Al Maktoum International (DWC): where it is, arrivals and getting to Dubai

Where is DWC, and which airlines fly there?

Al Maktoum International Airport arrivals are in Dubai South, on the Jebel Ali side of Dubai. Dubai Airports says it is about 60 km from Dubai International (DXB), and OSRM routing gives 59 km and 59 minutes in free-flowing traffic. It is not near Downtown, and it is not near the beach hotels in Deira.

DWC handles far fewer passengers than DXB. Its passenger schedule is small and changes, so do not assume a route you saw last year still runs. Check the airline and terminal on your ticket against the Dubai Airports flight information, then send us the flight number so your driver can track it.

For the other Dubai airports and how they differ, see our guide to every UAE airport.

What is the arrival process like at DWC?

DWC is a quieter building than DXB, so the sequence is short: you leave the aircraft, clear passport control, collect your bags and pass customs, and walk out into arrivals. Queues depend on how many flights land together. The Dubai South location means there is no city centre within walking distance.

Your Assure driver tracks the flight and waits in the arrivals hall with a board showing your name. Waiting time starts from landing, not from when the car arrives. If you have a visa question before you fly, our visa pages are the starting point.

Private jet passengers use a different route. See private jet arrivals in the UAE.

How far is DWC from the Marina, the Palm, Downtown and Abu Dhabi?

Destination	Distance by road	Free-flow drive
Expo City Dubai	about 20 km	32 minutes
JBR and Dubai Marina	about 28 to 31 km	40 minutes
Palm Jumeirah	about 40 km	48 minutes
Downtown Dubai	about 50 km	52 minutes
Dubai International (DXB)	about 59 km	59 minutes
Abu Dhabi International (AUH)	about 95 km	75 minutes
Central Abu Dhabi	about 120 km	87 minutes
Ras Al Khaimah International (RKT)	about 140 km	106 minutes

These are rounded OSRM figures checked on 17 October 2026. They assume light traffic. The Sheikh Zayed Road and the Emirates Road both slow in the evening.

For the Marina leg in particular, DWC is the shorter airport by road. Our guide to DXB to Dubai Marina shows the comparison from the other side.

Taxis, buses and pre-booked pickups at DWC

Dubai Airports describes one public route for passengers who connect from DXB: a taxi or the Dubai Metro to Ibn Battuta station, then a dedicated bus to DWC. That works for a light bag and a flexible day. It does not suit a late-night landing or three suitcases.

A pre-booked car is simpler at a distance of 59 km from DXB. Assure drives DWC arrivals to the Marina, the Palm, Expo City and Abu Dhabi. See Dubai World Central airport transfers for the booking details, or the Dubai to Abu Dhabi transfer if your trip continues south.

If you are visiting an event near DWC, the Dubai Airshow is held at Dubai World Central, so this is the airport for it. Our Dubai Airshow visitor guide and the Expo City Dubai parking and drop-off guide cover the last mile.

Is DWC replacing DXB?

That is the plan, in stages and without a final date. The Dubai government announced new passenger terminal designs at Al Maktoum in April 2024, and said operations at DXB would move to DWC in the coming years. In September 2026 the Dubai Airports CEO told the press that the second runway is due in 2027. He said flydubai would move first, with a handful of aircraft from early 2027. All DXB operations would follow once DWC reaches 150 million passengers of capacity.

For you as a traveller this means one thing: check the airport on your ticket every time. A flight that left from DXB last year may leave from DWC next year. If you plan to link flights between Dubai airports, read our guide to self-transfer connections between UAE airports, and for the cruise side of Dubai see Dubai Harbour cruise terminal.