Dubai International Airport (DXB) is the third largest airport in the world and is located about 20 km northeast of the main city center. Upon arrival, you can reach downtown Dubai by Metro, Taxi, Private Transfer or Uber.

This guide compares all available airport transfers at Dubai Airport (DXB) according to classic travel factors. This includes travel time, cost per person (pp), a short route description and links to book or buy tickets.

Transfer comparison from DXB airport to downtown

Overview of all airport transfers from Dubai Airport to the City Center (Downtown, Burj Khalifa)

	Transport	Travel time	Cost	More
	Metro	25 Min.	1,40 $	Details
	Taxi	15 Min.	20 $	Details
	Private Transfer	15 Min.	25 $	Details
	Uber	15 Min.	25 $	Details

Notices:
• The optimal transfer depends on the number of travelers, budget and available time.
• There may be waiting times at the taxi rank if there are high volume of passengers. In this case, a pre-booked transfer (e.g. via Welcome Pickups) is the more faster and comfortable option.

Metro

Infos here, tickets on-site ↗

Travel time:

23 minutes

Cost:

5 AED pp (around 1,40 $)

Description:

Metro ‘Red Line’ from Dubai Airport (Station in Terminals 1 & 3) to Burj Khalifa, directly in the city center. As a tourist, it is best to purchase a Nol Card (rechargeable)

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Taxi

Official local taxis

Travel time:

15 minutes

Cost:

75 AED (around 20 $)

Description:

Taxi from Dubai Airport (Taxi ranks in front of all terminals) to the centre of Dubai, Burj Khalifa or directly to your accommodation in the city center

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Private Transfer (AD)

Book a Welcome Pickup ↗

Travel time:

15 minutes

Cost:

100 AED (around 25 $)

Description:

Comfortable private transfer (via Welcome Pickups) from Dubai Airport (name badge in Arrival Hall) to the center, Burj Khalifa or directly to your accommodation

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Uber (AD)

Order an Uber ride ↗

Travel time:

15 minutes

Cost:

75-100 AED (around 20-25 $)

Description:

Uber from Dubai Airport (pick-up location according to Uber App) to the center of Dubai, Burj Khalifa or directly to your accommodation

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Things to know about Dubai:

1. 50 years ago Dubai was just a little town in the middle of the desert
2. Dubai’s Burj Khalifa (828 meters) is the tallest building in the world
3. Dubai Airport is the world’s busiest airport by international passenger traffic