Transit facts
- Terminal 3 is the Emirates terminal, with concourses A, B and C. Connections between Emirates flights normally stay within it.
- Distances are long. DXB is one of the world's busiest airports, and a gate change can mean a train ride and a long walk. For families we suggest a connection of at least two hours, and longer with a wheelchair booked.
- Dubai Connect: when the best connection Emirates can offer is a long one, it may provide a free hotel, meals, transfers and a UAE visa where needed. It must be booked at least 12 hours ahead, and we check eligibility for your fare.
- 2026 disruption: Gulf airspace closures in March–May 2026 grounded many flights. Emirates has since rebuilt its network, but check Smartraveller's UAE advice before you travel, and have insurance that covers disruption.
Transit rules
| Passport | Staying airside | Leaving the airport |
|---|---|---|
| Indian | No visa needed to stay airside on one Emirates ticket | Since 13 February 2025, Indian passport holders with a valid Australian visa or residence (or one from the US, UK, EU, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore or South Korea) can get a 14-day visa on arrival, which can be extended once; ICP also offers a 60-day option. Otherwise, a UAE visa in advance |
| Australian | No visa needed | No visa needed in advance; Australians get a visa on arrival. The length of stay is set at the border, and we check the current rule for your trip |
Official sources: the UAE's Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) and u.ae. Our transit rules guide compares hubs for Indian passport holders.
Stopover ideas
- Getting around: the Dubai Metro Red Line has a station at Terminal 3 and runs into the city.
- Old Dubai: the Gold and Spice Souks in Deira and an abra boat across Dubai Creek are close to the airport and good for a few hours.
- Meena Bazaar, Bur Dubai: the old Indian trading district, full of textile and jewellery shops.
- Jebel Ali: home to the Guru Nanak Darbar gurdwara and a Hindu temple, further out towards Abu Dhabi.
- Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall for a first visit.
Dubai is very hot from about May to September, so outdoor sightseeing works best between November and March, which is also when most Australian families travel to India.
Travel Care routes that use Dubai
Emirates flies to nine Indian cities, so Dubai appears on many of our routes, including Adelaide to Delhi, Adelaide to Mumbai, Adelaide to Ahmedabad, Brisbane to Hyderabad, Melbourne to Kochi, Sydney to Kochi and Sydney to Mumbai. It doesn't help for Amritsar, because Emirates doesn't fly there.
More on the airline: Emirates.
Talk to a real person about a Dubai stopover
Fares and schedules change every day, so we don't publish prices on this page. For live fares on your dates, call or WhatsApp the Travel Care team on 0421 882 733. We're a family-run agency at 222 Henley Beach Road, Torrensville, booking flights since 2010, and we speak English, Hindi and Punjabi. Seen a cheaper fare somewhere else? Send us the screenshot and we'll see what we can do.
Last checked: 20 October 2026 by the Travel Care team.
