6 ways to enjoy a layover at Dubai Airport

Dubai Airport is one of the nicest and busiest airports connecting the East with the West. It is very busy at all times and thousands of passengers transit through the airport daily. The airport has three terminals and every time I have transited via Dubai, the experience has been pleasant. It is a very user-friendly airport and although it can be very busy at certain times of the day, I have never had any issues. If you have a stopover/layover of 4-5 hours or more then you can experience and enjoy what Dubai Airport has to offer.

Most travellers usually do not look forward to layovers but the wait for your connecting flight need not be boring! Here are 6 ways to enjoy a layover at Dubai Airport.

1. Duty free shopping

Most (if not all) tourists travelling through the Dubai Airport indulge in a bit of retail therapy in one of the many duty-free shops at the airport. From designer watches & jewellery to high-end cosmetics & fragrances and from liquor & confectionery to electronics and souvenirs, the airport duty-free shops have everything. No wonder Dubai Duty-Free is one of the leading airport retailers in the world. If you love shopping and have a few hours on hand, then this is a good way to make the layover less boring. Just ensure that you do not buy stuff that is not likely to fit in the overhead cabins in the aircraft.

2. Enjoy food and beverages from all over the world

I have always enjoyed the in-flight meals in most of the carriers I have flown with. I usually place a request for a lacto-ovo-vegetarian meal and the food has always been good (90% of the time). Many people do not enjoy the food served on airplanes and prefer to eat at an airport (during a layover). A round of shopping can also make you hungry! Dubai Airport offers an impressive choice when it comes to dining options. From street food to gourmet dining, you will find options to suit all budgets and tastes. Some of the outlets at the Dubai Airport include Bombay Chowpatty (Indian fast food), Subway, Costa, Thai Express, Taste of India, Pinkberry, Pulp Juice Bars, Haagen Dazs, Marrybrown, Caviar House (seafood), Burger King, Chowking Orient Restaurant and Shake Shack.

Also see: Dubai Travel Guide | Dubai Itinerary

3. Zen garden: Escape the hustle and bustle of the airport

If you prefer some quiet time, away from the noise and excitement of the shopping zones, then head to one of the two Zen gardens located in Terminal 3 of the airport. With a lot of greenery, a trickling stream and a fish pond, the Zen gardens are a peaceful retreat. I spent some time here during my layover and found that it was relatively less crowded and less noisy than the other parts of the airport.

4. Unwind at a spa

Dubai Airport boasts of a number of spa facilities offering services like manicure and pedicure, massage and facials etc. You can easily spend an hour or longer at one of the spas getting pampered. The airport also has a hotel - the Dubai International Hotel - where you can pay an hourly fee and access their swimming pool, Jacuzzi, gym or steam room.

5. Relax in one of the many lounges at the airport

If your layover duration is short or you simply need a place to relax, then Dubai Airport has many luxurious lounges for the travellers. Some of the lounges are for specific airlines (Qatar Airways Lounge, Lufthansa Lounge, Emirates First Class Lounge, and British Airways Lounge etc.) while some are for travellers of First or Business Class only on any airline (e.g. First Class Lounge). Then there is the Marhaba Lounge which can be accessed by all passengers by paying a fee. There is also the Al Majlis service which has 25 VIP lounges, divided between Terminal 3 and concourses B, C and D. Some of the facilities in the Al Majlis lounges include dedicated immigration, baggage handling, dedicated Dubai Duty-Free outlet etc.

 

Did you know that the Priority Pass program is the world's largest independent airport lounge access program with more than 1,600 lounges in over 600 cities acros 148 countries? Check out all the benefits of the Priority Pass here.

6. Catch a quick snooze at Snoozecubes

If none of the above catch your fancy and you prefer total relaxation then Snoozecube is the answer. If you have a long transit in Dubai or even if your flight has been delayed, you can now rent out a Snoozecube (a micro-hotel room)! Snoozecubes are sound-proofed units that provide complete privacy. They are big enough to accommodate a bed, a touchscreen TV and place to store your carry-on luggage. The cubes also have internet connection so you can stay updated with your flight updates.

If you have a long layover and are looking to explore Dubai, then take your pick from the options below.

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Note: Please ensure you have the stipulated time on hand while booking these tours, so that you don't miss your connecting flight!

Related | Read our top tips on what to do at the Doha Airport in Qatar during a layover.