Know your airport and terminal
Dubai is served by two airports. Dubai International (DXB) handles most passenger flights and has three terminals: Emirates operates from Terminal 3, while Terminals 1 and 2 serve other international and regional airlines. Al Maktoum International (DWC), in Dubai South, is used by a smaller but growing number of carriers.
Before you fly, check which airport and terminal your flight uses. It affects your journey time into the city and where you will meet any pre-booked transport.
Your main options
Airport taxis
Official taxis queue outside arrivals and are metered. They are convenient for light travellers, though queues can build when several long-haul flights land together.
Dubai Metro
The Red Line serves DXB Terminals 1 and 3 and is economical for travellers with light luggage heading to stations along Sheikh Zayed Road. Check the operator’s current luggage rules and timetables before travelling.
Ride-hailing apps
App-based rides are widely available. Pickup is from designated zones, so you will need to find the right area with your luggage.
Private chauffeur
A pre-booked chauffeur meets you in arrivals, helps with luggage and drives you directly to your door in a vehicle sized for your group. See airport transfer Dubai.
How to choose
For a solo traveller with a carry-on, the metro or a taxi is perfectly sensible. Once you are travelling with family, several suitcases, children or a tight connection to a meeting, a pre-booked transfer removes the uncertainty. It also means the vehicle class is decided in advance rather than whatever happens to arrive.
Departures: leave more time than you think
Traffic towards DXB can be heavy at peak times, particularly around Garhoud and on Sheikh Zayed Road. Check your airline’s recommended check-in time and add a generous buffer for traffic. If you are departing from DWC, remember that it is a longer drive from northern Dubai.