Al Maktoum or Dubai International: choosing your arrival

Most visitors know Dubai International, one of the busiest airports in the world. Fewer know Al Maktoum International, the city’s second airport out at Dubai South, which handles a large share of the emirate’s private aviation. For a flight from London, both work well. The choice comes down to geography, timing and congestion.

Dubai International (DXB)

Dubai International sits in the Garhoud area, close to the older heart of the city. It is the nearest airport to Deira, Downtown Dubai, DIFC and Business Bay; outside the rush hours, the drive to Downtown is often 15 to 25 minutes. Private passengers use dedicated executive terminals rather than the airline halls, so the arrival itself is quick and discreet.

The catch is traffic. DXB is a major airline hub, and at peak hours arrival slots and parking for business jets can be tight. The operator requests the slot when the flight is planned; if your preferred time is unavailable, the choice is usually between landing a little earlier or later, or using Al Maktoum instead.

Al Maktoum International (DWC)

Al Maktoum International, also known as Dubai World Central, lies in Dubai South near Jebel Ali. Business aviation is a core part of its role, with a dedicated VIP terminal, generous ramp space and far less airline traffic, which tends to make slots and parking easier to arrange, especially at busy times of year.

The trade-off is distance from the centre. The drive to Downtown is often 40 to 50 minutes. On the other hand, DWC is well placed for Jebel Ali, Expo City and the road to Abu Dhabi, and Dubai Marina and Palm Jumeirah are similar from either airport, depending on traffic.

Drive times are rough guides outside rush hours. Traffic in Dubai varies sharply with the time of day.

Think about the time you land

The UAE keeps Gulf Standard Time, four hours ahead of UTC, all year. The UK moves between GMT and BST, so Dubai is four hours ahead of London in winter and three hours ahead in summer. A seven-hour flight leaving London at 10:00 in December lands in Dubai at about 21:00 local time; the same flight in July lands at about 20:00. Evening arrivals often meet the lighter traffic of the late evening, while landing in the city’s morning or evening rush adds time on the road from DXB.

Coming the other way, the clock works in your favour: a seven-hour flight leaving Dubai at 09:00 in winter lands in London at about 12:00 the same day, which makes a morning departure from the Gulf an easy way to arrive in time for lunch or an afternoon meeting.

Our time-shift calculator works out the local arrival time for any departure date and time, including the clock changes in March and October.

Arrival formalities

At either airport, private passengers clear immigration and customs inside the executive or VIP terminal, usually within minutes of the doors opening. Entry rules depend on nationality, so check the current requirements for every passenger well before travel; we confirm the documents the operator needs for the passenger list. Bring the passports you will travel on, and let us know in advance about pets, which need import permits and health paperwork for the UAE.

Flying home

The return to London typically takes a little longer than the outbound flight, because westbound flights more often meet headwinds. Departure slots work the same way as arrivals, with DWC generally easier at busy times. Aircraft based in the Gulf can sometimes price the Dubai to London leg well, which is one reason we quote the return separately when it helps.

Busy seasons

Dubai’s high season runs through the cooler months, roughly November to March, and peaks around New Year, when ramp space at both airports is in heavy demand and arrival slots fill early. Major events in the city add their own pressure; the biennial Dubai Airshow is held at Dubai World Central, which makes Al Maktoum itself unusually busy that week. In the summer months the pattern reverses, with more aircraft and slots available and many travellers heading the other way, to London and Europe.

From the aircraft to your door

At both airports a car can be arranged to meet you at the private terminal, with luggage transferred from the aircraft by the handling team. Tell us the hotel, residence or office you are heading to when you request the quote; it is the single most useful detail for choosing between the two airports, and it lets the handler plan the transfer before you land.

Our default advice

If your plans centre on Downtown, DIFC or Deira and the arrival slot is available, Dubai International saves time on the road. If you are heading to Jebel Ali, Expo City or on to Abu Dhabi, or flying in a busy week, Al Maktoum is often the easier choice. We check both when we quote and tell you which we would choose for your trip.