Dubai International Airport (DXB): Everything You Need to Know

Aeroporto do Dubai. Dubai Airport.
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2025-02-07

Dubai International Airport (DXB) is the world’s busiest airport in terms of international passengers.

This airport stands out for its diversity of flights and the presence of major airlines, functioning as a global hub that connects continents and facilitates the traffic of millions of passengers annually.

Emirates leads the flow of travel, while companies such as flydubai, British Airways, Lufthansa and Air France complement the offer of intercontinental connections.

I recently had a stopover at this airport while traveling between Lisbon and Colombo in Sri Lanka and decided to write this article to share my experience and offer useful tips.

So, in this article, I’ll tell you how many terminals the airport has and which major airlines use it.

I also explain how to get to the city center and how car rental works.

In addition, I answer common questions, such as whether there are direct flights from Portugal to Dubai, how many airports there are in the city, and whether it’s possible to use Uber at Dubai International Airport.

I believe that knowing this information in advance will make your experience at Dubai Airport go more smoothly.

In other words, I hope my tips will help make your trip easier and enjoyable.

Flying over Dubai at night.
Flying over Dubai at night.
Exploring Dubai International Airport.
Exploring Dubai International Airport.
Connections at Dubai International Airport.
Connections at Dubai International Airport.

How many terminals does Dubai International Airport (DXB) have?

Dubai International Airport (DXB) has three terminals, each designed to meet specific passenger needs.

Terminal 1 operates the majority of international flights, serving several airlines and connecting the city to destinations around the world.

Terminal 2 is dedicated to regional flights, offering efficiency and comfort to travelers traveling shorter distances.

Finally, Terminal 3 is exclusive to Emirates, featuring a modern design, large spaces and state-of-the-art infrastructure.

This terminal stands out for its excellent facilities, such as duty-free stores, varied restaurants and leisure areas, which provide a differentiated travel experience.

The division into three terminals allows for more efficient organization, contributing to fluidity and speed in the boarding and disembarking processes.

In this way, DXB reaffirms its role as an essential global hub.

Boarding gate at Dubai Airport.
Boarding gate at Dubai Airport.

Airlines at Dubai International Airport

  • Aegean Airlines
  • Aeroflot Russian Airlines
  • Air Algerie
  • Air Astana
  • AirBaltic
  • Air Blue
  • Air Canada
  • Air China
  • Air France
  • Air India
  • Air India Express
  • Air Moldova
  • Air Peace
  • Air Sial Limited
  • Ariana Afghan Airlines
  • Arkia Airlines
  • Azerbaijan Airlines
  • Azimuth Airlines
  • Badr Airlines
  • Belavia Belarusian Airlines
  • Berniq Airways
  • Biman Bangladesh Airlines
  • British Airways
  • Caspian Airlines
  • Cathay Pacific
  • Cebu Pacific
  • Chanchangi Airlines
  • China Eastern Airlines
  • China Southern Airlines
  • Condor
  • Cyprus Airways
  • Daallo Airlines
  • Delta Air Lines
  • Drukair
  • Egypt Air
  • El Al Israel Airlines
  • Emirates
  • Equatorial Congo Air
  • Eritrean Airlines
  • Ethiopian Airlines
  • Eurowings
  • Finnair
  • FitsAir
  • FlyBaghdad Airlines
  • Fly Oya
  • Flyadeal Airlines
  • Flydubai
  • Flynas Airlines
  • FlyOne
  • GO First
  • Gulf Air
  • Hainan Airlines
  • Himalya Airlines
  • IndiGo Airlines
  • Iran Air
  • Iran Aseman Airlines
  • Iraqi Airways
  • Israir Airlines
  • ITA Airways
  • Jazeera Airways
  • Jet Airways
  • Jubba Airways
  • Kam Air
  • Kenya Airways
  • Kish Air
  • KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
  • Korean Air
  • Kuwait Airways
  • Libyan Arab Airlines
  • LOT Polish Airlines
  • Lufthansa
  • Luxair
  • Mahan Air
  • Malaysia Airlines
  • Myanmar Airways International
  • Middle East Airlines
  • Naft Airlines – Safiran Airlines
  • Nepal Airlines
  • Norwegian Air Shuttle
  • Oman Air
  • Pakistan International Airlines
  • Pegasus Airlines
  • Philippine Airlines
  • Qantas
  • Qeshm Airlines
  • Rossiya Airlines
  • Rotana Jet
  • Royal Air Maroc
  • Royal Brunei Airlines
  • Royal Jordanian
  • RwandAir
  • S7 Airlines
  • Safi Airways
  • Salam Air
  • Saudi Arabian Airlines
  • Serene Air
  • Shaheen Air International
  • Sichuan Airlines
  • Singapore Airlines
  • Smartwings Airlines
  • Somon Air
  • SpiceJet
  • Sri Lankan Airlines
  • Sun Express Airlines
  • Swiss International Airlines
  • Syrian Arab Airlines
  • TAAG Angola Airlines
  • Taban Airlines
  • Nordstar Airlines
  • Tarco Aviation
  • TAROM Romanian Air Transport
  • Thai Airways International Ltd.
  • Transavia Airlines
  • Transavia France
  • Tuifly
  • Tunis Air
  • Turkish Airlines
  • Turkmenistan Airlines
  • Uganda Airlines
  • Ukraine International Airlines
  • United Airlines
  • United Airways Bangladesh
  • United Bangla Airlines
  • URAL Airlines
  • Utair Airlines
  • Uzbekistan Airways
  • Virgin Atlantic
  • Air Vistara
  • Wizz Air
  • Yemenia Airlines
Emirates airplane at Dubai Airport.
Emirates airplane at Dubai Airport.
Fly Dubai aircraft on the runway.
Fly Dubai aircraft on the runway.

How do I get from Dubai International Airport to the city center?

To get from Dubai International Airport (DXB) to the city center, you have several options.

The Dubai Metro is a fast and economical alternative, as the Red line connects Airport Terminal 1 and Airport Terminal 3 stations directly to the center.

The metro runs from 5am to midnight (Sunday to Thursday) and from 5am to 1am (Friday and Saturday).

In addition, Dubai’s official cabs are available 24 hours a day in the arrivals area, with 15-20 minute journeys costing between 50-80 AED, depending on the destination.

RTA Dubai buses, such as lines C01, 401 and 402, are a cheaper option, but take longer.

For those who prefer comfort, there are pre-booked private transfers, as well as the ride-hailing services Uber and Careem, which work via app and have similar prices to cabs.

In other words, the metro is the cheapest and most efficient choice, but for more convenience, cabs or Uber are good alternatives.

Taking an Uber at Dubai Airport.
Taking an Uber at Dubai Airport.

Car rental at Dubai International Airport

Renting a car at Dubai International Airport (DXB) is simple and can be done online or directly at the car rental company counters in Terminals 1 and 3.

The main companies, such as Hertz, Avis, Budget, Sixt, Europcar and Thrifty, have offices at the airport and are open 24 hours a day.

To rent a car in Dubai, you need to be at least 21 years old (some companies require 25 years for certain vehicles), present a passport, credit card and an international driving license (for tourists).

Once you’ve confirmed your booking, simply go to the counter of your chosen company, sign the contract and collect the car from the designated parking lot.

In addition, the airport has direct access to Sheikh Zayed Road (E11), which makes it easy to get to downtown Dubai and other areas of the United Arab Emirates.

👉 Find the best car rental deals in Dubai now!

Baggage claim.
Baggage claim.

Everything you need to know before traveling to Dubai International Airport

Are there direct flights from Europe and USA to Dubai?

Yes, you can fly directly to Dubai from many cities in Europe and the US.

From London, for example, airlines such as British Airways, Emirates, Royal Brunei Airlines and Virgin Atlantic operate direct flights to Dubai.

In the United States, several cities have direct flights to Dubai. In fact, Emirates has direct flights from New York, Los Angeles, Dallas, Miami and others to Dubai.

American Airlines also offers flights to the United Arab Emirates from cities such as Dallas and Miami.

Finally, in Brazil, Emirates operates direct flights to Dubai from São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.

Emirates airplane at Lisbon Airport.
Emirates airplane at Lisbon Airport.
London Stansted Airport, United Kingdom.
London Stansted Airport, United Kingdom.
JFK International Airport.
JFK International Airport.
MIA Mover, at Miami International Airport (MIA).
MIA Mover, at Miami International Airport (MIA).

How many airports are there in Dubai?

Dubai has two main airports: Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC).

Dubai International Airport (DXB) is the city’s main airport and one of the busiest in the world. It serves as a hub for Emirates and flydubai, with flights to destinations on all continents.

On the other hand, Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC), also known as Dubai World Central, is located in the Jebel Ali area.

It was designed to be one of the largest airports in the world in the future and currently receives cargo flights and some passenger operations.

In addition to these, there are smaller airfields for private aviation and helicopters, but DXB and DWC are the main ones for commercial flights.

Emirates Airlines airplanes.
Emirates Airlines airplanes.

Is there Uber at Dubai International Airport?

Yes, Uber works very well at the airport and in the city of Dubai. However, if you want to try another alternative, take a look at Careem, which is another app operating in Dubai.

Useful Information and Important Contacts

If you need to contact Dubai Airport urgently, you can use the phone or Whatsapp: tel:+97142245555.

Arrivals at Dubai International Airport.
Arrivals at Dubai International Airport.
Dubai Duty Free.
Dubai Duty Free.
Dubai Airport.
Dubai Airport.

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