List of best things to do in Dubai Airport when have 3 to 12 hours in hand. One of the busiest airports in the world, the Dubai Airport surprises you with the amazing variety of things you can do there. With many exciting activities on offer, you won’t ever hate a stopover at this airport while catching that late connecting flight. You get to choose from buying trendy stuff from the duty-free shops or simply taking in the glittering ambience of this glitzy airport. The airport has lovely spas and massage parlors where you can relax your muscles. The airport also comes with a kids’ zone, and you can enjoy unlimited net surfing here.
We give you the 11 best things to do in Dubai Airport that will actually make spending time at Dubai Airport something to look forward to.
1. Relax at the Cafes in the Airport
The Dubai Airport is lined with many cafes that offer delicacies which are a treat for your taste buds. The choice is from a wide range, Italian like the Carluccio to Asian eateries like the Cho Gao. If it’s a snack you’re looking for, it’s at hand with the airport having outlets of Burger King, Shake Shack, McDonald’s and the classy Starbucks. The airport has many restaurants offering a wide variety of cuisine, right from Italian to Japanese. In fact, Dubai Airport makes stopovers for foodies a memorable experience indeed. The cafes and restaurants here are open 24 hours.
2. Relaxing at the Lounge
The Dubai Airport is lined with absolutely stunning lounges that are a benchmark in glamour. The popular lounges here are the Marhaba, the Business Class Lounge and the International First Class Lounge. The staff here welcomes you with a lot of warmth and it doesn’t matter which class you’re travelling in. While relaxing at these lounges, you can enjoy the delicious food on offer, the free internet, drinks and a refreshing shower. If you feel like staying at one of these lounges you would do well to pre-book an entry pass or avail the lounge membership programme. The lounges are open 24 hours a day.
3. Duty-Free Shopping
If you have 3 to 4 hours in hand to catch your flight from Dubai then this could be the best option. Could you resist shopping with so many duty-free shops around you? These shops at the Dubai Airport offer the best of products at a surprisingly affordable price. These shops offer a wide range of products, from branded high-class ones to local handicrafts that would be just the right gift for your close ones. The airport has shops selling nutty chocolates and dry fruits, a local specialty in the middle-east. The duty-free shops at Dubai Airport are the perfect treat for shopaholics.
4. The Indoor Gardens at Terminal 3
A nature lover looking to escape the surging crowd at the airport? You needn’t go far, what with the Dubai Airport housing a lovely Zen garden in terminal 3. The garden’s a very relaxing place coming with a fish pond, lush green trees and wooden benches to relax on embraced by nature. This is just the right place to finish that long-pending novel and finish any work before the deadline. The garden remains open all day.
5. A Session at the Spa
Tired from a jet lag? Pamper yourself at one of the many spas in Dubai Airport. Enjoy a massage that’ll help you rejuvenate or you could go for a body scrub or a manicure. With experts at your service, aromatherapy is also an option. Do your friends say your recent haircut hasn’t been smart enough? This is the place to get it fixed with a stylish one by one of the hairstylists here. All the spas here are open 24 hours a day.
6. Free WiFi
Of course, the time between flights seems to drag on and you are a budget traveller. Don’t worry. The time will fly by as you can surf the unlimited net here with the Dubai Airport offering free net surfing. This is just the right time to catch up with your friends on social network or play some soulful music after downloading a music app. The battery’s lows on your phone and you aren’t carrying your laptop. Dubai Airport has a solution to that too. You can surf the net as much as you want at pay-to-use internet kiosks.
7. Napping at the Rest Zones
It’s been a long flight and you are really tired. Sitting at the airport seems like torture and your back’s aching. Don’t you worry? The Dubai Airport comes with very comfortable recliner seats, just right to take a nap and rejuvenate yourself. However, with the airport bustling with life with a huge wave of a crowd, it’s vital that you carry with yourself earplugs and an eye mask.
8. Fun at the Kids Zone at Terminal 3
Your kid’s thoroughly bored after a long flight, isn’t it? Rush to the kid’s zone at terminal 3 of the Dubai Airport. Inspired by the Arabian desert, the floor has been constructed to resemble a desert with sand dunes. The place has a climbing zone, an interactive games zone and also many creative playing equipments. The Kids Zone is close to the food court and could grab a quick bite with your kid at food outlets like the Red Carpet and Sweet Factory. You can drop by at any time of the day.
Looking to take a peek into the vibrant city of Dubai? You can do that too as there are a few attractions quite close to the airport. With traffic in Dubai being smooth, you won’t risk missing your flight either. Here are three places you can make a short and quick visit to.
9. Drop By at the Burj Khalifa
This iconic building, the tallest in the world is very close to Dubai Airport. If you’re looking for bird’s eye view of Dubai while only stopping by at the city, head straight to the 124th floor that has the observation deck. Catch a stunning view of the city of skyscrapers or view old Dubai through the telescope there. You could also spend time in a bit of peace on the open terrace. The distance from the airport is 14.6 kilometers that can be easily covered on Dubai’s wide streets. A quick visit from the airport won’t be any trouble at all. If you have 12 hours in hand before you catch the flight from Dubai, then go for Dubai City tour with Burj Khalifa that will take about 6 hours.
10. Visit the Elegant Dubai Fountains
Just below the majestic Burj Khalifa, you’ll find the Dubai Fountains, a stunning spectacle. The water shoots up to an unbelievable height of 125 metres and makes for a spectacular sight. You can also enjoy the light and music show nearby. Take a leisurely walk around the place and come back to the airport all fresh and ready to catch your flight. This place is at a distance of 10 kilometres from Dubai Airport and is very easy to reach with many transport options available. You could visit the Dubai Fountains any time of the day but if you would like to enjoy the light and music show, you would have to be there between 6:00 PM and 11:00 PM.
11. Dine at the Dubai Creek
Located right in the heart of Dubai, you could have a splendid BBQ date or enjoy dinner here amidst wonderful luxury and style. The place also arranges dance and music shows, the Tanura, in particular, being an unforgettable experience. With scenic surroundings offering a lovely view of the calm and relaxing water, a dinner date at the Dubai Creek would surely leave your date very impressed. You could enjoy a memorable evening here with a sumptuous dinner and exotic drinks in the company of your date in the romantic ambience the place offers. The place is a mere 4 kilometers away from the Dubai Airport and is open from 10:30 AM to 7:30 PM. source
Conclusion
The Dubai Airport is itself a tourist attraction with innumerable options for entertainment available here. Not only can you have a memorable time inside the airport, but you can also visit some of Dubai’s iconic landmarks that are in very close proximity to the airport. We hope our guide on the best things to do in Dubai Airport is of help to you. Don’t forget to let us know what you plan to do there on your next visit.
