Dubai Hotels Direct - Dubai Airport - Transport around Dubai

Dubai International Airport (DXB) is situated three miles southeast of the city and has just undergone a $540 million expansion with added facilities including a spa, business and conference rooms and an extended duty-free store. The national carrier for the United Arab Emirates is Emirates. Emirates fly to approximately 45 destinations in the Middle East, Europe, Australia and Africa. Dubai airport has received awards for its excellence in design and services.

A third terminal is under construction and will open in 2006. The new terminal will be devoted to Emirates airlines and will double the capacity of the airport. Plans for a second airport at Jebel Ali are underway. Although this airport was originally proposed as a cargo airport, plans are taking place for the new Jebel Ali airport to accommodate up to 40 million passengers per year within the next 20 years.

Taxis
Dubai has a widespread taxi system, and is the most common method of public transport. There are two types of taxis that operate in Dubai, government-operated and private cab companies. Long-distance taxis will be able to take you to any other emirate on a shared or 'engaged' basis. You usually have to share these taxis or fill all of the seats. It is sensible to agree the price before you depart. There is a Dh20 tax if you cross the UAE border by land. Taxis are easily available at the airport to get to and from your chosen hotel.

Passenger Ferries
Passenger ferries make a daily 12-hour trip between Sharjah and the port of Bandaré Abbas in Iran. Sharjah is a twenty-minute drive from Dubai. A passenger and car ferry leaves from Jebel Ali and Umm Qasr Port in Iraq on Saturdays. Jebel Ali is approximately 30 minutes from Dubai city. Leaving the UAE by boat will incur a Dh20 port tax.

Buses
Buses run between Dubai International Airport and Deira bus station every half hour. Dubai has a competent bus system run by the Dubai Municipality. The bus scheme has 59 exclusive routes on weekdays and transports over 200,000 people per week. Local buses run between Deira bus station and the Bur Dubai Station on Al-Ghubaiba Rd.

Driving
Driving in the city of Dubai is quite an experience. If you have the desire to rent a car you will need a credit card and a copy of your passport and driving license. Drinking and driving in the United Arab Emirates results in a large fine and jail time. All accidents large or small must be reported to the police.

Walking
It is possible to see a large part of Dubai City by foot including the souqs, attractive architecture and museums.

Dubai Metro
There is a $3.89 billion Dubai Metro project taking place in Dubai which is expected to be in part operational by 2009 and completely operational by 2012. The Dubai Metro will have forty three stations, with thirty three planned above ground and ten underground. Trains are projected to run every 90 seconds. The project is planned to ease overcrowding on its road system and to meet the transport demands of its increasing population.