How to spend your time at Dubai International Airport
Previous airport guides include and Zurich and Abu Dhabi
With around 5,600 flights to Dubai each week, operated by almost 100 different airlines to more than 200 different destinations across all six continents, Dubai airport is busy and thriving. With a reputation for sleek and modern design, and a fantastic shopping experience, this is one airport where you may want to arrive early, and perhaps won’t be too disappointed if your flight from Dubai is a little delayed.
Shopping
Dubai is famous for its shopping, and no less so than at the airport’s award-winning Dubai Duty Free shop. Established in 1983 by Dubai’s Government, the duty free shop was the first of its kind in the Middle East. Since then it has won more than 70 international awards, and remains the leader in airport shopping.
It is the largest single airport retail operation in the world, ahead of London Heathrow and Seoul Incheon airports. The merchandise is spread over some 5,400 square metres of floor space, including areas for cosmetics, jewellery, electronics, alcohol, luxury goods, sports equipment, designer clothing, tobacco products, toys and books.
Womens clothing, in particular short dresses, skirts and boutique lingeire, has had some controversy with western retailers introducing fashions that are being slowly accepted by the Emirates. Each year sees new ranges of designer dresses and dresses carefully displayed to appeal to shoppers but have low impact on local travellers.
Customer reviews suggest that while not too inflated, prices aren’t quite as low as you might hope — but that the sheer range of goods on offer more than make up for this.
For most destinations, anything that you buy after security control can be taken on board the aircraft, including bottled drinks, wines and spirits, perfumes and cosmetics. If you’re transferring to another flight before you reach your final destination, particularly within the EU, your purchases will be placed within a sealed plastic bag. If you are transferring within the USA or Canada you need to put any purchases containing more than 100 ml in your hand luggage before you check in for your connecting flight. You can’t take any liquids of more than 100 ml in hand luggage.
And if you’re still left with any doubt about Dubai’s fascination for airport shoppers, it won the ‘Best Duty Free Shopping’ title in 2009′s World Airport Awards, based on the opinions of 8.6 million airline passengers across 190 airports worldwide in 2008/9.
Recreation
If you’re all shopped out, there are other, more relaxing facilities at the airport where you can while away some time before your flight.
Firstly, there are two open-air garden areas where you can stroll around and get some fresh air. And within the international transit area of the interconnected Terminals 1 and 2, there are internet facilities, a gym, a swimming pool, video games, prayer rooms, and spa facilities.
The airport also has various lounge areas, some of which contain children’s play facilities, while others have screens showing film, sport and news channels.
Eating
Dubai International Airport is home to more than 25 different food and drink establishments, ranging from the likes of Starbucks selling coffee and quick snacks, to elegant bistros selling more elaborate cuisine. There is even a place serving up traditional Irish pub fare, which seems rather incongruous, as well as more obvious choices such as Lebanese, Indian and Chinese cuisine. Safar, the main restaurant in the concourse, is split up into three sections: Pint 19, which is the bar area; a buffet section; and an a la carte restaurant with an open kitchen, offering international cuisine. You can also find fast food places such as McDonald’s and pizzerias. In short: you won’t go hungry, even if you’re the fussiest of eaters.
For more information about Dubai International Airport, visit www.dubaiairport.com
