Ruth Haines
Dubai Airport is a hub of activity and excitement, offering travellers a unique blend of luxury, culture, and convenience. With its proximity to the city centre and iconic landmarks, a layover in Dubai can be an adventure. From exploring the famous Dubai Mall and the towering Burj Khalifa to indulging in duty-free shopping and international cuisine, there's something for everyone. The airport itself boasts luxurious lounges, relaxing spas, and unique experiences, ensuring that travellers can unwind, recharge, and even enjoy a mini-vacation within the airport walls. Whether you're a shopaholic, a foodie, or simply looking to rest, Dubai Airport has something to offer during your layover.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sleeping options | Sleeping pods, sleeping in the terminal, hotel rooms |
| Lounges | Emirates First-Class Lounge, Marhaba Lounge, Ahlan Lounge, Ahlan Business Class Lounge, Sleep 'n' Fly Lounges, Plaza Premium Lounge |
| Food | Gourmet meals, family-friendly eateries, Middle Eastern food, burgers, kiosks |
| Shopping | Luxury fashion, local treats, duty-free, international boutiques, raffle tickets |
| Attractions | Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, Old Dubai, traditional souks and marketplaces |
| Spas | Be Relax, Timeless Spa, The Health Club |
What You'll Learn
Lounges, dining, and shopping
Dubai Airport is a destination in itself, with plenty of options for travellers to relax, refresh, and recharge.
Lounges
Dubai Airport has several lounges to unwind and refresh. The marhaba lounge in Terminal 3 offers hot and cold cuisine, beverages, and shower facilities. It also has a dedicated smoking area, a VIP room, and a kids' area. The Sleep n' Fly Lounge in Terminal 3 provides igloo-style sleep pods and shower facilities. The Dubai International Hotel, located in Terminal 3, offers full-scale transit hotel services with rooms available in 6-, 12-, and 18-hour packages. The hotel also has restaurants serving pan-Asian cuisine, à la carte dining, and international buffets.
Dining
Dubai Airport offers a plethora of dining options to satisfy any craving. Indulge in sweet treats at Candylicious, or enjoy a slice of cake at Costa or Paul Bakery. For chocolate lovers, the Nutella Café serves waffles and crêpes smothered in chocolate. If you're looking for a more substantial meal, the Dubai International Hotel's restaurants offer pan-Asian cuisine and international buffets.
Shopping
Shopping is a serious activity at Dubai Airport, with endless duty-free areas and international boutiques. You can purchase local goods such as dry fruits or chocolate, which make great souvenirs or snacks. A unique feature is the airport's raffle tickets, where you can try your luck at winning cash, gold, or even luxury cars!
With so much to offer, Dubai Airport is a destination that provides travellers with a memorable experience, ensuring their journey is comfortable and enjoyable.
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Sleeping pods and quiet zones
Dubai International Airport offers a range of sleeping pods and quiet zones for travellers to rest and recuperate during long layovers.
Sleep 'n' Fly provides Igloo-style sleep pods and cabins that can accommodate one to two passengers. The pods are bookable by the hour, with a two-hour minimum, and rates start from $32 for two hours in a cabin. Sleep 'n' Fly has four locations across two terminals, with options for single or double cabins, business pods, and family cabins. The pods are located near the A, B, C, and D gates of Terminals 1 and 3.
The airport also has a transit hotel in Terminal 3, with short-term and overnight rates available for layover passengers. Additionally, there are two hotels within walking distance of Terminal 3, accessible to passengers in the transit/airside zone.
For those who don't want to pay for a sleeping pod or hotel, there are some quiet zones in the airport that provide reclining chairs for napping between flights. There is also a fake grass area opposite the Hard Rock Cafe where people have been known to lie down and sleep.
It is important to take precautions when sleeping in the rest zones, as theft can occur. Protecting and locking your bags is essential, even when sleeping in the sleeping pods or hotels.
Some travellers have reported mixed experiences with the sleeping pods, with some finding them comfortable and convenient for short layovers, while others preferred the option of a hotel room for a more extended rest.
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Spas, gyms, and health clubs
Dubai Airport is a great place to unwind and relax during your travels. The airport has many spas, gyms, and health clubs, offering a wide range of services and facilities to rejuvenate your mind and body.
Spas
If you're looking for a spa treatment, Dubai Airport has several options to choose from. Be Relax and Timeless Spa are two popular choices, offering a range of wellbeing and beauty services, including massages, aromatherapy, body scrubs, reflexology, haircuts, and mani/pedis. XpresSpa, located in Terminal 3, provides a sanctuary-like experience inside the airport, with Timeless Spa boasting 71 treatment rooms across DXB.
Gyms and Health Clubs
For those who want to stay active during their layover, the DXB Health Club (formerly known as G-Force Health Club) offers versatile packages with options for 1, 2, or 3 hours, tailored to your specific transit time. The health club is located in Terminal 3 and provides a swimming pool, jacuzzi, steam room, sauna, gym, and full shower facilities for a fee. It is accessible 24 hours a day, every day of the year, and you can book your preferred duration and timing in advance.
Additionally, Dubai International Hotel in Terminal 3 offers gym facilities and is just a few minutes away from the airport, making it a convenient option for a quick workout during a long layover.
Lounges
Dubai Airport also has numerous lounges that provide a relaxing environment for tired travellers. The Emirates First-Class Lounge and the Marhaba Lounge (located in every terminal) offer luxurious experiences with amenities like tasty snacks, speedy Wi-Fi, and shower facilities. The Ahlan Business Class Lounge provides a wide selection of food and drinks for guests whose airlines don't have dedicated lounges.
With so many options, you can turn your layover in Dubai Airport into a rejuvenating and relaxing experience.
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Dubai city centre and the Burj Khalifa
Dubai Airport is a great place to spend a layover, with its incredible amenities and proximity to iconic landmarks. If you have a long layover, you can easily visit the city centre and the Burj Khalifa, which is just a short ride away.
The Burj Khalifa is a must-see attraction in Dubai. At 829.8m (2,722ft), it is the tallest building in the world. It officially opened on 4 January 2010 and is part of the 2km² (490 acres)
A visit to the top of the Burj Khalifa takes about an hour. There is a public observation deck, called "At the Top", located on the 124th floor, where you can take in breathtaking views of Dubai. On the higher floors, the sun can be seen for several minutes after it has set at ground level. There is also a gift shop and a small, expensive drinks and cake place at the top.
The Burj Khalifa is surrounded by an 11-hectare (27-acre) park designed by landscape architects SWA Group. The park's design was inspired by the Hymenocallis, a desert plant, and features a series of pools and water jet fountains. The wide marble sidewalks of Downtown Dubai are perfect for strolling, with restaurants, art galleries, and children's play areas. It is a great place to mix with locals and watch life unfold in a cosmopolitan environment.
If you have some time to spare before your flight, there are also plenty of things to do within Dubai Airport. You can indulge in some retail therapy at the many duty-free stores and luxury boutiques. There are also plenty of dining options, ranging from gourmet meals to casual, family-friendly eateries. If you're feeling tired, you can take a nap in one of the sleeping pods or quiet zones, or even book a hotel room for a few hours. For a more relaxing experience, you can visit one of the many spas located across the terminals and treat yourself to a massage, aromatherapy, or a mani/pedi.
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Dubai Mall and Old Dubai
Dubai Mall is the largest mall in Dubai and is known for its luxury shopping experience. With over 1,000 shops, skating rinks, interactive arcades, and countless restaurants, it is a must-see even if you are not a shopper. The mall also has an aquarium, art galleries, children's play areas, and a fountain show. If you are into luxury shopping, you can explore the latest in fashion, beauty, and lifestyle from over 200 coveted luxury brands at Fashion Avenue. You can also marvel at the wonders of nature with over 33,000 animals to admire.
Chinatown is the latest addition to the Dubai Mall, located on the first floor. There are also exquisite French breads and pastries at Paul, along with tempting cakes and savoury meals.
The Dubai Mall is located in the prestigious Downtown development, which also houses the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building. Downtown Dubai is a beautiful residential and leisure area with wide marble sidewalks, restaurants, art galleries, and children's play areas. In the cooler months, you can cross one of the many bridges to Burj Khalifa Park and enjoy a picnic, or watch the dancing fountains with lunch or dinner.
Old Dubai is a great place to see traditional souks and marketplaces that sell a variety of local goods. You can take a walking tour of Old Dubai, which will take you to centuries-old souks, modern art galleries, and more.
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Frequently asked questions
Dubai Airport has plenty of ways to help you unwind. You can pay for access to a lounge, such as the Emirates First-Class Lounge or the budget-friendly Marhaba Lounge, where you can enjoy tasty snacks, speedy Wi-Fi, and even showers. If you're looking for more of a spa experience, you can visit Timeless Spa or Be Relax for treatments such as massages, aromatherapy, body scrubs, reflexology, haircuts, and mani/pedis.
Dubai Airport offers sleeping pods and quiet zones for napping. If you want more privacy, you can rent compact rooms by the hour (minimum 2 hours) at Snooze Cube in Terminal 1, or the Sleep n' Fly Lounge in Terminal 3, which offers igloo-style sleep pods. The Dubai International Hotel in Terminal 3 offers rooms in 6-, 12-, and 18-hour packages.
The Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, is a short ride from the airport, as is the Dubai Mall, which has over 1,000 shops, skating rinks, interactive arcades, and countless restaurants. Old Dubai is also an option to see traditional souks and marketplaces.
Dubai Airport has a variety of dining options, from gourmet meals at The Kitchen by Wolfgang Puck to casual family-friendly eateries. You can also find Middle Eastern delicacies or more familiar options like burgers.
Dubai Airport is a shopper's paradise, with endless duty-free areas, international boutiques, and luxury fashion areas. You can purchase local goods such as dry fruits or chocolate, as well as luxury brands, perfumes, and electronics.
