Dubai Airport: Tips For A Smooth Experience

Dubai International Airport (DXB) is one of the world's most important transport hubs, connecting 260 destinations and serving over 70 million passengers annually. With its array of shops, restaurants, and amenities, it's a great airport for a layover. However, with such high traffic, it's important to know the dos and don'ts of Dubai Airport to ensure a smooth journey. Here are some key things to keep in mind when navigating this bustling aviation hub:

- Arrive early: Give yourself ample time to go through passport control, security checks, and last-minute rushes. It's recommended to arrive at the airport 90 minutes before your flight.

- Security procedures: Follow security instructions and avoid carrying prohibited items such as weapons, drugs, and certain foods. Remove metal objects before passing through the inspection device.

- Hand luggage restrictions: Ensure your hand luggage adheres to weight and size limits. Prohibited items include sharp objects, flammable liquids, and lithium batteries.

- Liquid restrictions: Each liquid container must not exceed 100ml, and the total liquid quantity should not exceed 1 litre. Pack liquids in clear, resealable bags.

- Baggage rules: All bags should have at least one flat surface and no long straps. The maximum number of checked bags for international travel is two, with a combined weight of 32 kg and dimensions not exceeding 90 x 60 x 75 cm.

- Currency and declarations: If you're carrying amounts over AED 60,000 or its equivalent, you must declare this upon arrival.

- Facilities: Make use of the airport's diverse facilities, including duty-free shopping, dining options, lounges, prayer rooms, playgrounds, and free Wi-Fi.

What to do during a layover

Dubai International Airport is one of the world's most important transport hubs, catering to more than 70 million international passengers and connecting 260 destinations. The airport offers a wide range of activities to keep transit passengers occupied during a layover. Here is a list of things to do if you have a long stopover:

Eat and Drink

Dubai Airport boasts an array of cafes and restaurants, offering a diverse mix of cuisines. From Italian fare at Carluccios and Wolfgang Puck to Middle Eastern, Indian, Thai, Irish, Tex-Mex, and Japanese cuisine, there is something for everyone. For a quick bite, popular Western eateries include Pret A Manger, Shake Shack, Starbucks, and more.

Relax in an Airport Lounge

Spend your layover relaxing in one of the airport lounges, which offer access to all travellers, regardless of their flight class or airline. Many lounges offer inclusive dining, beverages, quiet spaces, robust WiFi, and even shower facilities. Pre-booking online or using a lounge membership program can save you money.

Shop

Dubai Airport is a shopper's paradise, with vast duty-free zones and international boutiques. You can buy local goods like dry fruits and chocolates, or try your luck by buying raffle tickets, as the airport regularly raffles off cash, gold, and luxury cars.

Explore Dubai City

If you have a layover of at least 5 hours, you can easily explore the Dubai city centre, located just a few minutes from the airport. Join a tour or take the Dubai Metro to visit top attractions such as the Burj Khalifa, the Dubai Mall, and the traditional souks and marketplaces of Old Dubai.

Freshen Up with a Shower

Free showers are available in Terminals 1 and 3, and several airport lounges also offer shower facilities. If you prefer a fuller-service package, the Health Club between Terminals 1 and 3 provides a shower-only option.

Unwind at the Spa

Dubai Airport is home to several spas offering a range of services, including massages, aromatherapy, body scrubs, reflexology, haircuts, and mani/pedis.

Security and customs regulations

Dubai Airport has strict security measures to ensure the safety of its passengers. To ensure a smooth journey through the airport, it is important to be aware of and comply with the latest security and customs regulations. Here are some key points regarding security and customs regulations at Dubai Airport:

• Security Procedures: The security procedures in place are for the safety of all travelling guests. It is important to follow the instructions provided by the security personnel to avoid missing your flight.
• Metal Objects: Avoid wearing metal objects if possible. If you are wearing any metal items, remove them before passing through the inspection device and place them in the designated box to be scanned separately.
• Mobile Phones: The maximum number of mobile phones allowed in your luggage is 15, and they must be in the manufacturer's packaging. Lithium batteries in mobile phones pose a security risk, so they may be confiscated if not properly packaged.
• Liquids: Avoid carrying liquids in your hand luggage unless necessary. Containers should not exceed 100 ml, and a maximum of 10 containers (total of 1 litre) are permitted. Place liquid containers in a clear, resealable plastic bag within your hand baggage. Exemptions are made for medication, baby milk/food, and special dietary requirements.
• Prohibited Items: Do not place prohibited items in your hand luggage, such as lighters, flammable containers, and toy weapons. This also includes sharp objects like scissors with blades longer than 6 cm, blades, and razors.
• Medications: If you need to carry medication, ensure you have a prescription or a doctor's certificate if you have a metal medical device implanted.
• Laptops and Electronic Devices: Laptops, iPads/tablets, and other electronic devices must be placed in a separate security tray to be screened separately.
• Customs Declarations: All arriving guests must pass through customs, and certain items, particularly narcotics, may result in fines or imprisonment. If you are unsure about any items, declare them upon arrival and refer to the Dubai Customs website for updated requirements.
• Duty-Free Allowance: Be mindful of the duty-free allowance when bringing items such as alcohol, tobacco, and gifts into Dubai. Exceeding the allowance may result in additional charges or penalties.
• Baggage Rules: Familiarize yourself with the baggage rules and regulations, including weight and size restrictions for hand luggage and check-in baggage.
• Dangerous Goods: Be aware of the list of restricted and banned items, including batteries, gas cylinders, aerosols, and fuel cartridges.

Banned items and prohibited hand luggage

Dubai International Airport has strict security measures in place to ensure the safety of all passengers. Travellers must be aware of the items they can and cannot bring when flying to or from Dubai. The list of banned items is updated periodically to adhere to local and international regulations, so it is important to check the latest information on the official Dubai Customs website before travelling.

Items banned in hand luggage include:

• Nails and drills (all types)
• Sharp tools, including screwdrivers
• Scissors or blades longer than 6cm
• Personal grooming kit items longer than 6cm
• Sharp objects or swords
• Laser guns (all types)
• Flare guns, ammunition, and firearms (including replicas)
• More than one lighter
• Martial art weapons (all types)
• Electrical cables (excluding personal use cables)
• Measuring tape (all types)
• Compressed gas cylinders
• Liquids over 100ml (only allowed in checked-in luggage if in a clear, resealable plastic bag)
• Aerosols and gels (only allowed in checked-in luggage if in a clear, resealable plastic bag)

Other items that are banned from Dubai Airport include:

• Drugs of abuse, including cocaine, hashish, heroin, and hallucination pills
• Products intended for sale from boycotted countries
• Gambling tools and equipment
• Used, refurbished, and inlaid tires
• Crude ivory or rhinoceros horns
• Any item polluted by nuclear reaction or radiation
• Counterfeit and duplicate money
• Food prepared or cooked at home
• Hoverboards, Segways, and other personal motorised vehicles
• Fireworks, explosives, firearms, and ammunition
• Insecticides, fertilisers, and live animals
• Medicines, pharmaceuticals, and emergency aid
• Telecommunications and digital equipment
• Beauty and personal care items
• E-cigarettes and electronic hookah

Lounge access and sleeping options

Dubai International Airport has a range of lounges and sleeping options for travellers.

Lounges

If you're flying Business or First Class, you will be granted access to the airport's lounges. However, if you are flying Economy, you can still access the Dubai Airport Marhaba Lounge for a fee. These lounges are located in every terminal and include shower facilities, a children's room, a snooze room, and a cinema room. Prices start from Dh450 for transit passengers.

Additionally, the Ahlan Business Class Lounge offers a wide selection of food and drinks for guests on airlines that don't have their own dedicated lounge.

If you are an Emirates Skywards member, you can enjoy paid access to the Emirates Lounges in Dubai and selected airports worldwide.

Sleeping Options

If you want to get some rest during your layover, there are a few options available. In Terminal 1, Snooze Cube rents 13 compact rooms by the hour, with a minimum of 2 hours. In Terminal 3, the Sleep 'n' Fly Lounge offers igloo-style sleep pods for 1-2 adults, with shower facilities also available.

For those seeking more privacy and comfort, the Dubai International Hotel in Terminal 3 offers rooms in 6-, 12-, and 18-hour packages. Alternatively, there are other hotels located within a quick two-minute drive of the airport, providing free shuttle services.

Eating, drinking, and shopping

Dubai International Airport (DXB) is a transport hub catering to more than 70 million international passengers, with dozens of dining options and endless Duty-Free shopping areas.

Eating and Drinking

With so many dining options, you're sure to find something to eat at DXB. You can opt for a leisurely sit-down meal or visit several places for a DIY, around-the-world food tour. Middle Eastern, Indian, Thai, Italian, Irish, Tex-Mex, and Japanese cuisine are all available. Popular Western eateries include Pret a Manger, Shake Shack, Pinkberry, and Starbucks. If you're craving coffee, you can visit DXB's speciality coffee house, Get Your FIX, or head to Costa or Starbucks for a classic flat white. For a wider range of food and drinks, you can try The Daily DXB, a collection of five stalls offering street food classics from Hawaii, Italy, Hong Kong, and Southern USA. For Asian-inspired dishes, there's Cho Gao, and for fried chicken, there's Marrybrown or KFC. If you're looking for something more indulgent, you can try French bakery Paul for cakes and pastries, or head to Candylicious for sweets. For a drink, you can visit the Budweiser Bar in Terminal 3.

Shopping

DXB has endless Duty-Free areas and international boutiques. You can buy local goods like dry fruits or chocolate, or enter the raffle for a chance to win cash, gold, or a luxury car. For athletic and lifestyle footwear and accessories, there's Adidas. If you're looking for skincare, Aesop in Terminal 3 offers personalised skincare consultations and sensory experiences. For travel essentials, Boots stocks holiday essentials, and for luxury goods, there's a Burberry outlet in Terminal 3. You can also find a range of tempting treats at Dubai Duty Free, including gourmet chocolate boxes and French caviar.

Frequently asked questions