Dubai International (DXB) has lounges in all three terminals, run by airlines and by independent operators. Which lounge you can use depends on your terminal, your concourse, your ticket and any lounge membership. This guide summarises the options listed by Dubai Airports and the main lounge operators, and explains how to plan the time either side of your visit, including the drive to or from the airport.
Lounges at a glance
| Terminal | Lounges listed | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal 1 (including Concourse D) | Marhaba lounge; Priority Pass lists lounges in Concourse D | Dubai Airports, Priority Pass |
| Terminal 2 | Marhaba lounge | Dubai Airports |
| Terminal 3, Concourses A and B | Marhaba lounges; Emirates lounges in Concourse A for eligible Emirates passengers | Marhaba, Dubai Airports |
| Terminal 3, Concourses A, B and C | Ahlan lounges | Priority Pass |
Lounge locations and opening hours change, so always check the operator’s website or the Dubai Airports website before you fly. Our Dubai airport terminals guide explains which airlines use which terminal.
Ways to get lounge access
- Your ticket: first and business class tickets, and some frequent flyer tiers, include access to the airline’s lounge. Emirates lounges in Concourse A serve eligible Emirates passengers.
- Pay at the door or in advance: independent lounges such as Marhaba and Ahlan sell entry, with prices and time limits shown on their websites.
- Lounge membership: Priority Pass lists several DXB lounges for its members. Check the current list before relying on it.
- Packages: some operators bundle lounge access with fast-track or meet and greet services.
Lounges on arrival
Most lounges at DXB are airside, for departing or connecting passengers. If you are arriving in Dubai, your priority is usually getting through passport control, collecting bags and reaching your hotel. A meet and greet pickup can make that process smoother. Our arrival guide walks through each step.
Planning the drive to the airport
If you want time in the lounge before a departure, work backwards from the airline’s check-in deadline and add the lounge time you want. Then add a margin for traffic on the way to the airport. We plan the pickup time with you when you book and agree it in the quote. For DXB departures, see our DXB airport transfer page; for flights from Al Maktoum, see DWC transfers.
Long layovers: lounge or hotel?
For a short connection, a lounge is usually enough. For a long layover, some travellers prefer an airside hotel room or even a few hours in the city if their visa allows. Our hotels near Dubai Airport guide lists airside and nearby options.
Terminal 1 and Concourse D
Terminal 1 serves many international airlines. Some gates are in Concourse D, which is linked to the main building by an automated train. If you plan to use a lounge, check whether it is in the main terminal or in Concourse D, and allow time for the train before boarding. Priority Pass lists lounges in Concourse D on its website.
Terminal 2
Terminal 2 is mainly used by flydubai and some regional airlines, and sits on the opposite side of the airport from Terminals 1 and 3. Dubai Airports lists a Marhaba lounge here. Because Terminal 2 is separate, tell your driver clearly that you are departing from Terminal 2 so you are dropped at the right building.
Terminal 3
Terminal 3 is the Emirates terminal and is very large, with Concourses A, B and C. Emirates operates lounges in Concourse A for eligible passengers. Independent lounges such as Marhaba and Ahlan are also listed in the concourses. Walking distances in Terminal 3 can be long, so allow time between the lounge and your gate, especially if your flight departs from a different concourse.
Making the most of lounge time
- Check the lounge’s time limit; paid entry often covers a set number of hours.
- Some lounges offer showers, which are useful after a long day in the city.
- Keep an eye on boarding times; not all lounges announce flights.
- If travelling with children, check the lounge’s policy for children before buying entry.
For a departure, the best lounge experience starts with a calm journey to the airport. Book the pickup with enough margin and you arrive with time to spare. Our Dubai airport chauffeur service can collect you from your hotel at an agreed time.
Lounge or meet and greet?
Lounges and meet and greet services solve different problems. A lounge gives you a quieter place to wait before a departure or during a connection. Meet and greet helps on arrival, with someone meeting you and guiding you through the airport to your car. Some travellers use both on the same trip: a lounge on the way out and a meet and greet pickup on the way in.
If you are arriving in Dubai, see our meet and greet at Dubai airport page. If you are departing, plan the pickup so you have the lounge time you want before boarding.
Checklist for a departure day
- Terminal and concourse for your flight
- Lounge access method and opening hours
- Airline check-in deadline
- Pickup time agreed with your driver
- Passport and boarding pass ready
Connecting at DXB with a long wait
For connections of several hours, a lounge gives you food, drinks, seating and often showers. For very long waits, you might compare a lounge with the airside hotel, which offers rooms for transit passengers. If you are eligible to enter the UAE and have enough time, some travellers leave the airport for a short visit to the city. That involves passport control on the way out and security on the way back, so allow plenty of time. Our airport hotels guide explains the options, and an hourly chauffeur can bring you back in time.
Remember that lounge information on third-party websites can be out of date. The Dubai Airports website and the lounge operators’ own pages are the best sources for current locations, opening hours and prices. Check them a few days before you fly, and again on the day if your terminal or gate changes.
Request a departure transfer
Use our quote request form, or email info@belgraviatransfers.com, with your hotel, flight, airport and the time you want to arrive at the terminal. We reply with availability and a quote. See also our Dubai airport transfer page.
Related guide: Smoking lounges at DXB.
Frequently asked questions
Which terminals at Dubai Airport have lounges?
All three. Dubai Airports lists Marhaba lounges in Terminals 1 and 2 and in Terminal 3, and Priority Pass lists Ahlan lounges in Terminal 3.
Where is the Emirates lounge at Dubai Airport?
Dubai Airports lists Emirates lounges in Terminal 3 Concourse A for eligible Emirates passengers.
Can I use Priority Pass at Dubai Airport?
Priority Pass lists several lounges at DXB. Check the current list on the Priority Pass website before you travel.
Can I pay for a lounge at Dubai Airport?
Yes. Independent lounges such as Marhaba and Ahlan sell entry; prices are on their websites.
Are there lounges in the arrivals area?
Most DXB lounges are airside for departing and connecting passengers. Arriving passengers usually head straight to passport control and baggage reclaim.
Is there a lounge in Terminal 2?
Dubai Airports lists a Marhaba lounge in Terminal 2.
Facts on this page were checked against the sources linked above on 17 October 2026. Dates, prices and opening hours can change, so confirm them with the official source before you travel.
