How to Get from Al Maktoum Airport to Dubai

Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) is 37 km from central Dubai. It is Dubai's second airport, yet many travellers land here, including passengers on low-cost airlines from Europe. In short, if you have bought a cheap ticket to Dubai, you will most likely arrive at Al Maktoum, so it pays to know how to get from Al Maktoum Airport to Dubai before you fly.

If you land at Dubai's main airport, getting into the city is easy, as it is practically just across the creek. Visitors often struggle with the journey from DWC to Dubai, though, because this airport is further from the city. Here are all the ways to get from Al Maktoum to Dubai.

The most convenient way: shuttle bus and metro

A quick and cheap way to get from Al Maktoum Airport to Dubai is to take bus F55 from outside the terminal and then change to the metro. The total journey time to Jumeirah, for example, is 1.5–2 hours, and the cost is around 10.5 dirhams.

Practical tips:

• Check the F55 timetable before you fly, as frequencies can change.
• If you arrive during rush hour (8–10 am or 5–7 pm), it's better to choose another option, as the metro gets packed.

Dubai's buses are modern and comfortable, with air conditioning, but there are no sockets, so you won't be able to charge your phone. The Dubai Metro has Wi-Fi, sockets and air conditioning.

How to find the bus stop

Once you have collected your luggage, head for the exit. As you leave the terminal, turn right straight away and you will see the bus stop. Next to it, the word ‘Arrivals’ is written in large white letters on the airport building.

Google Maps coordinates: 24.885723, 55.1569011.

Timetable and journey time

Bus F55 runs from 04:12 to 00:20 every 20–40 minutes (see the exact timetable here). Take it to Expo 2020 station; the scheduled journey time is 35 minutes.

Metro operating hours:

• Monday to Thursday and Saturday: 5 am to midnight;
• Friday: 5 am to 1 am;
• Sunday: 8 am to midnight.

From Expo 2020 station, it's a 21-minute metro ride to Dubai Marina and 47 minutes to central Dubai, for example Burj Khalifa.

Before you travel, don't forget to get an eSIM with good-value data: find out more here

Fares and tickets

Fares depend on how many zones you cross. The bus from the airport to Expo 2020 station costs 3 dirhams. Metro fares start at 3 dirhams, depending on the zone; to Palm Jumeirah or Dubai Mall, for example, it is 7.5 dirhams. So the whole trip from the airport into the city comes to 10.5 dirhams.

You can check your route and fare here.

Public transport in Dubai can only be paid for with a Nol card. There are several types, and the best option for tourists is the Silver card. It costs 25 dirhams, of which 19 dirhams is credit you can use for travel. You can buy one right at Al Maktoum Airport, at the red kiosk by the terminal exit – you can't pay fares in cash or by bank card.

We explain how and where to buy a Nol card in a separate article here.

Remember that in Dubai you need to tap your card on the reader twice: once when you enter and again when you exit.

We recommend the bus and metro if:

• you are arriving during the day or in the evening;
• you want to save money and don't mind changing;
• you are travelling light – it's awkward with a lot of luggage.

“I landed in Dubai in the morning, so I travelled at rush hour. The metro was very crowded, but the bus was fast. It took me 1.5 hours and 10.5 dirhams to get to my hotel in Al Satwa.” – Maria, on a 2-week holiday in Dubai

Car hire

Car hire at Dubai's DWC airport is a great option if you like to travel without depending on public transport timetables or a tour group. The distance from Al Maktoum Airport to Jumeirah Beach is 53 km, and the drive takes 40–50 minutes.

Why hiring a car in Dubai makes sense:

• prices from $16 a day;
• a wide choice, from budget hatchbacks to SUVs;
• you can hire a car with no deposit and without a credit card.

“I hired a Mitsubishi Attrage for $22 a day. There was no traffic, so I reached my hotel in 45 minutes. The car came with a full tank when I collected it at the airport, so I didn't need to stop for fuel on the way.” – Mikhail, tourist

Roads and routes

Dubai's roads are in excellent condition. There are 2 routes from Al Maktoum Airport to Dubai:

1. Sheikh Zayed Road (E11), a toll road: wide and free-flowing, but you'll pay a toll of around 4 dirhams.
2. The toll-free route via Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311) and Al Khail Road (E44): the journey time is the same, so we recommend saving the money.

A standard navigation app such as Google Maps will help you avoid traffic.

Costs and driving tips

A litre of 95-octane petrol in Dubai costs 2.5 dirhams. If you hire a standard city car, the drive to Jumeirah Beach will use roughly 3–4 litres, or 7.5 to 10 dirhams.

Parking:

• in central Dubai: paid, at 2–4 dirhams per hour;
• at shopping malls and hotels: free, though malls may ask for a purchase receipt.

To pay for parking, download the RTA Dubai app.

Speed limits along the route:

• in the city: 60–80 km/h;
• on motorways: 100–120 km/h.

There are plenty of speed cameras in Dubai, so stick to the limits! We cover Dubai's traffic rules in more detail in our article.

How to choose a car

For getting around Dubai, choose a compact model, as they are easy to park. If you're planning trips to other emirates, go for a crossover, which offers more space, or a mid-size car, which is comfortable on long drives.

If you want to drop the car off in another city or at a different airport, for example Dubai International Airport, mention this when booking. Most rental offers allow it.

We recommend car hire if you:

• want to save time on transfers;
• plan trips out of town or to other cities;
• are travelling in a group or with children.

Choose a car, check the terms, book online and pick up the car at the airport. Then off you go – Dubai is waiting!

Haven't got an eSIM with unlimited data for the UAE yet? You can get one here

Alternative ways to get from Al Maktoum Airport to Dubai

Car hire and the bus-and-metro combination aren't always the right fit. If you land at night or have a lot of luggage, for example, you'll need another way to get from the airport into Dubai.

Bus

If you land at Al Maktoum Airport late in the evening or at night, when the metro has stopped running, bus N55 is a lifesaver. This night service runs from 21:40 to 04:40 and goes to Al Ghubaiba bus station in central Dubai.

Bus N55 leaves from the same stop as the F55:

• after leaving the terminal, turn right and you will see the stop with the Arrivals sign;
• coordinates: 24.885723, 55.1569011.

Timetable and journey time:

• buses run every 30–60 minutes (see the exact timetable here);
• the journey takes about 1.5 hours to the final stop, Al Ghubaiba;
• the route passes through key areas: Jebel Ali, Al Barsha and Business Bay.

If you're heading from DWC airport to Dubai Marina or Al Raffa, get off at an intermediate stop and take a taxi – it will save you time.

Fares and tickets:

• the fare is 7.5 dirhams with a Nol card;
• you can buy a Nol card at the red kiosk by the terminal exit;
• don't forget to tap your card when you board and when you get off.

Comfort and facilities:

• all buses have air conditioning;
• there is no Wi-Fi;
• there are no sockets;
• luggage space is limited, so if you have a lot of bags, a taxi is a better choice.

Find out more in our article ‘Nol card’.

“I landed at 2 am and took the N55 night bus. There was hardly any traffic, the ride to Al Ghubaiba took about 1 hour, and I paid 7.5 dirhams. My hotel was within walking distance, so I didn't need a taxi.” – Artem, budget traveller

We recommend bus N55 if:

• you land at night and want to save money;
• you are travelling light;
• you are not in a hurry and don't mind a long ride.

Choose another option if:

• you have a lot of luggage;
• you need to get to a specific area quickly;
• you don't cope well with long journeys.

So you can get from Al Maktoum Airport to Dubai cheaply even at night.

Taxi or transfer

If you value your time and convenience, booking an Al Maktoum Airport taxi or a transfer is the best option. The journey to central Dubai takes 30–50 minutes, and fares range from 120 to 250 dirhams, depending on distance and car class.

How to book:

• Careem and Uber apps: fixed fares and a choice of car class, such as economy, premium or SUV;
• RTA Dubai Taxi: official taxis cost 10–15% more; you can pick one up at the terminal exit, book at the desk inside the terminal or use the DTC app;
• KiwiTaxi: pre-booked transfers, with a driver waiting for you holding a name sign.

You can read about Dubai taxis and apps here. In the same article, we have included download links for the Careem app for Android and iOS.

Some hotels and travel agencies offer private transfers. Prices are usually higher, but you will be met at the airport with a name sign.

“We booked a premium taxi through Careem because we had a small child with us. The ride to our hotel in Dubai Marina took 35 minutes, and we paid 170 dirhams in the app. The drivers were polite and helped with our luggage.” – Anna, traveller

Choose a taxi or transfer if you:

• arrive late or are travelling with children;
• want to get to your hotel without changing;
• value comfort over saving money.

Avoid drivers who approach you inside the terminal offering rides, as they often overcharge. Compare fares in 2–3 apps before booking.

Al Maktoum Airport to Dubai: all options compared

Here is how all the ways to get from Al Maktoum Airport to Dubai compare:

Option	Journey time	Cost (AED)	Comfort (1–5)
Shuttle bus + metro	1.5–2 hours	10.5 AED	3
Car hire	40–50 minutes	25 AED	5
Transfer	40–50 minutes	190 AED	5
Taxi	40–50 minutes	from 120 AED	5
Night bus N55	1.5–2 hours	7.5 AED	4

We based the comfort scores on whether you get a seat, air conditioning and how easy it is to travel with luggage. Journey times and prices can vary with traffic, the season and the time of day.

Which to choose:

1. Fastest and most comfortable: a taxi or transfer.
2. Cheapest: night bus N55.
3. For independent travellers: car hire, which gives you freedom and saves money when travelling as a group.
4. The happy medium: F55 plus metro, balancing price and time.

If you arrive at night, take a taxi or the N55. During the day, take the metro or hire a car. For families and groups, car hire or a transfer works best.

Tips for travellers arriving at Al Maktoum Airport

Here are a few tips to help you prepare for the journey.

What to see on the way

Places worth a stop on the way:

• Dubai Parks and Resorts, an entertainment complex 15 km from the airport, is home to Miniland, Motiongate and Legoland.
• If you are in no hurry to reach your hotel, pay the toll and take Sheikh Zayed Road – from the car window you can see all of Dubai's main sights.

How to book a transfer or a car

If you're hiring a car, book 2–3 weeks before your trip, especially if you are travelling to Dubai between November and March.

You can book a transfer through KiwiTaxi or GetTransfer, where prices are typically 15–20% lower than airport taxi drivers charge.

Driving in Dubai

Dubai's traffic rules are quite strict, so it's best to stick to them. Remember that in summer, sandstorms can reduce visibility: switch on your headlights, slow down and set the air vents to recirculate the air inside the car. We have a separate article on traffic rules and fines in Dubai.

Don't leave documents or valuables in the car, as car parks in the centre sometimes attract petty thieves.

Useful contacts

Emergency numbers in Dubai:

• 999 – police;
• 998 – ambulance;
• 997 – coastguard.

Services for getting around Dubai and the UAE:

• bus timetables and zone-based fares: rta.ae;
• taxis: Careem and Uber apps;
• roadside assistance: 800-9090.

Plan your trip in advance so that your holiday in Dubai is as comfortable as possible.