Dubai airport (DXB)

Dubai International Airport (DXB), opened on 30 September 1960, is the main aviation hub of the United Arab Emirates and the most important in the Middle East. It ranks among the airports with the highest volume of international traffic in the world, serving as the primary base for the airlines Emirates and flydubai. It operates direct connections to hundreds of destinations across every continent, including established routes to cities such as London, New York, Madrid, Mexico City, Barcelona, São Paulo, Sydney, Tokyo and Paris.

Official Website: dubaiairports.ae

Telephone: +971 4 224 5555

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Terminals

The airport operates 24 hours a day and features three efficiently connected passenger terminals. A free shuttle bus service transfers passengers between the buildings around the clock, with an approximate frequency of 15 to 20 minutes. Terminals 1 and 3 are also linked via the metro system and share a common transit area.

• Terminal 1: Handles the majority of international airlines and includes Concourse D.
• Terminal 2: Mainly designated for regional flights, low-cost services (including part of flydubai’s operations) and charter flights.
• Terminal 3: Used exclusively by Emirates and its strategic partners for large-scale international flights, comprising Concourses A, B and C.

Annual traffic (2025): 95.2 million passengers.

Information Points

Traveller assistance counters known as "May I Help You" are distributed throughout the arrivals, departures and transit areas of the three terminals. In addition, on the arrivals level of Terminal 3, there is an official tourism office offering information about the emirate and booking services.

 Location

The airport is located in the Al Garhoud district, 4.7 km (2.9 miles) east of Dubai city centre.

Parking services at Dubai airport (DXB)

The airport offers extensive parking options strategically distributed in front of the departures and arrivals areas of Terminals 1, 2 and 3. All sectors are designed to provide solutions for both short- and long-term stays, ensuring quick access to the main terminal buildings.

Parking Options

The general parking scheme is divided according to proximity and passenger requirements:

• Short-Term Parking (Car Park A): Located just a few minutes’ walk from the main terminal entrances. It is specially designed for visits of only a few hours, passenger pick-ups or drop-offs, and includes tariff sectors charged in short time intervals.
• Long-Term Parking (Car Park B): Situated slightly further from the main access points. It is the recommended alternative for users planning to leave their vehicle securely parked at the airport for several days or weeks, offering more economical consolidated daily rates.
• Premium and Budget Areas: Terminals 1 and 2 feature premium spaces with ultra-fast access to the check-in counters, while Terminal 3 (the largest terminal) includes a multi-storey parking structure directly connected to the Emirates check-in area.

Exemptions and Accessibility Benefits

As a regulated accessibility benefit, the airport provides free parking for the first 2 hours for people with disabilities (People of Determination) in all parking areas across the complex. To validate this benefit, passengers must present the relevant documentation or official permit issued by the local traffic authorities.

Pick-up and Drop-off Areas

Directly in front of the concourses of all three terminals there are exclusive lanes for rapid passenger pick-up and drop-off. For safety and traffic management reasons, these lanes are strictly reserved for brief stops of only a few minutes; vehicles left parked or unattended in this area will be penalised by the authorities.

To consult the current official tariff table broken down by minutes, hours or days, as well as to verify possible changes to access regulations, you may visit the relevant section on the official Dubai Airports website.

Facilities for passengers with special needs

Dubai International Airport is designed to be a fully accessible facility, ensuring a smooth experience for “People of Determination” (the official term used in the United Arab Emirates to refer to passengers with disabilities). It is recommended to arrange any assistance requirements with your airline or travel agency at least 48 hours prior to departure.

Terminal Assistance

The airport offers a wide range of services to facilitate the transit of passengers with reduced mobility or special needs:

• Special waiting areas: Dedicated and clearly signposted rest areas are available in all terminals (departures and arrivals areas) for passengers requiring assistance.
• Wheelchairs and buggies: Complimentary wheelchairs are available at the information desks. In addition, electric buggies operate throughout the boarding level corridors to assist passengers travelling to departure gates.
• Accessible infrastructure: All terminals feature spacious lifts, access ramps and adapted toilets. Check-in counters and passport control points include priority lanes.
• Hidden disabilities: DXB participates in the global Hidden Disabilities Sunflower programme. Passengers may request a sunflower lanyard at the information counters to be discreetly identified by staff, granting them access to fast-track lanes and additional assistance.

Parking and Transport

To ensure smooth arrivals and departures, the following transport facilities are available:

• Free parking: People of Determination are entitled to 2 hours of free parking in all airport car parks (Terminals 1, 2 and 3). Reserved spaces are located near the main entrances.
• Accessible taxis: Dubai Taxi Corporation operates a fleet of specialised vehicles for wheelchair users, equipped with ramps and safety systems. These vehicles may be requested at the official taxi ranks or booked in advance.

Recommendation: If you are travelling with your own wheelchair, check with your airline regarding its specific transport policies and whether you may use it up to the aircraft door or if it must be checked in at the check-in counter.

More information about special assistance at DXB