T
he thing that I most recall from the Dubai airport is its length! We had to walk kilometers to finally arrive at the exit. The corridors and halls were full of wondrous views, adds of new architectural projects, palms, and Arab calligraphy.
It was later that I have learned that the concourse is about 2 km long. The first time I was just amazed by the lux and the Arab culture staring back at me. Then the heat hit me, followed by the brightness of the day… and the adventure with Dubai started.
TIP! – As always, regardless the fatigue of the flight, try to read the signs. Maps can help you so much, but at the end of the day, you just need simple instructions. It is like this binary language. Taxi icon – bad, metro icon – good, go. Written language is just too much.
Thankfully Dubai airport (DXB) is simple enough and well connected with the outside world. Here you will find a link to the handy, interactive map of the airport – if you want to see it before getting there. And here is a really good plan for Terminal 3 (which is the most used by tourists).
Then, in order to get out, you just need a NOL card/ticket for public transport or a few dirhams cash/credit card and you are in a taxi.
Starting with the basics – there are two airports in Dubai – Dubai International (marked DXB) and Dubai World Central (or Al Maktoum Airport marked DWC). The second one was started to be built in 2010 as a cargo destination. It welcomes very few passengers and the only way to get out of it is by a taxi or a bus. You need to get to the nearest metro station then, which is 30 km further away and bears the name of the Ibn Battuta Metro Station (Red Line).
As for the Dubai International Airport, it was rebuilt many times since it was created. It grew a lot and today welcomes almost 90 million passengers a year. There are 3 terminals there – 1 and 3 next to each other and terminal 2 on the other side of the runway. They are all connected by the airport shuttle-bus and T1 and T3 are additionally connected by the Metro Red Line. Despite its magnitude, DXB is really user friendly.
So… Metro, bus, taxi or something else?
The metro
would probably be your first choice since the connection with the airport is direct and then it beautifully covers the rest of the city. Metro is fast, quiet, air-conditioned and the majority of the hotels and hostels are situated close by the lines.
It is the Red Line that we will be interested in. Then – despite where you live you could change to the only possible choice – the Green Line (or any other means of transport).
Both sides of Dubai Creek are well connected with the Red Line. You will need the other one if you have a hotel in more remote parts of Deira or Jaddaf/Creek Waterfront. Downtown Dubai is another common place to stay – the red metro is well connected to that area with the passages. The same goes for the region of the Mall of Emirates, Internet City, and Marina.
It takes more or less 15 minutes to get to the Burjuman station on the Red Line, and 30 minutes to Burj Khalifa metro station (for Downtown Dubai).
You will need a NOL card or ticket to travel – you can buy them around the metro stations. You will find more information about that in the Public Transport article or under a link above.
The cost depends on the number of zones you will travel through – reaching a maximum of 8,50 AED (concessions are mostly for residents but children under 5 years old and 90 cm of height travel for free).
Metro prices:
1 zone: 4 AED
2 zones: 6 AED
more than 2 zones: 8,50 AED
The metro runs frequently form the early morning till midnight. Watch out for Fridays and public holidays – it works from 10 am then, but for one hour longer.
Busses
are slightly more complicated mainly because there are so many of them. They stop right in front of the terminals.
You need to buy your ticket at the office at the airport, not with the driver.
Bus prices:
Airport rate: 7,50 AED
Since the map of the routes is worse than learning Arabic, try to look at this planner called Wojhati. You can put all the necessary information there and it will give you the answers you seek. It comes with an app of course. Although some people say the connection can be slow, the helper serves its purpose.
The taxi
These are easy to spot cream vehicles with a red roof. You won’t miss them, and you will be happy you have taken them. It is a bit of luxury that greets you when you come to the city.
You can call them; you can wave them or you can just take them when they wait in line in front of the terminal’s doors.
Taxi prices:
Airport rate: 25 AED for the start and then 2 AED per kilometer
Other ways of getting out of the DXB are the same as everywhere. Somebody can pick you up in front of the terminal or you can order an Uber.
TIP! – Rent a Car option – they are close to the exits after you take your main luggage (each terminal). Just go to the right office where you made a reservation.
Having a car is not a problem in Dubai and you will become more like local car-people. Just remember about the rules – people are very respectful here, especially with the speed limits.