Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our Dubai Al Maktoum Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit. Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.
Quick Links
Also be careful about laying on the floor at this airport. I did so and found not only dozens of tiny insects but an actual scorpion checking out my laptop! – 5ftman
DWC Airport Overview
To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Dubai Al Maktoum International Airport (also known as Dubai World Central Airport).
What to Expect
Dubai Al Maktoum Airport (code: DWC) has a single terminal serving low-cost carriers and seasonal routes. The airport was intended to be the largest airport in the world and part of a larger free economic zone, but its ongoing construction, three planned terminals, has been delayed by ten years. Reviews describe inefficient security processes.
Current facilities are modern but limited. There are only three cafes, a McDonald’s, and a duty-free shop, and none are open 24 hours. WiFi is free, but old reviews describe it as a scam. For added comfort while you wait, economy class passengers can pay to enter an airport lounge.
Sleeping in Al Maktoum Airport
We do not yet have any sleep-related airport reviews. For uninterrupted sleep, nearby hotels offer shuttle service for a fee. See our Airport Hotels section below for more info.
Read some traveller airport reviews for more tips.
To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can add or update information or write a review to submit airport tips and photos. For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our Al Maktoum Airport Guide.
In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security.
Airport Hours
The airport is open 24 hours.
Rest & Relaxation Zones
There are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.
Airport Hotels
If sleeping in the airport sounds like a nightmare, there are hotels near Dubai Al Maktoum Airport:
- Staybridge Suites Dubai Al-Maktoum Airport – Free airport shuttle. » Check Rates
- Holiday Inn Dubai Al-Maktoum Airport – No airport shuttle. » Check Rates
- Aloft Dubai South – No airport shuttle. » Check Rates
For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels near Dubai Al Maktoum Airport that can be sorted by price, distance, traveller rating and popularity.
Airport Lounges
Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships
Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there is a lounge that you can enter by purchasing a lounge pass or through a lounge membership program. Visit the individual lounge page for more details about the lounge itself and learn how to gain access with just an economy class ticket!
Marhaba Lounge – Location: Passenger Terminal, Airside, Level 1. Hours: open 24 hours. Lounge Access: Lounge membership programs.
Related Pages: Al Maktoum Airport Lounges
Drinking Water
Information is unavailable. Does the airport have water fountains or water bottle refill stations? Click here to update this guide.
Food & Drinks
Food concessions throughout the airport operate with varying schedules. At the time of this update, we cannot confirm the availability of any 24-hour dining options. Dining options are: Costa Coffee • McDonald’s • Starbucks.
Luggage Storage & Lockers
Unavailable. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.
Mobile Charging
We had no information about mobile charging availability at the time of this update. If you know, click here to update this airport guide.
Showers
Free showers are available. Location: Airside, between gates 1 and 6 • Airside, Mezzanine level near the Marhaba Lounge.
WiFi/Internet
Unlimited free WiFi is available at Al Maktoum Airport. Connect to the “DWC Free WiFi” network.
More Airport Information
ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs are available. Fees may apply, so check your bank’s fee schedule and daily withdrawal limit if you are travelling internationally. You may also want to notify your bank of your travel plans. Locations: Landside and Airside, throughout the airport.
Baby Care Facilities – Dedicated baby care facilities are available. Ask a “May I Help You?” staff member for assistance.
Currency Exchange – Emirates NBD offers currency exchange in the Departure area, while Sharaf Exchange and UAE Exchange offer services in Arrivals.
Duty-Free & Shopping – At the time of this update, all of the airport’s shops offer duty-free shopping in the designated DWC Duty-Free area.
Information Desk – There are three desks located landside and one desk airside.
Luggage Trolleys – Need a hand with your luggage? Luggage carts are available free of charge throughout the airport.
Luggage Wrapping – Available for AED 25 per piece of luggage. Location: Check-in, landside, opposite Counter 42.
Medical Services – Urgent and emergency medical care is available at the Medical Centre 24 hours a day. Ask a “May I Help You?” staff member for assistance.
Pharmacy – Bin Sina. Location: DWC Duty-Free area. Hours: unknown.
Prayer Rooms – Muslim prayer rooms and ablution areas are available throughout the airport and car parks.
SIM Cards – A reader has asked us to include where to buy SIM Cards. If you know, click here to update this airport guide.
Smoking Rooms – Yes, designated smoking rooms are provided both landside and airside.
Bus
If travelling light, a public bus is an economical way to travel to and from the airport. Bus F55 offers hourly service to and from Ibn Battuta Metro Station while the metro is in operation. Otherwise, Bus F55A will take you to and from Satwa Bus Station during metro off-hours.
Car Rentals
The following car rental agencies are available on-site: Dollar • Europcar • Hertz.
Hotel Shuttles
See also Airport Hotels above.
Taxis
Metered taxis are available for hire 24 hours a day from the taxi rank at the ground transportation area. Taxis are cream-coloured, except for pink taxis, which female drivers operate. A flag drop charge of AED25 applies to rides departing from the airport.
Last updated: 2024-08-26
This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning. All information, including rates and hours, is subject to change at any time without notice. The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers, and their websites. We are not representatives of any of the above-mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or write a review.