1:05 transit in DXB - process?
 

Taking my first Emirates flight this weekend, LHR > DXB > PEK
My outbound transfer is only 1h05m which sounds tight even if everything goes to plan (apparently an hour is their minimum?)

I've never actually done a connection before (anywhere!), so I'm unsure of the process. Both flights are from Terminal 3.
Do I exit out to arrivals then come back through everything again? Or do you simply go from one gate to the other? Presumably I need to do security again somewhere?

Hi there, we've had a few threads about short connections in DXB here recently. This is the process:

1. Enter terminal on arrivals/connections level, follow red signs for Connections
2. Got through transit security (remove belt, remove shoes if they have metal or are likely to beep, if you're confident they won't you can keep them on)
3. Go up to the departure concourse, find your departing gate

That's it. It's quite simple, basically you just clear security. Now the complication:

Terminal 3 is not really useful when describing DXB airside, it makes more sense to refer to Concourses A, B and C, all of which are used by EK and part of T3.

The walk from A > C can be an easy 20-25 minutes. If you arrive at a remote stand the bus ride from there to the terminal can be up to 30 minutes from touchdown until you arrive. The plus side: EK typically shows connecting gates during the approach of the inbound flight, so monitor the airshow onboard, once you land if you are at a remote stand you might see two buses and staff with signs showing destinations. One bus will go to A, the other to B (A > B requires an underground train, B > C are directly connected end-to-end). IF your destination isn't listed, but you know your connecting gate (B23, A12, C43, etc) ask the staff which bus is going to concourse X (X being A or B, where if your flight has an A gate you want to go to A, for a B or C gate you to go B, as there won't be a bus to C).

It's doable, but it'll be tight if you get a remote stand on arrival, in which case don't waste time at the glittering duty free. Also keep an eye out for staff as you enter the terminal building holding destination signs or calling destinations, good chance there'll be someone for your flight if it is tight, if there isn't someone you've got time.

Very helpful to know, thanks a lot! I shall keep a copy of your post handy.

Hi jowlymonster

What class are you travelling and which flight are you on? GLA-DXB-PEK on EK was my regular route for a while so can try and give you some arrival tips for PEK if you haven't been before.

S

Hey there,

I'm flying out on EK030 & EK306. I'm in the cheap seats unfortunately (although I stumped up for a seat close to the front on the first leg so I won't be last off the plane hopefully) - short story is the other half has to go there for a meeting, and as it's the last time she'll be going (for the forseeable) I thought I'd tag along. Unfortunately the cost of even an economy ticket on her direct BA flight was prohibitive for a short trip (3 nights) so after a bit of searching I found this option.
Coming back is more comfortable with a 2h40m wait in DBX...

Usually, the EK flights arrive at the E07-E09 gates. That time of the afternoon can be fairly busy at immigration.

For the A380, the jet bridges usually get attached to the lower deck first but you have to go up an escalator to get to the arrivals level.

Immigration is well signposted (follow the crowds anyways). You will hopefully be off fairly quickly so hopefully not too much of a queue. The desks are well signposted for Foreigners and Immigration officers in general fairly efficient so shouldn't be too long. Once you come through the immigration desk head straight on to an escalator that will take you down to the transit train (no other way of getting to baggage reclaim). The transit trains are fairly regular but my advice is, get to the first carriage (furthest from the escalator).

Once you arrive at the at the main terminal building, the corridor will take you in to baggage reclaim. There are screens at the entrance to the hall which will tell you what belt to get your baggage from. Once you've collected your baggage then head through customs which is near the middle of the baggage hall. Unfortunately, the past few times I arrived, Customs were x-raying all arriving passengers so can be a bit of a bottleneck.

Getting into the city can be a bit of an ache. The taxi rank is below ground level and can be reached by elevator. You may be approached by hawkers once you come out of arrivals asking if you want a taxi. My advice is to avoid them at all costs. If you are going to take a taxi then make sure you go to the official taxi rank. They are all metered and a trip into the city should be no more than RMB100. Unfortunately, it can be extremely busy and waits for taxis can be in excess of 30-40 minutes if not more. Language can be a bit of a barrier too so if you have a smartphone, download an app called Beijing Taxi. When you type in your destination, it will show you a taxi card in Chinese which you can show to the driver, otherwise try and have the address of your accommodation before arrival in Chinese.

The other her way to get to the city is the Airport Express. Depending on where you're staying is dependent on whether this route will be useful. Can't remember the costs but my personal feeling is that it's not much of an express as it goes back on itself when departing terminal 3 to go to terminals 1 & 2 which takes up the majority of the journey before heading into the city. If you are going into central Beijing, you would then have to get a taxi to your accommodation.

Other tips include installing a VPN on any PEDs (smartphone, tablets, laptops) before you go. There are a few sites that the Great Firewall of China blocks (even FT at times). Be prepared for smog. I was led to believe that the government are trying very hard to improve air quality, but random checking on my AQI app still shows the pollution levels as high at times and it can be quite unpleasant.

It it is an interesting city and practically all street signs are in English as well as Chinese so that shouldn't cause any problems when walking about. Sometimes the city can feel a bit 'sterile' and closes down about 10pm (apart from bar areas in Sanlitun).

You're only there for a short period of time so enjoy and if I can help you with anything else don't hesitate to ask. I'll try my best :cool:

S

I'll add that assuming you deboard from a gate in Dubai, there may be ground crew with signs showing flight numbers, its worth checking these, if your flight is shown you will probably get a buggy ride for most of the way to the next gate. Happened to me recently.

I had a 1h05 connection 2 weeks ago. The flight left LHR 30 mins late.

When arriving in Dubai I legged it to the connecting gate where I arrived about 30 mins ahead (10 mins before gate closes) to find they had tried to offload and rebook me!!! After heated discussion this was reversed.

By bag didn't make it until about 6 hours later - they gave me $50 to buy a clean shirt.

You should be fine - ground crew will almost certainly be on hand to help get you to your next gate before EK306 departs for PEK. It sometimes pays to mention that you've got a tight connection to the crew onboard too - they can then probably help to expedite an even faster exit when de-planing. DXB ought to be slightly quieter at 3am too - good luck!

I hope that's not the case this time!

Yes, I read elsewhere there may be people with signs to help, will keep an eye out!

Thanks for all the tips Saltire-
I won't have any checked baggage- stuff I need is all going with the other half on her BA flight; one less thing to worry about. I've also been warned about the hawkers for taxis. I'll keep a copy of your message to refer to when (if!) I get there :)

OP: For about $35, you can have a meet/greet person escort you to your next flight. Google Marhaba and Dubai. Priceless.

That's not how that ad works :D

The other half suggested pretty much the same thing. Sounds handier than queuing for a cab!