At a glance
What and where is DWC?
It is Dubai's second international airport, run by Dubai Airports, about 60 km from DXB. It opened to passengers on 27 October 2013, and its terminal has been expanded to handle 26 million passengers a year.
Dubai Airports runs both of the emirate's international airports: Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC). DWC began cargo operations on 27 June 2010 and opened to passengers on 27 October 2013; its passenger terminal has since been expanded to handle 26 million passengers a year, and today it handles seasonal, charter and scheduled flights as well as cargo and general aviation[1]. Dubai Airports puts it about 60 km from DXB[2].
The practical point for travellers is the code. A ticket that says DWC does not leave from Dubai International, and moving between the two means going landside and by road[12]. Check the airport code on your booking before you set off.
Which airlines fly from DWC?
Fewer than its directory suggests. DWC's airline directory lists almost 80 airlines, including several that normally fly from DXB. The departures board is the better guide: when we checked on 25 and 29 September 2026, it listed one or two departures a day, to Moscow and Yekaterinburg.
Dubai Airports' airline directory for DWC is long and alphabetical, from Aegean Airlines to Yemenia, and includes airlines such as Emirates, flydubai, Qatar Airways and Lufthansa[4]. It is a directory, not a timetable, and several of those airlines' regular Dubai flights use DXB.
The live departures board shows what is actually flying. When we checked on 25 and 29 September 2026, it listed one or two departures a day: Pobeda's DP 992 to Moscow (Vnukovo) each day, and on 26 September Ural Airlines' U6 738 to Yekaterinburg[5]. Seasonal and charter programmes change the picture through the year, so look up your own flight.
How early should you arrive at DWC?
At least three hours before departure, Dubai Airports says; check-in counters open about three hours before, though your airline sets the exact times. DWC's security page repeats the three hours, and asks travellers to say goodbye to family and friends at home.
The DWC help pages advise arriving at least three hours before your flight, and say check-in counters open approximately three hours before the scheduled departure; the exact times come from your airline[3]. The security page gives the same three hours and asks guests to say their goodbyes at home to ease congestion[6].
Getting through DWC: what Dubai Airports asks
| Step | What the airport says |
|---|---|
| Arrive | At least three hours before departure[3] |
| Check-in opens | About three hours before; confirm with your airline[3] |
| Liquids | Up to 100 ml each, at most ten containers or one litre in total, in one clear resealable bag[6] |
| Phones | No more than 15 in your luggage besides your own, in the maker's packaging[6] |
| Medicines | Carry a prescription for any medicines you need[6] |
From Dubai Airports' DWC pages. Airlines add their own rules, especially on batteries; check yours.
How do you get to DWC?
By taxi, by bus or by car. Two bus routes run every 30 minutes: the F55 to Expo Metro Station and the N55 to Ibn Battuta. The Metro itself does not reach the terminal. Taxis run around the clock, and parking at DWC is free.
- Bus: the F55 links DWC with the Expo Metro Station, and the N55 with the Ibn Battuta bus and Metro stations; both run every 30 minutes[7]. You need a Nol card, as cash is not accepted[7].
- Metro: ride to Ibn Battuta or Expo 2020 station and change to the bus or a taxi[8][9]. The Metro runs from 05:00 to midnight Monday to Thursday and on Saturday, to 01:00 on Friday night, and from 08:00 to midnight on Sunday, and allows two pieces of luggage, hand luggage included[8].
- Taxi: Dubai Taxi is the only taxi operator at DXB and DWC; taxis run 24 hours a day from the official ranks, and can be booked through the Bolt app. Pink-roofed taxis, driven by women, are for women and families[10].
- Car: parking is free for everyone. The drop-off area on the Departures level has a time limit, and there is no pick-up area at Arrivals, so people meeting you should use the car park[3][11].
Can you connect between DWC and DXB?
Only landside. You clear passport control, collect your bags and travel between the two airports yourself, by taxi or by Metro and bus via Ibn Battuta. Allow for the road journey and for check-in again at the other end.
Dubai Airports says guests changing between the two airports should clear passport control, collect their baggage and arrange onward transport, by Dubai Taxi or by the Dubai Metro to Ibn Battuta, where a bus connects to the other airport, and that they should allow enough time for the journey and for check-in[12][2]. Because the connection means entering the UAE, whether you can make it depends on your passport; check with our visa desk before you book a DWC–DXB connection.
What is there at DWC before you fly?
A smaller terminal than DXB. Dubai Airports lists one lounge, the marhaba Lounge, open to guests of any airline and class, and three hotels about 2.6 to 2.7 km away. Smart Gates are available at passport control for eligible travellers.
DWC's relax-and-refresh listing shows the marhaba Lounge, open to guests regardless of airline or class of travel[14]. Its hotels page lists a Holiday Inn, a Staybridge Suites and an Aloft between 2.6 and 2.7 km from the airport[15].
At passport control, Dubai Airports says UAE and GCC nationals, UAE residents and visa-on-arrival guests with biometric passports can use the Smart Gates, while people of determination, guests with large pushchairs, families with children and anyone under 1.2 metres cannot[13]. Special lanes for people of determination are available at all checkpoints and counters, and wheelchairs are booked through your airline[3].
Is DWC going to replace DXB?
That is the plan, on a long timeline. In April 2024 Dubai approved a new terminal for 260 million passengers a year, and said DXB's operations would move there in the coming years. In June 2026 the project was on course to begin operations in 2032.
The Dubai Media Office announced on 28 April 2024 that the designs for a new passenger terminal at Al Maktoum International had been approved: five parallel runways, more than 400 aircraft stands, an area of 70 square kilometres and capacity for 260 million passengers a year, with the first phase expected within ten years for 150 million passengers, and all of DXB's operations to move to the new airport in the coming years[16].
Its update of 15 June 2026 said the project remained on course to begin operations in 2032, and described the finished airport as having two passenger terminals, seven concourses and more than 430 aircraft stands[17]. Neither announcement gives a date for any airline's move, so until your airline says otherwise, your DXB flight leaves from DXB.
Questions travellers ask
Is DWC the same as Dubai International?
No. DWC (Al Maktoum International) and DXB (Dubai International) are separate airports about 60 km apart, both run by Dubai Airports[2][1].
Is parking free at DWC?
Yes. Dubai Airports says parking at DWC is free for all guests, including people of determination[3][11].
Does the Dubai Metro go to DWC?
Not to the terminal. Take the Metro to Ibn Battuta or Expo 2020 and change to the N55 or F55 bus, which run every 30 minutes, or to a taxi[8][7].
When will Emirates move to DWC?
No official date has been announced. The Dubai Media Office said in June 2026 that the new airport was on course to begin operations in 2032[17].
Sources
The desk opened each source on the date shown. Rules, fees and timetables change: check the official source before you travel.
- [1]Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC) — Dubai Airports. Accessed 25 September 2026
- [2]Transfers — Dubai Airports. Accessed 25 September 2026
- [3]FAQs - DWC — Dubai Airports. Accessed 29 September 2026
- [4]Airline directory - DWC — Dubai Airports. Accessed 25 September 2026
- [5]Flight status: departures (26 and 29 September 2026) — Dubai Airports. Accessed 29 September 2026
- [6]Security and customs - DWC — Dubai Airports. Accessed 25 September 2026
- [7]Bus - DWC — Dubai Airports. Accessed 25 September 2026
- [8]Metro - DWC — Dubai Airports. Accessed 25 September 2026
- [9]Dubai Metro at DXB — Dubai Airports. Accessed 25 September 2026
- [10]Taxi - DWC — Dubai Airports. Accessed 25 September 2026
- [11]Car parking - DWC — Dubai Airports. Accessed 25 September 2026
- [12]Transfers - DWC — Dubai Airports. Accessed 25 September 2026
- [13]Passport control & visas - DWC — Dubai Airports. Accessed 25 September 2026
- [14]Relax & refresh - DWC — Dubai Airports. Accessed 25 September 2026
- [15]Hotels - DWC — Dubai Airports. Accessed 25 September 2026
- [16]Mohammed bin Rashid approves designs of new passenger terminal at Al Maktoum International Airport (28 April 2024) — Dubai Media Office. Accessed 25 September 2026
- [17]Al Maktoum International Airport development project achieves significant milestones across key delivery streams (15 June 2026) — Dubai Media Office. Accessed 25 September 2026
Published 25 September 2026 · Updated 29 September 2026
Seen something wrong or out of date? Write to trade@nwp.ae and the desk will check it against the source.
