Dubai Airport: Free Showers For All?

Dubai Airport has a range of showering facilities available for travellers. For those on a budget, there are free showers located in Terminal 3 between gates B13 and B19. These are basic, with a stall, soap, and a lukewarm trickle of water. It is recommended to bring your own towel and toiletries. For those looking for a more luxurious experience, the G Force Health Club in Terminals 1 and 3 offers spacious showers, towels, and toiletries for a fee. Lounge access in various terminals also provides shower facilities, some of which are free with certain credit cards.

Locations of free showers in Dubai Airport

Dubai Airport offers free shower facilities for travellers to freshen up between long-haul flights. These showers are located in Terminal 3, specifically between gates B13 and B19. There are a few shower cubicles in the bathrooms, which are constantly wiped down and cleaned by staff.

To access these free showers, look out for the small shower signs next to the female or male toilets. While the showers are kept spotlessly clean, it is still advisable to wear flip-flops as a hygienic precaution.

In addition to the free showers, there are also alternative paid options available in the airport lounges. These lounges offer more spacious facilities, hot food, beverages, sleeping rooms, and other amenities, but they come at a higher cost.

Concourse A

The Marhaba Lounge in Concourse A, between gates A2 and A3, offers showers for Dhs 55 (~US$15), including a towel and cosmetics kit. Dubai International Hotel outlets in Concourse A also provide shower facilities for US$15.

Concourse B

The G Force Health Club gym in Concourse B, accessible via elevator to level 5, charges Dhs 70 (~US$19) for 1.5 hours of gym and shower access. This option includes an amenity pack with bathrobes and Q-tips, and the water here is cooler compared to other options.

There are also free public showers in Concourse B, near gate B13, with similar amenities to those in Concourse A.

Concourse C

Free showers can also be found in Terminal 3, near gates C18 and C22.

What to bring to free showers

When packing for your trip, make sure to bring the following items to ensure you can make use of the free showers at Dubai Airport:

• Flip-flops: It is good hygiene practice to wear flip-flops in a public shower.
• Travel towel: Microfibre towels are super-absorbent and quick-drying, making them ideal for travel.
• Shower gel: Silicone containers are affordable and perfect for carrying small amounts of shower gel.
• Change of clothes: Don't forget to pack something to wear after your shower for your next flight.
• Skincare and dental care products: You can use the sinks outside the shower cubicles to brush your teeth and carry out your skincare routine.

In addition to the above, you may also want to bring your own soap, as while there are soap dispensers in the shower facilities, you may prefer to use your own.

Cost of paid showers

Dubai International Airport offers both free and paid shower options for travellers. While the free showers are great for those short on time, the paid showers offer a more luxurious experience with additional amenities.

The cost of paid showers at Dubai International Airport varies depending on the location and the amenities included. Here are some options:

• Marhaba Lounge in Terminal 3: Located in Concourse A between gates A2 and A3, the Marhaba Lounge offers nice showers comparable to a four-star hotel. As of June 2014, the cost for a shower without lounge access was Dhs 55 (approximately US$15), and this included a towel and a cosmetics kit. Full lounge access, which includes a buffet, internet access, and a buggy transfer to your gate, was priced at Dhs 190 (around US$50).
• Dubai International Hotel: You can take a shower at any Dubai International Hotel outlet, including the one in Concourse A, for US$15.
• G Force Health Club in Terminal 3: Located in Concourse B, the G Force Health Club offers access to a basic gym and nice shower facilities. As of June 2014, the cost for 1.5 hours of access was Dhs 70 (about US$19). This includes an amenity pack with items like Q-tips and a bathrobe.
• Lounges: If you're looking for a more spacious and comfortable option, you can consider accessing lounges in the airport. While some lounges may be accessible for free with certain credit cards or memberships, you can also pay per hour. For example, the Mahraba Lounge starts at £48.10 for 2 hours and includes additional amenities like hot food, beverages, sleeping rooms, and a children's area.

It's always a good idea to check the official website or contact the airport directly for the most up-to-date information on prices and locations, as details may have changed since these sources were published.

Locations of paid showers

Paid showers are available at some lounges in Dubai Airport. The Marhaba Lounge in Terminal 3, Concourse A, between Gates A2 and A3, offers a shower for Dhs 55 (around US$15), including a towel and cosmetics kit. The Dubai International Hotel, also in Terminal 3, Concourse A, offers a shower for US$15. Access to the G Force Health Club gym, including showers, at Terminal 3, Concourse B, can be purchased for Dhs 70 (around US$19) for 1.5 hours.

There are also more than twenty lounges located inside Dubai Airport that provide shower facilities for their guests, including the Ahlan First Class Lounge, Lufthansa Business Lounge, Emirates First Class Lounge, and Plaza Premium Lounge. These lounges can be accessed through memberships such as Priority Pass or DragonPass, or by paying at the door or booking online. Prices range from around $48 to $143 per person.

In addition to lounge access, there are also some hotels located inside the airport area that offer paid shower facilities, including the Dubai International Hotel, Sleep n' Fly Lounge, Holiday Inn Express Dubai Airport, and Premier Inn Dubai International Airport Hotel. The G-Force Health Club, located behind the Dubai International Hotel, also provides shower facilities for guests.

How to find the showers

Dubai International Airport has free shower facilities in Terminal 1 and Terminal 3.

Terminal 1

In Terminal 1, the free showers are located between gates C18 and C22.

Terminal 3

In Terminal 3, the free showers are located between gates A1 and A24, and gates B13 and B19.

To find the free showers in Terminal 3, head to the area between gates B13 and B19. Look out for the small shower sign next to the female or male toilets. The showers are usually in a bathroom with a few shower cubicles.

If you are unable to find the free showers, ask a "May I Help You?" staff member for assistance.

Frequently asked questions