Long layover in Dubai - QF/Emirates Lounge

[mattj]

Hi All,

I'll be flying in from Geneva to Dubai in Jan, flight gets in around midnight, but my connection flying back to Mel doesn't leave for another 10 hours.

I see that the lounge is open 24/7 there, and its on a Qantas ticket, so should have no troubles getting in with my Qantas Club membership, but is it the kind of place that one could 'rest' for that length of time comfortably? I guess I'd have about 8 hours to kill, by the time we get off the plane, and then board again.

I'll be with my wife. The other thought I had was to get a room at the airport hotel, but would prefer not to have to spend too much extra!

Any thoughts on those who have used the Emirates Business lounge in Dubai?

Thanks

 

[dodgeyhack]

For the First lounge, I'd say yes, not sure about J lounge.
I found having a sleep in the quiet room was a good way to kill a large chunk of that time. I did a 7 hour and then a 10 hour layover on one trip. The 7 hour on the way there was a tester to see if the 10 hours would drive me nuts.
Maybe try to suss out if there's a similar quite room in the J lounge?

 

[zainman]

I would get a hotel. Lounge is ok but not for 8-10 hours.

 

[sloth]

check if you might be eligible for Dubai Connect;

Dubai Connect | Qantas

 

[Andyzx]

Hi Matt
I was there last week and didn't see anything like a quiet room in the J lounge. People next to me were trying to sleep in the chairs (barefoot and all) but didn't seem to be having much luck. With that amount of time at least you will have time for a shower which to me seems very difficult on a normal QF connection.
Food was good and varied with everything from breakfast cereals to hot-dogs (curries, pancakes, dumplings, pastries etc) and Moet as well.
Showers are limited and generally a queue but at least you would have time.
You will probably need to know your connection gate number if posted but probably around 23/24 or 1

I don't know the cost but i would try for a hotel room for a sleep.

 

[nodabs]

In the A concourse there is a quiet room around half way down with reclined style chairs (and provided blankets and dim lighting) which i found a number of people sleeping in when I was waiting for QF10. I'd not have a problem killing a few hours sleeping there (after a Moet or two of course) and the rest of the time lounging, but I am a sucker for an airport lounge....

 

[andye]

I had a 9-hour layover a couple of years back. I was well rested after flying in J but managed to pass the time catching up some reading and a bit of time on the computer. It was middle of night in Dubai so didn't consider leaving the airport.
My flight wasn't eligible for Dubai Connect but if I was flying with Mrs andye I would almost certainly have gone for the hotel option. Agree no easy sleeping place
There were couple of shift changes in the food areas, wandered between them to stretch legs. Pretty good selection of food and drink

 

[mattj]

I've been able to book Dubai Connect so will see how that goes. I've read some stories on here where people haven't been able to find the gate properly etc so hopefully I'll have all the instructions down pat before we leave to ensure a smooth transition.

 

[TheRealTMA]

I've been able to book Dubai Connect so will see how that goes. I've read some stories on here where people haven't been able to find the gate properly etc so hopefully I'll have all the instructions down pat before we leave to ensure a smooth transition.

Good luck. We don't bother with DC anymore since you only end up with a couple of hours in the hotel and spend a lot of time traipsing around the very big airport and getting to/ from hotel. We just stay in the airport hotel these days (about $250 depending on discounts). This is above the lounges so you can have dinner and breakfast in the lounge and get 6 hrs sleep on. 10 hr layover.

 

[mattj]

Why is the DC so hard? If that is general experience then yes, I'd much rather stay in airport hotel! Thanks

 

[esseeeayeenn]

Why is the DC so hard? If that is general experience then yes, I'd much rather stay in airport hotel! Thanks

I didn't find Dubai Connect difficult at all.
Just make sure you are given all the vouchers on board.
Then when you disembark go through immigration and to the Emirates chauffeur drive desk.
Emirates ground staff AFTER immigration should be quite knowlegable and helpful.
Ground staff BEFORE immigration may not be, which makes perfect sense.

 

[mattj]

Is there a one stop guide for this? With maps?

 

[TheRealTMA]

Why is the DC so hard? If that is general experience then yes, I'd much rather stay in airport hotel! Thanks

It's not hard to do. They make it quite easy to follow the instructions ( for most). IMHO it's just not worth it with too much stuffing around for a few hours. Prefer to stay airside and take it easy.

But you probably should try it once!

 

[funkyr]

Is there a one stop guide for this? With maps?

Unfortunately there's a paucity of information given and on Qantas/Emirates websites.

As mentioned before, make sure you get the vouchers. I was given these on check-in in Australia.

In my experience the cabin crew, purser, ground staff and immigration knew next to nothing about the process. It's actually very easy.

As mentioned before
1) Get the vouchers check-in/onboard
2) On arrival to Dubai airport go through immigration as normal. If you have a chip enabled passport from the list of countries accepted I suggest going to the e-gates, find the desk guy manning all of the e-gates and register for it (free). Makes life alot easier for future visits and also the line to the e-gates was non existant (the normal lines including fast track were massive) when I went
3) Turn RIGHT when you exit the baggage hall (or follow the signs to the Emirates Chaffeur service centre/desks)
4) Present your vouchers and explain you're on the Dubai connect
5) They'll give you a car to your hotel (If you are flying J, I stayed at Le Meridien and Al Bustan Rotana both ~5 mins from the airport)
6) At Le Meridien they'll drop you off at the Emirate exclusive entrance. You'll usually get a meal voucher.
7) To go back to the airport follow their recommended timing for the return car or just turn up to the desk and they'll arrange a car for you within 5-10 mins to go back to the airport.
8) They'll drop you off at the airport and you should already have your boarding pass for the onward flight. NB if travelling J or F make sure you take a note of which terminal your flight is leaving from BEFORE you reach the security as for some unknown reason there are no departure information screens after security! Lesson learnt the hard way for me, saved by my travel app.

 

[robtemt]

Sorry to bring this topic up again....

Is there a consensus for how many hours a connection needs to be to make Dubai Connect worth it? (I know there is a minimum to be eligible, but I'm talking reality... Time spent dealing with lines and logistics, vs. time getting sleep).

We arrive 0055 in DXB (EK in F), and Depart at 0910 (EK in J, I know, I'm depressed about this).

We wouldn't mind to spend an hour +/- in the lounge before departure (sadly J lounge since that's our outbound class)

Those with DC experience:

How long will we spend dealing with inbound outbound immigration, security, visa on arrival, transfers, check-in/check-out?
How much time will we actually get in a room for sleep and shower?

Would you do DC, the lounge, or terminal hotel?

Finally re: CD. I've read the posts about small cars, luggage space, etc. If we are two, traveling with 2 bags each (1 big, 1 med) and a carry-on bag each, should we just book one CD each since we are eligible to do so, even if we send bags in one car and us in the other?

Thanks in advance for the expert advice.

 

[Rourke]

We arrive 0055 in DXB (EK in F), and Depart at 0910 (EK in J, I know, I'm depressed about this).

If it were under seven hours, I wouldn't bother because you lose 3-4 of them in transit etc. Dubai Connect in J or F is a very nice hotel, but really you're just using it for the bed. In your case would say yes, but take your change of clothes in your carry-on because it's a much bigger hassle to deal with luggage.

 

[GoldCanyon340]

Do you get onward F lounge access at DXB when your inbound is in F and you're not WP?

 

[scwappy]

Sorry to bring this topic up again....

Is there a consensus for how many hours a connection needs to be to make Dubai Connect worth it? (I know there is a minimum to be eligible, but I'm talking reality... Time spent dealing with lines and logistics, vs. time getting sleep).

We arrive 0055 in DXB (EK in F), and Depart at 0910 (EK in J, I know, I'm depressed about this).

We wouldn't mind to spend an hour +/- in the lounge before departure (sadly J lounge since that's our outbound class)

Those with DC experience:

How long will we spend dealing with inbound outbound immigration, security, visa on arrival, transfers, check-in/check-out?
How much time will we actually get in a room for sleep and shower?

Would you do DC, the lounge, or terminal hotel?

Finally re: CD. I've read the posts about small cars, luggage space, etc. If we are two, traveling with 2 bags each (1 big, 1 med) and a carry-on bag each, should we just book one CD each since we are eligible to do so, even if we send bags in one car and us in the other?

Thanks in advance for the expert advice.

Would recommend checking bags all the way to your final destination and just taking carry on with you. Will likely save you at least an hour and also no need to rush back tot eh airport to read check it in

 

[robtemt]

I didn't even consider it was an option to collect them in DXB. I definitely won't be putting a hand on those things between SIN and FCO! Thanks for the advice though in case I did have a moment of insanity!

 

[robtemt]

Do you get onward F lounge access at DXB when your inbound is in F and you're not WP?

Everything I have read and been told is no. Unless anyone wants to make my days and tell me otherwise.