BELGRAVIA / JOURNEY PLANNING
DXB or DWC? Which Dubai airport you are flying into
Dubai has two airport codes you need to distinguish before planning a transfer. DXB means Dubai International. DWC means Dubai World Central–Al Maktoum International. Both may appear in Dubai travel plans, but they are separate airports.
- Fixed quote agreed before you travel
- Flight-aware pickup planned around your arrival time
- Meeting point confirmed in writing
- Right vehicle for your passengers and luggage
Read the itinerary, not just the city name
Check the airport code against the flight you will actually take. With a connecting itinerary, identify the leg that arrives in Dubai. The city name on a search result or a general booking summary is not a substitute for the airport shown on your flight confirmation.
Keep the airline, flight number and date together. Where terminal information is supplied, include it in your enquiry and recheck for updates before travelling. Airport and airline instructions can change.
If your ticket says DWC, the route pages for DWC to Dubai Marina, DWC to Palm Jumeirah and DWC to Downtown explain what to send. Comparing with a cab? Read the airport taxi from Dubai airport comparison.
Arrival and departure can differ
Do not assume that the return flight uses the same airport. Record its code and flight details separately, even when both journeys are part of one email quote request.
For departure planning, agree the collection details using your own itinerary and airline requirements. This guide does not prescribe a single departure buffer, travel duration or meeting point.
Make the airport explicit in your request
Write DXB or DWC alongside the travel date and flight number. Include the exact destination or collection address, passenger count and luggage. This makes the starting point clear before the vehicle and quote are discussed.
If you discover that the airport is different from the one originally supplied, flag the change and ask for revised arrangements. Do not rely on a quotation prepared for a different itinerary.
Use the matching airport guide
The DXB airport guide focuses on Dubai International arrival readiness and onward routes. The DWC airport guide helps you prepare an Al Maktoum International enquiry. Continue to the arrival checklist once the airport is confirmed.
Are DXB and DWC the same airport?
No. They are separate airports. Use the code on the relevant flight confirmation.
Does a DXB destination route apply to DWC?
It should not be treated as the same route. Request arrangements for DWC with your exact destination.
Should I check the return airport?
Yes. Verify each flight independently rather than assuming both use the same airport.
What about Abu Dhabi and Sharjah airports?
Dubai’s own airports are DXB and DWC, but some travellers staying in Dubai land at a neighbouring airport because of the flight schedule or fare. Zayed International Airport (AUH) is Abu Dhabi’s main airport and Sharjah International Airport (SHJ) is in the emirate of Sharjah. Both are outside Dubai, which changes the onward journey.
The RTA states that Dubai Taxi does not cover trips that start in another emirate, so a Dubai taxi will not pick you up at AUH or SHJ. Plan the transfer before you fly: our Abu Dhabi airport to Dubai and Sharjah airport to Dubai pages explain what to send for a quote.
DXB and DWC compared
| DXB | DWC | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Dubai International | Dubai World Central–Al Maktoum International |
| Where | In the city, near Deira and the creek | Dubai South, near Expo City and Jebel Ali |
| Passenger terminals | Three: Terminal 1, 2 and 3 | One passenger terminal, expanded in 2018 |
| Airlines | Terminal 3 is the Emirates terminal; Terminal 1 serves many international airlines; Terminal 2 is mainly flydubai | A mix of scheduled and charter passenger flights, plus cargo and business aviation |
| Visa on arrival | Eligible nationalities, on the official list | Same list; Smart Gates for eligible biometric passports |
| Porters | From AED 30 at Terminals 1 and 2; AED 40 (regular) or AED 100 (flat-bed) at Terminal 3 | From AED 30 |
Sources: Dubai Airports baggage information and DWC passport control and visas, checked 20 October 2026; terminal and expansion details are in our Al Maktoum airport guide and DXB terminals guide. Dubai Airports plans to move operations from DXB to DWC over time, so always check the code on your current ticket.
If you are landing at DXB, check the terminal
DXB has three passenger terminals. Terminal 3 is the Emirates terminal, Terminal 1 serves many other international airlines and Terminal 2 is mainly used by flydubai. Terminal 2 sits on the other side of the airport and has no direct Metro station, so the terminal changes where you exit and where your driver should wait. Read the Dubai airport terminals guide and include the terminal and flight number in your enquiry.
Whichever airport you choose, the key details stay the same: airport code, flight number, arrival time, passengers, luggage and the full destination address.
Keep exploring
Plan the rest of your journey
Airport transfer costWhat goes into a private transfer quote.ExploreDubai taxi fare guideHow metered fares work, from official tariffs.Explore
Cruise terminal transfersDubai Harbour and Port Rashid, to the ship or the airport.Explore
Flughafentransfer Dubai (DE)DXB und DWC: Informationen auf Deutsch.Explore
Chauffeur service DubaiCity journeys for business and leisure.Explore
Car with driverRent a car with a private driver by the hour or day.Explore
YOUR NEXT JOURNEY
A considered arrival.
A clear next step.
Tell us where you are landing and where you want to go. Include your travel date, flight number, passenger count and luggage so your enquiry starts with the right details.
Send your journey details to Belgravia Transfers. Ask for availability, vehicle suitability, pricing and pickup arrangements for your itinerary.
Your booking is confirmed only when the arrangements have been agreed. Please do not send payment-card details or passport copies by email.
- 1Send your detailsAirport, flight, address, passengers and bags.
- 2Receive your quoteWe reply by email with the vehicle and price.
- 3Travel as agreedMeeting point and pickup confirmed in writing.