Airport guides: terminals, arrivals and which airport
Start here if you haven’t landed yet. The Dubai airport terminals guide sorts out which airlines use Terminals 1, 2 and 3, and the DXB arrivals guide walks you from passport control to the car. One detail catches people out: DXB has no pickup area at the arrivals kerb, so anyone collecting you has to use a terminal car park (Dubai Airports FAQ).
Abu Dhabi’s airport has been called Zayed International since February 2024, though the code is still AUH. Our Zayed International airport guide covers Terminal A, which opened in late 2023. The Sharjah airport guide suits Air Arabia passengers and anyone heading for Ajman or the northern emirates. Worth knowing before you land there: Sharjah Taxi adds an AED 20 surcharge to trips that start at the airport (Sharjah Airport).
If your ticket says DWC, read DWC vs DXB before you book a hotel. The two Dubai airports are roughly 65 km apart, a long drive if your hotel sits near the other one. DWC works differently on the ground too: its Dubai Taxi cabs are booked through the Bolt app (DWC transport).
Taxis, tolls and choosing the car
Taxi or private transfer in Dubai is the one to read if you’re still deciding how to leave the airport. It puts metered taxis, ride-hailing apps and pre-booked cars side by side.
Tolls come up on almost every cross-emirate trip. The Salik and Darb guide explains Dubai’s and Abu Dhabi’s toll gates and how they show up on a transfer. And if you’re unsure whether five people and six suitcases fit a sedan (they don’t), choosing the right chauffeur car matches group size and luggage to the vehicle.
Rules, etiquette and planning
UAE law puts children under four in a child seat and keeps children aged 10 or under out of the front, and the child car seat rules guide has the detail for families. Tipping a driver is optional here; chauffeur etiquette and tipping covers what’s normal and what isn’t.
If you’re booking for a boss, a client or elderly parents, the checklist for hiring a chauffeur in Dubai lists what to confirm before you pay. Flight delays and pickup waiting time explains what happens to your pickup when the plane lands early or late.
Which guide to read first
If you only read one guide before you fly, make it the one for the airport you land at. Travelling with children? Add the car seat guide, because the seat needs to be booked with the car.
Each guide links its official sources. UAE rules do change, so check the source before you rely on a figure. When you’re ready to book, our UAE airport transfer and chauffeur service pages cover each airport and emirate, and a WhatsApp message to +971 58 181 0789 gets you a fixed fare.
