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Dubai International Airport
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Dubai International Airport
World's busiest international airport by passenger traffic.
- ›DXB was the world's busiest airport for international passengers for several consecutive years prior to 2020.
- ›Terminal 3 is among the largest airport terminal buildings in the world by floor area, covering approximately 1.7 million square meters.
- ›The airport operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year with no overnight curfew.
- ›DXB serves over 240 destinations in more than 90 countries.
- ›Emirates alone accounts for the majority of DXB's passenger traffic, operating one of the world's largest fleets of Airbus A380 aircraft.
Dubai International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world by international passenger traffic, serving as the primary hub for Emirates airline and a critical transit point connecting East and West. Opened in 1960, it has grown from a modest desert airstrip into a sprawling mega-airport spread across multiple terminals and concourses. Its strategic location in Dubai makes it a gateway to the Gulf, South Asia, Africa, and beyond.
- Terminal 1 — Handles select international airlines including flydubai on some routes and various European and Asian carriers.
- Terminal 2 — Serves low-cost and regional carriers, primarily handling flights to destinations across the Middle East, Central Asia, and Africa.
- Terminal 3 — The largest terminal, exclusively dedicated to Emirates airline and its codeshare partners, featuring vast duty-free shopping and luxury lounges.
- Dubai Metro Red Line — direct airport stations at T1/T3 (Airport Terminal 1, 2, 3 stations)
- Dubai Taxi — metered taxis available 24/7 outside all arrival halls
- Uber and Careem ride-hailing apps operational throughout Dubai
- RTA public buses connecting airport to various city zones
- Car rental counters from Hertz, Avis, Budget, and Europcar in arrival areas
- Hotel shuttle services offered by most major Dubai hotels
- Marriott Hotel Al Jaddaf
- Hyatt Regency Dubai Creek Heights
- Crowne Plaza Dubai Airport
- Ibis Dubai Airport
- Premier Inn Dubai Airport
Terminal 3 offers an extensive range of dining from international fast food chains to sit-down restaurants featuring Middle Eastern, Indian, and Asian cuisines, along with several Starbucks and Costa Coffee outlets. Terminal 1 has a more modest but functional food court with options catering to a diverse international passenger mix. Outside the airport, the nearby Deira and Al Garhoud neighbourhoods offer authentic Emirati and South Asian restaurants at very reasonable prices.
- Allow extra time for security and immigration — queues at peak hours can be lengthy, especially during school holidays and Ramadan.
- The Dubai Metro Red Line is the fastest and most affordable way to reach the city centre, with a designated luggage-friendly cabin available.
- Dress modestly when transiting or arriving, as the UAE has conservative cultural norms in public spaces including airports.
- Duty-free shopping at Terminal 3 is among the most extensive in the world — arrive early if you plan to browse the gold, electronics, or perfume sections.
AI-assisted overview, verified against public sources.
Route map (186 destinations)
Airlines serving this airport
Routes
Stay, Eat & Explore: Dubai
Superlatives in the sand
- •Burj Khalifa — 828 m of glass and steel — observation decks at 124, 125 and 148 floors.
- •Dubai Mall & Dubai Fountain — 1,200 shops, an aquarium and choreographed fountain shows.
- •Palm Jumeirah — The palm-shaped island of resorts, capped by Atlantis.
- •Old Dubai & Gold Souk — Abra boats across the Creek to spice and gold markets.
- •Desert Safari — Dune bashing, camel rides and Bedouin-style dinners.
Getting around: The driverless Metro's Red Line strings the city together; DXB has its own stations. Taxis are plentiful and cheap; abras cross the Creek for a dirham.
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Dubai International Airport is the primary international airport serving Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and is the world's busiest airport by international passenger traffic as of 2025. It is also the busiest airport in the Middle East as of 2025, the second-busiest airport in the world by passenger traffic as of 2025, the busiest airport for Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 movements, and the airport with the highest average number of passengers per flight. In 2025, the airport handled over 95.2 million passengers, over 2.2 million tonnes of cargo and registered over 454,000 aircraft movements.
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