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.

6 ways to enjoy a layover at Dubai Airport

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.

Duty free shopping at Dubai Airport

Duty free shopping at Dubai Airport

Duty free shopping at Dubai Airport

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

Dining at Dubai Airport - Food options at Dubai Airport

Dining at Dubai Airport - Food options at Dubai Airport


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.

Zen Garden at Dubai 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.

Xpress Spa at Dubai Airport


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 1,400 lounges in over 600 cities acros 148 countries? Check out all the benefits of the Priority Pass here.



VIP lounge at Dubai Airport


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.

62 comments:

  1. Wow, I've never been to Dubai Airport, bet it's an experience never to be forgotten. My sister in law has recently been to meet up with her sister in Dubai then onto Manila Philippines. Can't wait to see her photos of her trip when she returns next month.

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  2. This looks great for shopping. I spent a few hours at Abu Dhabi airport and just slept haha!

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  3. Looks lovely . A holiday would be amazing now xx

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  4. Wow! This airport looks incredible & has so many great things to do & pass time! I love the idea of the zen garden, especially as airports make me very anxious!

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  5. Oh wow , sounds amazing. Ive never really travelled far due to.havknh children very young. Maybe now is my time.

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  6. I cant believe how plush it is there!! its just unreal!!! I wouldnt be able to take the children as they could break anything

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  7. WOW! never been here before BUT looks a fantastic place to visit x

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  8. We went to Dubai to visit friends. Airport immaculate and fast tracked after daughter vomited in passport control:)

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  9. Some great tips - I love the duty free in Dubai, seemed more opulent for some reason!

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  10. Perfect way to relax and enjoy

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  11. Friends of mine have been time and again - unfortunately I haven't had the pleasure

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  12. It looks so nice there, I'd love to go someday!

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  13. Oh wow that looks amazing! A friend of mine has been to Dubai and said it's a must see place. One for the bucket list I think x

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  14. wow ! looks amazing i would love to go to india one day xx

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  15. would love to go to dubai! perfect way to relax here too!

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  16. Wow, this looks so much better than our UK airports!

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  17. Great post :) I've never been to Dubai, but would love to go in the future. The snoozecubes sound fabulous! x

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  18. Dubai would be an amazing place to be stuck in

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  19. MY local shop keeper travels frequently to Dubai I'd like ive to go one time x

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  20. I've never been there before, but it does look a fantastic place to visit.

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  21. Never been to Dubai, but looks an amazing place to go shopping

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  22. Very interesting, never been here but good to know should I ever visit my relatives in Australia!

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  23. I've never been to Dubai, but I would love to go! It sounds as though you found a lot to do in a short space of time :)

    The Snoozecubes sound like a fantastic idea! More airports and places in general should have them. Perfect if you want to rest in private for a couple of hours, without having to pay for a night at a hotel that you won't get the full benefit of.

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  24. I think I would love to be stuck in dubal

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  25. I would love to go to Dubai, it looks such a fab place and the airport looks amazing!

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  26. My friend has just gone to Dubai to work and she loves it out there so maybe i will get to go one day too

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  27. I think I could spend all day in the airport.

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  28. There is certainly certainly to occupy the tome and the Snoozecubes sound interesting

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  29. nothing quite like a power nap on a layover, so refreshing :)

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  30. some great ideas here on how to deal with a wait for connection, thanks xx

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  31. Dubai is on my travel list this year for sure! Everything is fantastic there!

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  32. we only had an hour lay over in dubai so we had to rush through, it was all very glam and ornate!

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  33. I'd love to go but a bit out of my budget I think

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  34. Never been to Dubai, photos do look tempting..one day!

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  35. I would absolutely love to go to Dubai, I'll keep hoping... one day <3

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  36. This looks like something everyone needs to experience at least once! It looks amazing!

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  37. looks fabulous- how do you enter to win the car???

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    1. You need to purchase a ticket to enter into the draw. You can find more information on Dubai Duty Free's website.

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  38. Dubai is one place I'd love to go to, a man can dream :)

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  39. Wow what an impressive airport. I haven't been to many airports but I thought Germany was spoiling it's customers by providing a Porn Shop and a few duty free shops. I would fly there just to have a look around and grab some cheaper items x

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  40. This looks amazing i would really love to go to Dubai some time and if i ever get there i know I wouldn't be bored at this airport.

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  41. How can I have been to Dubai airport and not seen the Snooze Cubes! Amazing!

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  42. Dammmmn, wish they did a 'win a car' in more airports, haha!

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  43. I have never been but my sister travels there quite often it looks fantastic

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  44. The Zen gardens are such a good idea - busy crowds and just the stress of travelling in general makes me crabby and anxious, this would be a great help when waiting around x

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  45. thanks for the tips - we've got a plane stopover this summer in Dubai airport. x

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  46. What great ideas, the Zen garden sounds a perfect escape

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  47. I would love to go to Dubai. Looks amazing

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  48. I have never stepped foot in an airport :-o

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  49. Would love to bisit there but just hate flying

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  50. Dubai sounds fabulous! I've just added it to my bucket list. I love the sound of the Zen Garden, sounds so relaxing.

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  51. Dubai has been on my wishlist for years. I need to hurry up before I expire!

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  52. Did not realise Dubai airport had a spa and a Snoozecube. Perfect way to relax if you are there for a few hours and don't fancy shopping :-)

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  53. Looks amazing wanting to visit family in Australia so would love to stop off here xx

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  54. It looks very nice for an airport, really need a holiday :)

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  55. Dubai sounds and looks amazing, would love to visit it one day :)

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  56. never been to Dubai, but looks interesting

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  57. Just so cool. I would love to win a new car.

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  58. I have always wanted to go to Dubai, but too worried I will end up getting arrested because of the drinking laws

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  59. I can imagine some of the hotels in Dubai are stunning and the weather is bliss

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  60. This is awesome, thank you guys very much for this. I would love to visit dubai one day

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  61. I've never been but it sounds like an interesting destination!

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