How to transit at Dubai International Airport

Eighty-seven million passengers pass through Dubai Airport each year

Dubai International Airport is the world’s busiest airport in terms of international passenger traffic. It handles more than 87 million travellers a year with around 8,000 flights a week to more than 260 destinations worldwide.

Dubai Airport is also the hub airport for Emirates, which calls Terminal 3 home. The Emirates hub is the largest airline hub in the Middle East and processes just over 50% of all passenger traffic at Dubai Airport. 

Whether you’re flying from Hong Kong to the UK or Europe, or holidaying in the Indian Ocean or Africa, Emirates offers hundreds of flight destinations from its Dubai hub. Fortunately, if you're flying from Asia and transiting at Dubai Airport, it's a relatively straightforward airport to navigate.

Terminals and gates

Dubai has three passenger terminals. Terminals 1 and 3 cater to international passengers while Terminal 2 is primarily for budget passengers and those flying within the Persian Gulf region.

If you’re flying into Dubai on board an Emirates flight, your in-flight entertainment screen should provide you with onward departure gate information before landing. 

Terminal 3 has three concourses - A Gates, B Gates and C Gates, which are used primarily by Emirates, flydubai, United and Air Canada. 

The D Gates at Terminal 1 serve numerous international carriers.

Terminals 1 and 3 are directly connected with a common transit area. Airside passengers are able to move freely between the terminals without going through immigration.

If you need to transit to Terminal 2, bear in mind that this terminal is located on the other side of the airport. The transit shuttle service from Terminal 1 takes 30 minutes and the transit shuttle from Terminal 3 takes 20 minutes.

How to transit

Just keep following the signs at Dubai Airport

After deboarding your incoming flight, all transiting passengers are initially funnelled through a security checkpoint. Simply follow the large ‘Connections’ signs when you exit the plane until you arrive at the security checkpoint. 

If you’re travelling with youngsters, there are plenty of free airport stroller pick-up points located throughout the airport - a lifesaver if you have tired youngsters in tow.

Once through the security checkpoint, simply follow the signs to your terminal and gate. There are lots of screens to double check you have the correct information. 

Do note that Dubai is a silent airport with no flight announcements, so make sure you pay attention to departure information on the screens provided.

Shops and restaurants

There are plenty of shops and restaurants at all terminals to help you fill time or refresh between flights. Some operate 24 hours which is useful to know if you have an overnight connection. If you're waiting for your connection in Terminal 3 with the kiddos, don't forget to head to the LEGO store. It opened in early 2024 as the largest LEGO store in the world and as well as plenty of colourful bricks to purchase, there are also installations to view and interactive play areas.

Terminals 1 and 3 offer duty free, gift and fashion shops, as well as a Boots the Chemist and a bookshop. Dining spots include Costa coffee, McDonald’s, Starbucks, O’Briens Irish cafe and Pret a Manger. 

In addition, Terminal 1 has fast-casual dining restaurant The Kitchen by Wolfgang Puck and a Krispy Kreme, while Terminal 3 boasts a Shake Shack.

Enjoy a snack on the ground between flights

Lounge access

If you have no lounge access associated with your ticket, Dubai offers several lounge options. The Marhaba Lounge is open to all airlines and ticket classes and is located in all three terminals.

There is a Plaza Premium lounge at Terminal 3 which also offers a Family Suite as well as showers and a play area for children.

Relax and refresh

G-Force Health Club at Terminal 3 boasts a pool, jacuzzi, sauna, steam room and gym, but if you're just after a nap and a shower, there are Sleep 'n' Fly lounges at Terminals 1 and 3. The lounges have slep pods that can be booked for just one hour, as well as single, double and bunk cabins. All lounges have a workspace and some have shower facilities.

DXB Hotel is located at Terminal 3 with a wide range of rooms and suites ensuring you wake-up bright-eyed and right by your gate.

Transferring baggage

If you have booked your trip on one ticket, your baggage will be tagged with your final destination at check-in and will be automatically transferred to your connecting flight at Dubai. 

However, if you are travelling on separate tickets, you will need to clear immigration, retrieve your bags from the incoming flight and check-in for the connecting flight. To clear immigration, you may need a Dubai visa; check visa requirements for Dubai according to your passport nationality before travelling.

If you don’t have a Dubai visa and need to check your baggage through to the connecting flight, contact Marhaba Services at the transfer desk where you can apply for a baggage transfer service (fees apply).

For more information about transiting at Dubai International Airport, head online.

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