StayAreasDubai International Airport to the city: every option compared
Dubai International (DXB) is right next to the old city, about 15 km from Downtown and 35 km from the Marina. The Red Line metro runs from Terminals 1 and 3 along the whole coast.
The metro is cheap and fast to Downtown; taxis are reasonably priced and easier with luggage, especially for the Palm and Jumeirah. Below are journey times to each area we cover.
The options
Red Line metro
From Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 through Deira, BurJuman, Downtown (Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall), Business Bay and Mall of the Emirates to the Marina. About 25 minutes to Downtown.
Tip: Buy a Nol card at the station. Each passenger may bring two pieces of luggage, so families with big bags may prefer a taxi.
Stay nearby: Downtown Dubai · ~$245/nightTaxi
Metered RTA taxis wait outside every terminal, with a higher starting fare from the airport. About 15 to 20 minutes to Downtown and 30 to 40 to the Marina or the Palm.
Tip: Pink-roofed taxis have women drivers and are for women and families.
Stay nearby: Palm Jumeirah · ~$380/nightCareem and Uber
Ride-hailing apps pick up from marked zones. Prices are usually close to a taxi, more at busy times.
Hotel transfer
Many hotels on the Palm and in Jumeirah offer airport pick-ups, worth asking for when the metro doesn't reach the door.
Before you go
Terminal 2, used mostly by flydubai, isn't on the metro; take a taxi or a bus to the nearest station.
The metro doesn't run around the clock. Check the opening hours for your arrival time; it starts later on Sunday mornings.
Dubai World Central (Al Maktoum, DWC) is a second airport far to the south, about 45 minutes by taxi from the Marina. The times below are from DXB.
Journey times from Dubai International by area
| Area | From Dubai International Airport | Fastest route |
|---|---|---|
| Old Dubai (Bur Dubai & Deira) | ~20 min | Red Line metro to BurJuman or Union, then the Green Line |
| Downtown Dubai | ~30 min | Red Line metro to Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall, or about 20 minutes by taxi |
| Business Bay | ~30 min | Red Line metro to Business Bay, or about 20 minutes by taxi |
| Jumeirah | ~45 min | Red Line metro to Mall of the Emirates, then a short taxi; a taxi all the way takes about 25 minutes |
| Palm Jumeirah | ~60 min | taxi; by public transport it's the Red Line, the tram and the Palm Monorail, well over an hour |
| Dubai Marina & JBR | ~60 min | Red Line metro to DMCC or Sobha Realty, then the tram |
Written by the StayAreas editorial team · Updated Oct 2026 · How we research our guides