Updated 24 October 2026. Trippado earns a commission if you book through the links on this page, at no extra cost to you. Fares and timings are a guide only and can change; check the RTA or the provider before you travel.
Dubai International Airport (DXB) is only a short drive from Deira and about 15 km from Downtown Dubai, so getting to your hotel is easy. Your best option depends on when you land, how much luggage you have and how many people are travelling.
Quick comparison
| Option | Best for | Rough cost | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metro (Red Line) | Solo travellers with light bags, daytime arrivals | Cheapest, a few dirhams per trip | Max 2 bags · T1 and T3 only · not 24 hours |
| Airport taxi | Most travellers, any time of day | About AED 60–80 to Downtown, AED 100–130 to Dubai Marina | Higher airport starting fare · queues at peak times |
| Private transfer | Families, late flights, lots of luggage, groups | Fixed price agreed before you fly | Book in advance and share your flight number |
| Careem / Uber | App users who like to see the price first | Varies with demand | Surge pricing · find the app pickup area |
Taxi from Dubai Airport
Official RTA taxis wait outside arrivals at every terminal. Join the queue, and the marshal will give you the next car. Taxis use the meter: airport pickups start at a higher fare of about AED 25, then charge per kilometre. Salik road tolls are added on some routes. Card payment is widely accepted, but keep some cash in case.
- Downtown Dubai / Burj Khalifa: roughly AED 60–80, about 20 minutes without traffic
- Dubai Marina / JBR / Palm Jumeirah: roughly AED 100–130, about 35–45 minutes
- Deira / Bur Dubai: usually the shortest and cheapest rides
Pink-roofed Ladies & Families taxis with female drivers are also available at the rank. Larger 6–7 seat taxis exist for families with lots of bags.
Dubai Metro from the airport
The Red Line stops right at Terminal 1 and Terminal 3. Terminal 2 has no metro. It is the cheapest way into the city and runs along Sheikh Zayed Road to Downtown (Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station), Dubai Marina and JBR.
Luggage rule: each passenger may take two pieces of luggage, one large suitcase (up to about 81 × 58 × 30 cm) and one small bag (up to about 55 × 38 × 20 cm). Bags go in the luggage areas inside the carriage. If you have more, take a taxi or transfer.
- Tickets: buy a Nol card at the ticket office or machines in the station. Fares depend on how many zones you cross.
- Timings: usually from 5 am (8 am on Sundays) until midnight, and until about 1 am on Fridays. Hours can be extended on holidays.
- Time to the city: roughly 25–30 minutes to Downtown and around an hour to Dubai Marina.
- Gold Class carriages are quieter and less crowded for a higher fare.
Landing after midnight or very early on a Sunday? The metro may not be running yet, so plan a taxi or a pre-booked transfer.
Private airport transfer
With a pre-booked transfer, a driver meets you in the arrivals hall with a name sign, helps with your bags and takes you straight to the hotel. You pay a fixed price agreed in advance, so traffic or a longer route won’t change the cost. Most services track your flight and wait if it’s delayed.
It’s the easiest choice if you:
- Land late at night or very early in the morning
- Travel with children, elderly parents or a lot of luggage
- Are a group of 4 or more and want one bigger car or a van
- Want to avoid the taxi queue after a long flight
Compare airport transfers on GetTransfer → See fixed prices on Kiwitaxi →
Careem and Uber
Careem and Uber both work in Dubai. At the airport, follow the signs to the ride-hailing pickup area. You see the price before you book, but it can go up at busy times, such as late evenings and holiday weekends. Compare it with a taxi or a fixed-price transfer if the app price looks high.
Arriving at Al Maktoum Airport (DWC)
Some flights use Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC) in Jebel Ali, south of the city. There is no metro at DWC. You can take an RTA bus to Ibn Battuta or Expo 2020 metro station and continue by metro, or take a taxi or a pre-booked transfer. DWC is closer to Dubai Marina and JBR than to Deira, so check where your hotel is before choosing.
Tips for arrival
- Get mobile data before you land. You’ll need it for maps, your driver’s WhatsApp or a ride app. An eSIM can be installed before you fly. Get a UAE eSIM on Airalo →
- Save your hotel address in Arabic and English. It helps if the driver doesn’t know the building.
- Share your flight number when you book a transfer, so the driver can track delays.
- Plan to drive around the UAE? You can pick up a rental car at or near the airport. Compare rental cars on Localrent →
Dubai Airport transfer FAQ
How much is a taxi from Dubai Airport to my hotel?
Airport taxis use the meter and start at a higher airport pickup fare (about AED 25), then charge per kilometre. As a rough guide, expect around AED 60–80 to Downtown Dubai and around AED 100–130 to Dubai Marina or JBR, plus any Salik road tolls. Traffic and the exact hotel location change the final amount.
Is there a metro at Dubai Airport?
Yes. The Red Line stops at Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 of Dubai International Airport (DXB). Terminal 2 has no metro station. The metro does not run all night, so check the timings if you land late.
Can I take big suitcases on the Dubai Metro?
Each passenger can bring up to two pieces of luggage: one large suitcase (up to about 81 × 58 × 30 cm) and one small bag (up to about 55 × 38 × 20 cm). Bags must go in the luggage areas inside the carriage. With more or bigger bags, take a taxi or a pre-booked transfer.
Is a pre-booked airport transfer worth it?
It is worth it if you land late at night, travel with family or lots of luggage, or want a fixed price agreed in advance. The driver meets you at arrivals with a name sign and waits if your flight is delayed, so you skip the taxi queue.
How do I get from Al Maktoum Airport (DWC) to Dubai?
There is no metro at DWC. Take a taxi or a pre-booked transfer, or an RTA bus to Ibn Battuta or Expo 2020 metro station and continue by metro.
Can I use Careem or Uber from Dubai Airport?
Yes, ride-hailing apps work at the airport, but follow the airport signs for the app pickup area. Prices change with demand, so compare with a fixed-price transfer, especially at busy times.
Want a driver waiting when you land?
Compare fixed-price airport transfers in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
See transfer prices →Planning your days in Dubai? Read our Dubai Desert Safari Guide and Dubai Marina Yacht Cruise Guide, or search tours, hotels and flights on Trippado.