Dubai Airport arrivals guide: Terminals 1, 2 and 3
Shuttlix teamUpdated October 7, 2026 · 3 min read
Dubai International Airport (DXB) has three passenger terminals. Knowing which one you land at tells you how to get out of the airport and where to meet your driver.
Which terminal will I arrive at?
| Terminal | Airlines | Metro station |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal 1 | Most international airlines other than Emirates | Yes, Red Line |
| Terminal 2 | flydubai and regional carriers | No |
| Terminal 3 | Emirates, and some flydubai flights | Yes, Red Line |
Your terminal is printed on your ticket or boarding pass. Check it again on the day, because airlines sometimes move a flight.
From the aircraft to the arrivals hall
The steps are the same in every terminal:
- Passport control. Many visitors can use the automatic Smart Gates. Everyone else queues for an immigration officer.
- Baggage reclaim. Screens show the belt for your flight. Trolleys are free.
- Customs. Most passengers walk through the green channel.
- Arrivals hall. This is the public area with currency exchange, mobile SIM counters, taxis and the meeting points for drivers.
Allow 45 to 60 minutes from landing to the arrivals hall. It can be faster with hand luggage only and slower when several large flights land together.
Terminal 1
Terminal 1 handles most foreign airlines. The arrivals hall has a taxi rank directly outside and a Dubai Metro station on the Red Line, which runs to Deira, Downtown Dubai and Dubai Marina.
Terminal 2
Terminal 2 is a smaller building on the opposite side of the airfield from Terminals 1 and 3. It has a taxi rank but no Metro station. To reach the Metro you first take the free shuttle bus to Terminal 1 or 3, so most passengers leave Terminal 2 by taxi or a pre-booked car.
Terminal 3
Terminal 3 is the Emirates terminal and the largest of the three, so the walk from the gate can be long. It has its own Red Line Metro station and a taxi rank outside arrivals.
Moving between terminals
A free shuttle bus links the terminals around the clock. Terminals 1 and 3 are close together. Terminal 2 is a drive of around 15 to 20 minutes from the other two, so leave plenty of time if you are changing terminals for another flight.
Getting into the city
- Taxi: official taxis wait outside every terminal and use the meter. See our guide to Dubai Airport taxi fares.
- Metro: from Terminals 1 and 3 only. It does not run through the night.
- Private transfer: your driver waits in the arrivals hall with your name on a sign. The exact meeting point for your terminal is in your booking confirmation. See Dubai Airport transfers.
Arriving late at night
Many long-haul flights land in Dubai between midnight and 6 am, when the Metro is closed. Taxis run all night, and a pre-booked driver will be waiting whatever time you land. If your flight is delayed, a transfer booked with your flight number moves to the new landing time automatically.