✈️ EMIRATES · UAE
🇦🇪 Airports in the UAE
The complete guide to the airports of the United Arab Emirates: terminals, parking fees, transport and travel tips — all 7 airports, explained in English.
7
Airports
3
Global hubs
English
Guide language
Dubai (DXB)
The busiest
About airports in the UAE
The UAE runs one of the world’s most powerful aviation networks from just seven airports. Dubai International (DXB) is the busiest airport on Earth for international passengers, Zayed International in Abu Dhabi opened its landmark Terminal A in 2023, and Sharjah thrives as the home of Air Arabia — while each emirate operates its own airport authority with its own character.
Four home airlines anchor the system: Emirates and flydubai in Dubai, Etihad in Abu Dhabi and Air Arabia in Sharjah. Al Maktoum International (DWC) is being expanded into a future mega-hub designed to eventually take over from DXB, and the smaller airports of Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah and Al Ain serve their regions and specialist traffic.
In every guide you will find which terminal your airline uses, the official parking fees in dirhams, metro, taxi and bus options, airport hotels, careers information and straight answers to the questions travellers ask most.
Most popular airport guides
Start with the six airports that move almost everyone in the Emirates.
Dubai International Airport
DXB · Dubai
The world’s busiest international hub: Terminals 1, 2 and 3, the Red Line metro and parking, all explained.
Zayed International Airport
AUH · Abu Dhabi
Etihad’s home in the vast new Terminal A: parking fees, the Pearl Lounge and US preclearance.
Sharjah International Airport
SHJ · Sharjah
Air Arabia’s home base: low-cost flights, parking fees and careers at the Gulf’s original LCC hub.
Al Maktoum International Airport
DWC · Dubai
Dubai’s future mega-hub at Dubai World Central — what flies there today and what is coming.
Ras Al Khaimah Airport
RKT · Ras Al Khaimah
The northern emirates’ easy-going gateway for beach holidays and Air Arabia flights.
Fujairah International Airport
FJR · Fujairah
The east-coast gateway between the Hajar Mountains and the Indian Ocean.
All airports in the UAE
All 7 UAE airports, from Dubai and Abu Dhabi to Al Ain.
Tips for flying in the UAE
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Metro straight to DXB
The Dubai Metro Red Line serves Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 directly — the fastest, cheapest way into the city, with trains every few minutes.
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Pre-book your parking
Long-stay parking at Abu Dhabi and Dubai is far cheaper booked online in advance. Every guide lists the official AED tariffs.
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Plan for the heat
Summer temperatures pass 45°C. Choose covered parking, keep transfers short, and never leave luggage or people waiting in an unshaded car park.
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Airport jobs
Careers at Dubai Airports, dnata, Abu Dhabi Airports and Air Arabia are advertised only on official portals — each guide links the right one and warns about scams.
Frequently asked questions
How many airports are there in the UAE?
Seven airports have guides here: Dubai International, Al Maktoum, Zayed International (Abu Dhabi), Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah and Al Ain — together they cover every emirate’s gateway.
Which is the biggest airport in the UAE?
Dubai International (DXB) by far — it is the world’s busiest airport for international passengers. Zayed International in Abu Dhabi is second and growing fast.
What is the difference between DXB and DWC?
DXB is Dubai’s main airport in the city. DWC (Al Maktoum) is the newer airport in Dubai South being expanded into the future mega-hub; today it handles a smaller mix of passenger, charter and cargo flights.
How do I get from Dubai Airport to the city?
The Metro Red Line from Terminal 1 or 3 is quickest for most areas; taxis are available 24/7, and an express bus links DXB with Abu Dhabi. Each guide compares times and costs.
Are the UAE guides in English?
Yes — all UAE airport guides are written in English, using the terms travellers in the Emirates actually search for.
See airport guides for other countries
Airportsy publishes guides to 547 airports in 20 countries, each in that country’s own language.