Arriving at Dubai International (DXB): terminals, immigration, customs and the first journey

Which airport and terminal you are arriving at

Dubai Airports operates two passenger airports: Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC). Most international visitors land at DXB, which has three passenger terminals, Terminal 1, Terminal 2 and Terminal 3. Your ticket or airline confirmation shows both the airport code and the terminal, and it is worth noting them down before departure because the transport options differ from terminal to terminal.

The most important difference is the Metro. According to Dubai Airports, the Dubai Metro Red Line connects to DXB Terminals 1 and 3, while buses leave from dedicated stands in the arrivals areas of Terminals 1, 2 and 3, and taxis wait at ranks at every terminal. If you are landing at Terminal 2, plan on a bus, a taxi or a ride-hailing app rather than the Metro. If your booking says DWC, check the onward options for that airport specifically, as the advice in the Metro section below is written for DXB.

• Write down the airport code (DXB or DWC) and terminal number from your booking.
• Terminals 1 and 3 at DXB have a Metro Red Line connection; Terminal 2 does not.
• Buses and taxis are available from all three DXB terminals.

Before you fly: documents and entry rules

Whether you need a visa depends on your passport. Dubai Airports explains that citizens of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries can enter with their GCC passport or national ID card, and it publishes a list of nationalities eligible for a free visa on arrival, which at the time of review included, among others, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, China and most European Union countries. Travellers from countries not on that list need a visa before they travel, arranged through the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) or an approved channel such as an airline.

Dubai Airports also notes that visa rules change and advises confirming with your airline, the GDRFA and the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs before travel. For a fuller explanation of visa types and passport checks, read our Dubai tourist visa and entry requirements guide. If you take regular medication, carry it in your hand luggage in its original packaging with a copy of the prescription, and check the current rules for your specific medicine before you travel.

• Confirm your visa position for your exact nationality before booking non-refundable travel.
• Keep your passport, return ticket and accommodation details in your hand luggage.
• Carry prescriptions for any medicines you bring, in their original packaging.

Passport control and Smart Gates

After leaving the aircraft, follow the signs for arrivals and passport control. Dubai Airports describes Smart Gates as an automated passport control system at both DXB and DWC that lets eligible travellers pass through in seconds. UAE and GCC nationals, UAE residents and visa-on-arrival visitors with biometric passports can use them, and first-time users are registered at the passport control point on arrival. Once registered, you look at the green light rather than scanning a document; remove anything covering your face, such as a mask, glasses or a hat, and keep your passport and boarding pass to hand in case they are requested.

Not everyone can use the gates. Dubai Airports lists people of determination, guests with large strollers, families with children and anyone under 1.2 metres tall as ineligible, and it offers an online Smart Gates PreCheck tool to confirm eligibility. Everyone else uses a staffed passport desk, where some visitors may be asked to complete an eye scan. If you have a question about a visa at the airport itself, Dubai Airports says the GDRFA visa office in Terminal 3 arrivals, near Entrance 1, is open 24 hours a day. The GDRFA can also be reached on 800 5111 from within Dubai or +971 4 313 999 from overseas, according to Dubai Airports.

• Use the Smart Gates PreCheck tool before you fly if you hope to use the automated gates.
• Families travelling with children should expect to use a staffed desk.
• The GDRFA visa office is in Terminal 3 arrivals near Entrance 1 and is open 24/7.

Customs: what you can bring and what to declare

Customs comes after baggage reclaim. Dubai Customs publishes the list of items that travellers may bring in without paying duty. Personal belongings are exempt, provided baggage and gifts are of a personal nature and not in commercial quantities. For tobacco, the published limit is 400 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 500 grams of tobacco. For alcohol, it is 4 litres of alcoholic beverages or 2 cartons of beer, each carton of 24 cans of no more than 355 ml. Dubai Customs states that passengers must be at least 18 years old to bring in cigarettes or alcoholic beverages under these allowances.

Cash is the other point to watch. Dubai Customs lists cash, currencies and travellers' cheques with a combined value of less than AED 60,000 among its exemption conditions. If you are carrying that amount or more, check Dubai Customs' current declaration requirements before you fly rather than at the airport. Dubai Airports also points out that Dubai Customs enforces a list of prohibited and restricted imports and that the published list is not exhaustive, so if you are unsure about an item, check before you pack it.

• Tobacco allowance: up to 400 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 500 grams of tobacco.
• Alcohol allowance: up to 4 litres, or 2 cartons of 24 cans of beer; over-18s only.
• Carrying AED 60,000 or more in cash, currency or travellers' cheques? Check the declaration rules first.

Baggage reclaim, left luggage and lost items

Check the screens in the baggage hall for your flight number and carousel. Dubai Airports says luggage trolleys are free of charge at locations across DXB and DWC. If you want to leave bags before checking in to your accommodation, or between flights, the airport lists short-term baggage storage available 24 hours a day in Terminals 1, 2 and 3. At the time of review, Dubai Airports listed a price of AED 40 for up to 12 hours for a standard-sized bag at Terminals 1 and 2, with a higher price for larger or valuable items; check the current rate before relying on it.

If a checked bag does not arrive, go to your airline's desk before leaving the baggage hall: Dubai Airports states that lost or delayed checked baggage is managed by the airline. Items left on board or elsewhere in the airport are handled differently, through the lost item form on the Dubai Airports website, which asks for your flight details, contact information and a description of the item. Taking a photo of your bags and their tags before you fly makes either report quicker to complete.

• Report a missing checked bag to your airline before you leave the baggage hall.
• Use the Dubai Airports lost item form for things left on board or in the terminal.
• Photograph your bags and tags before departure.

Getting a nol card before you ride

Public transport in Dubai runs on the nol card, and RTA is clear that cash is not accepted as payment on its public transport. Dubai Airports says nol cards can be bought and topped up at airport terminals, Metro stations and selected bus stations, and that Metro passes are sold at ticket offices and vending machines in Terminals 1 and 3. Sort out a card before you head for the platform or the bus stand.

RTA offers several types. The Silver card is the standard card for everyday travel; RTA lists it at AED 25, including AED 19 of travel balance, with five years' validity. The Red Ticket is a paper ticket for occasional use that RTA lists at AED 2 and that can be used on only one mode of transport at a time. The Gold card gives access to the Gold class cabins on the Metro and tram at double the regular fare. Our nol card and public transport guide explains how to choose between them and how to top up.

• Buy or top up a nol card in the terminal; cash is not accepted on board.
• A Silver card suits most visitors staying more than a day or two.
• Keep enough balance for your first journey before you reach the gates.

Dubai Metro Red Line from Terminals 1 and 3

For travellers with light luggage, the Metro is a direct and air-conditioned link from DXB into the city. Dubai Airports lists the Red Line operating hours from Terminals 1 and 3 as 5am to midnight from Monday to Thursday, 5am to 1am the next day on Friday, 5am to midnight on Saturday, and 8am to midnight on Sunday, adding that hours may be extended for public holidays and citywide celebrations. Check the time your flight lands against these hours, allowing for passport control and baggage reclaim.

Luggage is the main limit. Dubai Airports asks Metro passengers to travel light, with up to two pieces of luggage including hand luggage, and refers travellers to RTA for size and weight rules. Use the RTA journey planner to check which station is closest to your accommodation and whether you need to change lines. For a wider introduction to the Metro, tram and buses, see our guide to getting around Dubai without a car.

• Metro hours on Sunday start later, at 8am, according to Dubai Airports.
• Up to two pieces of luggage per passenger, including hand luggage.
• Plan the station nearest your accommodation with the RTA journey planner.

Buses from the arrivals area

Dubai Airports describes the bus as a budget-friendly way to travel and says buses run from dedicated stands at arrivals in Terminals 1, 2 and 3. As with the Metro, a nol card is required, because cash is not accepted on board. Buses are a useful option from Terminal 2, which has no Metro connection, and for accommodation that sits on a direct route.

Routes and timetables change, so check the RTA journey planner for the route number and the stop nearest your accommodation before you land, and save the result on your phone in case you do not have a data connection straight away. With heavy bags, young children or a late arrival, weigh the saving against the extra walking at the other end.

• Find your route number and final stop in the RTA journey planner before you land.
• Have a nol card with enough balance ready before boarding.
• Screenshot directions in case mobile data is not working on arrival.

Taxis and ride-hailing apps

A taxi is often the simplest first journey, particularly at night or with several bags. Dubai Airports says Dubai Taxi Company taxis are available 24 hours a day at designated ranks in each terminal, with a starting fare of AED 25 at the time of review and further charges based on distance. Join the queue at the official rank and use only the official taxis there.

Ride-hailing services such as Uber, Careem and Bolt are also available, and Dubai Airports says to book your ride and follow the marked signs to the pickup point. Have your accommodation's full address ready, ideally with a map pin, and decline offers of rides from people approaching you inside the terminal. Our taxis and ride-hailing guide explains how fares, payment and booking work in more detail.

• Official taxis wait at signed ranks outside every DXB terminal, around the clock.
• App rides are picked up at signed pickup points, not at the kerb of your choice.
• Keep your accommodation address and map pin ready to show the driver.

Phone, SIM and eSIM on arrival

A working phone makes the rest of the arrival easier, from booking a ride to finding your accommodation. Decide before you fly whether you will use international roaming, an eSIM bought in advance or a local SIM card. UAE mobile operators have outlets at the airport; Dubai Airports' baggage page, for example, places the Terminal 1 left-luggage desk near an Etisalat outlet on the arrival level.

If you plan to buy a local line, keep your passport to hand and check that your phone is unlocked before you leave home. If you are installing an eSIM, do it on a reliable connection before departure and switch it on after landing. Our guide to staying connected in Dubai with a phone or SIM compares the options.

• Check your phone is unlocked if you plan to use a local SIM card.
• Install any eSIM before you travel and activate it on landing.
• Save your accommodation address offline in case you have no signal at first.

Money, cards and paying for the first day

The local currency is the UAE dirham (AED). Cards are widely accepted, but remember that public transport fares are paid with a nol card, not cash. It helps to arrive with a card that works abroad and a small amount of local currency for the first day, so that a card problem does not leave you stuck.

Tell your bank before you travel so that payments in the UAE are not blocked, and compare the rate and fees before changing large amounts of money at the airport. Our Dubai currency, payments and tipping guide covers cards, cash and tipping in more detail, and if you plan to shop, our tourist VAT refund guide explains what to keep for your departure.

• Carry at least one card that works internationally, plus a backup.
• Let your bank know your travel dates.
• Keep a little local currency for the first day.

Arriving late at night or in the heat

Many long-haul flights land late at night or very early in the morning. Compare your landing time with the Metro hours above: if you will clear the airport after the Metro has closed, or before it opens on a Sunday morning, plan on a taxi or a ride-hailing app. Hotel check-in is often in the afternoon, so if you arrive in the early hours, either book the previous night or ask your accommodation in writing about early check-in. Our hotel booking and area guide explains what to check.

Heat matters too, especially in the summer months. Walking even a short distance outdoors with luggage can be tiring after a long flight, so an air-conditioned door-to-door transfer is often worth it for the first journey. Check the National Center of Meteorology (NCM) for forecasts and weather warnings, drink water on arrival, and see our guide to planning a Dubai day around the heat.

• Landing after midnight? Assume a taxi or app ride unless the Metro hours suit you.
• Confirm early check-in in writing, or book the night before.
• Check NCM forecasts and warnings, and drink water on arrival.

Accessibility and special assistance

Dubai Airports says it provides special assistance for people of determination at both DXB and DWC, with inclusive design across facilities from parking, lifts and travellators to toilets, prayer rooms, airport trains and baggage collection, catering to both visible and non-visible disabilities. It works with partners including Dubai Police, dnata, the GDRFA, Dubai Customs, RTA and the Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services.

The airport advises requesting special assistance through your airline, so arrange it when you book and confirm it again before departure. Remember that people of determination cannot use the Smart Gates, so allow for a staffed passport desk. Dubai Airports also notes that dnata offers transport with medical escorts between airport medical centres for guests who need medical assistance, again arranged through the airline. Our accessible travel guide covers transport and attractions after you leave the airport.

• Request special assistance through your airline when you book.
• Expect to use a staffed passport desk rather than the Smart Gates.
• Ask your airline about medical transport assistance if you need it.

Emergency numbers and where to get help

Save the key numbers before you land. Dubai Police, as reported by the Government of Dubai Media Office, asks the public to use 999 only for emergencies and to call 901 for non-urgent enquiries and Dubai Police services. The Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services gives 998 as its emergency number. Dubai Airports notes that the ambulance corporation provides services for travellers passing through DXB and DWC.

For anything that is not an emergency, start with airport staff or an information desk, and your airline for problems with flights or checked bags. Our health, pharmacies and emergencies guide explains what to do if you feel unwell during your stay.

• 999: police emergencies.
• 998: ambulance emergencies.
• 901: non-urgent Dubai Police enquiries.

Your arrival checklist

Run through this short list the day before you fly. For everything else to prepare, use our first-time Dubai checklist.

• Airport and terminal noted from your booking (DXB Terminal 1, 2 or 3, or DWC).
• Visa position confirmed for your passport, and Smart Gates eligibility checked.
• Medicines packed in hand luggage with prescriptions.
• Duty-free allowances and the AED 60,000 cash threshold checked.
• First journey chosen: Metro (Terminals 1 and 3, within operating hours), bus, taxi or app.
• Route to your accommodation saved offline; address ready to show a driver.
• Plan for a nol card if you will use public transport.
• Phone plan decided: roaming, eSIM or local SIM.
• Emergency numbers saved: 999, 998 and 901.

Where to check for official updates

Transport hours, fares, visa rules and customs allowances are reviewed by the authorities and can change without notice. Close to your travel date, recheck Dubai Airports for terminal, passport control, baggage and transport information, RTA for nol cards and the journey planner, Dubai Customs for allowances, and the GDRFA for visas. Your airline remains the first contact for anything about your flight or checked luggage.