Hotels near Dubai International Airport

Hotel costs can also depend on how far in the future you book, although this may be hard to predict. Generally speaking, you should book as far in advance as you can – but if rates seem high and your trip is many months off, try waiting a bit, as hotels may only offer their standard (and generally highest) rates for bookings a long time away.

For three-star hotels, you can expect rooms to start from around AED150 per night, rising to AED250 per night for four-star hotels and AED300 a night for five-star hotels.

Note that these are generally the lowest rates you can expect, and prices can be much higher. So to get the best possible rate for a Dubai airport hotel, start looking as soon as you can and keep an eye out for any special offers. You might even get a great offer on a four- or five-star hotel stay when three-star properties are offering high rates.

There are several options for passengers to sleep in Dubai International Airport in perfect comfort.

Dubai International Hotel – also known as Hotel DXB – is a five-star property within Terminals 1 and 3, which offers access to passengers in transit who want to stay airside. This means you don’t have to go through passport control or customs, making the journey to your comfortable hotel room much faster. Hotel DXB is a premium property, fully equipped with fine dining restaurants, a pool, a spa and more. Prices start from around AED400 for a stay of up to three hours, or AED1,000 for up to 24 hours, depending on demand.

Alternatively, a lower-budget option is Sleep ‘n Fly, which has facilities throughout Dubai International Airport Terminals 1 and 3. Choose from individual pods for one, or cabins for two or more people, where you can book for as little as one hour. These are ideal for passengers who have a long connection – or if you have a late-night departure and want to get some rest before your flight. Prices start from around AED100 for one hour, or AED350 for up to six hours, for a single-occupancy pod.

The closest hotels to Dubai Terminal 3 are Premier Inn Dubai International Airport and Holiday Inn Express Dubai Airport, both of which are directly opposite the terminal on Airport Road. The easiest way to reach both of these three-star properties is via their free and frequent shuttle bus services, which go from both Terminals 1 and 3 to the hotels – ask for the schedule when booking your room.

Aloft Dubai Airport hotel, by Marriott, is within walking distance of Dubai International Airport Terminal 1 – but a far easier way to reach this comfortable four-star hotel is by its shuttle bus. Similarly the Ibis Styles is just down the road from Terminal 1, but also offers its own bus to and from the airport.

A great option is the Millennium Airport Hotel, which offers a pool and alfresco dining, the well-regarded Da Vinci Italian restaurant, free parking and more – just moments from the airport. The Flora Inn Hotel Dubai Airport is also extremely close on Airport Road, and offers a rooftop pool, fitness centre, free parking and shuttle bus, with a range of room types.

Element Dubai Airport is a hotel from Westin which not only offers standard hotel rooms, but also hotel apartments with cooking and washing facilities included – great for families. And Le Meridien Fairway is ideally located close to Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, as its name suggests, making it ideal for keen golfers with a day or two in Dubai.

One of the best five-star hotels close to Dubai International Airport is Jumeirah Creekside Hotel, based at the Aviation Club near Dubai Tennis Stadium. This dazzling property boasts top-of-the-range facilities including a stunning spa, fine dining at Nomad and The Kosher Place, and a rooftop lounge and restaurant offering breathtaking views over Dubai Creek.

Le Meridien Dubai, set amid lush sprawling gardens, is one of the most popular hotels near Dubai International Airport thanks to the tranquillity it can offer, as well as its fantastic dining options. And the nearby Movenpick Grand Al Bustan Dubai is another terrific five-star Dubai airport hotel option, with great pool and fitness facilities.

Grand Mercure Hotel & Residences is one of the newest hotels near Dubai International Airport. Along with five-star facilities and luxurious rooms, the property also offers a complimentary shuttle bus to and from the airport. It is also one of the best-connected airport hotels, situated just moments away from GGICO Metro Station.

The metro's Red Line runs to both Terminals 1 and 3 at Dubai International Airport, and there are plenty of hotels close to metro stations. You could even stay at Dubai Marina, near the other end of the city, then easily catch the metro to the airport – but we’ve picked four of the closest options.

Rove City Centre Dubai is a great three-star hotel, and part of the Dubai-grown Rove chain – this property is just moments away from the City Centre Deira Metro Station, as well as the popular shopping mall from which the station takes its name. Novotel Dubai Deira City Centre hotel is also very close to both the metro and the mall, and offers four-star service.

Ibis Dubai Al Rigga is located on the lively Al Rigga Road, and is very close to the metro station of the same name. And Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Deira Creek offers not only very easy access to both the Red and Green Lines thanks to its proximity to Dubai Metro’s Union Station, it also boasts wonderful views of Dubai Creek.

Dubai International Airport Terminal 2 is based in Qusais, on the other side from Terminals 1 and 3, so many Dubai airport hotels won't be as convenient – although most will still only be a relatively short journey away.

There are plenty of good-value hotels near Terminal 2, any of which should be suitable for passengers arriving or departing at any time of the day or night. For a big-name option, try Studio M Arabian Plaza Hotel, part of the Millennium Hotels group, or Hampton by Hilton Dubai Airport – with TIME Grand Plaza Hotel or Al Bustan Center and Residence also great picks, just minutes away from Terminal 2.

Looking for somewhere else interesting to stay? Check out Dubai’s best boutique hotels. Or see our guide on how to make the most of your Dubai stopover.