Dubai Airport: A Guide To Its Location

where is the airport in dubai

Dubai International Airport (IATA: DXB, ICAO: OMDB) is the primary airport of Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and the world's fifth busiest airport for international passenger traffic. The airport, located in the Al Garhoud district, was conceptualized to function as Dubai's primary airport and the region's busiest without the need for relocation or the building of another airport. The airport has been undergoing constant renovations and expansions since its construction in 1959, with Terminal 3 being the largest building in the world by floor space upon its completion.

Characteristics Values
Name Dubai International Airport
Other names Dubai World Central, Dubai World Terminal, DXB, OMDB
Location Al Garhoud district, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Distance from Dubai City 8.5 kilometres
Transport options Taxi, Uber, SkyBus, Metro
Transport prices Taxi: INR 700-850, Uber: INR 900, SkyBus: INR 350, Metro: INR 50-100
Terminals 3
Concourses 4
Airlines Emirates, FlyDubai, British Airways, Lufthansa, Saudia, Air India Express, Air Canada, Air China, Air France, Air India, Ethiopian Airlines, IndiGo, Jazeera Airways, Jet Airways, Pegasus, Sichuan Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Spicejet, Thai Airways, Transavia, Virgin Atlantic Airways, and more
Destinations 240+
Annual passengers 85-92 million+
Annual flights 8,500+
Annual cargo 2.2 million+ tonnes
Aircraft movements 440,000+
Facilities Dining, lounges, duty-free shopping, outdoor swimming pool, gym, natural gardens, cinemas, etc.
Other information The airport is set to close and transition operations to Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) by 2035.

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Dubai International Airport (DXB) is the principal airport in Dubai

The airport is the busiest in the world by international passenger traffic, handling over 92 million passengers in 2024. It is also the busiest airport in the Middle East, the second busiest in the world overall, and the busiest for Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 movements. It has a total capacity of 90 million passengers annually and serves as a hub for Emirates and Flydubai. Emirates handles 51% of all passenger traffic and accounts for about 42% of aircraft movements at the airport. Flydubai handles 13% of passenger traffic and 25% of aircraft movements.

Dubai International Airport consists of three terminals and four concourses. Terminal 3, which is exclusively for Emirates Airlines, is the third-largest building in the world by floor space and the largest airport terminal globally. Terminals 1 and 3 are directly connected to the Dubai Metro, and an underground train network connects Terminal 3. Terminal 1 handles airlines such as British Airways, Lufthansa, and Saudia, while Terminal 2 caters to relatively cheaper airlines like Air India Express and Flydubai.

The airport offers various dining options, ranging from Middle Eastern, Indian, Thai, Italian, Irish, Tex Mex, and Japanese cuisines. Popular chains like Pret a Menger, Shake Shack, Pinkberry, and Starbucks are also present, with some outlets open 24 hours a day. Lounges are accessible to all passengers for a fee, providing amenities like food, drinks, comfortable spaces, and improved WiFi. Duty-free shopping is also a popular feature of the airport.

Dubai International Airport has been recognised for its initiatives during the COVID-19 pandemic, implementing a digital transformation and a seamless passenger flow system. It also installed the largest solar energy system in the region's airports as part of Dubai's goal to reduce energy consumption by 30% by 2030. However, there are plans to transition operations to Al Maktoum International Airport by the 2050s, with DXB set to close once the expansion of DWC is complete.

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The airport is located in the Al Garhoud district, 2.54 nautical miles from the city centre

Dubai International Airport (DXB) is the principal airport serving Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It is the busiest airport in the world by international passenger traffic, with over 92 million passengers travelling through in 2024. The airport is located in the Al Garhoud district, 2.54 nautical miles (4.70km) from the centre of Dubai.

The airport is spread over 2,900 hectares of land and has three terminals and four concourses. Terminal 3 is the third-largest building in the world by floor space and is exclusively used by Emirates Airlines. Terminal 1 handles airlines such as British Airways, Lufthansa, and Saudia, while Terminal 2 caters to relatively cheaper airlines like Air India Express and FlyDubai.

Dubai International Airport is easily accessible via the Dubai Metro, with stations conveniently linking to buses and taxis. The airport offers a range of facilities, including dining options with various cuisines, lounges, and duty-free shopping. It also provides tours, an outdoor swimming pool, a gym, natural gardens, cinemas, and other entertainment spots.

Dubai International Airport has seen continuous expansion and upgrades since its opening in 1960. It has contributed significantly to Dubai's economy, supporting over 400,000 jobs and accounting for around 27% of the city's GDP in 2014. However, there are plans to transition operations to Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) by the 2050s, with DXB set to close once the expansion of DWC is complete.

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It is the busiest airport in the world by international passenger traffic

Dubai International Airport (DXB) is the world's busiest airport by international passenger traffic as of 2024. It is also the busiest airport in the Middle East, the second-busiest airport in the world by passenger traffic, and the airport with the highest average number of passengers per flight. In 2024, the airport handled over 92 million passengers, 2.2 million tonnes of cargo, and registered over 440,000 aircraft movements. The airport is situated in the Al Garhoud district, 2.54 nautical miles (4.70 km; 2.92 mi) east of the city centre of Dubai and covers an area of 2,900 hectares (7,200 acres).

Dubai International Airport has been continually expanded and upgraded since its original construction in the 1960s. Terminal 1 was built in 1971, and several runway and apron extensions were carried out through the decade to meet growing demand. The airport has a total capacity of 90 million passengers annually, and as of January 2025, over 8,500 weekly flights are operated by more than 100 airlines to over 270 destinations worldwide. Emirates has its hub airport at DXB, with its own Terminal 3, which it shares with low-cost carrier Flydubai. Emirates handles 51% of all passenger traffic and accounts for approximately 42% of all aircraft movements at the airport.

Dubai International Airport is a significant contributor to Dubai's economy, supporting over 400,000 jobs and contributing over US$26.7 billion in 2014, representing around 27% of Dubai's GDP and 21% of employment in the city. The airport is also a major shopping destination, with the DXB Duty-free store being the largest in the world. In addition to its economic impact, the airport has also been recognised for its efforts to prioritise customers during the COVID-19 pandemic, winning ACI World's 'Voice of the Customer' initiative.

Dubai International Airport's position as the busiest airport by international passenger traffic is due in part to its location as a connecting hub for travellers between North America, Europe, and Latin America. Additionally, Dubai's growing prominence as a centre for business and investment has contributed to the high volume of passenger traffic. However, the airport's status is expected to change with the expansion of Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC), which is scheduled to be completed by 2035. Once DWC is fully operational, DXB will be shut down, and DWC will become the world's largest and busiest airport in terms of passengers, cargo, and aircraft movements.

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Terminal 3 is the third-largest building in the world by floor space

Dubai International Airport (DXB) is the principal airport of the United Arab Emirates and is located in the Al Garhoud district, 2.54 nautical miles (4.70 km; 2.92 mi) east of Dubai's city centre. It is the world's busiest airport by international passenger traffic and the second busiest airport overall.

Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport is a key hub for international flights, primarily serving Emirates and its low-cost subsidiary, Flydubai. The terminal is divided into three concourses: A, B, and C, each with unique features and services. Concourse A, for instance, is exclusively designed for Airbus A380 operations, while Concourse B is dedicated to Emirates flights. Terminal 3 also boasts the largest first- and business-class lounges globally, offering direct aircraft access from the lounges.

Upon completion, Terminal 3 was the third-largest building in the world by floor space, with over 1,713,000 square metres (18,440,000 square feet) of space. A large part of the terminal is located underground, directly connected to Concourse B. The departure and arrival halls in the new structure are 10 metres (33 feet) beneath the airport's apron. Concourse A is connected to the terminal via a Terminal 3 APM. The building includes a multi-level underground structure, first and business class lounges, restaurants, 180 check-in counters, and 2,600 car-parking spaces.

The construction of Terminal 3 and its concourses has enhanced the airport's capacity and improved the overall passenger experience. With its state-of-the-art facilities and luxurious amenities, Terminal 3 can handle a high volume of passengers, contributing to Dubai International Airport's reputation as a significant international aviation hub.

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The airport offers many passenger activities, including an outdoor swimming pool, gym, restaurants, and cinemas

Dubai International Airport (DXB) is located in the Al Garhoud district, 2.54 nautical miles (4.70 km or 2.92 mi) east of Dubai's city centre. It is the world's busiest airport by international passenger traffic, handling over 92 million passengers in 2024. The airport offers a wide range of passenger activities to cater to the diverse interests of its visitors.

One unique feature of Dubai International Airport is the presence of an outdoor swimming pool. Located within the G-Force Health Club in the airport's hotel, passengers can take a dip and relax during their layover. The pool is accessible 24/7, and passengers are required to bring their swimming attire and boarding pass to utilize this facility.

For those who prefer a more active form of relaxation, the airport also houses the XpresSpa, offering a holistic approach to wellness and a range of beauty and wellbeing treatments. Additionally, the Timeless Spa boasts 71 treatment rooms, providing a luxurious and private pampering experience within the airport.

When it comes to dining, Dubai International Airport offers a plethora of options to satisfy any craving. The Dubai International Hotel restaurants offer a variety of cuisines, including pan-Asian delights at Cho Gao and international buffets at The Gallery and Ahlan Lounge. Sweet treats can be found at Candylicious, while Costa and Paul Bakery invite passengers to indulge in a slice of cake. The Nutella Café, with its chocolate-covered waffles and crêpes, is sure to satisfy any sweet tooth.

In addition to culinary delights, the airport also boasts a gaming lounge, Game Space, equipped with PlayStation and PC games, providing entertainment for passengers of all ages. With such a diverse range of activities, Dubai International Airport ensures that passengers can not only pass the time enjoyably but also create memorable experiences beyond just travel.

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