Dubai cruise terminals: Port Rashid and Dubai Harbour
Shuttlix teamUpdated October 7, 2026 · 2 min read
Cruise ships in Dubai use one of two ports: Port Rashid, also called Mina Rashid, and Dubai Harbour. They are about 30 km apart, at opposite ends of the city, so going to the wrong one can cost you an hour.
Which port is my ship using?
Your cruise ticket or boarding documents name the port and the terminal. If they only say “Dubai”, check with the cruise line before you travel. Do not rely on where the ship docked on a previous voyage: lines use different ports in different seasons.
The two ports compared
| Port Rashid | Dubai Harbour | |
|---|---|---|
| Where | Old Dubai, next to Bur Dubai | Between Dubai Marina and Palm Jumeirah |
| From Dubai Airport (DXB) | about 15 km, 20 to 25 minutes | about 35 km, 35 to 40 minutes |
| Nearby | Dubai Creek, the souks, Downtown | The Marina, JBR beach, the Palm |
Embarkation day: airport to ship
Cruise lines usually open check-in around midday and close it well before sailing. If you fly in on the same day, choose a flight that lands in the morning and allow time for passport control and baggage. Neither port has a Metro station at the terminal, so the last part of the journey is always by road.
A pre-booked car takes you from arrivals to the terminal door, where porters collect the luggage. See prices and how to book on our Dubai cruise terminal transfer page.
Disembarkation day: ship to airport or hotel
Ships normally dock early in the morning, and passengers leave in groups over a few hours. If you are flying the same day, book a flight in the afternoon or later. For the pick-up, give the port, the terminal and the name of the ship, and set the time for after you expect to be ashore.
A night in Dubai before or after the cruise
Staying a night removes the risk of a delayed flight. For Port Rashid, hotels in Bur Dubai, Deira and Downtown are closest. For Dubai Harbour, stay in Dubai Marina or on the Palm. Our guide to where to stay in Dubai compares the areas.
Luggage and groups
Cruise passengers travel with more bags than most visitors. A sedan takes two large suitcases, a minivan four and a minibus six or more: check our fleet before you choose. Groups travelling together can ask for one quote covering several vehicles on the group transfers page.