Dubai Airport transfers are easy if you knew how transportation works in advance.

Dubai is a major global transport and business hub of the Middle East. The transport system is well structured.

Have you visited Dubai before? How do you find the city?

Visiting Dubai changed my impression of the Middle East. Dubai is an extremely wealthy and highly technologically advanced more than I imagined.

I had the Middle East Cruises and visited Aqaba, Abu Dhabi, Muscat, Doha, Khasab and Bahrain from Dubai Cruise Terminal. Whenever my ship docked at Dubai, I always went out to the city centre day and night for my passion, which is photo/videography.

As a female traveller with visible camera gear, I felt Dubai is reasonably safe.

Dubai transport is not complicated. You can save money and time by learning Dubai Airport transfers to the city’s most popular and welcoming neighbourhood.

Do you plan the Middle East Cruise from Dubai?

Yes? Then, keep reading.

I will show you the best way to transfer from Dubai Airport to Dubai Cruise Terminal.

Relevant content:
Where to Stay in Dubai: 4 Best Places for Dubai Hotels 

Dubai Transport Overview

The United Arab Emirates (UAE), aka ‘Emirates’, is located in the southeast end of the Arabian Peninsula on the Persian Gulf. The sovereign absolute monarchy is composed of a federation of seven emirates. Dubai stands out as the largest and the most technologically advanced modern cities among the seven emirates.

Dubai’s hyper-modern city construction project has received international attention. Their ambition is remarkable with the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa. While oil revenue helped the city’s development, it has reduced to 5%. Today Dubai relies on its main revenue from tourism, real estate and financial service.

Dubai has the world’s busiest international airport, Dubai Airport. Did you know that they have the largest cruise terminal of the Emirates?

Visitors can get the city centre within 30 to 60 minutes to drive from Dubai Airport.

Where are the Best Places to Stay in Dubai?

Downtown Dubai, Jeremiah, Dubai Marina and Bur Dubai are recommended places to stay in Dubai.

Downtown Dubai

Downtown is the highlight in Dubai. It is the most clouded and there are full of attractions for day and night. You will find the worlds tallest building, Burj Khalifa. Dubai Mall and Souq Albahar are the places you must visJumeirah

Jumeirah Beach

Surrounded Beautiful Villas and hi-end hotels, Jumeirah is filled with a European taste, with a combination of little Asian touch. Jeremiah is a popular place among tourists due to a beach.

Jumeirah Beach Residence’s the Walk and Jumeirah Mosque are the top attractions.

Dubai Marina

Many hi-end hotels, skyscrapers and restaurants are lined up in Dubai Marina. Jumeirah Beach Residence is a 1.7 kilometres (1.1 mi) long waterfront area. There are a lot of restaurants, hotels and open markets and shows along with The Walk at Jumeirah Beach Residents.

Bur Dubai

Located in a historical district, Bur Dubai is a usual term for the area from Jumeirah to the creek, the creek separates Bur Dubai from Deira. Bur Dubai holds Dubai Museum, abras, souks and floating restaurants.

Bur Dubai is close to Dubai International Airport and Dubai Cruise Terminal. Accommodation fares are reasonable in comparison to other areas.

Downtown Dubai, Dubai International Airport, Jemeirah, Bur Dubai and Dubai Marina

Things to do in Dubai

• Climbing up to the top of Burj Khalifa
• The Dubai Fountain show
• Shows and gigs at Dubai Marina
• The Dubai Mall
•  Palm Jumeirah
• Dubai Creek
• The Walk and Beat at JBR
• The Desert
• Medinat Jumeirah

Dubai Airport Transfers to the City Centre

• Dubai International Airport (DXB) is the busiest airports in the world by the international passenger traffic. The visitors arriving by air will transfer from Dubai Airport to the city centre.
• Downtown Dubai is located about 19 km distance, less than 30 minutes by taxi and metro as well as an hour by Skybus.
• Dubai Cruise Port has 14 km distance and can access within 30 minute drive by taxi from Dubai Airport.

Which transport options are available from Dubai Airport?

• Taxi – popular in Dubai, taxi is metered and reasonably-affordable, with courteous drivers
• Metro – there are two lines, making simple and easy to get to the destination
• Bus – a low-cost option, ideal for a family, groups and local travellers
• Rental Car – explore more while you stay in Dubai

Dubai Transport General Tips

• Check out whether a taxi has a meter before you get in. In my experience, as far as there is a meter, a driver offers the fare properly.
• Make sure you have cash at hand in advance. When you purchase a metro train ticket and a bus ticket they only accept cash.
• A majority of taxies will accept a credit card, but it is always better to ask whether they are experienced with it before you get on.
• Available transport systems are MRT, Public Bus, taxi and LRT (Light Rail Transit).
• Click Currency Converter for the transport fare.

Getting to the city centre from Dubai Airport

Cost on UAB Dirham (AED) on November 2018

1.Taxi

The best way to go to hotels from Dubai Airport is a taxi. Find a table below:

Metro Estimated arrival time and fares from Dubai Airport

Destination	Arrival Time (minutes)	Estimated Fares
Downtown Dubai	30	45-55
Jumeirah	30	60-70
Dubai Marina	30	80-100
Bur Dubai	30	35-45

Why taxi is recommended?

• Taxi is safe, metered properly and priced reasonably, although not negotiable. The taxi fare can get expensive since Dubai is a huge city and so be attentive.
• My ship docked at Dubai quite some time, and I had no problem with taxi both day and night, even sometimes I explored the city centre alone. It is visible that I carry valuable camera gear.

Tips for taxi

• Make sure that you get a taxi, which has a meter, and it is ‘properly turned on when you get a ride’. The starting fare is 3 AED with a 10 AED minimum charge.
• Most taxis will take credit cards and should be tipped by rounding your fare to the nearest 5 AED.
• One thing I would like to remind you is that paying a taxi fare with a group is not allowed in Dubai. If you use a taxi, one of your group members needs to pay. You can then share the total amount of the fare after you get off the taxi.

Taxi surcharge information

• Keep in mind that a 20 AED surcharge will be added to your fare when you are picked up from Dubai Airport or Dubai Cruise Port.
• The surcharge also applies to trips that cross into Sharjah.
• A higher evening rate applies after 10 pm.

Note: when you get a taxi ride as a family or a group, you try to share the fare but please do it later outside the taxi. One person should make a payment to a driver for some reason. It is not allowed to share the taxi rate for some reason.

2. Metro

First and for most, you need to get a NOL card or a NOL ticket to use Metro. There are 5 different NOL cards. Choose a Red card, which is designed for travellers.

• Paper ticket costs 2 AED, which is valid for 90 days and 10 trips, can be used for Metro, Tram and Busses.
• Can top up over a bending machine at each metro stations.
• Rechargeable for use of a maximum of 10 journeys or 5 daily passes

Fares start from 3 AED to 7.5 AED dependent on the zones travel. A daily pass allows an unlimited number of trips during a single day at cost of AED 20 for the pass on November 2018)

How much is a NOL card and where can I get it?

NOL card can be purchased either at Online or all metro stations.

Getting to your hotels with Metro

You can save money with Metro. Dubai’s metro system is composed of two lines, green and red line. Check out Dubai Metro Map

Note: Metro is not working on Friday morning. It will start working at 1 pm.

Metro Estimated arrival time and fares from Dubai Airport

Destination	Metro Station	Arrival Time (minutes)	Estimated Fares (AED)
Downtown Dubai	Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall	19	5
Jumeirah	Noor Islamic Bank	53	8
Dubai Marina	Jumeirah Lakes Towers	46	6
Bur Dubai	Burjuman	9	4

3. Rental Car

Rental car services are available at each arrival hall in Terminal 1, 2 and 3.

Please note it is not allowed to park at Dubai’s Cruise Port. Only registered taxies and career can enter the port area.

Bonus Tip!: Excursion Bus

Big Bus Company runs hop-on, hop-off (HOHO) routes with evening service and a stop outside the terminal. They have an information desk inside at Dubai Airport and Dubai Cruise Terminal.

Dubai Airport Transfer to Dubai Cruise Port

Dubai Cruise Terminal Overview

Dubai Cruise Port is an international cruise port and is a part of Port Rashid. The cruise terminal is located in a 14 km distance and takes about less than 30 minutes to drive from Dubai Airport (DXB). The port is safe and clean, with free WiFi. Money exchange and coffee are available.

Dubai Cruise Terminal, Port Rashid
and Dubai Internatioal Airport

Port Address: Dubai Cruise Terminal PO Box 17000. Dubai United Arab Emirates

Taxi

Since Dubai Cruise Port is close from Dubai Airport, taxi is convenient and easy after a long flight.

It takes less than 30 minutes driving and costs about 50-60 AED.

When you get to the city centre, the port is huge and you need a taxi which is plenty anytime in port terminal 2 and 3. Make sure that you have got a metered taxi.

Metro

First and for most, you need a NOL card to get Metro. Purchase a prepaid NOL card, which can be used for the Metro, Tram, buses and taxis. NOL cards can be purchased at any Dubai’s Metro.

The metro doesn’t open until noon on Fridays but may start earlier for certain events in town. Please find more information above, 2. Metro, where I explained how a NOL card works, its cost and where to get.

The nearest metro station is Al Ghubaiba in the Green Line. It takes about 20 minutes by walk to get the station and a 15 minutes ride via Burjuman station from the Airport Terminal 3 in DXB. Take a look on a Metro Map.

From the port terminal 2 and 3, there are two free shopping shuttles, one each to Mercato Mall, Wafi (Egyptian themed with indoor modern souk and free nightly light show) and City Center Drive.

Departure leave is hourly. Get the schedule at the information desk of the Terminal 3. Shuttles run from 9:30am (malls open at 10am) until 5 to 7pm.

Dubai Cruise terminal, Port Rashid Parking Information

The port is strictly controlled and hence parking is not allowed at the port.

Bonus Tips !

Clothing and Shoes

Dubai is fashionable and liberal but is still a Muslim city. What you should wear depends on where you go.

Males should not wear short trousers except for at the beach. Long trousers and t-shirts or shirts with collar are appropriate for visiting malls, museums, souks and restaurants.

Females need to wear a long shirt and a long skirt or trousers with large scarf to hide hair and neck at souks, mosques and museums. Clothing can be free at dining party and western restaurants but should make skins less exposed.

Safety in Dubai

Dubai is safe. I was out day and night with a full set of my camera gear. It is visible that I am carrying them for photo/videography. Sometimes I went out by myself but never felt uncomfortable outside or faced a dangerous situation.

Of course, it is not recommended to be out as a female alone in downlight streets or no people around.

Visiting Information for Dubai!

• Travel Visa Information
• Currency: The United Arab Emirates Dirham (AED) Go to a currency converter
• Internet: Free WiFi access in Dubai Cruise Terminal, Port Rashid
• Dubai Weather Information
• Dubai Public Holidays

How do you find this Dubai transport article? I hope you enjoyed it.

What have you experienced and where did you explore in Dubai? I would love to hear from you.

I fully enjoyed Dubai!

Please leave a comment and do let me know what you experienced in the city. I would love to share with you!

Or need more time to learn Dubai Transport?

Bookmark this Dubai Airport Transfers to Hotels in the United Arabs Emirates or “Pin the Pinterest red button below” for later reading. Thank you!