Dubai Intl Airport to Deira: How to Get to the Hotel Area

For a Metro journey, the airport station depends on your terminal: Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 each have a Red Line station. Terminal 2 is served by a Green Line plus bus connection via Abu Hail or Stadium, rather than a Metro station at the terminal.

Once you are in Deira, the Deira guide to Metro, bus and abra connections can help with onward movement around the district.

Take the Red Line from Airport Terminal 1 or Airport Terminal 3 if your flight arrives at either of those terminals. The RTA station map places the airport-area stations in this order: Airport Terminal 1 (R14), Airport Terminal 3 (R13), then Al Garhoud (R15).

1. At Terminal 1 or 3, follow signs for the Metro station.
2. Buy a Red Line pass at a ticket office or vending machine in either terminal, or use a Gold or Silver Nol Card.
3. Check your Nol Card balance before boarding: Metro riders need at least AED 7.50 on the card.
4. Use RTA’s S’hail app to plan your journey beyond the airport.

Metro passengers may carry up to two pieces of luggage, including hand luggage. RTA provides the applicable size and weight restrictions.

RTA station opening hours are Monday to Thursday, 5:00 AM to midnight; Friday, 5:00 AM to 1:00 AM the next day; Saturday, 5:00 AM to midnight; and Sunday, 8:00 AM to midnight. Public holidays and citywide celebrations may bring extended service hours.

Dubai Taxi Company taxis operate 24/7 from designated ranks at each DXB terminal. The starting airport fare is AED 25, with additional charges based on distance.

Uber, Careem and Bolt are also available at DXB. After booking, follow the airport signs to your assigned pickup point. If you have arranged a taxi or car service in advance, pickup locations are at Terminal 1 Arrivals, Terminal 2 Main Terminal and Terminal 3 Arrivals.

No sourced typical driving time, road distance or specific route from DXB to the hotel area is available. Allow for your own journey conditions rather than treating the hotel-to-airport travel time as a fixed airport-to-Deira transfer time.

For a late arrival, the airport has Dubai Taxi Company taxis at designated terminal ranks as a 24/7 option. Ride-hailing services are also available, with airport signs directing you to their pickup points after booking.

The Metro has a stated luggage allowance of up to two pieces per passenger, including hand luggage, subject to RTA size and weight restrictions. Check those limits if you plan to travel by train with larger bags.

If you arrive at Terminal 2, account for its different public-transport connection: RTA provides a Green Line plus bus connection via Abu Hail or Stadium, not a Metro station at Terminal 2. Pre-booked car services have a pickup location at the terminal’s Main Terminal area.

Check the latest Metro hours, ticket details and luggage restrictions before setting out. Dubai Airports advises checking RTA for current Metro timings, since hours may be extended during public holidays and citywide celebrations. Check the official site before you go: consult Dubai Airports for airport services and RTA for transport information.

For plans around Deira City Centre, its guide to shops, Metro access and visitor tips covers another local point of interest.