Dubai Airport Guide

Airport Lounges

Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships

Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there are lounges that you can enter by paying at the door, purchasing a lounge pass or through a lounge membership program. Visit the individual lounge page for more details about itself and how you can enter one of these lounge even with an economy class ticket!

Terminal 1

• Marhaba Lounge (D Gates) – Location: Airside, Concourse D. Showers are available ($). Pay at the Door • Prepaid lounge pass • Lounge membership programs.
• Ahlan Business Class Lounge – Location: Airside, Concourse D. Showers are available. Lounge Access: Prepaid lounge pass • Lounge membership programs.
• SkyTeam Lounge – Location: Concourse D, Airside. Showers are available ($). Lounge Access: Lounge membership programs.

Terminal 2

• Marhaba Lounge (F Gates) – Location: Airside, opposite Gates F3 and F4. Lounge Access: Pay at the Door • Prepaid lounge pass • Lounge membership programs.

Terminal 3

• Lounge at B – Location: Airside, Concourse B, Departure Level, East Side, next to Gate B26. Lounge Access: Prepaid lounge pass • Lounge membership programs.
• Marhaba Lounge (Concourse A) – Location: Airside, Concourse A, between gates A3 and A2. Showers are available ($). Lounge Access: Pay at the Door • Prepaid lounge pass • Lounge membership programs.
• Marhaba Lounge (Concourse B) – Location: Airside, Concourse B, Departure Level, East Side, next to Gate B26. Lounge Access: Prepaid lounge pass • Lounge membership programs.
• Marhaba Lounge (Concourse C) – Location: Airside, Concourse C, the East End of Terminal 1, between Gates C23 and C25. Showers are available ($). Lounge Access: Pay at the Door • Prepaid lounge pass • Lounge membership programs.
• The Gallery – Location: Airside, Concourse B, Level 4, near Gate B9.  Showers are available  Lounge Access: Prepaid lounge pass.
• Plaza Premium Lounge – Location: Airside, Concourse A, Level 4.  Hours: open 24 hours.  Lounge Access: Pay at the Door.

Related Pages: Dubai Airport Lounges

Dubai Airport Hotels, Sleep Pods, & Day Rooms

Quick Facts

• Nearest Hotel:  Inside the Airport
• Sleep Cabins & Pods: Yes
• Day Rooms: Yes
• Nearby Hotels with Free Shuttles: Yes

When the prospect of sleeping on the floor or in a chair is giving you nightmares, there is good news for those of you who are looking to sleep at Dubai Airport in comfort.   If you are on a layover, you don’t have to go through security as there are sleep pods and transit hotel offering both short-term and overnight rates.  On the landside, there are two hotels located within walking distance from Terminal 3.

Hotels inside Dubai Airport

These options are accessible to passengers in the transit/airside zone of the airport:

• Dubai International Hotel – Located inside the secure zone of the airport. This hotel is for transit passengers only. From Terminal 3, access the hotel in Concourse A, B and C. Hotel guests have no access to and cannot retrieve their checked luggage while staying in the hotel. Rates are available in 6, 12 and 18 hour packages.  » Check Rates
• Sleep n’ Fly Lounge – Igloo-style sleep pods and cabins that can accommodate 1 – 2 passengers. Rates are applicable based on check-in/out times.  Sample rates from: US$ 63 (cabins) for a 2 hour period. Pods are bookable by the hour with a 2 hour minimum. Locations: Terminal 1, Airside, D Gates • Terminal 3, Airside, A Gates • Terminal 3, Airside, C Gates.
  » Check Overnight Rates
  » Book a 3-6 Hour Stay
  
• Snooze Cube – Located inside Terminal 1, Airside, Concourse D at Gate D7. These 13 soundproofed compact rooms come with bed, TV, music selection, and internet. Rates start at AED 75 (about $21 USD) per hour for single cube and AED 100 (about $28 USD) per hour for shared cube. Minimum 2 hour stay required.

Hotels at the airport

To access these hotels, transit passengers will need to go through immigration/security:

• Holiday Inn Express Dubai Airport – Located opposite Terminal 3. Free 24-hour airport shuttle departs from the Arrivals Area.  » Check Rates
• Premier Inn Dubai International Airport – Located opposite Terminal 3. Free 24-hour airport shuttle bus.  » Check Rates

For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels near Dubai Airport that can be sorted by price, distance, traveller rating and popularity.

Airport WiFi/Internet

Free unlimited WiFi is available at Dubai International Airport. Connect to the “DXB Free WiFi” networks.

If you do not have a mobile device, internet kiosks are located beside Global Link (Gate C16) and Connect. These touch screen kiosks can be operated by those who have a Etisalat internet account or by swiping a credit card. Additional internet kiosks can found opposite the DCA First Class Lounge (Gate 9) and the Irish Village (Gate 23).

More Services, Facilities & Things To Do On A Layover At The Airport

Communications

• SIM Cards – A reader tells us “You [will receive] a free 1GB Sim card if you go through immigration that is valid for 24hrs.” (September 2022)
• WiFi – see “Airport WiFi/Internet” above.

Family Services

• Baby Care Facilities – To access one of the airport’s Baby Care rooms, go to one of the Information Zones or ask a “May I Help You?” staff member for assistance.
• Children’s Play Area – When you want to ensure your kids burn off all their energy before their flight, take them to the children’s play area. Location: Terminal 3, Airside, near Gates B26-B32.

Fitness

• Health Club – Passengers can use the swimming pool, jacuzzi, steam room, and gym on an hourly basis. Location: DIH Health Club, Airside, behind the Dubai International Hotel. Access points are Terminal 1, Gate 115 and Terminal 3, Concourse 2 (above the Emirates Business & First Class lounges). Service fees are (as of May 2023. Click here to send us the current rates.):
  • Shower – AED51.45
  • Nautilus Gym – AED 51.45
  • Gym + Shower – AED 84.00
  • All facilities (Gym, shower, Steam room, Jacuzzi, Pool): AED 78.75 (1 hour) • 115.50 (2 hours) • 147.00 (3 hours)

Food & Drinks

• Food & Drinks – All food and beverages concessions are open 24 hours including: McDonald’s • Baskin Robbins • Costa Coffee.

Information

• Information Desk – “one above each end of duty free airside T1. Landside has dedicated “May I help you?” staff walking around in blue polo shirts”. (submitted by a reader)

Luggage

• Luggage Storage & Lockers – Short term baggage storage is available in two areas of the airport: Terminal 1 (Arrivals – near RTA Taxi Area) • Terminal 3 (Arrivals – near Baby Changing area/washrooms). Hours: open 24 hours. Rates: from AED 40 – 50 (depending on the baggage size) every 12 hours.
• Luggage Trolleys – Have any questions? Luggage trolleys are available for use, free of charge, at any terminal.
• Luggage Wrapping – Protect your bags from theft and damage by having your bags wrapped in plastic. Fee: AED 30 per item at Terminals 1 and 2. AED 40 per item Terminal 3.
• Porters – If you need help with your luggage there are porters available to assist you. Rates: AED40 for a regular trolley and AED100 for a family size trolley. Pay the porter directly.

Medical Services

• Medical Centre – First aid and emergency medical attention is available at two locations: Terminal 1, below Gate C13 or Fox 7 • Terminal 3, between Fox 22-23, Level 0. You can also ask any of the “May I Help Staff” for assistance, they will get you the attention you need. Hours: 24 hours.
• Pharmacy – Boots (Location: Terminal 3, Departures, B Gates) • DDF Pharmacy (Location: multiple locations in Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 Departures). Hours: At the time of this update, hours were not known per location; however there  are pharmacies open 24 hours.

Mobile Charging

• Mobile Charging – A reader tells us that mobile charging points with USB and three pin plugs are widely available around many of the gates and concourses. (November 2019)

Pro Tip – Demand for charging points is high, so pick an unused gate!

Money

• ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs are available. Fees may apply, so be sure to check your bank’s fee schedule and your daily withdrawal limit if you are travelling internationally. You may also want to notify your bank of your travel plans. Locations: Terminals 1, 2 and 3.
• Currency Exchange – There are foreign exchange counters open 24 hours in Terminals 1, 2 and 3 (Airside).

Prayer

• Prayer Rooms – Muslim prayer rooms are located throughout the airport and car park. Ablution facilities are available.

Rest & Relaxation

• Hotels – see “Airport Hotels” above.
• Lounges – see “Airport Lounges” above.
• Rest Zones – There are quiet zones that provide reclining chairs to nap in between flights. Locations: Terminal 3, Concourses A and B, near Gates A1 • A16 • A21 • A24 • B1-2 • B7-8 • B10-11 • B14-23 • B25-27 • B29 • B31-32. Rate: Free. Pack some warm clothes and headphones. This airport gets cold and noisy.

Take precaution even when sleeping in the rest zones.  In December 2019, a traveller at another airport reported that money and credit cards had been stolen from their bag even though the bag was right beside them.  Protect and lock your bags as you would sleeping elsewhere in public.

Showers, Salon & Spa

• Showers – Showers are available in the Gym and lounges [ see Airport Lounges above ]. There are also free shower facilities at the following locations: Terminal 3, between Gates B13 and B19 • Terminal 3, between Gates C18 and C22. If you are using the facilities at the Be Relax Spa (Terminal 3, near Gate A1) you can also make use of their shower facilities.
• Spa – Pamper yourself with relaxing massage services (including aromatherapy), body scrubs, reflexology.
  • Timeless Spa – Location: Dubai International Hotel, Airside. Access points: Concourse A, A1 or A24 • Concourse B, B14 and B22 • Concourse C, C15 and C17.
  • G-Force Health Club – Location: behind the Dubai International Hotel, Airside. Access points: Terminal 1, Gate 115 and Terminal 3, Concourse 2 (above the Emirates Business & First Class lounges.
  • Be Relax, O2 Spa & Salon, XpresSpa – Locations: Be Relax (T1 – 2 locations at Gate D. T3 – Gates A and B ) • O2 Spa & Salon (Gate B, Gate C) • XpresSpa (Gate B).

Smoking

• Smoking Rooms – Locations: Terminal 1, airside, Gate D12, upper level • Terminal 2, airside, Departures • airside, Terminal 3, at Gates A2, A23, B7, B27, C9, C23.

Things to do & see

• Tours – There are tour operators that offer short city tours in the Arrivals Area. (submitted by a reader).

Airport Hours

The airport is open 24 hours.

Airlines

Dubai International airport is served by the following airlines: Aeroflot • Air Algérie • Air Astana • Air Blue • Air Baltic • Air Canada • Air China • Air France • Air India • Air Peace • Air Sial • Arakia • Ariana Afghan Airlines • Azerbaijan Airlines • Biman Bangladesh Airlines • Belavia • British Airways • Cathay Pacific • Cebu Pacific • Chanchangi Airlines • China Eastern Airlines • China Southern • Daalo Airlines • Delta • Egyptair • El Al • Emirates • Equatorial Congo Airlines • Eritrean Airlines • Ethiopian Airlines • Finnair • Fly A • Fly Baghdad • Fly Dubai • Fly Nas • Gulf Air • Indi Go • Iran Asseman • Iran Air • Iraqi Airlines • Israir • Jazeera Airways • Jet Airways • Jubba Airways • KAM • KLM • Kenya Airways • Kish Air • Kuwait Airways • Korean Airlines • Libyan Airlines • LOT • Lufthansa •Luxair • Mahan Air • Malaysian Airlines • Middle East Airlines • Naft Airlines • Nordstar • Norwegian • Oman Air • Pegasus • Philippine Airlines • Pakistan International • Qantas • Qeshm • Royal Brunei Airlines • Royal Jordanian • Royal Air Maroc • Rwand Air Express • Safiran Airlines • Saudi Arabian Airlines Serene Air • Shaheen International • Sichuan Airlines • Singapore Airlines • Smartwings • Soman Air • Spicejet • Srilankan Airlines •Sun Express • Swiss • Syrian Arab Airlines • Taban • Tarom • Thai Airways • Transavia • TAAG • Travel Servis • Tunisair • Turkish Airlines • Turkmenistan Airlines • Uganda Airlines • Ukraine International Airlines • United Airlines Bangladesh • Ukraine International Airlines • Ural Airlines • Uzbekistan Airways • Vistara • Virgin Atlantic Airways • Yemen Airways.

Airport Transportation: Getting To/From The Airport

Bus

RTA public city buses can be found in the bus stands opposite all three terminals. The new SkyBus service runs direct between the airport and many of the area hotels. Passengers will need a NOL card to ride any of the RTA buses, including SkyBus. NOL cards can be purchased at the airport, the Hotels Information Desk, RTA bus drivers and all RTA metro and bus stations. For more information, visit the RTA web site.

Car Rentals

Autostrad, Al Wefaq, Budget, Diamondlease, Europcar, Fast, Hertz, and Yelo operate onsite in Terminal 1 Arrivals. Avis, Dollar, National, Sixt and Thrifty are the only car rental agencies located in the Arrivals area of all three airport terminals.

Inter-Terminal Shuttle

Passengers needing to travel between Terminals 1 and 3 may do so by using the airport’s free 24-hour shuttle bus, which runs between both terminals as well. Passengers with connecting flights are automatically transferred as a courtesy.

Hotel Shuttles

Some area hotels provide airport shuttle service:  Aloft Dubai Airport • Element Dubai Airport • Holiday Inn Express Dubai Airport   •  Le Meridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Centre  •  Premier Inn Dubai International Airport.

See also Airport Hotels above.

Metro

Two Metro lines connect Dubai International Airport with the city. These lines run every 10 minutes from Terminals 1 and 3, starting at 5:00AM daily (5:00AM on Thursday and 1:00PM on Friday). Services end at 12:00AM nightly (1:00AM on Thursday and Friday). Metro tickets and rechargeable NOL cards can be purchased at the airport. Designated carriages are available for women traveling alone or with children. Try a front “Gold Class” carriage for a scenic driverless front window view. All Metro stations have taxi ranks and buses available for onward travel. Many hotels are conveniently located near a Metro station.

Taxis

Metered taxis are available for hire 24 hours a day from the taxi rank at the ground transportation area. Taxis are cream-colored, except for pink trimmed taxis, which are operated by female drivers. A flag drop charge of AED25 applies to rides departing from the airport and the charge for each km is AED1.96.