Dubai International Airport: Location, Facilities and Future Expansion Plans

Dubai Weekly Team
Dubai Weekly Team

Well, let’s talk about one of the busiest and premium airports in the world. It’s Dubai International Airport. Millions of travellers travel all over the world through it annually. The place radiates luxury and efficiency. This airport is built with a futuristic vision and totally justifies it.

Location and Accessibility

This airport is located at a very prime location. It is in Al Garhoud district which is approximately 14 kilometers (8.6 miles) southeast of downtown Dubai.

To get there

  • You can take the metro. The red line directly connects to the airport terminals 1 and 3.
  • You can also take taxis from anywhere in Dubai to reach here and many public buses frequently pass the route. They connect the airport with various places in the city. The airport has a lot of parking space too. 
  • From Dubai airport to going anywhere in a taxi, the price starts at AED25 and charges AED2 for every kilometre.
  • The airport is located at the place from where all Dubai’s important landmarks are easily accessible. From DXB, Burj Khalifa is just a 20 minutes drive. 
  • Many shuttle services connect airports with famous and five-star hotels. You can directly land in and go to your hotel without any problem. If you are in Dubai for a short time, you can still enjoy Dubai life by booking a 3-hour tour of the city.

Terminals and Facilities

Dubai International Airport has 3 main terminals. They all are for different airlines and passenger needs.

  • The first terminal is Sheikh Rashid Terminal. All international flights are handled from this terminal. It is vast, spacious, luxurious and has lots of duty-free shopping places. 
  • The second terminal is for regional flights and low-cost carriers. It offers basic facilities for budget travellers.
  • The third terminal is exclusive to Emirates Airlines and Qantas. It has luxurious lounges, vast Duty-Free stores, and premium amenities.

Passenger Experience

The airport has everything to make sure passengers get a smooth travelling experience. 

There are lots of check-ins and advanced security systems. You can also self-check in with advanced technology security systems. In case of carrying prohibited products, you can face fines and imprisonment. So be cautious about what to carry. Also, your bag must not exceed your weight limit. 

This is what you cannot carry to Dubai airport.

  • Things like hammers, swords, sharp instruments or weapons of any kind. 
  • You can’t carry more than 100ml of one type of liquid. In total, you can carry 1 litre of liquid. It may include medicine, milk or liquids of particular nutrition needs.
  • Luggage more than the recommended size will cost additional fees.
  • You are not allowed to carry chemicals, flammable batteries, cylinders etc.
  • Drugs or narcotics are strictly banned at the DXB.
  • You can’t carry things like sculptures,  gambling materials, counterfeit money etc.
  • Food cooked at home is not allowed. 
  • Many pharmaceuticals are also not allowed. 

Before travelling, check the website to know what you can or cannot carry.  

Shopping and Dining

On DXB you can find a lot of duty-free shops that offer competitive and tax-free prices compared to Dubai malls. These shops include 

Gifts and merchandise shops.

Clothing stores like Hermes, Adidas, Chanel and Gucci.

Perfume shops like Jo Malone and Bath and Body Works

Lego and other toys and gaming shops.

Gold jewellery and watches outlets

There are lots of restaurants and coffee shops at the Dubai airport. Some famous ones are 

Burger King, McDonald’s, Sky Bar, Subway, Starbucks, Costa, Caffe Nero, Nutella Cafe, etc.

Lounges

During your stay at Dubai Airport, you can relax and eat in Dubai lounges. These offer premium food and relaxation services too. 

If you are a loyal customer of some airline and have earned points, you can have access to these lounges for free. If not, you can pay fees and still enjoy the services. 

There Are Emirates Business and First-Class Lounges in Terminal 3.

For economy class passengers, there are paid lounges offering comfort and amenities.

There are also family-friendly lounges where they have kids’ play areas and baby care rooms.

Unique Features of Dubai International Airport

What makes DXB so stand out amongst other airports? 

  • There is a zen garden at terminal 3. Enjoy a peaceful time there.
  • Sleep pods are also available for a short nap.
  • This airport has a fully equipped gym for passengers in transit.

Connectivity and Airlines

One of the things that makes this place busiest is connectivity. More than 100 airlines operate at this airport and connect 240 destinations all over the world.

Emirates is one of the world’s leading airlines and their main hub is at Dubai Airport. This airport is famous amongst travellers for its smooth transit facilities. 

Some Tips for Travelers

  • This place is already crowded and busy. So in peak hours and seasons, arrive early.
  • If you have a long layover with Emirates, use the Dubai Connect service. 
  • Download the DXB Airport App for real-time updates, maps, and offers.

Economic and Social Impact of DXB on Dubai Economy 

This place is contributing hugely to the Dubai Economy. It facilitates trade, tourism and business. 

The infrastructure is so well maintained. It offers lots of job opportunities across various sectors.

This place acts as a centre stage for tourism. It is a gateway connecting Dubai to the world.

What are Future Expansion Plans?

Right now the airport handles more than 90 million passengers. They aim to handle over 120 million. The best part is most Dubai projects have a clear vision, short deadlines and are in progress. This project is also improving continuously and they are upgrading every time to meet modern needs.

What Not to Do at DXB?

To avoid inconvenience, 

  • Don’t arrive late. Security measures and check-ins can take time.
  • Try not to overpack your hand luggage. Keep it as short as possible as it may slow you down during security checks.
  • Don’t bring restricted items for carry-on, such as large liquid bottles.

Conclusion

Dubai International Airport is a world-class luxury airport with a lot of modern facilities. It has premium stores, elite lounges and world-class facilities. It is home to the world’s best airline and caters to more than 100 airlines overall. DXB is one of the prominent Dubai catches. It is contributing towards Dubai tourism and boosting the Dubai economy. 

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