Heading to Zighy Bay - which is best for arrivals DXB, DWC or SHJ?
Jan 24, 2017, 11:34 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: SEA
Programs: free agent
Posts: 330
Heading to Zighy Bay - which is best for arrivals DXB, DWC or SHJ?
I'm going to Zighy Bay, Oman and will likely be flying QR via DOH. I have equally-priced options to fly to DXB, DWC or SHJ that all arrive about the same time. The QR flight to RKT arrives several hours later so probably isn't a good option for me.
I've been through DXB a few times and even with the Marhaba service afforded to BA GGLs, have had to wait up to an hour to get through immigration. Given the cost and timing is the same, which is the best bet to get through the airport quickly and get on my way? Any issues with ground transportation I should consider (planning on pre-booking a car)?
I'll be leaving from AUH, so departure facilities are not important to me.
Thanks in advance!
I've been through DXB a few times and even with the Marhaba service afforded to BA GGLs, have had to wait up to an hour to get through immigration. Given the cost and timing is the same, which is the best bet to get through the airport quickly and get on my way? Any issues with ground transportation I should consider (planning on pre-booking a car)?
I'll be leaving from AUH, so departure facilities are not important to me.
Thanks in advance!
Jan 26, 2017, 12:33 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: SEA
Programs: free agent
Posts: 330
Thanks! Know traffic can get bad on Sheikh Zayed Road, does traffic ever get too bad on Emirates Rd? Was thinking if I few into DWC that I could bypass Dubai and Sharjah all together. Is that a poor strategy? The only reason I thought I might pick DWC over SHJ was comments that I read here about how immigration formalities were very expedient at DWC and the opposite at SHJ.
Jan 26, 2017, 4:37 am
#4
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Dubai
Programs: Bonvoy Gold, QRPC Gold
Posts: 144
DWC has never been crowded in my experiences there. Immigration will be extremely quick and there is no traffic in the area. You will be really close to Emirates road as well - the traffic there never reaches Sheikh Zayed road levels until you reach Mirdiff City Center.
For ground transportation to Dubai and around, taxis are easily available - not too sure if you plan on taking a taxi to the hotel; that might prove to be a bit complicated.
Ro
For ground transportation to Dubai and around, taxis are easily available - not too sure if you plan on taking a taxi to the hotel; that might prove to be a bit complicated.
Ro
Jan 26, 2017, 5:11 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: SEA
Programs: free agent
Posts: 330
DWC has never been crowded in my experiences there. Immigration will be extremely quick and there is no traffic in the area. You will be really close to Emirates road as well - the traffic there never reaches Sheikh Zayed road levels until you reach Mirdiff City Center.
For ground transportation to Dubai and around, taxis are easily available - not too sure if you plan on taking a taxi to the hotel; that might prove to be a bit complicated.
Ro
For ground transportation to Dubai and around, taxis are easily available - not too sure if you plan on taking a taxi to the hotel; that might prove to be a bit complicated.
Ro
Anyone been through SHJ? I've read horror stories about going through immigration there (2-3 hours), but also just today read that one can sometimes make it though in as little as 12 minutes. According to Google Maps, when there is no traffic, DWC is about 33 minutes further away from the resort than SHJ...
Last edited by pareto; Jan 26, 2017 at 5:16 pm
Jan 26, 2017, 11:37 pm
#6
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Exile
Posts: 15,656
If you are really worried about immigration delays you can book "Hala" services which is the equivalent of Dubai's Marhaba. That will get you Meet and Assist plus Fast Track immigration.
https://www.hala-services.com/
Jan 27, 2017, 9:30 am
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: SEA
Programs: free agent
Posts: 330
I go through Sharjah regularly and it is much more convenient than DXB/DWC/AUH if your schedule works. I've never had immigration waits longer than a few minutes either - can't imagine why or how people would be stuck there for 2-3 hours. The immigration hall isn't even large enough to hold 2-3 hours worth of waiting people! My usual touchdown to carpark timeline at Sharjah is 10 minutes or less with carry-ons only.
If you are really worried about immigration delays you can book "Hala" services which is the equivalent of Dubai's Marhaba. That will get you Meet and Assist plus Fast Track immigration.
https://www.hala-services.com/
If you are really worried about immigration delays you can book "Hala" services which is the equivalent of Dubai's Marhaba. That will get you Meet and Assist plus Fast Track immigration.
https://www.hala-services.com/
Interesting that the posts I found were about how bad immigration was there, I guess people tend to post when the worst happens, and that was the noise I was seeing.
Thanks everyone for your help!