Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our Dubai Al Maktoum Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit. Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.
Also be careful about laying on the floor at this airport. I did so and found not only dozens of tiny insects but an actual scorpion checking out my laptop! – 5ftman
DWC Airport Overview
To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Dubai Al Maktoum International Airport (also known as Dubai World Central Airport).
What to Expect
Dubai Al Maktoum Airport (code: DWC) consists of a single terminal that serves low-cost carriers and seasonal routes. The airport was intended to be the largest airport in the world and part of a larger free economic zone, but its ongoing construction, three planned terminals, has been delayed by 10 years. Reviews describe inefficient security processes.
Current facilities are modern, but limited. There are only three cafes, a McDonald’s, and a duty-free shop, and none are open 24 hours. WiFi is free, but old reviews describe it as a scam. For added comfort while you wait, economy class passengers can pay to enter an airport lounge. See Airport Lounges in the guide below for location and access information.
Sleeping in Al Maktoum Airport
We do not yet have any sleep-related airport reviews. For uninterrupted sleep, nearby hotels offer shuttle service for a fee. See our Airport Hotels section below for more info or read some traveller airport reviews for more tips.
To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can add or update information or write a review to submit airport tips and photos. For more airport information continue scrolling down to explore more in our Al Maktoum Airport Guide.
In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security. For more information on Europe’s Schengen Area, click here.
Airport Lounges
Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships
Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there is a lounge that you can enter by purchasing a lounge pass or through a lounge membership program. Visit the individual lounge page for more details about the lounge itself and to also find out how you can gain lounge access with just an economy class ticket!
Marhaba Lounge – Location: Passenger Terminal, Airside, Level 1. Hours: open 24 hours. Lounge Access: Lounge membership programs.
Related Pages: Al Maktoum Airport Lounges
Airport Hotels
If sleeping in the airport sounds like a nightmare, there are hotels near Dubai Al Maktoum Airport:
- Staybridge Suites Dubai Al-Maktoum Airport – Free airport shuttle. » Check Rates
- Holiday Inn Dubai Al-Maktoum Airport – No airport shuttle. » Check Rates
- Aloft Dubai South – No airport shuttle. » Check Rates
For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels near Dubai Al Maktoum Airport that can be sorted by price, distance, traveller rating and popularity.
Airport WiFi/Internet
Unlimited free WiFi is available at Al Maktoum Airport. Connect to the “DWC Free WiFi” network.
More Services, Facilities & Things To Do On A Layover At The Airport
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: Landside and Airside, throughout the airport.
Baby Care Facilities – Dedicated baby care facilities are available. Ask a “May I Help You?” staff member for assistance.
Currency Exchange – Emirates NBD offers currency exchange in the Departures area, while Sharaf Exchange and UAE Exchange offer services in Arrivals.
Duty Free & Shopping – At the time of this update, all of the airport’s shops offer duty-free shopping in the designated DWC Duty-Free area.
Food & Drinks – Food concessions throughout the airport operate with varying schedules. At the time of this update, we are unable to confirm the availability of any 24-hour dining options. Dining options are: Costa Coffee • McDonald’s • Starbucks.
Information Desk – There are 3 desks located landside and 1 desk airside.
Luggage Storage & Lockers – Not available.
Luggage Trolleys – Need a hand with your luggage? Luggage carts are available free of charge throughout the airport.
Luggage Wrapping – Available for AED 25 per piece of luggage. Location: Check-In, landside, opposite Counter 42.
Medical Services – Urgent and emergency medical care is available at the Medical Centre 24 hours a day. Ask a “May I Help You?” staff member for assistance.
Mobile Charging – At the time of this update, we did not have any information about mobile charging availability. If you know, click here to update this airport guide.
Pharmacy – Bin Sina. Location: DWC Duty-Free area. Hours: unknown.
Prayer Rooms – Muslim prayer rooms and ablution areas are available throughout the airport and car parks.
Rest Zones – There are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.
Showers – Free showers are available. Location: Airside, between gates 1 and 6 • Airside, Mezzanine level near the Marhaba Lounge.
SIM Cards – A reader has asked us to include where to buy SIM Cards. If you know, click here to update this airport guide.
Smoking Rooms – Yes, designated smoking rooms are provided both landside and airside.
Airport Hours
The airport is open 24 hours.
Airlines
Dubai Al Maktoum Airport is served by the following airlines: Air Maldova • Emirates • Fly Dubai • Gulf Air • Jazeera Airways • Rotana Jet • TUI • Wizz Air.
Airport Transportation: Getting To/From The Airport
Bus
If traveling light, public bus is an economical way to travel to and from the airport. Bus F55 offers hourly service to and from Ibn Battuta Metro Station, while the metro is in operation. Otherwise, Bus F55A will take you to and from Satwa Bus Station during metro off-hours.
Car Rentals
The following car rental agencies are available onsite: Dollar • Europcar • Hertz.
Hotel Shuttles
See also Airport Hotels above.
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 taxis, which are operated by female drivers. A flag drop charge of AED25 applies to rides departing from the airport.
Last updated: 2024-01-31
This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning. All information, including rates and hours, is subject to change at any time without notice. The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers, and their websites. We are not representatives of any of the above-mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or write a review.