Dubai International Airport
Dubai International Airport (DXB) currently handles all air passenger traffic into Dubai. In 2007 it handled 34 million passengers and recorded over 250,000 aircraft movements. The airport has two terminals - Terminal 1, also known as the Sheikh Rashid Terminal, serves all scheduled airline arrivals and departures. The much smaller Terminal 2 is used for chartered flights, private flights etc. With the explosive growth of air passenger traffic into Dubai the airport is frequently congested - especially at around 06:00h when the majority of flights into Dubai seem to arrive. This is expected to ease with the opening of the brand new Terminal 3 in 2009.
The sky is never the limit - not in Dubai. Not content with expanding passenger handling capacity to 70 million per year with Terminal 3 the authorities have started construction of a brand new airport to the south of Dubai. The new airport, modestly called Dubai World Central (DWC), will be fully operational by 2017.
Arriving in Dubai
Unless you happen to be flying in on a private aircraft you will arrive at Terminal 1 of Dubai International Airport. Terminal 1 is an elongated lozenge shaped structure so typical of modern airports. The terminal is at some distance from the main airport building where the Passport Control and Baggage Reclaim facilities are located. At peak times - around 06:00h - this is a ten minute walk. Electric buggies exist but can be hard to come by. Folding strollers are usually available immediately upon exiting the aircraft - a real blessing for the jet-lagged parent.
A bigger shock awaits you when you arrive at Passport Control - on a bad day it can take upto an hour to get through. 1st and business class passengers who can use dedicated counters do not face this problem.
However for passengers arriving on economy, particularly those who are elderly or infirm or for families with young children it is well worth paying a small fee and arranging a welcome package with Marhaba Services. This facility provides priority treatment through Terminal 1 and Passport Control. Be warned - the only way to book this service is by faxing in a form accompanied by a copy of your credit card.
The Al Majlis Service
If money is no object Dubai Airport will roll out the red carpet for you a modest fee of USD 412. This service ensures that you never have to mingle with the teeming crowds at Terminal 1. Instead, a coach or a limousine will pick you up at the foot of the aircraft, whisk you away to Terminal 2 where all the immigration formalities will be discreetly completed and your luggage will be safely delivered. Someone coming to greet you at the airport? Not a problem - on the provision of a valid passport they will be allowed to greet you at the aircraft.
Before Leaving the Airport
Islam as practiced in the U.A.E., and particularly in Dubai, is a very tolerant religion. Nevertheless there are strict controls on the sale of alcohol in Dubai. While some restaurants do serve alcohol with meals they tend to be relatively expensive. Your last chance to buy alcohol unmolested is at the duty free shop in the arrivals lounge, just after Baggage Reclaim.
Roaming charges from Dubai can come as a surprise, particularly to people used to roaming charges within the European Union. If you plan on staying for more than a few days you might want to consider renting the use of a local mobile phone number - cheap at around 7 Dhs per day. This can be done at the airport as well as some of the bigger shopping malls.
From Airport to City
When Dubai airport was originally built - a much smaller structure on the same site - it stood in pristine desert at a distance of 5km from Deira, the oldest part of Dubai. Since then the city has exploded and now completely surrounds the airport. Up until a few years ago most hotels provided complimentary transfers to and from the airport. However, with the increasingly difficult and chaotic traffic situation in Dubai all but a few have either abandoned this practice or introduced a hefty fee for its use.
If you are not staying at a hotel that offers airport transfers there is at present only one means of travelling to the city - a taxi. The meter starts ticking even before the vehicle has started moving. There is a fee of Dhs 20 (25 for bigger, "family" taxis) for all taxi hires at the airport. Car rental facilities abound at the airport but the first time visitor is advised to steer well clear - driving in Dubai is not to be taken lightly.
Transiting Through Dubai
If you are merely transiting through Dubai on your way to another destination you can either stay on at airport or visit the city. The former option is the more prudent one if you have less than 15 hours between flights - given the traffic congestion in Dubai, the time lost in taxis is liable to make a shorter transit unenjoyable if not stressful. Should you choose to go into the city to spend the night at a hotel and have an early morning connecting flight make absolutely sure that you have transport back to the airport. Rush hour starts early in Dubai and finding a taxi can be well nigh impossible.
Should you choose to stay on at the airport, have a transit time of more than three hours and are travelling on Emirates you are, in theory, entitled to a free meal at the Safar - travel in Arabic - restaurant. In practice, this is liable to be a highly unenjoyable experience thanks to the large number of transit passengers - typically low paid guest workers travelling to/from a Middle Eastern destination - who use this facility.
Airline & Marhaba Lounges
For 1st and business class travellers dubai International Airport offers a number of dedicated airline lounges. The less fortunate can still get away from the hustle and bustle of the terminal by using the Marhaba lounge which costs a mere USD 23. In exchange you get to use all lounge facilities - comfortable chairs, clean toilets, free Internet access and an "eat as much as you like" buffet which offers a good selection of food.
Dubai International Hotel
If you need a more restful transit through Dubai consider taking a room at this hotel - accessible without leaving the departure terminal. Rooms are available for as little as an hour although in practice a stay of less than three hours is not worthwhile. This is admittedly an expensive way to relax but well worth it when on a long journey. The hotel also has a health/fitness club where you can work out, swim or quite simply have a massage or a shower.
On a Budget?
All is not lost. If you tire of wandering around the duty free shops at the airport consider going to the quiet lounge near Gate 25. At peak times this tends to be very crowded in which case there is a sneakier alternative - go up to the second floor and relax in the lobby of Dubai International Hotel.Departing Dubai
Compared to the arrival experience leaving Dubai is far easier. Allow plenty of time to get to the airport if your flight is during the morning rush hour - till around 11:00h. Remember to book your taxi on the previous day if your hotel does not offer airport transfers. The checkin desks at Dubai Airport are located after a preliminary baggage & security scan - which means that any goodbyes to people coming to see you off are liable to be short and swift. If you feel like a final bout of shopping before you leave and are travelling on Emirates you can checkin upto five hours before your flight and shop the airport duty-free lounge. Passport Control on departure is usually hassle free but expect to queue for upto a quarter of an hour if leaving before 08:00h.
Dubai airport has five checkin areas - Area 1 is for passengers travelling on Emirates and Areas 2 to 4 for other airlines. If you happen to be travelling 1st or Business class with Emirates or have booked a Marhaba departure service you should go to Area 5. However, alighting at the wrong area is not a matter for concern - the length of the concourse from Area 1 to Area 5 is a mere 100 meters. Till recently the Marhaba reception desk at Area 5 was located in the main concourse. It has now been moved inside the secure area - after the preliminary baggage scan.
