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Updated 8 August 2022

As a major international connection point for long-haul flights to and from countries in Europe, Asia, North America, and Oceania, Dubai International Airport (DXB) has always been among one of the world’s busiest airports in terms of international passenger traffic.

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Keeping this in mind, the Dubai International Airport (DXB) also offers a wide range of Airport shuttle services to make travelling easier and convenient for all its passengers. Ranging from affordable options like bus and, metro to taxi services, the DXB has it all.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Dubai Airport Shuttle services available at the Dubai International Airport (DXB).

Dubai Airport shuttle

The Dubai International Airport (DXB) provides a vast range of shuttle services from the Airport including bus services, taxis, car rentals and metro services. Some of the most affordable options include the bus and the Dubai metro services, and the network of both of these means of transportation is extensive.

However, to travel more comfortably you can also choose to book Dubai International Airport’s taxi rental services, which makes travel easier and more convenient.

Dubai Airport bus shuttle

The most cost-effective option, the Dubai Airport shuttle buses are particularly suitable for residents or people familiar with the city, as the network is extensive.

The shuttle buses mainly operate from the stands opposite the Dubai International Airport’s (DXB) Terminals 1, 2 and 3. You can find out the up-to-date bus routes and times from the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) website, to plan your journey ahead of time.

You can apply for the bus service from the ticket vending offices at bus stations.

Please note that you need to purchase a Nol card or paper tickets in advance to pay for the bus service, as cash is not accepted.

Emirates shuttle bus service

Emirates operates free coach or shuttle bus services only for Economy Class and Premium Economy passengers holding a flight ticket and travelling from Abu Dhabi to Dubai and from Al Ain to Dubai.

Please note that

  • The bus service is operated by a third-party service provider, who bears full responsibility for the complete bus journey in terms of insurance and liability.
  • The bus service is only applicable to Economy Class and Premium Economy passengers booked on an Emirates flight into/out of Dubai, and arriving from or departing with that Emirates flight.
  • Passengers must hold a valid flight ticket to board the bus.
  • Emirates is not in a position to accept passengers that do not have a prior booking made and/or do not have a relevant flight ticket due to limited capacity.
  • The bus service must be booked at least 48 hours in advance. Requests received after this time will not be guaranteed.
  • The minimum connecting time required is 2 hours for inbound and outbound passengers.
  • Normal Emirates baggage allowance applies.
  • Passengers must hold an Emirates-issued ticket, where the ticket number starts with 176. Tickets issued by other airlines are not eligible.
  • When buying your flight ticket on emirates.com, make sure to specify Abu Dhabi or Al Ain as the departure or arrival city to ensure that your booking on the bus is included on your flight ticket.
  • When buying a flight ticket through an Emirates office or travel agent, you should request the agent to include the Abu Dhabi or Al Ain bus on your ticket before issuing your ticket.
  • Tickets issued without the bus service will need to be amended by the issuing agent. No charges will apply for later adding only the bus service to the ticket, where the flights remain unchanged. Any changes to the flights linked to the bus service will result in change fees and fare differences being applicable as per the fare conditions of your ticket.
  • For more information, please contact your local Emirates office or travel agent.
From Abu Dhabi to Dubai

The pick-up for Abu Dhabi takes place in front of Emirates Downtown office ‑ Khalidiya ‑ Corniche

The drop-off for Dubai takes place in Dubai International Airport’s (DXB) Terminal 3, Departure Level, Check‑in area ‑ C:

  • departs at 3:00 AM from Abu Dhabi and arrives at 5:15 AM in Dubai
  • departs at 6:00 AM from Abu Dhabi and arrives at 8:15 AM in Dubai
  • departs at 9:30 AM from Abu Dhabi and arrives at 11:45 AM in Dubai
  • departs at 4:30 PM from Abu Dhabi and arrives at 6:45 PM in Dubai
  • departs at 10:00 PM from Abu Dhabi and arrives at 11:59 PM in Dubai
From Dubai to Abu Dhabi

The pick-up for Dubai takes place in Arrivals Level, the last lane opposite Exit 3:

  • departs at 3:00 AM from Dubai and arrives at 5:15 AM in Abu Dhabi
  • departs at 6:30 AM from Dubai and arrives at 8:45 AM in Abu Dhabi
  • departs at 10:00 AM from Dubai and arrives at 12:15 PM in Abu Dhabi
  • departs at 3:00 PM from Dubai and arrives at 5:15 PM in Abu Dhabi
  • departs at 11:00 PM from Dubai and arrives at 1:15 AM in Abu Dhabi
From Al Ain to Dubai

The pick-up for Al Ain takes place from Al Falah Plaza parking adjacent to Emirates Commercial Complex, Khalifa street, Al Ain

The drop-off for Dubai takes place in Dubai International Airport’s (DXB) Terminal 3, Departure Level, Check‑in area ‑ C.

  • departs at 9:00 PM from Al Ain and arrives at 11:15 PM in Dubai
From Dubai to Al Ain

The pick-up for Dubai takes place in Arrivals Level, the last lane opposite Exit 3

The drop-off for Al Ain takes place from Al Falah Plaza parking adjacent to Emirates Commercial Complex, Khalifa street, Al Ain

  • departs at 2:30 AM from Dubai and arrives at 4:15 AM in Al Ain

Etihad shuttle bus services

The Etihad offers free coach or shuttle services to passengers who want to travel to Abu Dhabi International Airport from Dubai.

As advised by the Etihad Airways website, please make sure to book your coach or shuttle bus services at the Etihad Coach at least 24 hours before your travel. You can book online on the Etihad Airways website.

Please note that if you do not book in advance, you will be charged a service fee of AED 25 (USD 6.81) per person. Moreover, the seats will not be guaranteed and will be subject to availability.

Travelling to and from Dubai

The Dubai pick-up and drop-off locations from Abu Dhabi airport are from the Al Wasl Centre at the back of the Safestway Supermarket’s Sheikh Zayed Road entrance. The trip for this service takes around 75 minutes.

Abu Dhabi International Airport to Al Wasl Centre

  • EY5412 – departs at 12:15 AM from Abu Dhabi and arrives at 2:15 AM in Dubai.
  • EY5414 – departs at 1:25 AM from Abu Dhabi and arrives at 3:25 AM in Dubai.
  • EY5416 – departs at 3:05 AM from Abu Dhabi and arrives at 5:05 AM in Dubai.
  • EY5418 – departs at 7:05 AM from Abu Dhabi and arrives at 9:05 AM in Dubai.
  • EY5420 – departs at 8:20 AM from Abu Dhabi and arrives at 10:20 AM in Dubai.
  • EY5422 – departs at 10:50 AM from Abu Dhabi and arrives at 12:50 PM in Dubai.
  • EY5424 – departs at 2:25 PM from Abu Dhabi and arrives at 4:25 PM in Dubai.
  • EY5426 – departs at 8:25 PM from Abu Dhabi and arrives at 10:25 PM in Dubai.
  • EY5428 – departs at 9:25 PM from Abu Dhabi and arrives at 11:25 PM in Dubai.
  • EY5430 – departs at 10:10 PM from Abu Dhabi and arrives at 11:50 PM in Dubai.

Al Wasl Centre to Abu Dhabi International Airport

  • EY5411 – departs at 2:05 AM from Dubai and arrives at 4:05 AM in Abu Dhabi.
  • EY5413 – departs at 4:10 AM from Dubai and arrives at 6:10 AM in Abu Dhabi.
  • EY5415 – departs at 6:05 AM from Dubai and arrives at 8:05 AM in Abu Dhabi.
  • EY5417 – departs at 9:35 AM from Dubai and arrives at 11:35 AM in Abu Dhabi.
  • EY5419 – departs at 11:30 AM from Dubai and arrives at 1:30 PM in Abu Dhabi.
  • EY5421 – departs at 4:15 PM from Dubai and arrives at 6:15 PM in Abu Dhabi.
  • EY5423 – departs at 5:20 PM from Dubai and arrives at 7:20 PM in Abu Dhabi.
  • EY5425 – departs at 7:05 PM from Dubai and arrives at 9:05 PM in Abu Dhabi.
  • EY5427 – departs at 8:55 PM from Dubai and arrives at 10:55 PM in Abu Dhabi.
  • EY5429 – departs at 10:30 PM from Dubai and arrives at 12:30 AM in Abu Dhabi.

Dubai Airport taxi services

You can get taxi services both for getting to the Dubai International Airport (DXB), as well as going from the Airport.

Getting to the Dubai International Airport (DXB)

You can order your taxi either ahead of time by contacting on +971 800 88088, or you can also wave down a taxi on the road.

The Dubai Taxi cabs are cream in colour, and those with a pink trim have female drivers.

Going from Dubai International Airport (DXB)

The Dubai International Airport (DXB) offers taxi services from all its Terminals. You can follow the signs to the official taxi rank at each terminal, or ask the airport’s Guest Experience Ambassadors team to help you locate the taxi ranks.

The taxi ranks are well organised, with taxis operating 24/7.

Please note that there is an AED 25 (USD 6.81) flag charge for booking a taxi from the Airport. The price for each km in the taxi is AED 1.96 (USD 0.53).

Other Airport taxi services

The Dubai Taxi Corporation offers a wide range of transportation choices for its passengers. The Airport taxis offered by the DTC are exclusive to travellers arriving at the Dubai International Airport (DXB).

Moreover, the Airport taxi allows travellers to connect to other Emirates in the country around the clock. To locate these Airport taxis you will have to search for the taxi sign icon inside Terminals 1, 2 and 3 where the taxi officers wait to drive the travellers to their desired destinations.

You can book and avail of this service by contacting DTC’s customer care at 80088088.

Please note that the taxi meter for DTC’s Airport taxis starts at AED 25 (USD 6.81), and the kilometre is calculated at AED 2.19 (USD 0.60).

For more details visit the Dubai Taxi Corporation website.

Going from the Dubai World Central (DWC)

The following range of taxi services will be available for going from the Dubai World Central (DWC) or the Al Maktoum International Airport:

Dubai Taxi 

The Dubai World Central has a dedicated fleet of taxis operated by the Dubai Taxi Corporation. They also offer shared taxi services in the area.

Private taxis

The Dubai World Central also offers private taxi services.

Dubai Airport metro services

One of the cleanest, air-conditioned and most affordable means of transportation in Dubai is the Dubai Metro. The Dubai International Airport (DXB) has two metro stations on Dubai Metro.

The trains run frequently from the DXB Terminals 1 and 3, with both stations on the Red Line. The Red Line runs from

  • Monday to Thursday from 5 AM till 12 AM (midnight)
  • Friday from 5 AM -1 AM, and
  • Sunday from 8 AM till 12 AM (midnight)

For more information, you can check the complete metro timetable.

Travellers can purchase their metro tickets at the airport stations. The cost depends on how many zones they travel to. Alternatively, travellers can also try the Nol card, as it can be charged up with credit, and gives the traveller’s a discount on standard fares.

Please note that you are allowed up to two pieces of luggage (with one being hand luggage).

Dubai World Central

The nearest metro station from the Dubai World Central or the Al Maktoum International Airport is located at Ibn Battuta Mall that can be reached via bus or taxi.

 

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