Dubai Airport
Terminal 3
Complete Guide
Your definitive resource for navigating Dubai International Airport Terminal 3 — from shops and restaurants to lounges, parking, arrivals, and departures.
The World’s Largest Airport Terminal
Dubai International Airport Terminal 3 (DXB) opened on 14 October 2008 and is the world’s largest airport terminal by floor space, spanning over 1,713,000 square metres (18.4 million sq ft). The terminal was built at a cost of US$4.5 billion and is located in the Al Garhoud district of Dubai.
Terminal 3 is the primary hub for Emirates Airlines and serves selected flights by flydubai, Air Canada, and United Airlines. The terminal operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, catering to over 43 million passengers annually. It comprises three connected concourses — A, B, and C — offering over 108 gates in total.
Terminal 3 is located just 4.7 kilometres east of Dubai city centre and is directly served by the Dubai Metro Red Line (Airport Terminal 3 station), RTA taxis, Careem, Uber, and a dedicated bus network.
Note: Following temporary airspace disruptions in early 2026 due to regional security events, Dubai Airport resumed full operations in March 2026. All Terminal 3 services are currently operational.
Three Concourses, One Terminal
Terminal 3 is split into Concourses A, B, and C — each serving different functions and aircraft types under the Emirates hub.
Concourse A — A380 Dedicated
Opened on 2 January 2013 at a cost of US$3.3 billion, Concourse A was purpose-built for the Airbus A380. It increased the airport’s total capacity by 19 million passengers per year.
Concourse A features 20 airbridge gates (A1–A24), all capable of handling the A380-800. It houses one 4-star and one 5-star hotel, dedicated First & Business Class lounges, a Marhaba Lounge, Plaza Premium Lounge, and 11,000 m² of retail space including 14 cafés and restaurants.
Passengers access Concourse A from the Terminal 3 main building via an automated people mover (APM).
Concourse B — Emirates Hub
Concourse B is directly connected to the Terminal 3 main building and dedicated exclusively to Emirates flights. It is 945 metres long, 90.8 metres wide and 49.5 metres high — one of the longest airport concourses in the world.
It has 10 floors (4 basement levels, ground floor, 5 upper floors), 32 gates (B1–B32) with 26 air bridges and 14 remote stands. The Emirates First Class Lounge has capacity for 1,800 passengers across 12,600 m².
Concourse B also houses the Dubai International Hotel — a 300-room, 5-star hotel — along with the Marhaba Lounge.
Concourse C — Sheikh Rashid Terminal
Concourse C (formerly the Sheikh Rashid Terminal) became part of Terminal 3 in 2016, when Concourse D opened to serve international airlines from Terminal 1. It is connected to Concourse B via passenger walkways.
Concourse C offers 50 gates (C1–C50) with dining, shopping, lounge options, a 5-star hotel, duty-free shopping, and the Emirates Lounge. Check-in is done at the Terminal 3 main building.
Everything You Need at T3
From luxury shopping to essential travel services — Terminal 3 has it all under one roof, open around the clock.
Shops
Over 30 retail outlets across Concourses A, B & C — from Gucci, Chanel and Nike to the Emirates Official Store and LEGO. Open 24 hours.
Browse all shops →Restaurants & Cafés
Over 60 dining venues including Starbucks, Costa, Burger King, All’Antico Vinaio, Cho Gao, Indian cuisine, and Lebanese eateries.
View all restaurants →Lounges
Emirates First & Business Class Lounges, Marhaba Lounge (from AED 175), Plaza Premium, The Gallery — across all three concourses.
Explore lounges →Duty Free
Dubai Duty Free spans a massive area covering perfumes, designer fashion, electronics, gold, alcohol, tobacco, chocolates, and souvenirs.
View duty-free →Arrivals
Live arrival status for all flights into Terminal 3. T3 has 52 immigration counters, 14 baggage carousels, and 12 Smart e-gates.
Check arrivals →Departures
126 economy check-in counters, 36 First & Business counters, 18 self-service kiosks, and smart e-gate immigration in departures.
Check departures →Car Parking
Short-term and long-term parking options at Terminal 3 with clear signage, 24/7 security, and covered bays close to the terminal entrance.
View parking →Car Rental
Multiple car rental desks at Terminal 3 arrivals including Avis, Hertz, Sixt, Dollar, Thrifty, and Europcar — pick up on arrival.
Rent a car →Taxi Service
RTA-licensed taxis available 24/7 outside arrivals. Ride-sharing services including Careem and Uber also operate at Terminal 3.
Taxi info →Smoking Areas
Designated ventilated smoking rooms at Gates A2, A23, B7, B27, C9, and C23. Smoking is not permitted elsewhere in the terminal.
Find smoking areas →Lost & Found
Dubai International Airport has a dedicated Lost & Found service for Terminal 3. Contact the DXB helpline at 800 5111.
Report lost item →Things to Do
Sleep ‘n Fly pods, Game Space gaming lounge, PlayStation zones, spa at Dubai International Hotel, free unlimited Wi-Fi, and more.
Explore activities →Transport to & from Terminal 3
🚇 Dubai Metro
Red Line — Airport Terminal 3 Metro Station directly serves T3. Approx. 30 minutes to Dubai Mall / Burj Khalifa. Trains run from approx. 05:50 to 00:00 (01:00 on Fridays).
🚕 RTA Taxi
Available 24/7 from the Ground Transportation zone at arrivals. Metered fare. Approx. 15 minutes to Downtown Dubai. Careem and Uber ride-sharing also available.
🚌 Airport Bus
RTA bus routes connect Terminal 3 to Deira, Bur Dubai, and Al Ghubaiba. Affordable option for budget travelers.
🚗 Car Rental
Major rental desks in arrivals: Avis, Hertz, Sixt, Dollar, Thrifty, and Europcar. Pre-book online for better rates.
🏨 Hotel Transfer
Most Dubai hotels offer complimentary or paid airport transfers. Marhaba Meet & Greet (arrivals) can arrange transport.
🔗 T3 to T1
Terminal 3 and Terminal 1 are connected via a transit area (airside) and the Dubai Metro Red Line. No immigration clearance needed airside.
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