Terminal 1 at Dubai International Airport handles more than 50 international carriers — everyone except Emirates (Terminal 3) and flydubai (Terminal 2). If you’re flying British Airways, Lufthansa, Air India, Qatar Airways, or one of dozens of others, you’ll check in at T1, clear security into Concourse D, and depart from there. Our team has transited through this terminal repeatedly over the past few years, and several details below — the pickup restriction, the two different concourse connections, the active refurbishment — are things we noticed on the ground that most guides still don’t mention.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Verified Information |
| Airlines served | 50+ international carriers (all non-Emirates, non-flydubai) |
| Annual capacity | 20+ million passengers (per Dubai Airports) |
| Check-in counters | 221, including dedicated Business/First rows |
| Baggage reclaim belts | 14 |
| Immigration desks | 40 |
| Connected concourses | Concourse C (tunnel) and Concourse D (train) |
| Metro station | Airport Terminal 1, Dubai Metro Red Line, opened 30 April 2010 |
| Current status | Undergoing a major phased refurbishment |
Which Airlines Fly From Terminal 1
Any airline that isn’t Emirates or flydubai is almost certainly here. A sample by region:
| Region | Airlines |
| Europe | British Airways, Lufthansa, Air France, KLM, Turkish Airlines |
| South Asia | Air India, IndiGo, SriLankan Airlines |
| Middle East / Central Asia | Qatar Airways, Kuwait Airways, Royal Jordanian, Air Astana |
| Asia-Pacific | Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, Air China |
| Africa | Kenya Airways, EgyptAir, Ethiopian Airlines, Air Algérie |
Don’t rely on memory or an airline’s homepage for this. Codeshares are the single biggest cause of missed check-ins at DXB — a flight number sold by one airline can operate, and depart, from a different terminal than that airline’s usual base. Dubai Airports maintains a searchable airline directory that lists the exact terminal for every carrier and flight code operating into DXB. Check it the day before you fly, not the week before — terminal assignments do shift.
Things Travelers Usually Miss
- You can no longer be dropped off or picked up at the T1 arrivals entrance. Since Dubai Airports restricted the arrivals forecourt to public transport and authorised vehicles only, private cars must use the car parks or valet — driving straight up to greet an arriving passenger is not an option anymore. Plenty of older guides still describe curbside pickup as if it’s available.
- Terminal 1 connects to two different concourses, not one. Concourse C (the original Sheikh Rashid Terminal) is reached via a 300-metre underground tunnel with travelators. Concourse D — where most current T1 airlines actually operate — is reached by a separate automated train (APM) that opened in 2016. Guides that say “walk to your gate” without specifying which connection often send readers to the wrong one.
- The terminal is in mid-refurbishment right now. Dubai Airports confirms Terminal 1 is in an active, phased upgrade programme. If a blog’s terminal photos or shop lists look dated, that’s why — some retail and seating areas are in flux until the work finishes.
- Sleeping rooms are a Terminal 1 exclusive. Of DXB’s three terminals, only the T1 Marhaba lounge offers a paid sleeping room. If you’ve got a long overnight layover, this is the one terminal where a proper nap is bookable, not improvised in a gate chair.
- Premium parking isn’t automatically the “close” option everyone assumes — Economy parking at T1 is only a 7–9 minute walk further than Premium, for roughly half the daily rate. Most guides push Premium without mentioning how small the walking-distance gap actually is.
How to Get to Terminal 1
Dubai Metro
The Airport Terminal 1 station is located right along the Red Line and goes straight through into the terminal building. The trains come every ten minutes or so, although less frequently on Fridays when they start later; make sure to check the schedule of the RTA Dubai Metro on Fridays.
Taxi and Ride-Hailing
Metered taxis queue at the designated ranks — not the old arrivals curb. Expect higher fares during surge periods and late-night arrivals.
Driving Yourself
As access to the arrivals forecourt is no longer permitted, entry will be directly into a car park or valet area. In terms of not having to decide between parking tiers, pre-travel comparison between airport transfer or hire car alternatives in Dubai is usually easier than making up one’s mind regarding which tier is better.
Parking at Terminal 1
In T1, there are two parking tiers, namely Parking A (Premium), and Parking B (Economy). Prices given below are VAT inclusive and are per published rates at Dubai Airports.
| Duration | Car Park A – Premium (2–3 min walk) | Car Park B – Economy (7–9 min walk) |
| Up to 1 hour | AED 30 | AED 25 |
| Up to 2 hours | AED 40 | AED 30 |
| Up to 3 hours | AED 55 | AED 35 |
| Up to 4 hours | AED 65 | AED 45 |
| One day | AED 125 | AED 85 |
| Each additional day | AED 100 | AED 75 |
Valet parking is also available at Terminal 1, generally priced from around AED 100 per use. People of Determination receive two hours of complimentary parking at all terminals.
Check-In and Security: Step-by-Step
- Arrive with buffer time. Three hours before departure during summer and holiday peaks; 2.5 hours is workable off-season.
- Confirm your exact terminal and counter row on the Dubai Airports airline directory — T1 check-in is organized by airline group across 221 counters, not alphabetically by destination.
- Use self-service kiosks where offered. Several European and Asian carriers now print bag tags at kiosks, cutting queue time meaningfully.
- Clear immigration at one of 40 desks, or use a Smart Gate if you’re eligible — UAE residents and passport holders from participating countries can skip the manual counter.
- Take the correct connection to your gate. If your gate is in Concourse D, follow signage to the APM train — don’t default to the Concourse C tunnel out of habit.
- Recheck your gate after security. Gate assignments at T1 shift more often than at Terminal 3, especially on evening departures.
Dining, Duty-Free, and Lounges
Concourse D carries a mix of international chains and Middle Eastern eateries alongside Dubai Duty Free’s usual footprint — perfume, electronics, gold, and liquor. If you’re bringing alcohol into the UAE, buying landside on arrival is typically cheaper and simpler than doing it at departure.
Terminal 1 has eight lounges in total, including SkyTeam, British Airways, and Lufthansa lounges, plus the pay-to-enter options open to any passenger:
| Lounge | Access | Approx. Price | Notable Feature |
| Marhaba Lounge (Concourse D) | Any passenger, paid | ~AED 195 for 2 hours | Only DXB lounge with a paid sleeping room |
| Ahlan Business Class Lounge | Paid or eligible airline status | From ~AED 200 upward | Showers, quieter seating |
| Ahlan First Class Lounge | Paid or eligible airline status | Premium tier pricing | Highest-rated of the T1 lounges |
Seating near Gate D12 also tends to be quieter and dimly lit — a reasonable free alternative if you don’t have lounge access and just need a low-key corner.
Connecting Flights at Terminal 1
| Connection Type | Minimum Recommended Time |
| Same terminal (T1 to T1) | 75 minutes |
| Terminal-to-terminal (e.g., T1 to T3) | 90–120 minutes |
Inter-terminal transfers run on free 24/7 shuttle buses, but deboarding, the shuttle wait, the ride, and re-clearing security add up fast. If your connection is under 90 minutes and involves a terminal change, flag it with your airline at booking — don’t assume it’ll work out on the day.
FAQs
Does Terminal 1 handle Emirates flights?
No. Emirates operates exclusively from Terminal 3.
Can I still pull up and pick someone up at Terminal 1’s entrance? No — private vehicles are no longer permitted at the arrivals forecourt. Use the car parks or valet instead.
How early should I arrive at Terminal 1?
Three hours before departure in peak season; 2.5 hours is usually enough off-peak.
Is there a sleeping pod area at Terminal 1?
Not pods specifically, but the Marhaba Lounge offers a paid sleeping room — the only one of its kind across DXB’s three terminals.
How do I get between Terminal 1 and other terminals?
Free shuttle buses run 24/7. Budget 90–120 minutes for a full connection if you’re transferring.
Which concourse will my gate be in?
Check the Dubai Airports airline directory for your specific flight — Terminal 1 splits between Concourse C (tunnel access) and Concourse D (train access), and they are not interchangeable.
