If you’ve never arrived in Dubai before, the airport can feel overwhelming: Terminal 3 is one of the largest buildings in the world, immigration queues can run 40 minutes for long-haul flights, and the difference between a pre-booked transfer and a taxi queue matters more at the end of a 10-hour flight than it does anywhere else.
This guide walks through exactly what happens from the moment your flight lands to the moment you’re in the car heading to your hotel, so there are no surprises on arrival.
After landing, the plane taxis to the gate. Depending on your terminal and concourse, the walk from gate to immigration takes 10-25 minutes. At Terminal 3 (all Emirates flights), some concourses require a people-mover shuttle from the gate first. Follow the signs for “Arrivals” and “Immigration.”
At immigration, international visitors join the relevant queue (tourist visas, visa on arrival, UAE residents). Peak arrival windows, roughly 0600-0900 and 2000-0100, see the longest queues. During busy periods, allow 30-60 minutes at immigration before you reach the counters.
After immigration, collect your bags from the baggage carousel (the belt number is shown on screens near the baggage claim area). Once you have your bags, clear customs and exit through the arrivals doors into the arrivals hall.
When you booked your Car Grab transfer, you provided your flight number. From the moment your flight shows as landed, the driver is tracking it. They’re in the arrivals hall before you exit.
In the arrivals hall, you’ll see a designated area where drivers and greeters wait. Car Grab drivers hold a board with your name. Look for your name as you walk through the exit from customs. If you have any difficulty, the driver’s WhatsApp number is in your booking confirmation.
The driver helps with luggage, directs you to the vehicle in the nearby parking area, and you’re moving toward your hotel within minutes of finding each other.
For a typical long-haul arrival at Terminal 3:
Total: 55 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes from landing to car, depending on conditions. Car Grab’s 60-minute free waiting period covers the typical range. If immigration is unusually slow, message the driver via WhatsApp to let them know.
Handle the delayed baggage report with the airline’s baggage desk, which is inside the arrivals area before you exit. Let your driver know via WhatsApp that you’re delayed for a baggage issue. They’ll wait.
Check your booking confirmation for the driver’s WhatsApp number and message them. Tell them where you are in the arrivals hall. They’ll navigate to you. This is very rarely needed since the arrivals area at DXB has a clear designated space for drivers, but it’s there if you need it.
If a diversion or extreme delay means your arrival is pushed to a completely different time or day, contact Car Grab as soon as you know. We’ll rebook or adjust. For standard delays that push arrival by a few hours, flight tracking handles it automatically.
DXB Terminal 3 has multiple exits. If you’re not sure which you came out of, message the driver with a description of where you’re standing. They know the building and will find you.
Dubai is well-connected by motorway. Most central hotel areas, Downtown Dubai, Dubai Marina, Jumeirah, DIFC, and Deira, are 20-45 minutes from DXB in normal traffic. Palm Jumeirah adds 5-10 minutes from central Dubai. Abu Dhabi is 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes.
The Expedition is air-conditioned, quiet, and has enough room to sit back. After a long flight, you don’t need to navigate anything. The driver knows where you’re going.
Before your flight, check your booking confirmation has:
Save the driver’s number in your phone before you board. That’s the main practical thing that makes a difference if you need to make contact quickly after a long flight.
No. Bookings are made via WhatsApp (00971564552384) or through the form at cargrabuae.com. No app required.
Payment details are confirmed at the time of booking. You pay in advance rather than in cash on arrival.
Terminal 3 is very large. The walk from gate to immigration is longer than at most airports. However, the signage is clear and the process is straightforward. Following the “Arrivals” and “Immigration” signs from your gate will get you where you need to go.
Yes. Dubai has a very low crime rate and the airport is busy at all hours. A pre-booked transfer means you’re not making transport decisions at 2am after a long flight.
If you have an international data plan or are roaming, yes. Free Wi-Fi is also available throughout DXB. Connect when you land so you can access your booking confirmation.