Dubai International Airport (DXB)

Arrivals clear immigration, which may include biometric processing, then baggage, then customs.

• Check UAE visa requirements for your nationality before travelling; many nationalities receive visa on arrival.
• Terminal 2 is separate from Terminals 1 and 3 — a transfer requires leaving and travelling around the airfield.
• Very early-morning arrivals are common; plan how you will reach your hotel at that hour.

• Zug

  Dubai Metro (Red Line)

  Stations serve Terminals 1 and 3, running along Sheikh Zayed Road through the city.

  The metro does not run 24 hours — check the first and last train times for your arrival.

• Taxi

  Airport taxis

  Official metered taxis queue outside every terminal.

  Use the official rank; fares are metered with an airport surcharge.

• Fahrdienste

  Ride-hailing

  Careem and Uber operate in Dubai with designated pickup areas.

• Bus

  Public buses

  RTA bus routes serve the terminals; cheapest option but slower.

• Mietwagen

  Rental cars

  Rental desks operate in the arrivals halls; driving standards and tolls (Salik) are worth reading up on first.

A Nol card is needed for metro and public buses and can be bought at the station.

DXB is built for transfers; connecting passengers stay airside and follow 'Transfer' signage.

• Terminal 3 concourses are linked by internal trains — walking distances are long.
• Transfer security screening applies even without leaving airside.
• Terminal 2 transfers are effectively a separate journey — allow substantial time.

Free Wi-Fi is available in the passenger terminals.

• Connect to the airport's public network and follow the sign-in page.
• Treat public airport Wi-Fi as untrusted — avoid banking and account logins.
• An eSIM activated before you fly means you are online the moment you land, without hunting for a network.

The UAE uses the dirham (AED); cards are widely accepted.

• ATMs and exchange counters are available in all terminals; airport exchange rates are usually mediocre.
• Decline dynamic currency conversion and pay in dirhams.
• The UAE has conservative laws on alcohol, medication and public behaviour — check restricted-medication rules before arriving.

Terminal 3 has extensive 24-hour dining airside; Terminals 1 and 2 have fewer options.

• Food courts remain open through the night for the early-morning departure banks.

Emirates, partner and pay-per-use lounges operate across the terminals.

• Some lounges are concourse-specific — confirm which concourse yours is in.

Hotels operate inside the airside area of Terminals 1 and 3, plus many hotels nearby.

• Airside hotels are useful for long layovers without a visa requirement.

Left-luggage services operate in the terminals.

• Report delayed baggage to your airline's baggage services desk before leaving.
• Check UAE customs restrictions — some items and medications are controlled.

Family rooms, nurseries and children's play areas are available.

• Request accessibility assistance through your airline in advance.

• Charging points
• Showers
• Sleep pods
• Pharmacies
• Prayer rooms
• Medical centre
• Luggage storage
• SIM / mobile shops

Lokale Notrufnummer: 999 police · 998 ambulance

• A 24-hour medical centre operates at the airport.
• Report a lost passport to police and contact your embassy or consulate in the UAE.

• Prüfen Sie die Gültigkeit Ihres Reisepasses und ob ein Visum, eine ETA oder eine Einreiseerklärung erforderlich ist.
• Bestätigen Sie am Vortag Ihr Abflugterminal auf Ihrer Bordkarte.
• Aktivieren Sie eine Reise-eSIM, damit Sie sofort nach der Landung online sind.
• Laden Sie Offline-Karten herunter und machen Sie einen Screenshot Ihrer Hoteladresse und Buchungsreferenz.
• Informieren Sie Ihre Bank über Ihre Reise und führen Sie eine Ersatz-Zahlungskarte mit sich.
• Speichern Sie die lokale Notrufnummer und die Kontaktdaten Ihrer Botschaft auf Ihrem Telefon.
• Fotografieren Sie Ihren Reisepass und speichern Sie die Kopie an einem Ort, auf den Sie offline zugreifen können.
• Prüfen Sie die Gepäckbestimmungen und eventuelle eingeschränkte Gegenstände für Ihr Reiseziel.

Der Flughafenbetrieb ändert sich. Bestätigen Sie Terminals, Tarife und Fahrpläne immer mit den unten genannten offiziellen Quellen, bevor Sie reisen.

• Dubai Airports official siteOffizielle Flughafenquelle
• UAE visa informationRegierungsquelle
• Dubai CustomsRegierungsquelle
• Dubai RTA — metro, bus and taxiOffizielle Verkehrsbetriebe
• UAE justice and safety informationRegierungsquelle
• Visit DubaiRegierungsquelle