Dubai International Airport has opened a dedicated Uber and Careem waiting lounge at Terminal 3. Launched by Uber in partnership with Dubai Airports and announced on 17 August 2026, the lounge offers air-conditioned seating, workspaces, charging facilities and a designated queue for UberX and Careem Comfort riders.
The facility is located in the Car Pickup zone at Terminal 3 and is designed to make the journey from the airport to the city smoother as DXB continues to handle record passenger traffic.
- Location: Car Pickup zone, Dubai International Airport Terminal 3
- Organisations: Uber, Dubai Airports and the Dubai Civility Committee
- Announced: 17 August 2026
- Current status: Open
- Who is affected: Eligible Uber and Careem riders arriving at DXB Terminal 3
- Key change: Dedicated waiting area and organised pickup queue
- What’s next: No expansion to other DXB terminals has been announced
Travellers arriving at Dubai International Airport can now use a dedicated Uber and Careem waiting lounge at DXB Terminal 3 before heading into the city. Uber opened the facility in partnership with Dubai Airports, with the announcement made on 17 August 2026.
Located in the Car Pickup zone at Terminal 3, the lounge provides seating, workspaces, charging points and a structured queue for selected riders. The addition matters as DXB continues to handle record passenger numbers, making the journey after baggage collection just as important as the experience inside the terminal.
Where is the new Uber and Careem waiting lounge at DXB?
The Uber and Careem waiting lounge is located at the main Uber and Careem Rides pickup area in the Car Pickup zone at Dubai International Airport Terminal 3.
Passengers arriving at Terminal 3 can follow the designated signs towards the official ride-hailing pickup area and enter the lounge through the marked entrance.
The facility is specifically located at Terminal 3. Dubai Airports and Uber have not announced a similar lounge for every terminal at DXB.
Passengers using other terminals should continue to check the pickup instructions shown in their Uber or Careem app and follow airport signage for their designated collection point.
What facilities are available inside the DXB waiting lounge?
According to the Dubai Media Office, the new lounge has been designed to give passengers a more comfortable waiting experience before boarding their ride.
Facilities include:
- Fully air-conditioned seating
- High-efficiency air purifiers
- Ergonomic seating and workspaces
- Dedicated space for heavy luggage
- High chairs and elevated tables
- High-speed USB-C charging points
- USB-A charging ports
- Standard electrical sockets
The practical benefits are particularly relevant for passengers arriving after long flights, business travellers who need to connect or charge devices, and families travelling with children and large amounts of luggage.
The lounge provides a defined waiting area rather than requiring eligible passengers to remain around the vehicle pickup zone while waiting for their ride.
How does the new Uber and Careem pickup queue work?
A designated queue has been introduced for UberX and Careem Comfort riders, according to the official announcement.
The system uses PIN-based ride allocation to help manage the movement of passengers from the waiting lounge towards their pickup vehicles. Clear signs and instruction boards at the location explain the queue process.
Uber UAE General Manager Tala Nsouli said the initiative aims to reduce friction during the final stage of a passenger’s journey and provide riders with a place to relax and recharge before entering their vehicle.
Passengers should still rely on the information displayed in their ride-hailing app for live trip details and vehicle information.
Why has Dubai Airports introduced a dedicated waiting space?
The new facility comes as Dubai International Airport continues to operate at exceptionally high passenger volumes.
According to Dubai Airports, DXB welcomed 95.2 million passengers in 2025, making it the airport’s busiest year on record. Dubai Airports has projected that passenger traffic could reach around 99.5 million in 2026.
These figures add important context to the new waiting lounge. A busy international airport does not stop being busy once passengers collect their bags and leave arrivals.
Travellers still need to move through pickup areas, locate their transport and leave the airport efficiently. A designated lounge and structured queue can help organise that transition.
Majed Al Joker, Chief Operating Officer of Dubai Airports, said the partnership is intended to create a smoother experience beyond the terminal doors and help passengers move with greater ease and comfort.
What does the new lounge mean for tourists and Dubai visitors?
For many international travellers, the trip from Dubai International Airport is their first direct experience of the city’s transport and visitor infrastructure.
A clearly marked waiting area can be useful for first-time visitors who may be unfamiliar with airport pickup procedures. It can also help families, business travellers and passengers carrying significant luggage.
DXB remains one of the world’s busiest airports for international travel and serves as a major gateway for tourists and business visitors entering Dubai.
The new lounge adds another step to the airport’s wider passenger experience by focusing on what happens after travellers leave the terminal building.
It also reflects the role of ride-hailing services alongside Dubai’s other transport options, including taxis, the Dubai Metro, buses and private transfers.
How does the project support Dubai’s wider focus on passenger experience?
Uber opened the lounge in partnership with Dubai Airports in line with the efforts of the Dubai Civility Committee.
According to Saeed AlNazari, Secretary General of the Dubai Civility Committee, improving the arrival experience contributes to the quality and order of a visitor’s first interaction with Dubai.
The project is therefore not simply a new seating area. It creates a dedicated space and a clearer passenger flow at a busy airport transport point.
As passenger numbers continue to grow, Dubai Airports will need to manage not only flights and terminals but also how travellers move from the airport into the city.
No further expansion plans for the lounge have been publicly announced.
The new Uber and Careem waiting lounge changes the pickup experience for eligible riders arriving at DXB Terminal 3.
Who benefits? Tourists, UAE residents returning from trips, families, business travellers and passengers carrying heavy luggage can benefit from a dedicated place to wait.
What changes? Eligible UberX and Careem Comfort riders have access to an organised queue, while the lounge provides seating, workspaces and charging facilities.
Why does it matter? DXB handled 95.2 million passengers in 2025, according to Dubai Airports. As passenger traffic grows, smoother ground transport and pickup systems become increasingly important.
What happens next? The Terminal 3 lounge is currently open. Dubai Airports and Uber have not publicly confirmed whether similar facilities will be introduced at other DXB terminals.
FAQs
Is there a new Uber and Careem waiting lounge at Dubai Airport?
Yes. Uber, in partnership with Dubai Airports, has opened a dedicated waiting lounge for Uber and Careem riders at Dubai International Airport Terminal 3.
Where is the Uber and Careem lounge located at DXB?
The lounge is located in the Car Pickup zone at the main Uber and Careem Rides pickup area at Terminal 3.
What can passengers find inside the waiting lounge?
The facility includes air-conditioned seating, air purifiers, workspaces, luggage space, high chairs, elevated tables and charging points with USB-C, USB-A and standard electrical sockets.
Which riders can use the dedicated queue?
According to the official announcement, UberX and Careem Comfort riders can use the designated PIN-based queue system.
Is the Uber and Careem lounge available at all DXB terminals?
No wider rollout has been announced. The confirmed facility is located at Dubai International Airport Terminal 3.
The new Uber and Careem waiting lounge at DXB Terminal 3 gives arriving passengers a more organised and comfortable place to wait before continuing their journey.
With dedicated seating, charging facilities, workspaces and a structured pickup queue, the facility addresses a practical part of the airport experience that begins after travellers leave arrivals.
As Dubai International Airport prepares for continued passenger growth, services that improve the connection between the terminal and the city are becoming an increasingly important part of the overall travel experience.
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