Short answer: Dubai airport, officially Dubai International (code DXB), has three passenger terminals, and every nonstop flight from Kathmandu lands at Terminal 2 or Terminal 3. Himalaya Airlines and Nepal Airlines use Terminal 2. flydubai uses both on this route, so check the terminal on your booking; flydubai says its Terminal 3 flights carry four-digit numbers starting with 1. Terminal 2 has no metro station; Terminals 1 and 3 sit on the Dubai Metro Red Line. If you are connecting between Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 on flydubai, its published minimum connection time is 120 minutes. On the way home, flydubai check-in opens 3 hours before departure and closes 60 minutes before. (Checked: 4 November 2026, Dubai Airports airline directory and flydubai Terminal 3 and check-in pages.)
This guide is for anyone landing at, leaving from or passing through Dubai International: Nepali holidaymakers, families visiting relatives who work in the UAE, workers flying back after leave, and the Nepali diaspora travelling on other passports. It picks up where our guide to direct flights from Kathmandu stops, at the moment your aircraft touches down in Dubai. It covers which terminal you will use, how transfers between terminals work, whether you can stay airside, what happens at arrival, how to reach the city, where to find a SIM card, money and food, how early to arrive for the flight home, and what the planned move to Dubai World Central means for you.
| Dubai International at a glance | Detail |
|---|---|
| Official name and codes | Dubai International Airport, IATA code DXB, ICAO code OMDB |
| Passenger terminals | Terminal 1 (with D gates), Terminal 2 (F gates), Terminal 3 (A, B and C gates) |
| Terminals used by nonstop Kathmandu flights | Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 |
| Airlines flying nonstop from Kathmandu | flydubai, Himalaya Airlines, Nepal Airlines (some flydubai flights also carry Emirates flight numbers) |
| Flying time from Kathmandu | flydubai's route page shows 4 hours 50 minutes; other airlines' schedules differ slightly |
| Distance from Kathmandu | About 2,990 km in a straight line |
| Metro | Red Line stations at Terminal 1 and Terminal 3; none at Terminal 2 |
| Traffic in 2025 | 95.2 million passengers, the airport's busiest year so far |
| Time difference | The UAE is 1 hour 45 minutes behind Nepal all year |
| Second Dubai airport | Al Maktoum International at Dubai World Central (DWC), about 45 km south west of DXB in a straight line and farther by road |
Checked: 4 November 2026, sources: Dubai Airports airline directory, flydubai Kathmandu to Dubai route page, Dubai Airports metro page, Dubai Media Office, 11 February 2026, Dubai Airports transfers page. Distances are straight line distances between the airports.
Which Dubai airport terminal do flights from Kathmandu use?
Flights from Kathmandu use Dubai International Terminal 2 or Terminal 3, never Terminal 1. The Dubai Airports airline directory lists Himalaya Airlines and Nepal Airlines at Terminal 2, and flydubai at Terminals 2 and 3 (plus Dubai World Central). flydubai's own Terminal 3 page marks Kathmandu with an asterisk meaning "operating from Terminal 2 and Terminal 3", so the terminal depends on the individual flight, not on the route.
That split matters more at Dubai than at most airports. Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 are separate buildings on different sides of the airfield, reached by different roads, and only Terminal 3 has a metro station. A relative waiting at the wrong terminal can lose a lot of time getting to the right one.
| Terminal | Main users (Dubai Airports directory) | Kathmandu nonstop flights? | Metro station |
|---|---|---|---|
| Terminal 1 (D gates) | Most foreign airlines, including Air India, IndiGo, Kuwait Airways, Jazeera Airways, Qatar Airways, Gulf Air, Oman Air and Saudia | No. You may pass through it on a one-stop trip via India or the Gulf | Yes, Airport Terminal 1 on the Red Line |
| Terminal 2 (F gates) | flydubai (part of its network), Himalaya Airlines, Nepal Airlines and other regional airlines | Yes: Himalaya Airlines, Nepal Airlines and some flydubai flights | No |
| Terminal 3 (A, B and C gates) | Emirates, plus selected flydubai, United and Air Canada flights | Yes: flydubai flights scheduled into Terminal 3 (flydubai numbers these FZ 1XXX) | Yes, Airport Terminal 3 on the Red Line |
| Dubai World Central (DWC) | A separate airport; the directory also lists flydubai, Jazeera Airways and Gulf Air there | No. flydubai's Kathmandu route page lists only DXB Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 | No metro station |
Checked: 4 November 2026, Dubai Airports airline directory, flydubai Terminal 3 operations, Dubai Airports Terminal 3 fact page, flydubai Kathmandu route page.
How can you tell Terminal 2 from Terminal 3 on a flydubai ticket?
Start with your booking confirmation, which is what flydubai itself tells passengers to check. The flight number is a useful extra clue: flydubai says all its flights into and out of Terminal 3 have four-digit numbers beginning with 1 (FZ 1XXX). flydubai's Terminal 3 page only marks Kathmandu as using both terminals and does not say which flight uses which, so this is our reading of that rule, not an airline statement: a three-digit flight such as FZ 574 cannot be a Terminal 3 flight, and since Kathmandu flights use only Terminals 2 and 3 it should be Terminal 2, while a four-digit FZ 1XXX flight such as FZ 1460 is likely to be Terminal 3. flydubai's route page gives FZ 574 at 00:30 as the first Kathmandu departure of the day and FZ 1460 at 20:20 as the last, with 41 flights a week in total.
Treat the flight number as a quick clue, not the final word, and go by the terminal shown on your booking. Schedules change at the start of each season, and the northern winter schedule began in late October 2026. If you are not sure which terminal a family member is landing at, ask them to send a screenshot of the booking rather than just the flight number.
What is Terminal 2 like?
Terminal 2 is a compact terminal north of Terminal 1, with road access from Al Twar and Rashidiya rather than from the main airport road that serves Terminals 1 and 3. Dubai Airports' fact page says flydubai launched its operations there in June 2009 and that about 21 airlines use it.
- 12 gates and 43 remote stands. Many flights park away from the building, so expect a bus between the aircraft and the terminal in both directions.
- 52 check-in counters in departures, and 10 Smart Gates alongside the immigration counters in arrivals.
- A food court with six restaurants, including McDonald's, KFC and Jones The Grocer, and a Dubai Duty Free shop of about 1,400 square metres.
- Two lounges: a Business Class lounge next to duty free and a Marhaba lounge in the departure boarding lounge.
Checked: 4 November 2026, Dubai Airports Terminal 2 fact page.
Terminal 2 is smaller and quicker to walk than Terminal 3, which many first-time flyers find easier. The trade-off is fewer places to rest on a long wait and no metro. Our Kathmandu to Dubai flight guide compares the airlines, flight times and the Sharjah and Abu Dhabi alternatives if you are still choosing a ticket.
How do you transfer between DXB terminals?
Inside Terminal 3 you walk between the B and C gates and take the airport train to the A gates; within Terminal 1 a short airport train runs to the D gates; and moves between terminals, including to Terminal 2's F gates, are by airside connection bus. Emirates says moving between its concourses takes about 30 minutes, and flydubai's minimum connection time between Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 is 120 minutes. If you are on separate tickets, you must leave the airport and check in again.
Dubai Airports says it plainly: for transfers between concourses and terminals not covered by the train or a walk, consult your airline or the Guest Experience Ambassadors you will see in the transfer areas. The table below pulls together what the airport, Emirates and flydubai publish.
| Transfer | How you move | Published time or minimum |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal 3, B gates to C gates | Walk | Emirates: about 30 minutes between concourses |
| Terminal 3, B or C gates to A gates | Airport train; Emirates also runs a bus between Concourse A (area A6) and Concourse C (connections desk E) | Emirates: about 30 minutes between concourses |
| Terminal 3 to Terminal 1 D gates | Emirates shuttle bus for D gates from connections desk K in Concourse B; inside Terminal 1, a short airport train runs to the D gates | No single figure published; allow generous time |
| Terminal 3 to Terminal 2 F gates | Airside shuttle bus; Emirates names connections desk K in Concourse B for D and F gates | flydubai minimum connection time: 120 minutes |
| flydubai, Terminal 2 to Terminal 3 or back | Follow "Connections" signs to the buses for your next flight | 120 minutes |
| Separate tickets, any terminal | Clear passport control, collect bags, check in again | Emirates' baggage transfer service needs a connection of at least 3 hours |
| DXB to Dubai World Central | Clear immigration, collect bags, then road transport | flydubai minimum connection time: 4 hours |
Checked: 4 November 2026, Dubai Airports transfers, Emirates, transferring between terminals, flydubai Terminal 3 operations.
One ticket or two: why it changes everything
On a single booking, your bag is usually checked through to your final destination and you stay airside. If you do not yet have your onward boarding pass, flydubai says to collect it at the flydubai or Emirates connections desks; Dubai Airports calls these transfer desks and says signs, interactive maps or Guest Experience Ambassadors will help you find them.
On two separate tickets, Dubai is a self-transfer. Dubai Airports says passengers on separate tickets "will need to clear passport control, retrieve baggage, and check in for the connecting flight". That means you need permission to enter the UAE even if you only stay a few hours. For passengers without a Dubai visa who need help moving bags between separate tickets, Dubai Airports points to Marhaba Services at the transfer desk, and says fees apply. Our Dubai stopover and layover guide covers how much you can see if your connection is long enough to leave the airport.
Terminal 2 connections need the most time
A connection that starts or ends at Terminal 2 is the slowest at DXB because it involves a bus across the airfield as well as a transfer security check. The Emirates transfer page notes that "there are different rules for flydubai flights", and flydubai's answer is the 120-minute minimum. If you are building your own itinerary from Kathmandu with a flydubai flight into Terminal 2 and an Emirates flight out of Terminal 3, look for connections comfortably longer than two hours, and check that both flights are on the same booking.
Can you stay airside during a transit?
Yes, in general. If both flights are on one booking and your bag is checked through, you follow the "Connections" or "Transfers" signs, pass a transfer security check and walk to your next gate without going through UAE passport control. Rules for specific passports can differ, so check with your airline and the official UAE sources for your passport before you fly.
For Nepali passport holders, the practical point is simple: you only meet UAE immigration if you leave the airport or switch to a separate ticket. If you plan to step out on a long layover, you need a UAE visa arranged before travel, because Nepal is not on the UAE's visa on arrival lists (Checked: 4 November 2026, Emirates UAE visa information). Our visa team covers the visa process for Nepali passport holders. On any other passport, check the official site for your passport, or the UAE government's entry permit page, which says that while some nationalities can get a visa on arrival, "others need to apply for a visa in advance".
Airside transit checklist
- Read your bag tag at Kathmandu. If it shows your final airport, the bag is checked through. If it shows DXB, you will have to collect it, which means clearing UAE immigration.
- Check you have both boarding passes. If not, go straight to the transfer or connections desk on arrival.
- Follow "Connections", never "Arrivals" or "Exit". Once you pass passport control you cannot simply walk back airside.
- Find your onward terminal and gate on the screens. Terminal 2 F gates and Terminal 3 A, B and C gates are far apart.
- Allow the published minimum. 120 minutes for flydubai between Terminal 2 and Terminal 3, and more if your first flight from Kathmandu is late.
- Pack for a second security check. Liquids in containers of 100ml or less in one clear bag, power banks in your cabin bag.
- Keep your passport and boarding passes in hand until you are seated at the next gate.
- Tell the crew before landing if a delay threatens your connection, so ground staff know to look out for you.
- Check passport-specific transit rules with your airline before you travel, especially if your onward flight is on a different airline or you hold a passport other than Nepali.
If this is your first trip through a big hub, our first time flight tips explain transfer signs, bag tags and boarding groups step by step.
Where can you rest airside at Dubai airport?
Terminal 3 has the most options, including a hotel inside the terminal, sleep pods and free showers. Terminal 1's D gates have sleep pods. Terminal 2 is more basic, with two lounges and a food court but no Sleepover lounge listed by Dubai Airports.
| Option | Where | What it offers |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai International Hotel | Airside in Terminal 3, on the upper levels of Concourses A, B and C | 530 rooms and suites; hold luggage can only be reached after customs and immigration, so keep essentials in your cabin bag |
| Sleepover lounges | Terminal 1 D gates; Terminal 3 A, B and C gates (departures) | Sleep pods and single, double and bunk cabins, from a one-hour nap to a full night; showers at some locations |
| Free showers | Terminal 3, between gates B13 and B19 | Shower facilities before your flight |
| Marhaba lounge | Terminal 2 boarding lounge (and other terminals) | Pay-per-use lounge with hot meals and drinks |
| Business Class lounge | Terminal 2 departures, next to Dubai Duty Free | For eligible premium passengers |
| Food court | Terminal 2 | Six restaurants |
Checked: 4 November 2026, Dubai International Hotel fact page, Dubai Airports, Sleepover, Dubai Airports, showers, Dubai Airports Terminal 2 fact page.
Are there prayer rooms at DXB?
Yes. Dubai Airports lists prayer rooms among the facilities built to its inclusive design standard, alongside seating, loading bridges, bus transfers and baggage collection. The airport does not publish a full list of locations on one page, so use the airport map on the screens or ask a Guest Experience Ambassador for the nearest one. Travellers of other faiths who simply want a quiet moment may prefer a calm corner of a gate area or a lounge.
Dubai Airports announced free unlimited Wi-Fi across DXB and DWC in a March 2017 press release, which helps if you want to call home on a video call during a long wait; service terms may have changed since, so check the network name on the airport signs.
What happens at immigration on arrival?
After landing you go through UAE passport control, then baggage reclaim, then customs, and out into the arrivals hall. Nepali passport holders need a UAE visa arranged before travel, so the officer checks your passport against that entry permission. We do not cover visa steps here; the visa team page linked in the transit section above explains what applies to your trip. On another passport, check the official site for your passport.
| Step | What happens | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Leaving the aircraft | At Terminal 3 usually by air bridge; at Terminal 2 often by bus from a remote stand | Keep cabin bags light enough to carry up bus steps |
| 2. Passport control | Immigration counters, plus Smart Gates for eligible passengers; Terminal 2 arrivals has 10 Smart Gates | Have your passport and booking details ready; answer the purpose of your trip plainly |
| 3. Tourist SIM | du says it offers tourist SIMs at DXB's immigration counters | Take it if offered, but do not rely on it; shops in arrivals sell SIMs too |
| 4. Baggage reclaim | Screens list flight numbers against belt numbers | Check the tag before lifting a bag, because identical cases are common |
| 5. Customs | Walk through, or declare goods and cash as Dubai Customs requires | Carry medicines in original packs with a prescription |
| 6. Arrivals hall | SIM shops, currency exchange, taxi ranks, bus stands; metro walkways at Terminals 1 and 3 | Tell whoever is meeting you which terminal, not just the flight number |
Checked: 4 November 2026, Dubai Airports Terminal 2 fact page, Dubai Airports, du tourist SIM, Dubai Customs, traveller procedures.
Medicines and food from home
The UAE is strict about some medicines. The official UAE government portal says you may bring prescribed medicines for personal use "in normal quantity", that some medicines need a permit from the Ministry of Health and Prevention, and that narcotic, psychotropic and other controlled medicines cannot be freely imported (Checked: 4 November 2026, u.ae, drugs and controlled medicines). If you or an older parent take regular medicine, ask your doctor whether any of it is controlled, carry the prescription, and check the MOHAP personal medicines permit page before you fly. Pickles, dried meat and homemade food packed by family are a common question; declare anything you are unsure about rather than guess.
Arriving in the middle of the night
flydubai's first Kathmandu departure, FZ 574 at 00:30, lands in Dubai before dawn. Immigration and taxis work around the clock, but the metro does not start until 05:00 on most days and 08:00 on Sundays. If you land in the small hours, plan on a taxi and book your hotel from the previous night so you have a room on arrival.
How do you get from DXB to the city?
From Terminal 1 or Terminal 3, the Dubai Metro Red Line is the simplest budget option. From Terminal 2, which has no metro station, take a Dubai Taxi from the rank, a ride-hailing car or an RTA bus. Taxis run 24 hours at every terminal, which matters for the flights from Kathmandu that land before dawn.
| Option | Terminals | Hours | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai Metro Red Line | Airport Terminal 1 and Airport Terminal 3 stations | Monday to Thursday 05:00 to midnight; Friday 05:00 to 01:00; Saturday 05:00 to midnight; Sunday 08:00 to midnight | Light luggage, daytime arrivals at Terminal 3 | Two pieces of luggage only, including hand luggage; size limits apply |
| Dubai Taxi (DTC) | Designated ranks at every terminal | 24 hours | Terminal 2 arrivals, night arrivals, families and older parents | Metered fare with a starting charge plus distance |
| Ride-hailing: Uber, Careem, Bolt | Signposted pickup points at every terminal | Around the clock, subject to drivers | Travellers with working mobile data | You need data on your phone to book |
| RTA public bus | Stands at arrivals in Terminals 1, 2 and 3 | Varies by route and time of day | Budget travellers heading to Deira or Bur Dubai | No cash accepted; you need a Nol card |
Checked: 4 November 2026, Dubai Airports, metro, Dubai Airports, taxi, Dubai Airports, bus. Fares change, so they are not listed here; Dubai Airports and the RTA publish current fares.
Dubai Metro from the airport: the rules that catch people out
- Two bags, measured. Dubai Airports says to travel with up to two pieces including hand luggage, and the RTA sets the sizes: a large case no bigger than 81 x 58 x 30 cm and a small one no bigger than 55 x 38 x 20 cm. A family carrying gifts in three big suitcases should take a taxi.
- Buy a Nol card first. Nol cards and Red Line passes are sold at ticket offices and vending machines in Terminals 1 and 3. The same card works on buses.
- Special cabins. Trains have a Gold Class cabin for Gold card holders and cabins reserved for women and children; check the signs on the platform before boarding.
- No eating or drinking where it is not allowed. The RTA lists fines for both, and a higher fine for carrying alcohol.
- Plan with the S'hail app. Dubai Airports recommends the RTA's journey planner for routes and current timings, which can change on public holidays.
Checked: 4 November 2026, Dubai Airports metro page, RTA, about Dubai Metro.
Many first-time visitors head straight for Downtown, where Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station sits on the same Red Line; our Dubai Mall guide explains the walkway from the station, the fountain times and the aquarium. For the bigger picture of areas, seasons and what to see first, use our Dubai travel guide.
Leaving from Terminal 2
Terminal 2 is reached from Al Twar and Rashidiya, a different approach from the one used for Terminals 1 and 3. When you book a taxi or ride-hail to the airport, choose "Terminal 2" specifically, and when a relative drives you, make sure they know which side of the airport to head for. If you arrive at Terminal 2 and want the metro, you need a taxi or bus to a station first.
Where can you get a SIM, money and food at Dubai airport?
All three terminals have outlets for du, e& and Virgin Mobile UAE, currency exchange counters and ATMs. Terminal 2's are in the main terminal; at Terminals 1 and 3 the SIM shops are in arrivals. Food is easiest in Terminal 3, while Terminal 2 has a compact food court with six restaurants.
SIM cards and mobile data
| Operator | Where at DXB | What they offer |
|---|---|---|
| du | Terminal 1 arrivals, Terminal 2 main terminal, Terminal 3 arrivals | Tourist SIMs, including at the immigration counters |
| e& (formerly Etisalat) | Terminal 1 arrivals, Terminal 2 main terminal, Terminal 3 arrivals | Visitor Line bundles with data and calls; e& asks for your physical passport and a visa copy, and the line lasts as long as your visa |
| Virgin Mobile UAE | Terminal 1 arrivals, Terminal 2 main terminal, Terminal 3 arrivals | Build-your-own prepaid plans; says a ready-to-use SIM can take under an hour |
Checked: 4 November 2026, Dubai Airports, du, Dubai Airports, e&, Dubai Airports, Virgin Mobile, e& Visitor Line terms. We do not list SIM prices because offers change often.
Two practical points for travellers from Nepal. First, if your Nepali SIM has international roaming switched on, it may work in the UAE, but roaming is usually the most expensive way to use data; check with your Nepali operator before you leave. Second, an international eSIM bought before you fly is another option if your phone supports eSIM, and lets you book a ride-hailing car the moment you land. Whichever you choose, ride-hailing apps and maps need data, so sort connectivity before you queue for a car.
Money: dirhams, exchange and ATMs
The UAE dirham (AED) is the local currency, and cards and phone payments work almost everywhere in Dubai. You still want a little cash for small shops and tips.
- Currency exchange: Travelex counters are spread across DXB, including three in Terminal 1 arrivals, three in Terminal 2's main terminal and seven in Terminal 3 arrivals, plus more airside at the gates.
- ATMs: Dubai Airports lists Emirates NBD ATMs in Terminal 2's main terminal and in Terminal 3 departures.
- From Nepal: carry US dollars or another widely traded currency if you plan to exchange cash, and stay within Nepal's rules on how much foreign currency you may take out. Check your Nepali bank card works abroad before you travel.
Checked: 4 November 2026, Dubai Airports, Travelex, Dubai Airports, Emirates NBD ATMs. We give no exchange rates here because they change daily.
Food and drink
Terminal 3, the largest terminal, has the widest choice of restaurants and cafes. Terminal 2's food court has six outlets, including McDonald's, KFC and Jones The Grocer, according to Dubai Airports. Vegetarian travellers will find options at most outlets, but menus change, so read labels or ask staff about ingredients. If you have a long wait at Terminal 2, a snack from home that meets security rules is worth packing.
How early should you arrive for your flight home?
Plan to reach Dubai airport 3 hours before a flight to Kathmandu, and earlier in busy periods. flydubai says check-in opens 3 hours before departure, closes 60 minutes before, and that boarding gates close 25 minutes before departure. Before its busy winter period in December 2025, flydubai asked passengers to arrive at least 4 hours before their flight.
| Rule | flydubai at DXB | Emirates at DXB |
|---|---|---|
| Check-in counters open | 3 hours before departure | Check your booking |
| Check-in closes | 60 minutes before departure | Check your booking; if you collect and recheck bags on a connection, be through passport control and security 90 minutes before departure |
| Self-service kiosks | Terminal 2: from 4 hours to 75 minutes before departure, then the Fast bag drop desk | Not covered here |
| Online check-in (flights from Dubai) | 48 hours to 75 minutes before departure | Not covered here |
| Boarding starts | 45 minutes before departure | Not covered here |
| Gate | Gates close 25 minutes before departure | Be at the gate 60 minutes before in Economy and Premium Economy, 45 minutes before in First and Business |
| Busy periods | Arrive at least 4 hours before (winter advisory, December 2025) | Not covered here |
Checked: 4 November 2026, flydubai, check in at the airport, flydubai news, 11 December 2025, Emirates transferring between terminals page.
For Himalaya Airlines and Nepal Airlines, we could not find a published Dubai check-in timetable on either airline's website on the day we checked. Follow the time printed on your ticket and allow 3 hours as a safe default. flydubai also warns that late passengers "will not be accepted onto the flight", and Terminal 2's remote stands mean some time between the gate and the aircraft.
Flying home for Dashain and Tihar
Dashain and Tihar, which fall in October and November, are a busy time on the Dubai to Kathmandu route as Nepalis living in the UAE fly home. Expect longer queues at check-in and emigration in that window. Check in online where your fare allows it, use the Terminal 2 kiosks and bag drop if you fly flydubai, and leave home earlier than you think you need to, because traffic to the airport can be heavy in the evening. Regional airspace closures have disrupted Gulf flights before, so check the flight status in your airline's app before you set off.
Before you leave for DXB: a checklist for the flight home
- Weigh your bags. flydubai's cheapest fares may have no checked bag, and the allowance depends on your fare type. Our baggage allowance guide explains how fare types work.
- Know Nepal's customs limits. Gold, phones, laptops and liquor all have limits on arrival at Tribhuvan; check the current Nepal customs allowance before you shop at duty free.
- Power banks go in your cabin bag, never in checked luggage.
- Confirm the terminal on your booking: Terminal 2 or Terminal 3 for flydubai, Terminal 2 for Himalaya Airlines and Nepal Airlines.
- Keep some dirhams for a taxi if your plans change, and spend or exchange the rest before you leave.
If you are flying the other way, out of Nepal, our Tribhuvan airport international departure guide walks through check-in, emigration and security at Kathmandu.
How should families, older parents and first-time flyers plan for DXB?
Ask your airline for wheelchair or walking assistance when you book, choose a daytime flight where you can, and plan on a taxi rather than the metro if you carry more than two bags. Dubai Airports says requests for extra support go through your airline, and it runs services for people with hidden disabilities as well as visible ones.
| Traveller | What helps most at DXB |
|---|---|
| Older parents visiting children in the UAE | Request assistance through the airline at booking; a daytime arrival; a relative waiting at the correct terminal; a taxi from the rank |
| Families with young children | A flight that does not land at 04:00; a taxi for the luggage; snacks for the bus ride from a Terminal 2 remote stand |
| First-time flyers | Screenshots of the booking with the terminal shown; follow "Connections" in transit and "Arrivals" only when Dubai is your destination |
| Travellers with hidden disabilities | Tell the airline in advance; Dubai Airports offers support for non-visible disabilities |
| Workers returning after leave | Keep employment and residence papers in your cabin bag; your employer or agency can confirm what you need at arrival |
| Diaspora on other passports | Check the official site for your passport before you book, even for a short stop |
Checked: 4 November 2026, Dubai Airports, special assistance.
Meeting family at the arrivals hall
Many Nepalis in the UAE come to DXB to collect parents, spouses or children arriving from Kathmandu. Three things save most of the waiting. Share the terminal as well as the flight number, because Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 are on opposite sides of the airport. Watch the arrival time on the Dubai Airports flight status page rather than the printed schedule. And agree a meeting point in the arrivals hall before the flight, since the person arriving may not have a working phone until they buy a SIM.
What is Dubai World Central and when would you use it?
Dubai World Central (DWC), officially Al Maktoum International, is Dubai's second airport, about 45 km south west of DXB in a straight line. Dubai plans to move all of DXB's operations there in stages, starting with flydubai, which Dubai Airports' chief executive said could begin moving part of its operations as early as 2027. For Kathmandu travellers today, DWC is mainly a reason to double-check the airport code on your ticket.
| Date | What was announced | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 28 April 2024 | Dubai's ruler approved the designs and start of work on a new passenger terminal at Al Maktoum International, valued at AED 128 billion, with capacity for 260 million passengers a year at full build-out, five parallel runways and 400 aircraft gates, five times the size of DXB | Dubai Media Office |
| Within 10 years of April 2024 | First phase ready, with capacity for 150 million passengers a year; all DXB operations to transfer "in the coming years" | Dubai Media Office |
| 10 September 2026 | Dubai Airports chief executive Paul Griffiths said flydubai is expected to be the first airline to shift part of its operations, with five or six aircraft as early as next year, in a staged transition | Khaleej Times |
| By the end of 2027 | Second runway at DWC expected to open | Gulf News, 10 September 2026 |
| Early 2030s | First phase capacity of 150 million passengers expected; full transfer of DXB operations planned once it is available | Gulf News, 10 September 2026 |
Checked: 4 November 2026. Timelines for a project this size can shift, and no date has been confirmed for when Kathmandu flights would move.
When would you use DWC now?
Only if your ticket says DWC. flydubai's Kathmandu route page lists arrivals at DXB Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 only, but the Dubai Airports directory lists flydubai, Jazeera Airways and Gulf Air at DWC as well as DXB, so a one-stop ticket could, in principle, touch it. Moving between the two airports is not a simple transfer: flydubai says you must enter the UAE, clear customs and immigration and collect your bags, with a minimum connection time of 4 hours. Dubai Airports suggests the metro to Ibn Battuta or Expo 2020 station and then an RTA bus or taxi to DWC.
Where is the Nepal embassy in the UAE, and is there a consulate in Dubai?
The Embassy of Nepal is in Abu Dhabi, and Nepal also has a Consulate General in Deira, Dubai, which serves Dubai and the northern emirates. If you lose a passport at Dubai airport or need consular help in Dubai, the consulate is the nearer office; the embassy publishes the official contact details.
| Office | Location | Covers | Official contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Embassy of Nepal | Villa No. 5, Plot No. 1, Sector 19_2, Al Aradah Street, Al Nahyan Area, Abu Dhabi | Abu Dhabi emirate, including Al Ain, Al Dhafra and Ruwais | Phone +971 2 634 4767; email eonabudhabi@mofa.gov.np; open Monday to Friday 9:00 to 17:00, consular and passport services 9:00 to 14:00 |
| Consulate General of Nepal | Deira, Dubai | Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah | We found no official contact page for the consulate on the day we checked; contact the embassy for current details |
Checked: 4 November 2026, Embassy of Nepal in the UAE, contact details; UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 16 June 2025 (credentials of Nepal's Consul General in Dubai and the Northern Emirates); Himalpress, 20 November 2025 (consulate services and coverage).
Himalpress reported that the Dubai consulate handles passports, labour approval, search and rescue for workers, repatriation of deceased nationals, insurance and compensation processes, attestation, civil registration and no objection certificates. Office hours and services can change, so call or email before you travel to either office.
How did we check this guide?
We checked every terminal assignment, transfer rule, transport option, facility and contact in this guide on 4 November 2026, using Dubai Airports, flydubai, Emirates, the RTA, the UAE government portal, the Dubai Media Office, the Embassy of Nepal in the UAE and the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs. News reports are named and dated where we used them, mainly for the Dubai World Central timeline. Flight time comes from flydubai's route page. We left out fares, SIM prices and taxi fares because they change too often to print. If a rule here differs from what your airline tells you, your airline is right for your booking.
How should you plan the rest of your Dubai trip?
Once you know your terminal, the rest of a Dubai trip is straightforward: an evening arrival at Terminal 3 with a metro ride to your hotel, or a taxi from Terminal 2, and the city is yours from the next morning. If you are still weighing Dubai against other countries, our list of the best travel destinations for Nepalese travellers compares it with Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and more. If you would rather have flights, hotels and airport transfers arranged together, you can browse Dubai tour packages and compare them with planning on your own.
Frequently asked questions
Which terminal does flydubai use?
flydubai uses Dubai International Terminal 2 and Terminal 3, and its Kathmandu flights can arrive at either. flydubai says all its Terminal 3 flights carry four-digit flight numbers, so a three-digit flight such as FZ 574 is not a Terminal 3 flight. That last step is our reading of flydubai's rule, so your booking confirmation gives the final answer.
Which Dubai terminal do Himalaya Airlines and Nepal Airlines use?
Himalaya Airlines and Nepal Airlines both use Terminal 2 at Dubai International, according to the Dubai Airports airline directory checked on 4 November 2026. Terminal 2 has no metro station, so plan on a taxi, a ride-hailing car or an RTA bus with a Nol card. Families meeting arrivals should head to the Terminal 2 side of the airport.
How long does it take from Terminal 2 to Terminal 3?
Moving between Dubai airport's Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 airside means a connection bus across the airfield and a security check. flydubai publishes a minimum connection time of 120 minutes between the two terminals, so treat two hours as the floor, not a target. Separate tickets need longer, because you must clear immigration and check in again.
Do I need a transit visa at Dubai airport?
Usually not if you stay airside on one booking with your bag checked through, because you never pass UAE passport control at Dubai airport. You meet immigration only if you leave the airport or switch to a separate ticket. Rules vary by passport, so check with your airline and the official UAE sources before you fly; Nepali passport holders can ask our visa team.
Is there a metro at Terminal 2?
No. Dubai International Terminal 2 has no metro station. The Dubai Metro Red Line stops only at Airport Terminal 1 and Airport Terminal 3 stations. From Terminal 2, take a Dubai Taxi from the rank, a ride-hailing car such as Uber, Careem or Bolt, or an RTA bus from the arrivals stand, paying with a Nol card.
Can I rest at Dubai airport during a long layover?
Yes. Dubai airport's Terminal 3 has the airside Dubai International Hotel, Sleepover pods and cabins at the A, B and C gates, and free showers between gates B13 and B19. Terminal 1 has Sleepover at the D gates. Terminal 2 is more basic, with a Marhaba lounge, a Business Class lounge and a six-outlet food court.
How early should I reach DXB for a flight to Kathmandu?
Reach Dubai airport about 3 hours before a Kathmandu flight, and up to 4 hours in busy periods such as Dashain and Tihar. flydubai check-in opens 3 hours before departure and closes 60 minutes before, and its gates close 25 minutes before. For Himalaya Airlines and Nepal Airlines, follow the time on your ticket.
Where is the Nepal embassy in the UAE?
The Embassy of Nepal is on Al Aradah Street in the Al Nahyan area of Abu Dhabi, open Monday to Friday, with consular and passport services from 9:00 to 14:00. Nepal also has a Consulate General in Deira, Dubai, covering Dubai and the northern emirates. The embassy website at ae.nepalembassy.gov.np lists the official phone numbers and emails.
Can I buy a SIM at Dubai airport?
Yes. du, e& and Virgin Mobile UAE have outlets in Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 arrivals and in Terminal 2's main terminal at Dubai airport, and du also offers tourist SIMs at the immigration counters. e& asks for your physical passport and a visa copy for its Visitor Line. An international eSIM bought before you fly is another option.
What is DWC airport?
DWC is Dubai World Central, officially Al Maktoum International, Dubai's second airport, about 45 km south west of DXB in a straight line. Dubai plans to move all DXB operations there in stages, and Dubai Airports' chief executive has said flydubai could start shifting part of its fleet as early as 2027. No nonstop Kathmandu flights use DWC today, so just check the airport code on your ticket.
Is there a prayer room at DXB?
Yes. Dubai Airports lists prayer rooms among the facilities at Dubai International, built to its inclusive design standard. It does not publish every location on one page, so check the airport maps on the screens or ask a Guest Experience Ambassador for the nearest prayer room, especially if you are in a part of the terminal you do not know.
