Popular Airport | Dubai Intl. Airport |
|---|---|
Popular Airlines | |
Approximate Travel Distance | 14 Km |
Transportation to Airport from Sharjah City Center
Al Maktoum Intl. Airport
Al Maktoum International Airport is located 40 km from the city center, in Jebel Ali. The majority of the airport is still under construction however it is currently operating passenger services out of one terminal.
Bus
To get to Al Maktoum Airport from the city center, for flights departing no later than midnight, you can take the red line of the Dubai Metro all the way to the Ibn Battuta Metro Station. From there you can take bus F55 to the airport. The F55 buses depart every hour, on the hour and the total trip to the airport takes about 40 minutes. If you’re flight is after midnight, the F55A buses depart from the Satwa Bus Station from 12:30 am – 6 am and go directly to Al Maktoum Airport. This bus line runs along the coast, passing by many hotels and beaches. You can get on this bus from stops in front of Hilton Beach Club, Jumeirah Beach Park, Royal Mirage Hotel, Oasis Beach Hotel, and Hilton Jumeirah Hotel.
The bus ride from the Satwa Bus Station to the airport takes about 1.5 hours. At the moment parking at the airport is free! If you’re going to drive your personal car you don’t have to worry about parking fees. You can also access the airport by taxi or rental car.
Airport Information
The construction of Al Maktoum International Airport is still ongoing, however it has been serving passengers out of one terminal for the past couple of years. There are a number of international flights to Dubai that land at Al Maktoum International Airport. However when compared to Dubai International Airport it hosts fewer flights. This number is expected to increase exponentially in the future.
Located 40 km from the city, Al Maktoum International Airport is situated in the middle of the dessert. Right now there aren’t many transportation alternatives to get to and from the city center. Moreover, there isn’t much located around the airport. However, in the future the area surrounding Al Maktoum International Airport will be completely different, with hotels, golf courses, and various facilities nearby. Since it is relatively new, Al Maktoum International Airport doesn’t have a rich variety of eating and drinking or shopping venues in the airport. If you want to grab a quick bite to eat there are chain cafes and restaurants located in the departing passenger terminal, including Hot & Roll, Papa Johns Pizza, Tandori, Thai Express, Starbucks and Vanellis Italian Foods. For shopping the only venue available is “Bin Sina Pharmacy”. The airport is currently providing passenger services out of one terminal. The “Marhaba Lounge” is located on the first floor of this terminal. This lounge is open 24 hours a day to all passengers for a certain fee, regardless of ticket class. In addition to an open buffet and refreshments there is free internet and laptop services. There are cabins where you can take a shower located between gates 1 and 6.
Sharjah Intl. Airport
Sharjah International Airport, located close to the popular points in the United Arab Emirates such as Sharjah and Dubai, is located almost equidistant from both centers. To get to the airport, which is about 15 kilometers outside of Dubai, you can choose from a number of comfortable vehicles, especially taxi and rental cars in Dubai and Sharjah. Passengers traveling from the city center to the airport usually prefer the easily accessible taxis. If you rented a car when you came to the city, you can also use your rental car to get to the airport. If you choose this method, you can easily deliver your rental car at the offices that serve the passengers at the airport. There are also buses from Sharjah and Dubai as a more affordable alternative to airport transfers. If you prefer a much more comfortable and quick journey except these means, you can take advantage of private shuttles or luxury limousines.
Car Rental
In the city center you can rent out your car without hassle by finding offices of rental companies like Hertz, AVIS or Budget and Dollar. Thanks to the wide and regular roads of Dubai, driving in the city is extremely comfortable. If it is not a busy hour, it usually takes no more than 20 minutes to get to the airport with the car you rent. When the traffic is heavy, this can take up to 30-40 minutes. Make sure that you have your documents, such as the internationally valid driver's license, which you may need to rent a car with you. If you are traveling to the city for the first time, be sure to have a navigation device on hand to find your way more easily and minimize the risk of getting lost.
Bus
You can also travel to Sharjah International Airport from Dubai or Sharjah by bus. Travelling to Sharjah Airport by bus can take a bit longer compared to taxi. For this reason, if you are not comfortable with time, you should use taxis instead of the buses to save time. There are more bus services for the passengers coming to the airport from Sharjah direction. If you are not traveling late at night and you are not in a hurry to catch your plane, you can consider the bus option.
Taxi
The passengers travelling to Sharjah International Airport from both Dubai and Sharjah usually prefer taxis. The close proximity of the airport to both centers allows the taxi fare to be kept low and makes it an economical option. If you arrive at the airport from the city center by taxi, you will have to pay the fare, an average of 30-40 US Dollars, in local currency at the end of your journey. This fare may change depending on the status of the traffic and the point you are traveling to. You can get information about the average taxi fare from your hotel or taxi drivers before the trip.
Private Airport Shuttle
Many private airport shuttle service providers are located near Dubai and Sharjah. With these services, which have different passenger capacities, you can reach the airport without any difficulty with your crowded group. Fares for private airport shuttles may vary depending on distance, number of passengers or time of day travelling. For this reason, if you want to get information about the fares of the services, you can contact the companies directly by doing a short research on the internet. If your hotel has a shuttle service to the airport, it is also possible to use the airport shuttle service by getting information from the hotel staff a few days or hours before your travel.
Luxury Transfer Vehicles
Dubai and its environs have been recognized in recent years as one of the world's most important business, trade and finance centers. With this effect, the interest and demand for luxurious vehicles for airport transfer in the city is increasing day by day. The luxury limousine service is one of the services offered to customers by many hotels in the city. With these vehicles, you can complete your journey in a much more privileged and enjoyable way compared to buses and taxis. Booking your luxury car a few hours before your flight will usually suffice.
Airport Information
at Sharjah International Airport, which connects the world with the fast-developing centers Dubai and Sharjah, you can find everything you might need from small shops you can shop, restaurants serving both Arabic and European and international cuisine, and car rental office. Located at the airport, the VIP passenger lounge offers a privileged setting where you can read daily newspapers while you wait for your plane, or enjoy fresh juices and sandwiches. ATMs and bank branches where you can easily transfer money and make many other banking transactions are some of the services offered to the passengers at the airport. During your stay at Sharjah International Airport, which is known as one of the family friendly airports, you can benefit from services such as children's play areas or a babysitting room.
For dining at the airport, also known for its extensive shopping and dining areas, you can choose from different venues such as McDonald's, Costa Coffee, London Dairy Cafe, Dunkin Donuts, Grab and Go, Subway, CHOCOLIX, Mumbai Spices, Krispy Kreme and World News Cafe. You can also visit duty-free shops in Dubai Sharjah International Airport, where you can find a wide range of perfumes, chocolates and gift items. In addition to all these services, a room specially designed for those who wish to pray in a quiet environment at the airport and services such as a lost-goods bureau are also offered to passengers traveling here.
Transportation to Dubai City Center from Airport
Dubai Intl. Airport
Taxi
Taxi rates in Dubai are quite cheap. Since the airport is located in such close proximity to the city center taxis are one of the most preferred methods of transportation. Especially if you’re traveling with a few people! Airport taxis belong to a state-run company and all of them operate by using a taximeter. Most of the taxi drivers are immigrants who speak English. The taxi ride to the city center from the airport is quite short, when there’s no traffic. For example, it takes about 10 minutes to get to the city center and about 15 minutes to get to the World Trade Center. You can find airport taxis at the arrivals hall exit of every terminal.
Bus
Buses are the cheapest transportation alternative to get to the city center but taking a taxi is a bit more laborious. Buses are also a slower method of transportation especially if you have a lot of luggage and land during rush hour. People who are familiar with the city generally prefer taking the bus. You can access different buses from the airport’s three terminals. However, the main bus line passes by the bus stop in front of Terminal 1. Most of the international flights to Dubai land at Terminal 1. Some lines pass by more than one terminal. There are bus lines with various routes that run every 20-30 minutes from Terminal 1. The most widely used bus lines to get to the city center are lines 401 and 402. Bus line 401 departs from Dubai International Airport and goes to the Al Sabkha stop, with stops along the way including DNATA, Al Maktoum Road, and Deira Taxi Station.
Bus line 402 departs from the airport and goes to the Al Ghubaiba stop, with stops along the way including Deira City Center, Al Karama, Golden Sands, and Al Mankhool.
In addition to these two main lines there are other lines that pass in front of Terminal 1. You can take the C1 bus to Satwa Bus Station, bus No. 4 to the Rashidiya stop or Gold Souq stop, or bus X28 to destinations that are further away, like the Jebel Ali stop. You can also access these stops taking other buses that follow different routes.
Buses usually operate from 5 am to 11 pm. The operating hours for certain bus lines can vary. There are also bus lines that operate at night. For example the C1 line is a night bus, which departs from Terminal 3, passes by Terminal 1, and runs on the following route to the Satwa Bus Station, Cargo Village, Flame Intersection, DNATA, Clock Tower, and El Maktum.
The N4 bus, which goes to the same station but passes through Deira City Center, is another. The N1 night bus departs from Terminal 2, stops at Terminal 1, and goes through Deira City Center all the way to the Jebel Ali Gardens.
Passengers going to Abu Dhabi from Dubai need to get on the buses departing from Al Ghubaiba. Abu Dhabi is located 160 km from the city center and the bus ride there takes about 2 hours.
Similarly, those who want to go to Sharjah, which is located 10 km from Dubai, can find buses that depart from the same stop. One thing to take note of is making sure to get your bus ticket or bus card before boarding the bus because you cannot pay in cash on the bus. You can purchase a single use or daily use bus card. You have to swipe your card twice on the bus, once when you get on and once when you get off.
Metro
One of the easiest and most comfortable transportation alternatives to get to the city center is by metro. By using Dubai’s modern metro network you can get to the city center and surrounding locations avoiding any traffic. A standard metro ticket is slightly more expensive than the bus but it is still very reasonable. The metro also features different ticket classes for those who want a more comfortable experience. The Gold Class ticket is twice as much as a standard ticket. The Dubai Metro also has areas reserved solely for women and children. These areas are not mandatory but women who want can travel in a separate section by using these areas. The Dubai Metro runs from 5:50 am to midnight, except on Fridays. On Fridays the metro doesn’t start to run until 1 pm. If you have to go to the airport after midnight you won’t be able to use the metro.
The Dubai Metro operates two lines, the Red Line and the Green Line. You can access the Red Line from Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 at the airport. The metro system is fully automated and runs without a driver. The metro departs every 4 to 8 minutes.
Trains that depart from the Rashidiya Station to Jebel Ali Metro Station pass by the following stops respectively, Emirates, Airport Terminal 3, Airport Terminal 1, GIGICO, Deira City Center, Al Rigga, Union, Burjuman, Al Karama, Al Jafiliya, World Trade Center, Emirates Tower, Financial Centre, Dubai Mall, Business Bay, Noor Bank, First Gulf Bank, Mall of Emirates, Sharaf, Dubai Internet City, Nakheel, Dubai Marina, Jumeirah Lakes Tower, Nakheel Harbour, Ibn Battuta, Energy and Danube. A significant part of this route is above ground so you can enjoy views of the city. The Union and Burjuman stops along this route intersect with the Green Line, which passes through the Old City. Passengers can transfer to the Green Line from these stops and head to different areas. The Green Line operates between the Etisalat Metro Station and the Creek Metro Station. Stations on the Green Line are Etisalat, Al Qusais, Dubai Airport Free Zone, Al Nahda, Statdium, Al Qiyadah, Abu Hail, Abu Baker Al Siddique, Salah Al Din, Union, Baniyas Square, Palm Deira, Al Ras, Al Ghubaiba, Al Fahidi, Burjuman, Oud Metha, Dubai Healthcare City, Al Jadaf, and Creek.
You can get off the metro at a stop that is convenient for you and transfer to a bus or take a taxi to reach your destination. There are many hotels and shopping centers that are located about 15-minutes away from these stops on foot.
Rental Car
You can rent a car at the airport from rental car companies located in each terminal. The price of gasoline in the city is fairly cheap, which allows for a more flexible itinerary. For example, if you rent a car while in Dubai you could travel to other cities in the United Arab Emirates like Abu Dhabi or Sharjah. Visiting these cities by car is much more convenient than using public transportation options.
There are 12 rental car companies at Dubai International Airport; Avis, Budget, Al Wefaq, Diamondlease, Dollar, Europcar, Fast, Hertz, National, Payless, Sixt and Thrifty.
Hotel Shuttle Service
There are many hotels in Dubai that offer shuttle services to and from the airport. However these services are usually for a cost. We recommend inquiring about these services when making your hotel reservation. Some hotels that are located in close proximity to the airport might offer this shuttle service for free.
Sharjah Intl. Airport
Sharjah International Airport, connecting Dubai with other centers in the world, is about 15 kilometers away from the city center. While there are means of public transports that you can benefit in this route, these vehicles do not operate frequently. If you want to go to Sharjah or Dubai from the airport, the best option would be to take a taxi. You can find a taxi 24 hours a day at the airport. If you are planning to spend a few days or more in the city, you can also opt for renting a car as an alternative to the taxis. Almost all of the major international car rental companies serve passengers at the airport. Getting to the center of Dubai from Sharjah International Airport takes an average of 20-30 minutes. If you will get on the road in the city at a time when traffic is heavy, you should not forget it will take you a bit longer than this.
Car Rental
You can rent a car 24 hours a day, seven days a week from companies such as Hertz, Budget, Maximum, Sixt, Europcar, Dollar and AVIS which serve at Sharjah International Airport. If you would like to rent a car from Hertz, you can contact the company at 06-552-8290 and get information. If you prefer to rent your car from Budget, you can call the rental office at 06-558-0366 for more detailed information and reserve your car. If you wish your car to be ready at the airport close to the city center of Dubai when you land, you can also call companies like Sixt at 06-558-0310, Europcar at 06-558-1322 and Dollar Rent A Car at 06-336-5065.
Bus
You can also take the bus from the airport to the get to the city center of Sharjah or Dubai. But you have to keep in mid that it is not possible to take a bust to go to Dubai from the airport late at night. If you need to get to Sharjah and your flight is not too late, you can take advantage of buses departing every 15 minutes. Although they are not practical and fast, buses stand out with their advantages in terms of price. As a more economical and alternative method, you can also take the bus to the city center and continue by taxi to the hotel or to other places you want to reach in the city.
Taxi
Passengers landing to Dubai's Sharjah International Airport mostly prefer taxis to get to the center of Dubai or Sharjah . At the airport there is a 24-hour taxi service every day of the week. You can continue your trip to the city center by taking one of these taxis as soon as you exit the terminal, without having to search for any different vehicles. All the taxis in Dubai have taximeters. Thanks to these devices, you can travel without worrying about the amount you will pay. The opening fare of the taxis at the airport is usually more than the ones in the center. On the other hand, the average fare for the journey from the airport to the city center would cost around 30-40 USD.
Private Airport Shuttle
If you need to travel from the airport to the center of the city with a few people or more crowded groups, one of the best vehicles you can choose without a doubt is the private airport shuttles. Many companies in the city offer this service. The fares of these shuttles vary according to the distance traveled and the number of passengers. You can reach your hotel or other important points in the center of Dubai with these private shuttles. If you reserve one of these vehicles and pay in advance of your arrival, you can benefit from these at more reasonable prices and you can find your shuttle ready at the terminal at the time of your arrival.
Luxury Transfer Vehicles
If you want to travel from Sharjah International Airport to the city center with a much more luxurious and comfortable vehicle, you can choose limousines that are preferred mostly by those visiting the city for business purposes. The limousines that pick up their passengers from the departure gates of Sharjah Airport take them to the center very quickly compared to other vehicles. This is also why limousines offer a great advantage for passengers who want to save time.
