Arriving into Dubai
Your flight into Dubai may be to one of the airports listed below. Dubai International Airport is very close to the recommended conference hotels.
The hotels recommended on the conference website under Accommodation will be the pick-up location for buses to the conference venues (Zayed University and American University of Sharjah).
During the conference, buses will take delegates between the hotels and conference venues, and on the study tours. The hotels are located close together and are near to Dubai International Airport (DXB). If you stay at another hotel, you can either make your way to the conference hotels and catch the conference buses, or take a Dubai taxi to the ZU or AUS campuses.
Please see Visa information under the Travel Preparation section for important information on entering the UAE.
Airports
There are four main airports in the United Arab Emirates, with different airlines operating out of each. We recommend flying in and out of DXB if possible.
DXB – Dubai International Airport (Recommended Option) – very close (5-10 minute taxi ride) to conference hotels, approximately AED50/US$13. Do not attempt to walk to the hotels as the roads are extremely busy and not designed for pedestrian traffic.
Taxis are readily available and reliable at DXB. In Terminals 1, 2, or 3 just follow the signs to the official taxi rank, or ask a Guest Experience Ambassador. The ranks are well organised, with taxis waiting 24/7. You may find that you are directed to a black cab, please note that these cost extra and you may request a normal cream-coloured taxi instead. There is an AED25 flag charge from the airport.
Ride-hailing apps – Uber and Careem are available – these will generally reserve a taxi cab.
DWC – Al Maktoum Airport (or Dubai World Central Airport). DWC is approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour away from the conference hotels by taxi or Uber, approximately AED175/US$48. Public transport options are available but not recommended.
SHJ – Sharjah International Airport is approximately 30 minutes from the conference hotels by taxi or Uber, approximately AED100/US$27. Public transportation is available.
AUH – Abu Dhabi Airport is the furthest to the conference hotels. Transportation options are provided on the airport website.
Public Transportation
Public transportation is developing in the UAE. Buses and the Dubai metro are available for public transportation options. You will need a nol card as buses do not accept cash. There are numerous apps for planning trips, including the Dubai Metro Interactive app, and the RTA Dubai app.
Dubai Metro
Dubai International (DXB) has two stations on Dubai Metro. Trains frequently run from DXB Terminals 1 and 3, with both stations on the Red Line. The Red Line runs from 5 AM till midnight, Monday to Thursday; 5 AM -1 AM (the next day) on Friday, and 8 AM till midnight on Sunday.
There are just two lines (Red and Green). Most stations have connecting buses and taxi ranks for onward travel.