Dubai International is one of the busiest airports on earth and it sits closer to the city centre than most people expect — about 5 km from Deira and 15 km from Downtown. Getting out of it is easy. The only real decision is how much you want to pay.
The short answer
- Travelling light, arriving before midnight, going somewhere on the Red Line? Take the Metro. AED 3–8.
- Two or more people, or luggage, or arriving late? Take a taxi. AED 50–120.
- Arriving 01:00–05:00? The Metro is closed. Taxi or a booked transfer.
1. Dubai Metro — AED 3 to 8
The Red Line has stations inside Terminal 1 and Terminal 3, connected to arrivals by walkway. It is the cheapest way into the city by a wide margin.
You need a Nol card before you can travel. Buy a silver Nol at the machine or the counter: AED 25, which includes AED 19 of travel credit. A single trip into the city costs AED 3–8 depending on distance.
Rough journey times from Terminal 3
- Deira / Union — about 10 minutes
- Burjuman / Bur Dubai — about 20 minutes
- Burj Khalifa / Dubai Mall — about 30 minutes
- Dubai Marina / JBR — about 50 minutes
The catch
Metro hours are roughly 05:00 to midnight, later on Friday and Saturday nights, and it does not run in the early hours at all. Luggage space is limited and there is a size limit on large cases. The Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station is also a genuinely long walk from the mall itself — around 15 minutes through a covered link.
2. Airport taxi — AED 50 to 120
Official taxis queue outside every terminal. They are metered, regulated and there is no need to negotiate.
- Airport starting fare: AED 25 (higher than the AED 5–12 street start)
- To Deira or Bur Dubai: roughly AED 40–60
- To Downtown / Business Bay: roughly AED 60–80
- To Marina / JBR / Palm: roughly AED 90–130
Add a few dirhams for Salik (road toll) gates. For two or more people this is usually the sensible option.
3. Careem and Uber — AED 60 to 160
Both operate at DXB and both are legal and common. Pickup is from a designated ride-hailing area rather than the taxi rank, so allow an extra five minutes of walking. Prices are typically 10 to 30 percent above the metered taxi, and surge at peak arrival times, but you get a fixed price up front and can pay by card.
Careem is the local app and generally has more cars at DXB than Uber.
4. Hotel transfer — AED 150 to 350
Convenient, and the most expensive option by a distance. Worth it only if you are arriving very late with children, or if it is already included in your booking. Otherwise you are paying two to three times the taxi fare for a name board.
5. Public bus — AED 5 to 10
Buses run from all terminals and are the cheapest option after the Metro, but they are slow, the routes are not obvious to a first-time visitor, and you still need a Nol card. Only worth it if the Metro is closed and you are on a very tight budget.
Arriving at Al Maktoum (DWC) instead
Some budget airlines use Al Maktoum International in Dubai South, about 40 km from the centre. There is no Metro link. Budget AED 100–150 for a taxi to Marina and more to Deira, and allow an hour.
Practical notes
- SIM cards: both du and Etisalat have arrivals desks. Tourist bundles start around AED 50. You often get a free starter SIM with limited data on arrival.
- Cash: not needed for taxis — all official taxis take cards.
- Terminal matters: Emirates uses Terminal 3, flydubai mostly Terminal 2 or 3, most other carriers Terminal 1. Terminal 2 has no Metro station — you need a taxi or the shuttle.
Common questions
Is the Metro open when I land at 3am?
No. Take a taxi; the rank is staffed 24 hours.
Can I use a credit card in the Metro?
Not directly at the gate — you need a Nol card, but you can buy and top it up by card.
Is it safe to take a taxi alone at night?
Yes. Dubai taxis are metered, tracked and regulated, and the airport rank is supervised.
Fares verified August 2026 and vary with traffic, tolls and time of day. See our editorial policy.
