2 International Airports in Dubai - Airport Details, Terminals, Facilities

Dubai, a city of superlatives, is a haven for tourists from all around the world who want a lavish and comforting vacation. With the world's tallest, largest, most expensive, most lavish in the same city, people flock to Dubai in lakhs every year to enjoy its world-class facilities and lavish culture.

There are 2 major international airports in Dubai, the Dubai International Airport (DXB or OMDB) and the Dubai World Central or the Al Maktoum International (DWC or OMDW).

1. Dubai International Airport (DXB/OMDB):

This is the main airport and when an airport serves a city like Dubai, it has to match up to its glory and the Dubai International Airport or DXB airport leaves no benchmark unconquered left in this. Dubai International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world. Since it was first opened in 1960, the airport has seen a yearly growth of greater than 13% in passenger numbers which now amounts to more than 85 million passengers a year. The airport connects more than 240 destinations in 6 continents with the help of more than 100 airlines. With these numbers, it will be apt to say that this International Airport in Dubai is the fastest-growing airport in the world. 

Operating Airlines:

Air Canada, Air China, Air France, Air India, British Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, IndiGo, Jazeera Airways, Jet Airways, Lufthansa, Pegasus, Sichuan Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Spicejet, Thai Airways, Transavia, Virgin Atlantic Airways and many more summing up to more than 100 airways.

Airport Details

The Dubai International Airport consists of 3 terminals and 4 concourses, the Terminal 1, 2 and 3 namely. Terminal 1 handles airlines consisting of British Airways, Lufthansa, Saudia and many more 3rd party airlines. Airport metro connects Departures and Arrivals. Terminal 2 handles the relatively cheaper airlines like Air India Express and flyDubai. Terminal 3 is exclusively for Emirates airlines. An elaborate underground train network helps connect Terminal 3 as it is the second-largest building in the world on the basis of floor space as well as the largest airport terminal in the world. Terminals 1 and 3 are directly connected to the Dubai metro too. The airport is run by the Dubai Airports Company and it serves as a hub for Emirates and flyDubai. Terminals 1 and 2 aren't a good as Terminal 3 in many respects.

Distance and Transport

Distance to Dubai City: 8.5 kilometres
1. Taxi: Hired taxis will cost you around INR 700-850 to reach the main city.
2. Uber: Uber cabs are also available and they cost around INR 900 to reach the city.
3. SkyBus: Bus service charges almost half the taxi charges which is nearly INR 350 for a trip to the city.
4. Metro: Dubai Metro is the cheapest mode of travel in the city and it charges you only INR 50-100 to reach the city. 

Services and Facilities

1. Food and Beverages: There are several options for dining to choose from. You could take a tour of this magnificent international airport in Dubai and have a look at all the dozens of options you get. Cuisines ranging from Middle Eastern, Indian, Thai to Italian, Irish, Tex Mex, and Japanese are all to be found here. Popular chains of cafes and restaurants including Pret a Manger, Shake Shack, Pinkberry, Starbucks are also present. Some of these are even open 24 hours every day.

2. Lounges: Many lounges in the airport help you rest between flights. These aren't just for first-class travellers but can be accessed by everyone paying an entry fee. This fee is well-spent money for the amenities you get inside. You get great food, drinks, comfortable space and better WiFi speeds all-inclusive in the entry fee.

3. Shopping: Duty-free shopping is something that every passenger looks forward to an airport. Dubai International Airport offers you everything you might want from snacks to souvenirs for your friends and family. There are many international boutiques too. Buying raffle tickets is an opportunity you might not want to miss at Dubai International Airport as they regularly raffle off cash, gold, and luxury cars.

4. Spas: There are several spas in almost all terminals offering services like massages, aromatherapy, body scrubs, reflexology, haircut, hairstyles, manicures and pedicures to treat you with some pampering.

5. The Zen Garden: An indoor garden located in the DXB is a heaven for those seeking some peace amidst the hustle and bustle of the airport. It is located near the Gate B07 and B27 in Terminal 3.

6. Sleeping: At times the layovers are just too long to bare and no ones to blame here. You might then need some sleep and some privacy around you.  The Snooze Cube located on Terminal 1 rents out its 13 compact rooms by the hour for a minimum of 2 hours. The Sleep n’ Fly Lounge on Terminal 3 has igloo styled sleep pods for 1-2 adults. They also include shower facilities. Then comes the Dubai International Hotel which is a hotel on Terminal 3, offering rooms in 6, 12 and 18-hours packages. There are a lot of hotels located at a 2-minute airport shuttle ride away.

2. Dubai World Central (DWC or OMDW):

Originally called the Al Maktoum International Airport (IATA) after the previous ruler of Dubai, Sheik Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the airport is now tagged as the Dubai World Central. It is under construction and is known to serve almost 160-260 million passengers annually post-completion and will be the largest airport on the planet once built. This international airport in Dubai was planned to be a part of an Aerotropolis and it has served in allowing the economy of Dubai to reach new heights even prior to its completion.

Airport Details

Located in Jebel Ali, 37 kilometres away from Dubai, it has one 4.5 kilometres long runway and is an engineering marvel in its own. It will be the biggest passenger aircraft hub and the largest multi-modal logistics hub in the world carrying more than 12 million tonnes of cargo freight once its construction is completed. Currently, it serves as a hub for Emirates SkyCargo and flyDubai.

Operating Airlines:

Aeroflot, Azur Air, Belavia, flyDubai, GetJet Airlines , I-Fly, Neos, Nepal Airlines, Nordwind Airlines, Pegas Fly, Smartlynx Airlines Estonia, TUI fly Deutschland and Ural Airlines and cargo airlines namely Cathay Pacific Cargo, China Airlines Cargo, EgyptAir Cargo, Emirates SkyCargo, Ethiopian Airlines Cargo, Iran Air Cargo, Kalitta Air and Turkish Airlines Cargo.

Distance and Transport

Distance to Dubai City: 37 kilometres
1. Taxi: Hired taxis will cost you around AED 70-85 (INR 1300-1600 or USD 19-23) to reach the main city.
2. Uber: Uber cabs are also available and they cost around AED 160-210 (INR 3000-4000 or USD 44-58) to reach the city.
3. SkyBus: Bus service charges almost half the taxi charges here as well which is nearly AED 65-80 (INR 1200-1500 or USD 17-22) for a trip to the city. But you will have to change a bus or two because of the change in route.
4. Metro: Metro will cost you almost the same as busses which is around AED 59-74 (INR 1100-1400 or USD 16-20) to reach the city.
5. Car Rentals: Hired Cars are available and you'll need to fill your own gas/fuel. Altogether renting a car will cost you around AED 150 (INR 2800 or USD 40) including fuel costs.

Services and Facilities

Since this international airport in Dubai is still under construction most of the facilities provided at the time aren't fully functional and you might find the services provided unsatisfactorily.

1. Food: There are around 3 cafes namely Costa Coffee, Starbucks and a McDonald's but none are functional 24 hours a day.

2. Lounges: Marhaba lounge is the only lounge located on the Passenger Terminal, Level 1 and can be accessed with a lounge pass or membership programme and it isn't limited to just first-class flyers.

3. WiFi: Free WiFi under the name of "DWC free WiFi" is available and is quite decent in speed.

4. ATM: There are ATMs throughout the airport if you're in need of cash at any point in time. Currency exchange is also available at Emirates NBD located in the Departures area, while Sharaf Exchange and UAE Exchange are located in the Arrivals area.

5. Shopping: There is a duty-free area for shopping but then the number of options are quite less as of now.

6. Other amenities: There are baby care facilities and all you need to do is ask an official. Medical services are available 24 hours a day. A pharmacy, Bin Sina, is located in the duty-free area. Shower rooms, prayer halls and smoking rooms are some of the basic facilities available here. There are help and information desks in the landside and airside for any assistance.

Now that you know what the international airports in Dubai have to offer, start by booking your flights to this beautiful city right away!