Connecting at DXB on one ticket needs no car: you follow the Connections signs and stay airside. A road transfer only comes into the picture in two cases, when your onward flight leaves from Al Maktoum (DWC), or when you leave the airport on a long layover. Dubai International is one of the world’s great connecting hubs, and many travellers never see the city at all. This guide explains how each type of connection works.
Connecting on one ticket
If both flights are on the same booking, your bags are normally checked through to your final destination and you stay airside. Dubai Airports says transfer passengers can collect the onward boarding pass at dedicated transfer desks, found by following the signs, using the interactive maps or asking Guest Experience Ambassadors. You pass a transfer security check and then go to your departure gate.
- Look for the Connections signs as soon as you leave the aircraft.
- Check the departure screens for your onward gate; gates can change.
- In Terminal 3, the B and C gates are linked on foot, and the A gates are reached by a short airport train, according to Dubai Airports.
- Terminal 1 D gates are also reached by an airport train.
Changing terminals
Terminal 2 is on the opposite side of the airfield from Terminals 1 and 3. If your connection involves Terminal 2, ask your airline or the Guest Experience Ambassadors how to transfer, as Dubai Airports recommends. Airlines set their own minimum connection times; your booking will only have been sold with a connection the airline considers achievable, but allow extra margin on separate tickets.
Connecting on separate tickets
Separate tickets change everything. According to Dubai Airports, travellers on separate tickets who do not need a visa, or who hold a Dubai visa, must clear passport control, collect their bags and check in again for the next flight. Those without a Dubai visa can ask Marhaba at the transfer desk about a paid baggage transfer service. In practice, that means you need enough time to land, clear immigration, reclaim bags and get back through check-in and security before the onward deadline.
Changing between DXB and DWC
Sometimes the onward flight leaves from the other airport, Al Maktoum International (DWC). Dubai Airports notes that DWC is about 60 km from DXB, and that you must clear passport control, collect your bags and travel by road. It lists a taxi, or the Metro to Ibn Battuta followed by a bus to DWC. With luggage or a tight schedule, a pre-booked car is the most predictable link: the driver meets you at DXB and takes you straight to DWC departures. Our DWC airport transfer page explains the pickup, and the quote request form takes both flight numbers. Still choosing flights? Our DXB or DWC guide compares the two airports.
Long layovers: stay airside or go out?
If your gap between flights is short, stay airside: DXB has lounges, restaurants, hotels and quiet areas. Our guide to Dubai airport lounges by terminal lists the main options, and our article on hotels near Dubai Airport covers the airside hotel.
With a longer gap, and the right visa, a few hours in the city are possible. Whether you can leave depends on your nationality: some travellers get a visa on arrival, while others need a pre-arranged transit visa. Our guide to Dubai layovers and transit visas explains the rules. Remember to allow time to clear immigration on the way out and security on the way back.
A layover tour with a driver
If you do go out, the clock matters more than anything. An hourly chauffeur booking lets you plan a few stops, such as the Burj Khalifa area or the creek, with a driver who brings you back to the right terminal on time. Tell us your arrival and departure flights, and we suggest a realistic plan. For a meeting-point service at arrivals, see meet and greet at Dubai airport.
| Situation | What you do | Road transfer needed? |
|---|---|---|
| One ticket, same airport | Follow Connections signs, stay airside | No |
| Separate tickets, same airport | Immigration, bags, check in again | Usually no |
| Change from DXB to DWC | Immigration, bags, travel by road | Yes |
| Long layover with visa | Leave the airport, return in time | Optional |
If you miss your connection
Delays happen, and a late first flight can mean a missed connection. If both flights are on one ticket, the airline is normally responsible for rebooking you, and its transfer desks at the airport are the place to go. If your flights are on separate tickets, the second airline may treat you as a no-show, so leave a generous connection time when you book separate tickets.
If you end up with a long wait or an overnight delay, the options depend on your nationality and visa status. Some travellers can enter the UAE and spend the night in a hotel, while others need to stay airside. Check the rules for your passport before you travel, and see our guide to Dubai layovers and transit visas.
Using a long layover well
With several hours between flights and the right entry permissions, some travellers leave the airport for a short visit. The key is to be realistic about timings. Allow time to clear immigration on arrival, travel into the city, and come back through security and passport control well before your next flight. A short trip to a nearby sight or a meal in the city is more realistic than an ambitious tour.
- Check whether you can enter the UAE on your passport, and how long you can stay.
- Keep your checked bags booked through to your final destination if possible.
- Plan to be back at the airport at least as early as your airline recommends.
- Book a driver who knows to bring you back on time, and keep your phone on.
If you change between DXB and Dubai World Central, treat it as two separate journeys and plan the road transfer carefully, as the airports are around 60 km apart.
Whatever your plans, keep an eye on the departure screens and your airline’s app, as gates can change. Terminal 3 in particular is very large, and moving between concourses can take longer than you expect.
Request a quote for a DXB to DWC transfer or layover tour
Use our quote request form, or email info@belgraviatransfers.com, with both flight numbers, the times, passengers and bags. We reply with availability and a quote. Nothing is booked until you accept. For ordinary arrivals, start from our DXB airport transfer page.
Related guide: Where to smoke during a connection.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to collect my bags when connecting at DXB?
On one ticket, bags are normally checked through. On separate tickets, Dubai Airports says travellers who can enter the UAE must clear passport control, collect bags and check in again.
How do I get between Terminal 3 concourses?
B and C are linked on foot, and the A gates are reached by a short airport train, according to Dubai Airports.
How far is DWC from DXB?
Dubai Airports gives about 60 km. You need to clear immigration and travel by road.
Can I leave the airport on a layover?
Only if you are eligible for entry, either visa-free, with a visa on arrival or with a transit visa.
Can you drive me from DXB to DWC for a connection?
Yes, for a change between DXB and DWC or a layover outside the airport. Send both flight numbers and your luggage details and we quote the transfer. A connection inside DXB on one ticket does not need a car.
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.
