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Dubai International (DXB) is among the busiest airports in the world for international passengers, hub for Emirates and flydubai, and served by nearly every major carrier.
Before you book
Check the airport code. DXB is Dubai International, five kilometres from Deira. DWC — Al Maktoum International at Dubai World Central — is around 60 kilometres out near Jebel Ali and is used by some low-cost carriers. Both are marketed as Dubai.
Three terminals at DXB. T3 is Emirates and Qantas; T1 is most other international carriers; T2 is flydubai and regional airlines and is on the far side of the airfield. T1 and T3 have metro stations inside them; T2 does not.
Visas. Many nationalities get visa-free entry or a visa on arrival, processed at e-gates in minutes. Check your own before travelling.
Medication. The UAE controls a number of medicines that are unremarkable elsewhere. Check the list and carry prescriptions — see what you should know.
When fares are lowest
June to September by a wide margin, which is also when hotels are cheapest and when it is 45°C. May and October are the shoulder and a reasonable compromise.
December and January are the most expensive, with New Year the peak.
Emirates fares from Europe are often keenest in the low season and around the shoulder weeks.
Stopovers
Dubai is designed as a connecting point between Europe, Africa, South Asia and Australasia, and a stopover is frequently free or nearly so on a long itinerary. Emirates runs a stopover programme with discounted hotel nights.
With six hours or more you can leave the airport, take the metro to the Creek and be back comfortably.
Getting into the city
The Red Line metro runs from T1 and T3 and costs a few dirhams. Taxis are metered and cheap. See airport to the city.