Dubai International Airport
Dubai International Airport (DXB) is a major hub airport near Dubai in United Arab Emirates. This page covers the essentials — IATA + ICAO codes, location, live flight status, and hotels nearby.
Getting to + from the city
Dubai Metro Red Line stops at T1 + T3 (Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 stations). 16 min to Dubai Mall, 28 min to Marina, AED 5–8. Taxi to Dubai Mall is AED 50–70 (~$15) and 20 min. Careem/Uber for the same trip is AED 60–90. The metro doesn't run 5 AM Friday or after midnight other days; taxi during those hours.
Terminals
T1: most international (non-Emirates). T2: low-cost (flydubai). T3: Emirates + Qantas (the world's largest single-airline terminal). T1↔T3 are connected airside; T2 is across the airfield, separate access. Al Maktoum (DWC) is the secondary airport 50 km away — confirm which one.
What's actually good
Emirates First Class Lounge (T3-A) is what people fly Emirates for. The Plaza Premium (T1) takes Priority Pass. Cloud 9 lounge (T1) is the better Priority Pass option for First-Class quality. Food: skip the chain restaurants and try the Reach Up Tea House or The Counter (T3). Shopping is genuine — DXB Duty Free is the world's largest by sales.
Avoid
Drinking alcohol in public during Ramadan daylight. Photographing security or restricted areas. Wearing shorts + tank top through the airport (acceptable in transit, frowned-upon at immigration). Bringing prescription medications without a doctor's letter (UAE is strict; some common Western meds are controlled here). Booking <90-min T1↔T2 transfers (terminal change requires landside transit).