Getting between Dubai’s two major airports could become much easier in the future, thanks to a proposed new rail connection.
The Dubai Airport Express Line is being planned to connect Dubai International Airport (DXB) with Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC), creating a direct rail link across the emirate.
The proposed line would stretch around 55 kilometres and include five stations, with the possibility of airport-style services such as remote check-in and baggage drop-off at stations.
For now, however, the project is still being studied. Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority has received six bids for the design and study work, and no opening date has been announced.
What is the Dubai Airport Express Line?
The Airport Express Line is a proposed rail project designed to connect Dubai’s two aviation hubs.
The route would start at the existing Dubai Metro Red Line station serving DXB in Al Garhoud before travelling through several parts of the city and continuing towards DWC in Dubai South.
The planned journey would pass through areas including Al Jaddaf, Al Khail Road and Jumeirah Village Circle, before reaching Al Maktoum International Airport.
This means the line could potentially be useful for more than airport passengers. It could also create a new rail connection between residential, commercial and business districts across Dubai.
The proposed line will have five stations
The Airport Express Line is expected to feature five stations along its main 55km route.
One of the key planned stops is at Jumeirah Village Circle, where the new line is expected to connect with Dubai’s wider future rail network.
There are also plans for two offshoots from the JVC area.
One would connect towards Business Bay, while another would provide a connection towards Al Fardan Exchange Metro Station near Dubai Marina.
That could give the Airport Express a wider role within Dubai’s public transport network rather than functioning purely as an airport-to-airport service.
You could check in before reaching the airport
One of the most interesting parts of the proposed project is the possibility of bringing airport services to railway stations.
Early plans indicate that passengers could potentially be able to check in for flights, drop off baggage and complete security screening at Airport Express stations.
If implemented, this could change how travellers approach their airport journey.
Instead of arriving at the airport and completing every step at the terminal, some passengers could potentially complete parts of the process before boarding the train.
The exact services and operating arrangements will depend on the project’s final design.
Where will the Airport Express Line run?
The proposed route is expected to follow a broad east-to-west corridor across Dubai.
The journey would begin around DXB, continue through Al Jaddaf, run along Al Khail Road, serve the JVC area, and eventually reach DWC in Dubai South.
The route is particularly significant because Dubai is developing DWC into a much larger aviation hub.
Al Maktoum International is planned to eventually become the emirate’s main airport, with long-term plans for capacity of up to 260 million passengers a year.
A direct rail connection would therefore become an important part of the transport infrastructure supporting that future airport.
When will the Dubai Airport Express open?
There is currently no confirmed opening date for the Dubai Airport Express Line.
As of September 2026, the project remains in the study and design phase. RTA received six proposals from international consulting groups for the work, and RTA officials have said the study itself will take at least a year.
That means travellers should not expect to use the new line in the immediate future.
The project needs to progress through design, planning, approvals, construction and testing before passenger services can begin.
How does it fit into Dubai’s bigger rail plans?
The Airport Express is part of a much larger expansion of Dubai’s rail network.
The emirate is already developing the Dubai Metro Blue Line, which will add 30 kilometres and 14 stations and connect areas including Al Jaddaf, Dubai Creek Harbour, Ras Al Khor, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Academic City and Dubai International Airport.
The proposed Airport Express would add another major cross-city connection, while the planned Gold Line will further expand the network in the future.
The projects are designed to create more connections between Dubai’s airports, residential communities, business districts and major destinations.
A major change for airport transfers
Currently, travelling between DXB and DWC can require a combination of road and public transport options.
Dubai Airports notes that DWC is approximately 60 kilometres from DXB, with current connections involving options such as taxis, the Metro and a dedicated bus connection from Ibn Battuta.
A direct Airport Express could simplify that journey considerably.
For international travellers connecting through different airports, airline staff and Dubai residents travelling across the emirate, a direct rail option could provide another way to move between the two aviation hubs.
Dubai’s airport future is moving closer
The Airport Express Line is still a proposal rather than a completed project, but the latest developments show that planning is moving forward.
With six bids received for the study and design work, a proposed 55km route, five stations and potential airport check-in facilities, the project could become an important part of Dubai’s future transport system.
As Al Maktoum International Airport prepares for its much larger future role, connecting it directly with DXB could make Dubai’s airport network feel much more like one integrated system.
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