Travel Planning: Flying to Dubai
Flight times, DXB airport, visa & getting around
⚡ Quick Answer
DXB (Dubai International) is the main airport — one of the world's busiest. Most nationalities get visa on arrival (30 days). Emirates and flydubai are the home carriers. Metro connects airport to city (Red Line). Taxis are plentiful and affordable.
✈️ Flight Times
| From | Duration | Jet Lag | Time Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York (JFK) | 13-14 hours | Significant | +9h |
| London | 7 hours | Moderate | +4h |
| Mumbai | 3 hours | Minimal | -1.5h |
| Singapore | 7 hours | Moderate | -4h |
| Sydney | 14 hours | Significant | -7h |
| Johannesburg | 8 hours | Minimal | +2h |
🛬 Dubai Airports
DXB (Dubai International)
- • Main hub for Emirates
- • Terminal 3 = Emirates exclusive
- • Metro: Red Line to city (AED 8-15)
- • Taxi: ~AED 50-80 to Downtown
- • 30 min to city center
DWC (Al Maktoum International)
- • Secondary airport (Jebel Ali area)
- • Some budget carriers
- • Far from city (~50 km)
- • Limited public transport
- • Growing, but DXB is preferred
🛂 Visa Information
Most nationalities get visa on arrival:
- • 🇺🇸 🇬🇧 🇪🇺 🇦🇺 🇨🇦 — 30 days visa-free on arrival
- • 🇮🇳 — 14-day visa on arrival (conditions apply) or pre-apply
- • Free extension for some nationalities
- • Always check current requirements before travel
🚗 Getting Around
🚇 Dubai Metro
Clean, efficient, cheap. Red Line connects airport to Downtown, Marina. Gold Class available (AED 7 vs AED 3). Runs 5 AM - midnight (Thu/Fri until 1 AM).
🚕 Taxis
Plentiful, metered, affordable. Use RTA Careem/Uber. Starting fare AED 12 (airport AED 25). Pink taxis = women drivers (optional for women passengers).
🚌 Buses
Extensive network but slow. Good for budget travelers. All use Nol card (same as metro). AC buses.
Related Guides
Last updated: December 2024.