Your bags are packed, the hand luggage is fully stocked with snacks (and if it’s not, what are you waiting for?), you’re happy and at Dubai International Airport ready to go.
And there’s no reason for there to a be lull in the excitement before you board the plane. Dubai International Airport (DXB) has absolutely tonnes of fun stuff to keep you and the gang occupied before your flight.
Whether you’re looking for top deals at the shops, a quick coffee to boost your energy or a relaxing pre-flight pint, it’s here for you.
Check in, chill out – we’ve got you covered. Here are all the best things to do at Dubai Airport this month
Fuel up with free coffee
What’s better than coffee? When it’s free, of course. In celebration of 50 years of Costa, Costa Coffee is offering loads of rewards. All you need to do is download the Costa Coffee Club loyalty app and you’ll receive 1,000 beans – that’s half way to a free barista-made drink. Get downloading, get saving, get slurping that coffee. And that’s not all, as Costa also has new drinks on the menu as part of the 50th anniversary celebrations. Drinks include the dalgona (you know, of Instagram fame), a passion fruit coffee lemonade, a mini vanilla macchiato and a caramel mocha Spanish
latte. Delicious.
Terminals 1, 2 & 3.
Get your currency to-go at Travelex
Don’t waste time queuing at the airport, or valuable minutes ahead of your holiday sorting out your money – you can now order your foreign currency online to pick up at the airport with Travelex. The established company’s mission to simplify things for its customers, and this is one cracking way of going about it. There are 15 stores at DXB too, so you can’t miss them. All you need to do is order from the comfort of your own home (at travelexae.com) and pick up from DXB. Plus, all currency is sanitised, using UV technology, giving you peace of mind. There are more than 60 currencies available, so that’s one less thing to worry about – and all the more time to dig into a burger or sip on a glass of grape at DXB ahead of your flight, we say.
All terminals.
Have a chair massage at Be Relax
Short for time? No problems. As well as a range of table treatments at Be Relax, you can also opt for a chair massage to ease away the stress and work out those knots without having the extra worry of running late for your flight. Be Relax offers massages in 15-, 20-, 30-, 45- and 60-minute slots so however long you’ve got, there’s a massage with your name on it. Now you just need to choose from back, neck, shoulders, arms, face, head or feet…
Concourse B, Terminal 3.
Load up on a burger-shake combo at Tranzeet
You’re on holiday, it’s time to let loose. Calories don’t count in the aiport, right (ahem)? Either way it’s time to treat yourself this month with a whopper of a deal from Tranzeet. Load up on one of the restaurant’s lip-smacking burgers and you can pair it with a monster milkshake as a special combo deal. It’s Dhs99 for the Tranzeet burger, Dhs129 for the smokey house burger deal and Dhs149 for the loaded burger version (think jack cheese, crispy bacon, fried egg, creamed mushrooms, onions and more).
Concourse B, Terminal 3.
Pass the pizza at The Gallery
You’re ready to go, but peckish. Those plane snacks seem a long time off. That’s where The Gallery comes in. And if you love pizza you’re in for a treat as there’s a special combo deal to get your chops around. Order up a margherita or Americana pizza plus a bottle of red or white grape, and you’ll get it all for Dhs199. In a hurry? You can get a margherita or Americana pizza with two glasses of grape for Dhs99. Not in the mood for food? There’s also a deal on drinks where you’ll get 25 percent off your second and third refills of house grape (red, white and sparkling) and selected draft and bottled hops, plus 20 percent off mixed drinks. That’s your pre-flight refreshment sorted.
Available in The Gallery, Cadiz – Ahlan Lounge, Sky Bar and DIH West & East Side Bars. Concourse B & C, Terminal 3.
Pick up some Messi merch at Hard Rock Cafe
Burgers, brews and t-shirts on your radar? Open those peepers and practise your power walk, as it’s time to hotfoot it to Hard Rock Cafe DXB. One of the coolest places in the airport at the best of times now has an even bigger reason to race down there. The global burger brand has teamed up with Argentine footballer Lionel Messi for its 50th anniversary – and there’s loads of limited edition merchandise to pick up while you tuck into your onion rings. The first Hard Rock Cafe opened in London in 1971, and the new collection with Lionel Messi includes the 50th anniversary logo and some of the player’s most characteristic symbols – such as the lion, the number ten and his own logo. Whether you’re a burger-lover or footy fan all bases are covered here.
Concourse B, Terminal 3.
Put your feet up at Marhaba Lounge
Been rushing around all day? Don’t fancy trawling the shops? If you’re just after settling in for a couple of hours with a good book, a glass of grape and a bite to eat, head to Marhaba Lounge. But we’re not flying first class, we hear you cry. Fret not, whatever your airline or class of travel, you can relax in style at Marhaba’s lounges, located in every terminal at DXB. Head along and you’ll find a bar, buffet and business facilities (as sometimes your out of office isn’t enough, we get it).
Prices vary. All terminals.
Refresh your holiday wardrobe at H&M
Had a clash with the ketchup and in need of a cute tee? Broke your sunnies before you’ve even left the airport? Don’t worry. While we could totally get on board with this branch of the high-street behemoth selling a bit more in the way of undies and swimwear (yes, we’re that forgetful), if you want to grab a jumper or fresh pair of shorts on the go, this store is a lifeline, with its slimmed-down range of its latest collections.
Concourse B, Terminal 3.
Shop ’til you drop at the brand-new Adidas store
Massive fan of Adidas? Or just on the lookout for some new sportswear ahead of your trip? DXB’s first Adidas store will open in Terminal 3 B-Gates this month, catering to all your sporting needs. The hot new shop will sell sportswear, Adidas Originals and running gear, as well as dedicated Dubai tees too (as everyone needs some merch to wear post-holiday). Racing from check-in to flight and really want to get your hands on the latest kicks? Remember, Impossible is Nothing.
Concourse B, Terminal 3.
Sip a speciality coffee at FIX
Need your cup of Joe before you take flight? You’re not the only one. But, if you’re after something a little out of the norm, it’s time to head to FIX to get your cuppa sorted. The speciality coffee company is offering six different types of brewing methods: syphon, chemex, V60, aeropress, kalita and cold drip with coffee beans sourced from Ethiopia, Indonesia and Colombia. What a choice to
fuel you up.
Concourse B, Terminal 3.
Sort your sugar fix at Candylicious
An enormous, open-plan sweet shop filled predominantly with Hershey’s and Reese’s products. We don’t really need to say much more, but we will. Edible souvenirs, gummies, chocolates and a massive central pick-and-mix bar. Hello, jelly worms and fizzy cola bottles. Sweets are not just for kids, travellers.
Concourse B, Terminal 3.
Start your day with a smile at Dubai International Hotel
Have you booked into Dubai International Hotel to make sure you arrive at your flight a) refreshed and b) on time? It’s time to have breakfast. It’s the most important meal of the day (so they say, and who are we disagree?) and the best news is there’s a special deal on room service. You can opt for a full international breakfast with two eggs cooked your way served with veal sausages and bacon, tomato, sautéed mushrooms, baked beans, avocado and hash browns alongside a bakery basket (croissant and Danish) or a warm breakfast bread basket (toast and bread rolls) all for Dhs99. Feeling the Middle Eastern vibes? Go for the Arabic breakfast for Dhs89 including two eggs, as well as halloumi, foul medames, labneh, hummus and olives served with Arabic breads. Plus you’ll get cereals, fruit, coffee and juices included with both, too.
Dubai International Hotel.
Take a nap at World of Wellness
Been missing out on all those Zs with work recently? We hear you. And it’s time to visit the brand new World of Wellness at Terminal 3, C-Gates. Alongside loads of delightfully relaxing treatments such as massages, manicures, facials and more, there’s also the option of that natural beauty enhancer – sleep. Make a date with the Go Sleep sleep cabin – which also includes a phone charger (because busy people frequently have low batteries, and no one wants a redundant phone when they’re on the go). The sleep cabins cost Dhs100 for one hour, Dhs150 for two hours, Dhs200 for three hours and Dhs250 for four hours – so whether you’re after a power nap or full-on sleep you’ll find it here.
Concourse C, Terminal 3.
For everything you need to know about Dubai International Airport click here.
Travelling through DXB? Don’t forget to pick up your free copy of Time Out DXB, the special airport edition, now.
