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.

• Train

  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.

• Ride-hailing

  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.

• Car rental

  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

Local emergency number: 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.

• Check your passport validity and any visa, ETA or entry declaration required.
• Confirm your departure terminal on your boarding pass the day before.
• Activate a travel eSIM so you are online the moment you land.
• Download offline maps and screenshot your hotel address and booking reference.
• Tell your bank you are travelling and carry a backup payment card.
• Save the local emergency number and your embassy contact in your phone.
• Photograph your passport and store the copy somewhere you can reach offline.
• Check baggage allowance and any restricted items for your destination.

Airport operations change. Always confirm terminals, fares and timetables with the official sources below before you travel.

• Dubai Airports official siteOfficial airport source
• UAE visa informationGovernment source
• Dubai CustomsGovernment source
• Dubai RTA — metro, bus and taxiOfficial transit source
• UAE justice and safety informationGovernment source
• Visit DubaiGovernment source