With the conclusion of the two-month summer break, a substantial number of UAE residents are preparing to return, leading to a surge in passenger activity at the country’s airports.
To manage potential congestion on the airport road during peak periods, a recent travel advisory from DXB’s management encourages travellers to opt for the Dubai Metro costing less than Dh 10 to reach most of the stations.
As a result, individuals tasked with collecting arriving guests are advised to utilize the designated parking facilities or valet services at Dubai International Airport (DXB), both of which are fee-based services.
🚉 yet another ode to the best, safest, uncomplicated and passenger-tourist-friendly metro in the world 🚝 The Dubai Metro 🚈 .
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.#dubaibuzz #dubailife #docgelo #travel #dubai #dubaimetro #metro #dxb #unitedarabemirates #DubaiByDocGelo #DocGeloInDubai #wanderlust #emirates pic.twitter.com/TElriTEaFV— Dubai Buzz (@dubaibuzz_xyz) August 20, 2023
Utilizing Dubai Metro to reach most stations, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the following details for a seamless experience;
Where are DXB’s Metro stations located?
DXB has two stations at Terminals 1 and 3. Both are on the Red Line.
What are the timings of the Metro?
The timings of the Red Line are:
Monday to Thursday: 5am to midnight
Friday: 5am to 1am
Saturday: 5am to midnight
Sunday: 8am to midnight
NOTE: These are the timings of the trains on the Red Line; they will differ according to the station location and direction.
Can I carry any luggage on the Metro?
Yes. Passengers can carry up to two pieces of baggage, with one being hand luggage.
How much does it cost to travel on the Metro?
It’s the most affordable mode of transport in Dubai. The actual fare would depend on which station you are travelling to, but it wouldn’t cost more than Dh10. For example, here are the Metro fares from Airport Terminal 1 to:
Qusais: Dh3
Oud Mehta: Dh5
Dubai Mall/Burj Khalifa: Dh5
Dubai Internet City: Dh7.5
Dubai Investment Park: Dh7.5
If your apartment or villa is not close to a Metro station, you may need to factor in the additional bus or taxi fare; or ask a friend or relative to pick you up from the nearest one.
Five ways to avoid travel rush at Dubai Airport
From Smart Gates to special passport control for children – here’s all you need to know;
Dubai Airports have issued a travel advisory for returning travellers, urging them to use Smart Gates to speed up the passport control process.
Over just two days – August 26 and 27 – over half a million people are expected to use Dubai Airports. Airport authorities issued an advisory on August 16, saying that the coming two weeks would be busy as people return from their summer break.
According to Dubai Airports, during the 13-day period, from August 16 to August 28, the average daily traffic would reach 258,000 passengers, with the highest traffic expected on August 26 and 27.
So, if you are planning to return to the UAE during this period, here are some tips to follow to get through easily at Dubai International Airport (DXB).
- Use the children’s passport control
If you are traveling with children between the ages of four to 12 years old, you can use the children’s passport control counters in the arrival halls of Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 at Dubai International Airport (DXB).
These are dedicated counters for children and they even get the opportunity to go up to the passport control counter and stamp their passport themselves.
- Use Smart Gates to complete passport control in seconds
With children getting a dedicated counter, adults can also go through passport control through Smart Gates. According to the website of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai (GDRFAD), the gates use facial and iris recognition technology to let travellers complete passport control procedures, without the need for an exit stamp on their passports.
Can everyone use Smart Gates at Dubai Airports?
According to GDRFAD, registered passengers with a height of 1.2 metres (4ft) and above are eligible to use Smart Gates. Here are the categories that are allowed to use Smart Gates:
- UAE and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) citizens
- UAE residents
- Visa-on-arrival and Schengen Union guests
- Pre-issued visa holders
According to the GDRFAD website, you need to be registered to use the Smart Gates. “All guests who have recently travelled at DXB are likely to have been registered when they travelled through the passport control check point,” the website states.
To check if you are eligible to use Smart Gates before you travel, you can also use the ‘Inquiry for Smart Gate Registration’ service, available on the official GDRFAD website – gdrfad.gov.ae. By providing your passport number or Emirates ID – in case you are a UAE resident – you can find out if you are registered on the Smart Gates system.
- Beat the traffic by using the Metro
According to the advisory released by Dubai Airports on August 16, the road towards Dubai International Airport (DXB) is expected to get busy during peak hours. The airport authority advised guests to use the Dubai Metro instead, with stations located at Terminal 1 and Terminal 3, on the Dubai Metro Red Line. But to be able to use the Metro, make sure you have your nol card at hand.
Also, it is important to keep in mind the baggage policy you need to follow when using the Metro. As per Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), only two suitcases are permitted per passenger. This includes:
- One large suitcase – Dimensions should not exceed 81cm x 58cm x 30cm
- One small suitcase – Dimensions should not exceed 55cm x 38cm x 20cm
- All luggage must be stowed in the dedicated luggage area, which can be found in each cabin.
Dubai Metro
If you are going to use the Dubai Metro Stations located at Dubai International Airport (DXB), Terminal 1 and 3, only two suitcases are permitted per passenger.
- If someone is coming to pick you up at Terminal 1 or 3, head to the parking area
As the main entrance area outside the Arrivals terminal (the Arrivals’ forecourts) at Terminal 1 and 3 are only accessible to public transport and authorised airport vehicles, if a friend or family member is coming to pick you up, they would need to either use the terminal’s short-term or long-term car parks or drop the car off at the valet service.
Parking tariffs at Dubai Airport Terminal 1
Car Park A – Premium Parking
This car park is a two- to three-minute walk away from the Terminal 1 entrance, with the following tariff:
- Five minutes: Dh5
- 15 minutes: Dh15
- 30 minutes: Dh30
- Up to two hours: Dh40
- Three hours: Dh55
- Four hours: Dh65
- One day: Dh125
- Each additional day: Dh100
Car Park B – Economy Parking
This car park is a seven- to nine-minute walk from Terminal 1, with the following tariff:
- One hour: Dh25
- Two hours: Dh30
- Three hours: Dh35
- Four hours Dh45
- One day: Dh85
- Each additional day: Dh75
You will be able to reach the car park by following signs at the airport for Car Park A and Car Park B.
Parking tariffs at Dubai Airport Terminal 3
There is only one standard parking area Terminal 3, and it is two to three minutes from the arrivals’ entrance.
- 5 minutes – Dh5
- 15 minutes – Dh15
- 30 minutes – Dh30
- Up to two hours – Dh40
- Three hours – Dh55
- Four hours – Dh65
- One day – Dh125
- Each additional day – Dh100
In case you are landing at Terminal 2, the forecourt is still accessible to people picking up guests. However, if you need to use the parking area, here is a breakdown of the tariff:
Car Park A – Premium Parking
This car park is a three- to five-minute walk from Terminal 2
- One hour: Dh30
- Two hours: Dh40
- Three hours: Dh55
- Four hours Dh65
- One day: Dh125
- Each additional day: Dh100
Car Park B – Economy
This car park is a 10- to 12-minute walk from Terminal 2.
- One hour: Dh15
- Two hours: Dh20
- Three hours: Dh25
- Four hours Dh30
- One day: Dh70
- Each additional day: Dh50
Stock entering a parking lot
The main entrance area outside the Arrivals terminal (the Arrivals’ forecourts) at Terminal 1 and 3 are only accessible to public transport and authorised airport vehicles
- Follow these steps if you are taking a taxi
Once you have collected your bags, follow the signs for the taxi stands, where you can find taxis waiting for passengers around the clock. RTA airport taxis start the fare at Dh25.
It is important to note that if you want to hail a private taxi from Careem or Uber, there are separate lanes for those as well.
You can also hail the limousine service from Dubai Taxi Corporation (DTC) at Dubai International Airport (DXB) Terminals 1, 2 and 3.
The fare for the limousine service at airport starts from Dh25, and kilometre is calculated at Dh3.67.
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