Wanderlust World Wanderlust World Emirates Airlines, a regular winner of awards for its quality and service, is based in Dubai. For this reason, it is easy to find flights to Dubai that are quite a bit cheaper than flights to elsewhere in the Middle East. Carriers like Virgin Atlantic, Delta and United also serve Dubai. British Airways offers competitive fares for those willing to fly through London.
Dubai's amazing growth and new-found popularity have made its airport one of the region's busiest. At peak arrival time, usually around midnight local time, the airport might be considered the world's most crowded. However, nearby Sharjah International Airport is not as crowded. It is served by several carriers including Air Arabia, a low cost carrier that serves the Middle East and Southern Europe. Egypt Air and Etihad are two other airlines that serve this airport. Modern roadways mean that it only takes about thirty minutes to get from Sharjah to the heart of Dubai.
Low cost carriers, similar to Europe's EasyJet and Ryanair, are thriving in the Persian Gulf. Fly Dubai, a Dubai-based budget airline offers cheap flights for those who can get to cities like Beirut, Amman or Cairo. Air Arabia flies into nearby Sharjah Airport. It also offers cheap prices to those who can get to the Middle East or are already located there.
Dubai International Airport has three terminals. Terminal 1 is used by major international carriers like Delta, United and British Airways. Terminal 3 is used by Emirates Airlines, which has its hub in Dubai. These terminals are directly adjacent to one another. At times, this section of the airport can become overwhelmingly crowded. Terminal 2 is a less modern area. It serves low-cost-carriers in the region.
The cheapest way to get around Dubai is on the bus. This is true from the airport as well. There is a bus stop directly outside of the baggage claim. Taxis are a more expensive but more convenient alternative. A subway system will eventually connect the airport with the city center.