Dubai International Airport (DXB) is located just 5 km from the exciting city center of Dubai. There are four different transfer options to get from Dubai Airport to the city: taxi, Dubai Airport transfer, metro, or a selection of buses. The quickest and most relaxing ways to travel to the city are by taking a Dubai Airport taxi or a private transfer. Both transport options can drop you off directly at the door of your hotel.
For a fast and cheap transfer option, you can also take the Red Line metro from Terminal 1 or 3. The Dubai Airport to the city center metro takes just 25 minutes and makes multiple stops around the city.
Your final option is to take a public bus, although it’s the slowest mode of transport. Many different buses run from Dubai Airport, with different lines accessing each terminal.
6 options to travel from Dubai Airport to the city
OPTION | PRICE | TIME | AVAILABILITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Welcome Pickups Private Transfer | €25 | 20min | 24/7 | Convenience | Book | |
| Ideal for families or business travelers wanting a seamless ride with plenty of travel extras. | ||||||
Taxi | €15 | 20min | 24/7 | Convenience | Book | |
| Good for families or groups after a quick, door-to-door ride. | ||||||
Metro (Red Line) | €3 | 25min | 05:00–00:00 | Convenience | Read more | |
| Perfect for those after the quickest public transport option. | ||||||
RTA Bus 33 (Terminal 1) | €3 | 50min | 04:00–01:00 | Convenience | Read more | |
| Great for those landing at Terminal 1 and don't mind a longer journey. | ||||||
RTA Bus 20 (Terminal 2) | €3 | 70min | 04:00–01:00 | Convenience | Read more | |
| Suitable for those landing at Terminal 2, with some time to spare. | ||||||
CBD C01 (Terminal 3) | €3 | 70min | 24/7 | Convenience | Read more | |
| Useful if you're landing at night or in the early hours of the morning. | ||||||
Taking a Dubai Airport taxi is the quickest and most stress-free way to travel. The local taxis are cream-colored vehicles with a distinctive “TAXI” sign on the roof. Each company will then have a different colored roof to match their respective branding.
Taxis are available from directly outside of all three terminals at Dubai Airport and take just 20 minutes to reach the city center of Dubai.
Taxi cost from Dubai Airport to city center
Dubai taxi drivers use taximeters to calculate the cost of fares, with an additional €6 (AED 25) airport surcharge. The exact cost of your taxi ride will depend on your final destination in the city and the traffic levels.
That said, the estimated journey cost for covering the distance between Dubai Airport and the city is €15 (AED 65).
*Extra costs for factors such as excess luggage, additional passengers, and tolls (salik) are not included in the price and will be added to your final fare.
Where do I get a taxi from?
Getting a taxi from Dubai Airport is easy, as all three terminals (T1, T2 and T3) have a designated taxi rank. To find the taxi rank at your terminal, simply follow the “TAXI” signage from inside the Arrivals Hall. They will lead you through the exit doors and you will see the long line of taxis waiting.
*During peak travel times, there may be a long queue of people looking to take a taxi.
Convenience
Taking a taxi from Dubai Airport is a very comfortable way to travel. Taxis are available 24/7 and provide a completely private and direct way to get to your accommodation in the city center. The only downside to this option is having to wait at the curb for an available taxi, especially during busy periods.
Useful Tips
Book a trusted, English-speaking driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular taxi
Learn moreThe metro in Dubai is well adapted to the colossal arrival and departure rates of Dubai Airport. Taking the Red metro line is a very affordable and quick way to get into the heart of Dubai.
The most central point the line reaches is the Burj Khalifa/ Dubai Mall Metro Station. From there, you’ll need to walk or take a local taxi to reach your hotel.
The RTA Red Line metro leaves from Terminal 1 and 3, and will reach the city center of Dubai in just 25 minutes.
To explore more of Dubai, you can switch to the Green Line to Union, Dubai Stadium or Centerpoint, or stay on the Red Line to visit the Trade Center, Emirates Tower or the Mall of Emirates.
How much is the metro from Dubai Airport to city center?
If you’re visiting Dubai and only plan to use public transport occasionally, the Nol Red Ticket is your best choice. This paper ticket costs €0.50 (AED 2) and is designed for short-term use. You can load it with up to 10 single trips or 5 daily passes and use it across the metro, buses, trams, and water buses.
A single metro trip from Dubai Airport to the city center typically costs €1.50 (AED 6), though prices vary depending on how many zones you travel through. You can recharge your Red Ticket at any metro station using ticket machines or service counters.
*Nol Red Tickets are available for purchase at the metro stations in Terminals 1 and 3 of Dubai International Airport.
Dubai Metro operates from 05:00 to 00:00 Monday through Thursday and on Saturday, from 05:00 to 01:00 on Friday, and from 08:00 to midnight on Sunday.
Where do I get the metro from?
There are two metro stations in Dubai Airport, one in Terminal 1 and one in Terminal 3. You can easily find the stations signposted from the Arrivals Hall. The automatic ticket machines can also be found in the metro station, to purchase and recharge your NOL pass.
Convenience
For those on a budget, taking the metro is a very practical and safe means of transportation into the heart of Dubai. However, you should always take into account the daily changing metro schedules, limited luggage allowance, the station’s distance from your hotel, and holidays that can affect the operating times.
Timetables
Red Line Metro
Map and Schedule
Useful Tips
Each terminal at Dubai Airport has its own bus network. If you’re in Terminal 1 and looking to get to the city center, you can take Bus 33. However, this route isn’t direct. You’ll need to get off Bus 33 at the “City Center Metro Bus Stop 1” and transfer to Bus 27 to reach the bus stop outside Dubai Mall.
The total journey time from Dubai Airport to the city for both buses (not including wait times) will be 50 minutes.
What's the cost of a bus from Dubai Airport to the city?
To take the bus, just like the metro, you’ll need to purchase a NOL pass for €0.50 (AED 2). You can then load it up with trips. A single bus trip from Dubai Airport to the city center costs €1.50 (AED 6), though prices vary depending on how many zones you travel through.
You can buy Nol Red Tickets at the metro stations in Terminals 1 and 3 of Dubai International Airport. You can also recharge your ticket at any metro station using ticket machines or service counters.
Bus 33 runs from 04:00 to 01:00 daily.
Where do I find the bus at Dubai Airport?
Bus 33 leaves from Terminal 1 only. If you land in Terminal 2 or 3, you’ll either need to travel to Terminal 1, or take one of the buses available from those respective terminals (Bus 20 from Terminal 2 or Bus C01 from Terminal 3). You’ll find the buses waiting at the designated station on the Arrivals Level.
Convenience
Although taking the bus is a good budget transfer option, it’s also the slowest and least convenient. There’s barely any luggage storage on board and you’ll have up to 20 minutes to wait for the bus as you stand in the hot Dubai sun.
If you’re looking to take public transport from Dubai Airport to the city, we recommend the metro, as it’s the same price but much quicker.
Timetables
RTA Journey Planner
Map and Schedule
Useful Tips
You can take Bus 20 from Dubai Airport Terminal 2. This bus runs to the “NMC Hospital 2” stop, where you must switch to the X22 bus to Dubai center.
The total journey time for the two buses will be 70 minutes, making this bus the slowest transfer option from Dubai Airport to the city.
What's the cost of a bus from Dubai Airport to the city?
If it’s your first time using public transport in Dubai, you will need to purchase a NOL pass from inside the airport. Once you have this pass, you will be able to top up your card and ride the bus by scanning your pass.
The cost of a NOL pass is €0.50 (AED 2) and the cost of a single bus ride to the center of Dubai is €1.50 (AED 6).
The RTA buses run from 04:00 to 01:00.
Where do I find the bus at Dubai Airport?
Bus 20 only leaves from Terminal 2 at Dubai Airport. The bus stop is on the Arrivals Level, just outside of the terminal exit doors. If you land in Terminal 1, you can take Bus 33, and Bus C01 if you land in Terminal 3.
Convenience
Taking the bus is a good transfer option for those on a budget and who don’t want to travel on the metro. However, the bus route is not direct, so you’ll need to make a change partway through the ride.
It is also the slowest transfer option and you’ll need to find alternate transport once you reach the city center to get to your hotel. There’s also very limited luggage storage, so if you’re traveling with a large suitcase, you may wish to take the metro or a taxi.
Timetables
RTA Journey Planner
Map and Schedule
Useful Tips
The only 24-hour bus option from Dubai Airport to the city is the CBD line C01 bus. This line runs from Terminal 3 but isn’t direct.
You’ll need to get off the C01 bus at the “Dnata 2” stop, then walk to the “Dnata 1” bus stop to catch Bus 27 into the heart of Dubai. The walk between bus stops will be around 7 minutes.
The total journey time, not including wait times, for the bus from Dubai Airport to the city center is approximately 70 minutes.
How much is the bus from Dubai Airport to the city center?
As with the other public transport options, you must first purchase a NOL pass for €0.50 (AED 2). You can then buy a single bus trip from Dubai Airport to the city center for €1.50 (AED 6).
You can buy Nol Red Tickets at the metro stations in Terminals 1 and 3 of Dubai International Airport.
The CBD C01 bus runs 24 hours a day.
Where do I find the bus?
You can find the C01 bus just outside of the Arrivals Hall of Terminal 3. If you land in Terminal 1, you can take Bus 33 and from Terminal 2 you can take Bus 20 into the city center of Dubai.
Convenience
As the CO1 bus is the only line that runs 24 hours, it can be a good option for when the metro stops working at night. However, the bus is the slowest transfer option and has very limited luggage space, so it’s not very convenient otherwise.
If you’re looking to travel on public transport, we suggest taking the metro over the bus, as it’s the same price.
Timetables
RTA Journey Planner
Map and Schedule
Useful Tips
There’s nothing more relaxing or convenient than a private and fully personalized transfer from Dubai Airport. Booking your airport transfer from Dubai Airport to the city with a trusted company, such as Welcome Pickups, will open a world of travel extras and luxury perks:
Another great reason to book a private transfer is that you can enjoy the peace of mind that comes with pre-booking and pre-paying your rides before you even land in Dubai. Once you’re comfortable in your private Dubai Airport transfer, your driver will give you some local recommendations and will offer you a mini tour of the area, so you can note down some key points of interest to further explore during your stay.
The cost of a private transfer from Dubai Airport to the city center
One of the best parts about booking a private transfer from Dubai Airport to the city center is that you’ll receive a fixed, all-inclusive price before you fly. This will let you plan ahead and relax during your transfer, instead of watching the taximeter climb higher and higher.
The cost of a private transfer to your hotel in the city center starts from €25 (AED 104) for up to 4 passengers. A larger group of up to 7 passengers will pay €37 (AED 155) and groups of up to 12 pay €75 (AED 313).
You can choose to book your transfer through the Welcome Pickups website or app in just minutes. Simply enter your details, your flight number, and your preferred pickup time to secure your fixed quote. All quotes are final, so even if your ride unexpectedly takes longer due to traffic, you won’t pay a penny more than agreed.
Private transfers are available 24 hours a day from Dubai Airport.
Where will I find my private transfer?
Instead of waiting for a taxi in a long queue outside the airport, your friendly driver will meet you inside the Arrivals Hall, holding a sign with your name on. After a warm greeting, they will then lend a hand and help you carry your luggage directly to your pre-selected vehicle.
Convenience
Although Dubai Airport taxis are available 24 hours a day, the level of service and price you’ll receive may vary. Pre-booking your transfer from Dubai Airport to the city will eliminate the need to worry about having enough money, waiting around for a transfer or being able to speak the language of your driver.
Instead, you can relax in the back of a private and modern car, with your fluent English-speaking driver offering personalized tips and a guaranteed 5-star service every time.
Useful Tips
Sedan up to 4 passengers
€25Starting from 6.3 EUR / passenger
Minivan up to 7 passengers
€37Starting from 5.3 EUR / passenger
Minibus up to 12 passengers
€49Starting from 4.1 EUR / passenger
Frequently asked questions
How to get from Dubai Airport to city?
There are four transfer options from Dubai Airport to the city: taxi, bus, metro, or private transfer. The most convenient options are to take a taxi or Dubai Airport transfer, which will get you to the city in just 20 minutes.
How far is downtown Dubai from the airport?
The distance from Dubai Airport to the city is 5 km. It will take around 20 minutes to reach the center by taxi or private transfer, 25 minutes using the metro, and 50 to 70 minutes on the RTA buses.
Is there a metro from Dubai Airport to the city?
Yes, Dubai Airport is directly connected to the city by the Dubai Metro. You can catch the Red Line metro from Terminals 1 and 3, which takes around 25 minutes to reach central locations like Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall. The metro is fast, affordable, and runs frequently throughout the day, making it one of the most convenient public transport options for getting from Dubai Airport to the city.
What is the cheapest way to get out of Dubai Airport?
The cheapest way to get out of Dubai Airport is by taking the metro or public bus. Both options cost just €1.50 (AED 6) for a one-way trip when using a red Nol card, which can be purchased at the metro stations in Terminals 1 and 3. While the metro is faster and more direct, buses may require transfers and take longer, but both are affordable and reliable choices for budget travelers.
Fern Coll
Fern is originally from England, but her love of travel led her to lay roots in Mexico. She’s a business owner and published author with a passion for storytelling. Fern specialises in travel content, helping brands connect with audiences through engaging writing.
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