Flying to Dubai? Check whether your ticket says DXB or DWC before you book your airport transfer. Dubai International (DXB) is the main hub for most scheduled passenger flights, while Al Maktoum International (DWC) sits in Dubai South and serves a smaller mix of passenger, charter and cargo flights. The two airports are roughly 60 km apart by road, so the code on your ticket changes your travel time, your fare and the best way to reach your hotel.
This guide compares both airports, shows estimated transfer costs to popular hotel areas, and explains taxis, public transport, ride hailing and private chauffeur transfers for families, business travellers and late night arrivals.
DXB vs DWC at a Glance
Key differences in location, airlines and transport
| DXB (Dubai International) | DWC (Al Maktoum International) | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Al Garhoud, beside Deira | Dubai South, near Jebel Ali and Expo City |
| Terminals | Terminals 1, 2 and 3 | One passenger terminal |
| Main use | Most scheduled passenger flights | Smaller mix of passenger, charter and cargo flights |
| Metro | Red Line at Terminals 1 and 3 | No station on site |
| Bus | Several RTA routes | F55 and N55 to metro stations |
| Taxi starting fare | AED 20 (car), AED 25 (van) | AED 20 (car), AED 25 (van) |
| Best for hotels in | Deira, Downtown, Business Bay, DIFC | Expo City, Jebel Ali, Dubai South, sometimes Marina |
Dubai Airports describes the two as a dual airport system: DXB carries most scheduled passenger traffic, while DWC focuses on cargo and charter flights and will absorb long haul growth that DXB cannot fit. DXB is also the busier of the two by far. It welcomed 95.2 million guests in 2025, the highest annual international passenger traffic ever recorded by any airport.
How to Check Which Dubai Airport Is on Your Ticket
Look for the three letter code on your e ticket, booking email or boarding pass. It will say DXB or DWC. Do not rely on the word “Dubai” alone, because booking sites often group both airports under the city name.
Three common mix ups:
- flydubai flights. Dubai Airports lists flydubai across Terminal 2, Terminal 3 and DWC, so always check the code and terminal on a flydubai booking.
- XNB on your ticket. XNB is not an airport. It is the code for a Dubai bus station used by Etihad for its coach link to Abu Dhabi International Airport, located at the Al Wasl Centre on Sheikh Zayed Road. Your plane actually lands in Abu Dhabi.
- SHJ (Sharjah). Sharjah International is a separate airport in another emirate. A Dubai taxi trip that passes through Sharjah adds an extra AED 20.
Tip: Airline schedules and airport assignments can change, especially in 2026, when some airlines reduced or suspended Dubai services. Check your airline app 24 hours before you fly.
Which Airlines Use DXB and DWC?
DXB terminals and airline assignments
| Terminal | Typical airlines | Metro station |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal 1 | Most foreign airlines through Concourse D | Yes |
| Terminal 2 | flydubai and regional or budget carriers | No |
| Terminal 3 | Emirates, plus Qantas, United and Air Canada, and some flydubai flights | Yes |
Terminals 1 and 3 are joined. Terminal 2 sits about 7 km away across the airfield, linked to the other terminals by a free 24 hour airside shuttle bus. Use the official Dubai Airports airline directory to confirm your terminal.
Checking flights arriving at DWC
The airlines at DWC change by season. Recent examples include Eurowings, which flies three times a week from Düsseldorf to DWC, plus several Russian carriers such as Ural Airlines and Aeroflot. Because the list changes often, check your exact flight in the official DWC airline directory rather than relying on any published list. Emirates passenger flights are based at DXB Terminal 3, but always confirm the airport shown against your own flight number.
How Far Are DXB and DWC From Popular Dubai Areas?
DWC is not always the “far” airport. When its passenger terminal opened, Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths said that for anyone living on the Palm or further south, DWC is about the same distance as DXB. The right airport depends on your exact hotel.
Hotel area comparison
Distances are approximate road distances. Fares are basic estimates (see “How we calculated these fares” below). Salik, waiting time and other charges are extra.
| Hotel area | From DXB | From DWC | Usually more convenient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deira and Bur Dubai | About 9 km · about AED 44 | 60 km or more · about AED 177 or more | DXB |
| DIFC | About 13 km · about AED 54 | About 50 km or more · about AED 150 or more | DXB |
| Downtown Dubai (Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa) | About 14 km · about AED 57 | About 53 km · about AED 159 | DXB |
| Business Bay | About 15 km · about AED 59 | About 50 km or more · about AED 150 or more | DXB |
| Dubai Marina and JBR | About 34 km · about AED 109 | About 33 to 46 km · about AED 106 to 141 | Similar, check your hotel |
| Palm Jumeirah (Atlantis) | About 36.5 km · about AED 116 | About 46 km · about AED 141 | DXB, slightly |
| Expo City and Dubai South | About 54 km · about AED 161 | About 24 km · about AED 83 | DWC |
Expo City sits about 24 km from DWC and about 54 km from DXB, which is why DWC is the natural choice for events at Expo City or the Dubai Airshow.
How we calculated these fares
We used the official airport taxi tariff: a starting fare of AED 20 for a normal car or AED 25 for a van, confirmed on the RTA taxi fare page, plus AED 2.62 per km listed by Dubai Taxi. The formula is: AED 20 + (road km × AED 2.62). Dubai Taxi notes that Salik gates are charged on top, waiting costs 50 fils per minute, and fares can change at peak hours and events. The per km rate follows monthly fuel prices, so treat every figure here as a planning estimate, not a quote.
How to Get From DXB to Your Hotel
Metro, taxi, ride hailing and private chauffeur
- Dubai Metro Red Line from Terminals 1 and 3. It runs 5am to midnight Monday to Thursday, 5am to 1am on Friday, 5am to midnight on Saturday, and 8am to midnight on Sunday. You can bring up to two pieces of luggage, including hand luggage. Terminal 2 has no metro station.
- RTA airport taxi from the official rank outside arrivals, metered from AED 20.
- Uber or Careem from the ride hailing pickup zone. Terminal 3 has an air conditioned waiting lounge for app riders in the Car Pickup area opposite the terminal.
- Private chauffeur waiting inside arrivals with a name board and a fixed price agreed before you fly.
Journey times (planning estimates): DXB to Downtown takes about 15 to 25 minutes off peak. DXB to Dubai Marina takes about 25 to 35 minutes on Sheikh Zayed Road, and can pass 45 minutes in the morning rush.
For a full cost comparison of taxi, Uber, Careem and chauffeur from DXB, read our guide to [Dubai airport transfers: private chauffeur vs taxi vs ride hailing]([LINK TO PUBLISHED ARTICLE]).
How to Get From DWC to Your Hotel
There is no metro station at DWC. That single fact changes your plans more than anything else.
Bus and metro connections
According to the official DWC bus page, the F55 route connects DWC to the Expo Metro Station, the N55 connects it to Ibn Battuta bus and metro stations, and both run every 30 minutes. You need a Nol card, because buses do not accept cash. Bus frequencies change by route and time of day, so check the RTA website or app before you travel.
This route is cheap, but it means two changes with your suitcases, and the Red Line still has its two bag limit and closes around midnight on most nights.
Airport taxi and private chauffeur
Dubai Taxi runs the same airport taxi service at DWC as at DXB, with the same starting fares and per km rate. Because DWC is far from central Dubai, the meter climbs quickly on trips to Downtown, Business Bay or Deira.
Journey times (planning estimates): DWC to Dubai Marina takes roughly 30 to 45 minutes. DWC to Downtown takes roughly 45 minutes in normal traffic, and longer at rush hour.
Salik tip: Sheikh Zayed Road is usually the fastest route north, but it has toll gates. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311) has no Salik gates, so drivers may use it for some destinations.
A pre booked chauffeur is often the most practical option at DWC: one fixed price for a long ride, flight tracking, and enough space for your bags without changing buses and trains.
DXB vs DWC Transfer Costs by Destination
| Route | Taxi estimate (before Salik) | What changes the price |
|---|---|---|
| DXB to Downtown | About AED 57 | Rush hour waiting, one or more Salik gates |
| DXB to Dubai Marina | About AED 109 | Sheikh Zayed Road traffic, Salik |
| DWC to Dubai Marina | About AED 106 to 141 | Exact hotel location, route |
| DWC to Downtown | About AED 159 | Route choice, Salik, traffic |
| DWC to DXB | About AED 177 | Evening rush on Sheikh Zayed Road |
For groups, compare the cost of two taxis against one fixed price van. For a family of five, a single chauffeur van often costs less than two long DWC taxi rides.
What If You Need to Travel Between DXB and DWC?
This happens with separate tickets, diversions and connections. The drive covers about 60 km and takes 45 to 60 minutes in normal traffic, or up to 75 minutes in the evening peak on Sheikh Zayed Road.
Moving between the two airports means a landside transfer: you clear immigration, collect your bags, travel by road and check in again. There is no fixed official minimum connection time between DXB and DWC, so give yourself at least four to five hours between flights, and more if you have checked bags or are travelling at rush hour.
Will DWC Replace DXB?
Yes, over time. In April 2024, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum approved designs for a new DWC passenger terminal costing AED 128 billion, with capacity for up to 260 million passengers, and said all DXB operations would move there in the coming years.
The first phase is currently planned to begin operations in 2032. In June 2026, the Dubai Government confirmed that work on the first phase is proceeding in line with approved timelines. Phase one is planned to handle about 150 million passengers a year, and officials have said the move from DXB will happen as a single move to limit disruption for passengers.
Until then, DXB remains Dubai’s main airport. Dubai Airports expects DXB traffic to reach 99.5 million guests in 2026.
Which Airport Transfer Is Best for Your Trip?
| Your situation | From DXB | From DWC |
|---|---|---|
| Solo, light bags, daytime | Metro or taxi | Taxi, or bus and metro if time allows |
| Landing after midnight | Taxi or chauffeur (metro closed) | Taxi or chauffeur |
| Family with kids and a pram | Taxi van or chauffeur | Chauffeur, avoids bus and metro changes |
| Business trip to DIFC or Business Bay | Chauffeur for a fixed pickup time | Chauffeur, long ride with space to work |
| Group of 8 or more | Chauffeur van or Sprinter | Chauffeur Sprinter |
| More than 2 bags per person | Taxi or chauffeur (metro limit) | Taxi or chauffeur |
| Event at Expo City | Taxi or chauffeur | Short taxi or chauffeur ride |
Child seats: UAE law requires a car seat for children under four. Taxis and app rides may not have one ready, so families should request a seat when they book a chauffeur.
Book Your Dubai Airport Transfer
Private Chauffeur Dubai meets guests at DXB Terminals 1, 2, 3 and at DWC. Our private airport chauffeur in Dubai service includes fuel and Salik in the quoted price, and our drivers monitor your flight.
Choose the car that fits your group and luggage:
| Vehicle | Passengers | Luggage | Listed DXB airport rate | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lexus ES300 Hybrid | Up to 3 | 2 bags | AED 200 | Solo or couple, light luggage |
| BMW 7 Series | Up to 3 | 2 bags | AED 450 | Business travel, quiet cabin for calls |
| GMC Yukon | Up to 7 | 5 bags | AED 350 | Families who want an SUV |
| Mercedes Benz Viano V 250 | Up to 7 | 6 bags | AED 350 | Families with a pram and large suitcases |
| Mercedes Benz Sprinter Van | 18 to 20 | 12 bags | AED 900 | Groups, weddings, corporate teams |
Please note: Listed rates are for standard DXB transfers. DWC trips are quoted by distance, so ask for your fixed DWC price when you book. Confirm the included waiting time and any extra waiting charges at booking. For company travel, see our corporate booking service.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are DXB and DWC the same airport?
No. DXB is Dubai International in Al Garhoud. DWC is Al Maktoum International in Dubai South. They are about 60 km apart by road.
How can I check which Dubai airport my flight uses?
Look for the three letter code on your ticket or boarding pass, then confirm it in your airline app or the official Dubai Airports directory.
How much does a taxi from DXB to Downtown Dubai cost?
About AED 57 on the meter as a basic estimate, plus Salik and any waiting time.
How much does a taxi from DWC to Dubai Marina cost?
About AED 106 to 141 as a basic estimate, depending on your exact hotel and route, plus Salik.
Is there a metro station at DWC?
No. Take the F55 bus to Expo Metro Station or the N55 to Ibn Battuta, then change to the Red Line.
Can I travel between DXB and DWC by public transport?
Yes, using buses and the Red Line, but it takes much longer than a car and is hard with luggage. A taxi or chauffeur takes about 45 to 60 minutes.
How much time should I allow between flights at different Dubai airports?
At least four to five hours, because you must clear immigration, collect bags, drive about 60 km and check in again.
Is a private chauffeur worth booking for a DWC arrival?
Often, yes. DWC has no metro, taxi fares to central Dubai are high, and a fixed price protects you from traffic delays.
Does the chauffeur price include Salik and airport waiting time?
Our quotes include fuel and Salik. Confirm the included waiting time when you book.
Can I book a transfer for a family or large group?
Yes. The V 250 and GMC Yukon seat up to 7 people, and the Sprinter seats 18 to 20.