Transiting through DXB
#46
Ambassador: Emirates Airlines
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Location: Manchester, UK
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#47
Moderator, Emirates
Join Date: Oct 2012
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Whilst I don't have the most experience of transiting in DXB (especially travelling with a 9 year old), there are a few things I always consider, regardless of airport and what to do to kill time.
You don't say what class you are travelling but given your questions, I think it's safe to assume Y.
Your transit time will be eaten into quite a bit after a few factors. If travelling Y, factor in the time to deplane, clear security and get to whichever concourse your next flight departs from. Given that your arrival time is during a busy period, your first hour could very easily be used up. If it was only you travelling, then you would porbably do this in less time but could well easily be a bit slower because you have your child with you.
Taking in to consideration the possible transfer time, I would look at using a pay in lounge if you don't have EK Lounge access. As DYKWIA says, these are usually payable for 4 hours. If you go for that option, you have then used the best part of 5 hours.
The gate for your next flight will be open at least an hour before your next flight which also gives you both time to explore the terminal/duty free and then onwards to your boarding gate without rushing or too much pressure.
Personally, I would not bother with the airside hotel but your needs may outweigh the cost and benefit especially with a child in tow, but 7 hours could go past fairly quickly.
T minus 7-6: Deplane, transit security and onwards to next concourse.
T minus 6-2: Pay in lounge, relax, eat, freshen up
T minus 2-1: Explore duty free
T minus 1: Go to gate.
Safe & Happy Travels
S
You don't say what class you are travelling but given your questions, I think it's safe to assume Y.
Your transit time will be eaten into quite a bit after a few factors. If travelling Y, factor in the time to deplane, clear security and get to whichever concourse your next flight departs from. Given that your arrival time is during a busy period, your first hour could very easily be used up. If it was only you travelling, then you would porbably do this in less time but could well easily be a bit slower because you have your child with you.
Taking in to consideration the possible transfer time, I would look at using a pay in lounge if you don't have EK Lounge access. As DYKWIA says, these are usually payable for 4 hours. If you go for that option, you have then used the best part of 5 hours.
The gate for your next flight will be open at least an hour before your next flight which also gives you both time to explore the terminal/duty free and then onwards to your boarding gate without rushing or too much pressure.
Personally, I would not bother with the airside hotel but your needs may outweigh the cost and benefit especially with a child in tow, but 7 hours could go past fairly quickly.
T minus 7-6: Deplane, transit security and onwards to next concourse.
T minus 6-2: Pay in lounge, relax, eat, freshen up
T minus 2-1: Explore duty free
T minus 1: Go to gate.
Safe & Happy Travels
S
#48
Moderator: Qatar Airways
Join Date: Jan 2014
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My flight to London departs from Concourse A, but I'm rationing my time so currently in the Concourse B J Lounge...I've been in worse, but it's wholly different to the serenity of the Concourse A Lounge.
OT - there are bird noises in the lounge. Are these real birds or are they simply pipped in to make it feel like you're outdoors?
Thanks all for the advice.
M
#49
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: MAN DXB ✈️
Programs: Skywards Gold
Posts: 6,831
We did indeed land at Concourse C, but the security line was woeful, so I walked to Concourse B where there was no queue.
My flight to London departs from Concourse A, but I'm rationing my time so currently in the Concourse B J Lounge...I've been in worse, but it's wholly different to the serenity of the Concourse A Lounge.
OT - there are bird noises in the lounge. Are these real birds or are they simply pipped in to make it feel like you're outdoors?
Thanks all for the advice.
M
My flight to London departs from Concourse A, but I'm rationing my time so currently in the Concourse B J Lounge...I've been in worse, but it's wholly different to the serenity of the Concourse A Lounge.
OT - there are bird noises in the lounge. Are these real birds or are they simply pipped in to make it feel like you're outdoors?
Thanks all for the advice.
M
Safe flight home!
#50
Ambassador: Emirates Airlines
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 18,618
#51
Moderator, Emirates
Join Date: Oct 2012
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#52
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 9,307
That's where you've got me. Despite several transits, I still wouldn't be able to work out how to go between concourses without going through security.
#53
Ambassador: Emirates Airlines
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 18,618
When there was only Concourse B & C, this used to happen a lot. I think there are 3 security checkpoints for transit passengers. There would be huge queues for one, but the others could be completely empty.
#56
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 5,454
To get from B to A without going through security first I will let you into the dnata WCHR secret and I will blame you all if when I do this again it's full of FT'ers
Go down the elevators to the immigration hall, then turn around and head up the elevators to the train - that train goes straight to Concourse A. Go up the elevators and you will find yourself outside the central Concourse A security screening area which is usually empty on one of the two sides.
You can do the reverse if going from A to B of course.
That said with the quite strict enforcement of the Fast Track security at Concourse B central security, it's a little better than before.
#57
Moderator: Qatar Airways
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As it was busy, the chap said to follow the signs for Arrivals, and eventually I would find another Security Checkpoint on Concourse B.
I did so, and duly found the checkpoint on Concourse B.
Quite an easy transit, and a relaxing layover once I moved to the F Lounge thanks to M3red (and the lovely Lounge Supervisor who allowed me to be guested in).
M
#58
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: United Kingdom
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I've never done it, but it's been described on here a few times. What you do is got through transit security and go to the lounge of your choice. Then retrace your steps back through transit security (making some excuse on the way presumably) and join the flow of arriving passengers to immigration.
I am honest and I just say that I want to meet some friends who are waiting at arrivals for me and would like to go out as my next flight is only 8/10 hrs later.
They usually don't even ask for the boarding pass for the next flight and are not bothered as you have been in the sterile zone anyway.
All you the need to do is to go through the metal detector gates in the reverse direction and join the flow of pax going towards immigration and arrivals.
At immigration I was asked once why I did not exit the airport at arrival and I said that I didn't want to wake up friends/family in the middle of the night and that's why I decided to wait. I was complemented on being considerate to my family/friends!!!
PS: All these apply if you hold a passport which gives you visa on arrival at DXB. If you have a passport which needs a visa in advance I'm not sure if these will work.
#59
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Economy, mostly :(
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Posts: 7,801
I have done this before. Wanted to meet friends at DXB and did not want to wake them up at 0200 on a Friday morning. What you need to do is to clear transit security as usual and make your way to any of the lounges. Then when its time to exit the airport then walk back to transit security and go back in the reverse direction .
I am honest and I just say that I want to meet some friends who are waiting at arrivals for me and would like to go out as my next flight is only 8/10 hrs later.
They usually don't even ask for the boarding pass for the next flight and are not bothered as you have been in the sterile zone anyway.
All you the need to do is to go through the metal detector gates in the reverse direction and join the flow of pax going towards immigration and arrivals.
At immigration I was asked once why I did not exit the airport at arrival and I said that I didn't want to wake up friends/family in the middle of the night and that's why I decided to wait. I was complemented on being considerate to my family/friends!!!
PS: All these apply if you hold a passport which gives you visa on arrival at DXB. If you have a passport which needs a visa in advance I'm not sure if these will work.
I am honest and I just say that I want to meet some friends who are waiting at arrivals for me and would like to go out as my next flight is only 8/10 hrs later.
They usually don't even ask for the boarding pass for the next flight and are not bothered as you have been in the sterile zone anyway.
All you the need to do is to go through the metal detector gates in the reverse direction and join the flow of pax going towards immigration and arrivals.
At immigration I was asked once why I did not exit the airport at arrival and I said that I didn't want to wake up friends/family in the middle of the night and that's why I decided to wait. I was complemented on being considerate to my family/friends!!!
PS: All these apply if you hold a passport which gives you visa on arrival at DXB. If you have a passport which needs a visa in advance I'm not sure if these will work.
#60
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: United Kingdom
Programs: Skywards Blue :-(, HHonors Gold, SPG Gold, GHA Platinum
Posts: 2,531
They needed a minimum time (think it was 8hrs before the next flight) when I had an Indian passport (I also had a valid DXB transit visa). This was 5/6 years ago and I am not sure if rules have changed.
Last edited by ukdoctor; Jul 2, 2016 at 9:47 am