DXB Transfer: 2025 guide to connecting flights in Dubai for transit passengers

Planning a trip to UAE anytime soon? There is quite a good possibility of your flight landing at Dubai International airport (DXB). This airport is one of the busiest globally and handles close to 90 million passengers annually and a substantial quantity of cargo, too.

Dubai International is also the home base for Emirates – one of the largest international airlines. There are three terminals at the airport, handling different carriers entering the Dubai airspace 24/7. Here is a reliable guide to connecting flights in Dubai for transit passengers.

1. Locating the transfer desk in Dubai International airport

Being a major international transfer hub, Dubai International (DXB) has a streamlined process in connecting passengers. Daily, the busy airport manages thousands of transfer passengers. The process starts from finding the right transfer desk.

You can find the boarding pass for the next flight at the dedicated transfer desk in DXB. You can find them by paying attention to signs at the airport, using maps, asking the ‘May I Help You’ staff and consulting one of the many information zones at the airport.

Terminal 1 (C Gates)

Transit passengers booking flights in Emirates or Qantas can use Transfer Desk A. For other airlines, people can use Transfer Desks B and C. There is also the Transfer Desk E for passengers transferring from Terminal 2. More details on the terminals later.

Terminal 2 (F Gates)

Transit passengers in Terminal 2 of Dubai International airport can find the transfer desk right before passport control. It is located in the arrivals hall.

Terminal 3 (A, B, C Gates)

You can use transfer desks G, H and J.

2. Terminal 1, 2 and 3 of Dubai International airport

Dubai International airport (DXB) holds the title of one of the busiest airports globally. The airport can be a little taxing for transit passengers if they are yet to learn about the facilities and their locations. Let’s make things easier once and for all.

DXB comprises three terminals: Terminal 1, Terminal 2 and Terminal 3. Terminal 3 includes three concourses: A, B and C Gates.

Terminal 1: International airlines, except Emirates, flydubai and Qantas

Terminal 3: flydubai and other regional and international airlines

Terminal 3: flydubai and all Emirates and Qantas flights

It must be noted that Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 of Dubai International airport are soundly connected. It takes 5 to 30 minutes on foot, depending on the part of the terminal passengers are in. There are also the metro and shuttle buses to rely on.

If you need to transfer from Terminal 2, collect the luggage first and start shifting to the other terminal. Passengers making terminal transfers or concourse transfers are recommended to ask for suggestions from their airline or guest experience ambassadors.

3. Baggage transfer and check in for connecting flight

There are a couple of situations to consider:

a. Passengers not requiring a visa or holding a Dubai visa and transiting through Dubai International airport on separate tickets – this group of passengers needs to clear passport control, get baggage back, and check in for the connecting flight.

b. Passengers not holding a Dubai visa and transiting through the airport on separate tickets and requiring assistance in baggage transfer – this group of guests can approach the Marhaba Service at the transfer desk.

Part of the Emirates Group, the Marhaba Meet and Greet option has been supporting transit passengers in seamlessly going through DXB for a long time. The staff meets and fast-tracks guests through the airport formalities, right up until they clear security.

The Marhaba Meeting Lounge near the check-in area at DXB Terminal 3 offers a great place to relax, enjoy light refreshments and recharge. The lounge is open 24/7, offers delicious dining and high-speed internet too. Here is the complete guide and price list.

4. Emirates guide for connecting flights in Dubai

Connecting to another Emirates flight at Dubai International is easy. Flights from this particular airline depart from Terminal 3. You can directly go to the gate for the next Emirates flight and all the bags shall be tagged right through your final destination.

If your connecting flight is also from Emirates, you don’t need to collect the baggage and check them in again. But if the connecting flight is from another airline, you might be required to transfer to a different terminal. The baggage situation could also be different.

a. Connecting to another Emirates flight

If a passenger is connecting to another Emirates flight, he or she may depart from a different concourse – A, B or C. It takes approximately 30 minutes to shift from one concourse to another. You can do so by train, bus or on foot.

Emirates runs buses to and from Concourse A and C. You can catch the bus from bus connection area A6 at Concourse A and connections desk E at Concourse C. Please ask a member of the Emirates team or Dubai airport staff for support.

b. Connecting to a different airline

If a passenger landed in the Dubai International airport on an Emirates flight but is required to board a flight from a different airline, things could be a little different. The person’s flight is likely to depart from Terminal 1 or Terminal 2.

But there is no reason to be concerned. Shuttle buses run at regular intervals from bus connection area A6 for F Gates at Concourse A, connections desk K for D and F Gates at Concourse B, and connections desk E for F Gates at Concourse C.

c. Baggage transfer support

There are a couple of situations to address here.

If you chose Emirates for your entire journey, including the connecting flights are part of partner airlines

– You don’t need to collect the baggage. Go to the Connections desk after landing and take the shuttle bus to the next terminal.

– Check in for the next flight

– Your bags are going to be tagged through to the next flight as long as the connection is in less than 24 hours. If the connection is beyond 24 hours, you need to collect the baggage and check them in again.

– If your baggage goes beyond the limit for the next flight, you may be asked to pay an access fee at the Connections desk. If the partner airline has charged you for excess baggage only until your landing at Dubai airport, you may be asked to pay an excess fee.

If the opposite of the first situation is true

– You need to clear immigration, collect baggage and go through Customs

– Exit the terminal and take a bus or book a taxi ride to the departure terminal (you may need a visa to exit the airport and transfer to the next terminal).

– Check in for the next flight

There is an Emirates baggage transfer support. This option can easily take the hassle out of connecting flights, for an extra fee. Emirates is going to collect the baggage after your landing and take it to the next flight.

Your role in this? Just hop on to the shuttle bus to the departure terminal. The Emirates staff is going to re-tag the baggage and send them to the next flight. It is that easy. But ensure your connection time is at least three hours. This option costs $90 per person.

5. flydubai guide for connecting flights in Dubai

You can find flydubai flights at Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 of Dubai International airport (DXB). flydubai is one of the most reputable airlines globally and plays a significant role at the airport. This is a reliable guide for connecting flights in Dubai for flydubai passengers.

a. Connecting to another flydubai flight

You can seamlessly transfer to another flydubai flight at Dubai International. There is no need to collect the baggage, too. So, for example, if you plan to fly from Doha to Jeddah via Dubai, you check the baggage in Doha and pick it up in Jeddah.

flydubai is not going to be responsible if the passenger misses his/her connection in Dubai if booked on a couple of separate flydubai flights. Upon landing in Dubai, go to the flydubai connections desk to get your boarding pass and travel documents checked.

b. Emirates and flydubai partnership

If a part of your journey includes Emirates and another part features flydubai, you can pick up the baggage at the final destination. There is no need to collect your bags in Dubai. This Emirates and flydubai partnership is meant to ensure a seamless experience.

If the passenger lands in Terminal 3 of Dubai International, he or she is required to go to the central transfer desk (transfer desk K). If it is Terminal 2, please proceed to the main transfer desk. For more details on the boarding pass, check the flydubai site.

c. Connecting to other airlines

Please make sure there is enough transfer time in Dubai to connect to the next flight. You need to be at the boarding gate at least 45 minutes before departure. Passengers not holding a UAE visa might not be permitted to exit the airport. You can find more details here.

6. Connecting flights in Dubai: Top tips for transit passengers

a. It is easy to transfer from one terminal to another at Dubai International airport. The Dubai Metro runs to and from Terminal 1 and Terminal 3. There is a free 24/7 shuttle bus support for passengers landing in Terminals 1, 2 and 3.

b. Dubai is a paradise for shopping enthusiasts. There are a lot of things to do at DXB and shopping is certainly one of them. The retail experiences at the airport are plenty. You can find local delicacies, gold, luxury brands and much more.

c. Dubai International airport also has a good number of food outlets, catering to different tastes. You can find simple snacks and treats and top-rated restaurants, too. You can simply settle in to one of the popular restaurants or sample the global cuisine.

d. The Dubai airport houses multiple currency exchange outlets.

e. Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 of Dubai International host a 24/7 short-term baggage storage facility. You can make the most of this option by paying an affordable price, depending on the number of hours and the size of the baggage.

f. There are reserved private lounges at DXB. But the Marhaba Lounge option is highly recommended. It comes at a cost, though, unless complimentary. You can enjoy a hot meal buffet and relax on comfortable massage chairs. There is a Snooze Cube, too.

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