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.

• Tren

  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.

• Transporte VTC

  Ride-hailing

  Careem and Uber operate in Dubai with designated pickup areas.

• Autobús

  Public buses

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

• Alquiler de coches

  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

Número de emergencia local: 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.

• Verifica la validez de tu pasaporte y cualquier visado, ETA o declaración de entrada requerida.
• Confirma tu terminal de salida en tu tarjeta de embarque el día anterior.
• Activa una travel eSIM para estar conectado nada más aterrizar.
• Descarga mapas sin conexión y haz una captura de pantalla de la dirección de tu hotel y la referencia de tu reserva.
• Informa a tu banco de que vas a viajar y lleva una tarjeta de pago de respaldo.
• Guarda el número de emergencia local y el contacto de tu embajada en tu teléfono.
• Fotografía tu pasaporte y guarda la copia en un lugar al que puedas acceder sin conexión.
• Comprueba la franquicia de equipaje y los artículos restringidos para tu destino.

Las operaciones aeroportuarias cambian. Confirma siempre las terminales, tarifas y horarios con las fuentes oficiales que se indican a continuación antes de viajar.

• Dubai Airports official siteFuente oficial del aeropuerto
• UAE visa informationFuente gubernamental
• Dubai CustomsFuente gubernamental
• Dubai RTA — metro, bus and taxiFuente oficial de transporte
• UAE justice and safety informationFuente gubernamental
• Visit DubaiFuente gubernamental