Free showers are available at Terminal 3, between Gates A1 - A24 and Gates B13 - B19; and at Terminal 1, between Gates C18 - C22. Business and first-class lounges have their own private showers.

Entertainment and Recreation for Children

A newly built children’s area at Terminal 3 (near gates B27 and B 7) comes equipped with the latest toys and play equipment, interactive game zones, and huge TV screens showcasing their favourite shows. For toddlers, there are special changing rooms, in case parents wish to use them.

Banking and ATM Services

ATMs are present in each terminal building. 24-hour bureaux de change facilities are located near gates 8, 18, 22 and 24. Dubai Duty-Free also offers passengers with foreign exchange and banking services. Touch-screen internet kiosks are available for credit payments.

Tackling medical emergencies

There is a fully equipped medical centre, functional 24x7, located on the ground level of Terminal 1, near gate 13. Pharmacies are also located at multiple locations across Terminal 1 and 3.

Smoking and Non-smoking Zones

Dubai Airport is a non-smoking zone, but there are ventilated smoking rooms located at Terminal 3 - Gates A2, A23, B7, B27, C9, C23; Terminal 2 – Departure Gates; and Terminal 1 – Gate D22. 

Care for Specially-Abled People

Between rows A and B at all the departure halls, there are desks dedicated to specially-abled people. Electric carts have also been deployed, enabling them to travel easily within the airport. There are dedicated lounges for specially-abled travellers near Gates 9 and 22.

Important Contact Numbers

• Information Desk @ (+971) 04 224 5252
• Call a cab @ +971 04 208 0808
• Medical facilities @ +971 04 216 4950.
• Special assistance for disabled people @ +971 04 216 2016

Read more: Dubai - A quick and handy travel guide

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