Dubai Airport is one of my favourites - providing there is plenty of time to appreciate all it has to offer.
Travelling into Dubai - Be prepared for a lot of walking - the exit seems miles away from the plane! There are moving walkways to help make the distance shorter, and if you are elderly, there is a buggy which drives along the walkways to save your feet. There are not many signs to direct you, but generally go with the flow of people and you won't get lost.
Immigration can take a long time- especially if your flight arrives at the same time as one from the Far East, so, unless you travel business class, be prepared to wait in long queues.
TIP - choose a queue with more Europeans in it as they take less time to process
TIP - If It is possible, I recommend you to book the Marhaba. This does not cost very much (I think about £10) and consists of a canary yellow coated lady who greets you as you arrive, puts you on the buggy to save your weary feet, and most importantly gets you through immigration in no time at all. If it is your first visit to Dubai and you are arriving in the wee small hours, this can be very beneficial. As a woman traveling alone, on my first visit to Dubai the Marhaba lady took me right through to the exit and waited with me until my lift arrived. She was a reassuring presence in an alien environment. To find out more about the Marhaba and to contact them go to their website www.marhabaservices.com
There is a small duty free shop in the baggage collection hall, but I wouldn't rely on it having a specific item on sale.
Travelling from Dubai - allow plenty of extra time - On my last flight out of Dubai it took 2 hours to get from the entrance to the plane!!!
The Dubai authorities haven't quite got their act together and we spent over an hour queuing to check in, followed by another half hour queuing for emmigration. We had to run all the way through the duty free just to catch the plane, and were very hot and bothered at the start of the flight - not good.
TIP - If you want to take advantage of Dubai duty free, allow a LOT of extra time for checking in - or fly business class.
Dubai check in is not well organised. There is one queue for all the emirates flights and never enough desks open. Non emirates flights are just the same - but through a different doorway.
TIP - Emmigration queues can be long. Wait in a queue next to the Marhaba lane. If this is empty the official will beckon you to use it, and this will save you time.
If you do get time to enjoy the benefits of Dubai Duty Free. The hall, and indeed the whole airport are worth a visit just to view the luxurious decor. How many airports do you know that have palm trees with fairy lights, and huge chandeliers. And of course everyone speaks English !!!!!!
My recommendations are the same for any airport duty free: 1. Know what price you would have normally paid, as things are not always cheaper. 2. Remember it is a long way to go if you have to return a faulty item - so buyer beware.
Otherwise - just relax and enjoy the experience !!
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Advantages: An Airline that provides excellent service and (for economy) comfort levels. Without question the best airline I have flown on Disadvantages: None I can think of.
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