Different airports around the world can be a bit daunting at the best of times. Some are easier than others, and some are downright impossible. And let me tell you, when you have kids in tow, the experience can be twice as stressful. For me, I find the process of getting to and from the airport, and on and off the plane, downright frustrating, and I’m sure I am not the only person in the world that feels this way. So let me give you the lowdown on one of the busiest international airports in the world and home to all of the Dubai international flights – Dubai (DXB) International Airport.
Arriving in Dubai by Plane
If you arrive into Dubai on Emirates or Qantas, then you will find yourself in Terminal 3. Following the signs to Immigration and the Baggage Pick-Up area is relatively easy. For such a huge airport, there is surprisingly very little walking that needs to be done. If you have arrived at the A-Gates (more on this later) than you will need to catch the train to the arrivals hall – no worries, because if you are following the signs to “Baggage Claim” and “Immigration” then you will have no choice but to get on the train.
If you are like us, you don’t bother with the toilet for the last few hours of the plane trip (unless absolutely necessary). But most of the gates have a toilet pretty much as soon as you get off of the plane’s walkway. So when you get off the plane, stop at the toilets. Wash off faces, go to the loo, have a stretch, change nappies. Don’t worry about falling behind the rest of the travellers – this actually makes it a bit easier at the Immigration counters and Security.
Follow the signs to Baggage and Immigration
Keep following the signs to “Baggage” and “Immigration” and just before you get to the Immigration counter, there are some desks on the left hand side. There will be a sign that reads “Emirates Dubai Stopover Desk”. Here is where you should go to organise any stop over accommodation if you haven’t already. I would recommend doing this when you first book your flight, whether it is online or with an agent. If your flying with Emirates you can get reasonable stopover and transfer deals, or book with an online agent, like hotels.com where you can start collecting rewards. Adjacent to the Stopover Desk, there is also an “Arabian Adventure” desk. This is where you can book deals for things like the Sand Dune Safari.
I don’t know why people would stop at these desks to book tours – after a gazillion hours flying I just want to get out of the airport and into a shower – but obviously they do, otherwise they wouldn’t be there. Most hotels in Dubai will organise whatever tours and sightseeing you want to do. We have stayed at the best-of-the-best 5-star hotel, and a small family run 2-star, and both hotels were able to book us sand dune safaris for a reasonable price.
Immigration
A little further ahead you will see the big white Immigration counters. This area is manned by military looking people in a sky blue uniform with maroon shoes and a golden lanyard! They look very schmick indeed, but they aren’t really up for a chat (or a smile), so when they hold there arm out and direct you to a line, just say “thanks” and keep moving. We’ve been through Dubai four times now and we have always gotten through this area quite quickly.
At the counter, you give the attendant your passport and your arrivals card (which you will receive on the plane before descent into Dubai). The attendant will go through each passport, look at the picture and your face and check that you are who you say you are. They will absolutely want to see each of your faces, so make sure the kids don’t wander off. Argeyson always sticks his little cherub face over the counter and smiles a big gappy smile at them, and they never crack a smile back. I think part of their job is to be distant and aloof – remember it is their job to process and approve thousands of visas every day – it’s a serious business letting people into a middle eastern country, so just be polite and patient.
When they have approved you they will give you back your passports. On one of the pages there will be a UAE stamp with an arrivals date on there. You will be in their computer system as well, so next time you leave (or arrive) they will be able to look you up just by scanning your passport.
While we are on visas: Immigration is where these visas are granted. At the time of writing (April 2017) passport holders from 48 countries can receive a visa upon entering the UAE (without pre-approval). Some can receive a visa upon arrival for 90 days from date of entry but if you are a passport holders from Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada, and the UK, you can obtain a visa on entry that is valid for 30 days with a ten day grace period.**
Security
When you leave the Immigration area, you will have to go through security again. This is literally the same as when you were leaving your departure airport. I have been to several international airports, and I have NEVER had to have my hand luggage scanned at my arrival airport anywhere other than Dubai. But that’s fine. It’s the Middle-East so you do what you have to do – like I said before – It’s a serious business letting people into your country.
So, just like you would have done at your departure airport, take your electronic devices out of your hand luggage and put them in a tray. Also anything that might be a liquid or powder (I generally carry a full first aid kit while I travel – so liquids includes things like antiseptic cream, handwash, gels, and powders are things like antiseptic powders or a ventolin inhaler) pop into a clear zip-lock bag and put them in a tray too.
Baggage Claim
Finally you have made it. Take a deep breath and get ready for the next hurdle. Collecting luggage. This is actually quite simple in Dubai. There are 14 large luggage carousels in the arrivals area of Terminal 3 and at the end of each is a big electronic, flashy sign, that says the flight number that the luggage come in on and where it arrived from. Find your flight and off you go. There are a few bonuses here: First, the luggage trolleys are free, second, there are airport attendants all over the place just tripping over for a chance to be helpful, and third, there is copious amounts of seating.
So hang out, collect your luggage, and breath a bit. The kids can also have a small run around here, because the space is so huge that there’s room for them to stretch their legs while you keep an eye on them, and your partner goes to collect the luggage.
Then all you have to do is pass through customs and you are free! We never have anything to declare because all we travel with is clothes, toiletries, a few toys and the electronic gear, so we head through the “Nothing To Declare” door and we are out and good to go.
Transfer from Dubai Airport to Hotel
We almost always organise transfers from airports to hotels. Lots of people don’t, and really, where Dubai DXB International is concerned, I don’t think I know anyone that has a problem just lining up and catching a taxi at Dubai Airport. Yes it is cheaper to just catch a taxi – BUT gosh, if I am not always grumpy by the time I get to Dubai. I don’t know why! It is just how I am made.
Getting too and from the airport is one of the things that really stresses me out. I think four suitcases and four day packs, plus four people – It’s just a lot to fit into a normal sized car. When didn’t always do this, when we first started travelling we just grabbed taxi’s to and from airports as needed… But we’ve had some experiences where we needed to wait for ages for transport, and then when we finally got transport we all needed to squish in (sometimes with other people), and after flights, immigration, security, and customs, it was all too much for this stressed out mumma to handle. So now, pre-booked transfers! ALL THE TIME! The one exception to this is London Heathrow (where we catch the tube – it’s easy and we know how to do it).
So, for Dubai Airport (and other airports where getting around isn’t as familiar to us) we either book a transfer with our flight, or if that is not offered, we make sure we find a accommodation that has a (free or) reasonably priced transfer service. After we have been through customs in Dubai there is always a man holding a sign that says our name. We walk over, introduce ourselves and then follow him to his car! EASY PEASY!
The other advantage to pre-booking your transfer is that you just put in your flight number and they suggest pick-up times, and they keep an eye on delays, so you don’t need to worry about missing flights, or leaving drivers waiting.
The Dubai Airport is quite close to the centre of Dubai (quite odd for an airport of that size). If you are a solo traveller and wanted to catch a taxi, it would be quite a short trip.
Hotels in Dubai
We have only ever used Dubai as a stop over location – the most we have stayed was three nights. It is completely worth it to break up the flight and also have a comfortable sleep and hydrate and wash a bit. Most of the hotels are quite central and are quite reasonably priced. I mean, let’s not kid ourselves, Dubai is EXPENSIVE no matter where you are! But the closer you get the Palm and Beach area the more expensive your night’s accommodation will be, so if you are just looking for somewhere to sleep, eat and wash, stay closer to the airport.
Have a good sleep and get ready for the next part of your adventure.
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**www.lotsofplanetshaveanorth.com take no responsibility for complications that may occur regarding visas and entry into Dubai. PLEASE do your own research regarding visas and passport requirements. A good place to start is https://www.visitdubai.com