Dubai International Airport Guide

IATA DXBICAO OMDBDubaiUpdated 2026-09-11
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Dubai International Airport (DXB) is the main gateway to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, sitting in the Al Garhoud district about 5 kilometres east of the city centre. It opened for commercial service on 30 September 1960 and has grown into the world's busiest airport for international passenger traffic, a position it has held for more than a decade.

Dubai Airports, the emirate's government-owned airport operator, also runs Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) to the south, which is being developed as Dubai's long-term primary hub. Until that shift is complete, DXB remains the base for Emirates and its low-cost sister carrier flydubai, together accounting for most of the airport's traffic. The airfield covers around 2,900 hectares and includes two parallel runways handling both wide-body long-haul aircraft and regional flights.

DXB connects directly to central Dubai via the Red Line of the Dubai Metro, and sits within easy driving distance of the neighbouring emirates of Sharjah and Ajman along the coastal corridor to the northeast. Its position between Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia has made it one of the world's busiest connecting points for long-haul travellers.

Services

5 of 6 available

Compare 26 listed options at Dubai International Airport, spanning parking, car rentals, lounges, hotels and shuttles. Each guide sets out locations, distance from the airport, key features and links to book direct, so you can weigh cost against convenience before you fly. Select a service below to see every provider we track for Dubai International Airport.

Location

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Key facts

Size
95M passengers (2025)2 runwaysopened 1960
Location
25.250, 55.371
Operator
Dubai Airports

Terminals

3 terminals

Dubai International Airport has 3 passenger terminalsTerminal 1, Terminal 2 and Terminal 3, handling both international and domestic flights for around 17 airlines. Check which terminal your airline uses before you travel, as check-in, security and boarding points differ between them, and moving from one to another can take time.

  • Terminal 1International

    British Airways, Lufthansa, Air France, KLM, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines

    Concourses Concourse D

  • Terminal 2Mixed

    flydubai, Air India Express, Wizz Air, Mahan Air, Uzbekistan Airways

    Concourses Concourse F

  • Terminal 3International

    Emirates, flydubai, Qantas, Air Canada, United Airlines

    Concourses Concourse A · Concourse B · Concourse C

Nearby cities

2 cities

Dubai International Airport is closest to Dubai (5 km west), and also serves Sharjah and other nearby areas. With 2 towns and cities within reach, it is a practical gateway for the wider region. Distances shown are straight-line from the airport, so allow extra time for road transfers, traffic and parking.

  • Dubai5 km west
  • Sharjah17 km northeast

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the airport codes for Dubai International Airport?

Dubai International Airport uses the following codes: IATA: DXB, ICAO: OMDB. These codes are used by airlines, pilots, and travel systems to identify the airport.

Where is Dubai International Airport located?

Dubai International Airport is located in Dubai, Dubai Emirate, United Arab Emirates. The airport coordinates are 25.2498°, 55.3710°.

What services are available at Dubai International Airport?

Dubai International Airport offers: 1 parking options, 6 car rental companies, 5 lounges, 8 nearby hotels, 6 shuttle services, public transport connections. Click on each service type above to view detailed information.

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