Not every traveller transiting through Dubai International Airport holds a Priority Pass or travels in business class. The Marhaba Day Pass exists for exactly that situation - a single, pre-bookable fee that opens the door to dedicated lounges across Terminal 1, Terminal 2, and Terminal 3 without any ongoing membership or credit card requirement. Here is everything you need to know before your layover.
What Is Marhaba?
On a long connection? Our Dubai layover guide shows what to do in 6, 12, 24 or 48 hours.
Marhaba is an airport services brand operated by dnata, the Dubai-based aviation services company that also handles ground handling and catering for dozens of airlines at DXB. The word “Marhaba” (مرحبا) simply means “welcome” in Arabic, and the service has operated at Dubai International Airport for decades.
Beyond lounge access, dnata Marhaba provides a broader range of meet-and-greet and transfer services at DXB - but for most independent travellers, the Day Pass is the relevant product: it grants entry to a Marhaba lounge for a fixed period on a particular date without needing airline status, a lounge membership, or a premium ticket.
Day Pass vs. Marhaba Membership
Marhaba offers two main routes to lounge access:
Day Pass - A single-use entry purchased in advance or at the lounge reception. No subscription, no card required. You pay once, you get in for the session, and that is the end of the transaction. This is the right option for occasional travellers, one-off long layovers, or anyone who transits Dubai only a few times a year.
Marhaba Membership - An annual subscription that provides unlimited or allowance-based lounge visits throughout the year, plus discounts on additional dnata services. If you transit Dubai four or more times annually without a card that includes Priority Pass, the maths on a membership can work in your favour. However, for most international travellers making a single or occasional connection, the Day Pass is the better value.
For a broader comparison of lounge access options at DXB - including Priority Pass, credit card programmes, and airline lounges - see our Dubai airport lounge access guide.
Marhaba Lounge Locations at DXB
Dubai International Airport has three passenger terminals, and Marhaba has lounge coverage across all of them.
Terminal 1
Terminal 1 handles most non-Emirates international airlines and some budget carrier flights. The Marhaba lounge in Terminal 1 is located airside after security, accessible to departing passengers and connecting transit travellers whose airline operates from this terminal. Emirates does not operate from Terminal 1, so most passengers using this lounge are on carriers such as Air Arabia (some routes), flydubai connections, or non-Gulf airlines.
Terminal 2
Terminal 2 is a smaller terminal primarily used by flydubai and a small number of regional airlines. The Marhaba Day Pass covers lounge access in Terminal 2 for eligible passengers. Given the typically shorter layover windows that flydubai routes produce, the Day Pass is particularly useful here for travellers with connections of three hours or more.
Terminal 3
Terminal 3 is the largest terminal in the world by floor area and the exclusive home of Emirates flights at DXB. It is divided into Concourse A (A380 gates), Concourse B, and Concourse C. The Marhaba Day Pass is valid in Terminal 3, covering both departing passengers and transit travellers holding Emirates boarding passes. Note that Emirates operates its own dedicated Business and First Class lounges (including the famous First Class Lounge in Concourse A), which are separate from Marhaba and restricted to ticket class - the Marhaba lounge in Terminal 3 is the alternative for economy passengers without Priority Pass or airline status.
What Is Included in the Marhaba Day Pass?
The Marhaba lounges are full-service facilities. A standard Day Pass entry includes:
- Buffet food and snacks - hot dishes, cold salads, pastries, and light bites available throughout opening hours. The selection varies by terminal and time of day; larger lounges in Terminal 3 typically have a broader spread.
- Soft drinks, juices, and hot beverages - unlimited during your session. Tea, coffee, and water are always available. Some lounge locations include alcoholic beverages; confirm at booking as this can vary.
- Wi-Fi - complimentary high-speed connection. The lounge network is typically more stable than the free terminal Wi-Fi, which can be congested during peak hours.
- Shower facilities - available at select Marhaba locations, particularly in Terminal 3. Shower access may be included in the standard Day Pass or available for a small additional fee depending on the lounge. If a shower is important to you (especially on an overnight layover), confirm availability when booking.
- Rest areas and comfortable seating - the lounges are significantly quieter than the main terminal concourses, with armchairs and padded seating away from general gate traffic. Some locations have dedicated quiet zones.
- Workstations and charging points - USB and power sockets at most seats or on dedicated desk areas.
- Newspapers and magazines - available in print at most lounge locations.
Marhaba lounges do not typically include spa treatments, private bedrooms, or the kind of dedicated dining experience you find in Emirates’ own premium-class lounges - those are separate, ticket-class facilities. The Marhaba product sits in the mid-tier: substantially better than the main terminal food court, and considerably more comfortable, but without the ultra-premium features of a Concourse A First Class lounge.
Marhaba Day Pass Pricing (2026)
Marhaba Day Pass prices are set in AED and vary by terminal and session duration. As of 2026, approximate pricing is:
- Standard session (up to 3 hours): from approximately AED 150–180 per adult
- Extended session (over 3 hours or full layover): from approximately AED 220–260 per adult
- Children under 2: typically free with a paying adult
- Children aged 2–11: discounted rate, usually around 50% of the adult price
Prices are quoted at the lounge but are generally cheaper when pre-booked online through the dnata Marhaba website. Online pre-booking also guarantees your slot during peak periods - DXB processes over 90 million passengers annually and the lounges can fill during early-morning and late-evening peaks.
These figures are indicative as of 2026. Always check the current rate at booking, as prices are subject to periodic revision.
How to Book the Marhaba Day Pass
There are two ways to secure access:
Online pre-booking - Visit the dnata Marhaba website (dnata.com/marhaba) and select your terminal, date, and session type. You can book up to 60 days in advance. Online prices are usually 10–15% lower than walk-in rates, and pre-booking is recommended for early-morning or peak-hour arrivals when the lounge may be near capacity.
Walk-in at the lounge - Present yourself at the Marhaba lounge reception with your boarding pass. Walk-in access is subject to availability and is charged at the full walk-in rate. For most off-peak times, walk-in access is straightforward; during holiday periods (particularly UAE National Day in December, Eid al-Fitr, and Eid al-Adha), pre-booking is advisable.
You will need a valid boarding pass for a same-day departure or connection to enter. The lounge is not accessible to passengers who have already collected their bags and exited the secure zone.
Marhaba Day Pass vs. Priority Pass at DXB
This is the practical question most informed travellers ask. The answer depends on how often you travel.
Priority Pass is a separate independent programme that grants access to a global network of over 1,300 lounges. At DXB, Priority Pass is accepted in specific partner lounges - not Marhaba lounges specifically - so the two programmes cover overlapping but not identical facilities. Priority Pass membership costs from approximately USD 99–429 per year depending on the tier, with top-tier cards often bundled for free with premium UAE credit cards (such as those from Emirates NBD, FAB, or ADCB).
If you have a UAE credit card that includes Priority Pass as a benefit, that is almost certainly the better value at DXB - you are effectively getting lounge access for free as a cardholder perk.
If you do not hold Priority Pass and transit Dubai occasionally - say once or twice a year - the Marhaba Day Pass makes financial sense: AED 150–260 for a genuine rest, hot food, and reliable Wi-Fi during a layover is competitive with the cost of a meal and drinks in the terminal alone.
If you transit Dubai four or more times annually and don’t have a card with Priority Pass, it is worth comparing the cost of a Marhaba annual membership against a standalone Priority Pass subscription.
Who Is the Marhaba Day Pass Best For?
Layover travellers without lounge access - The clearest use case. If your layover at DXB is three hours or more and you have no membership or business class ticket, the Day Pass is the most straightforward way to access a proper lounge experience.
Economy passengers on long-haul connections - DXB is a major hub for routes between Europe, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Africa. A 5–8 hour connection is common on these itineraries. The Day Pass turns what would otherwise be several hours in a crowded terminal into a comfortable, catered break.
Families travelling without premium cards - The discounted children’s rate and the quieter environment make Marhaba a practical option for families with young children, particularly on overnight layovers.
Business travellers on tight itineraries - The shower access (where available) and reliable Wi-Fi make the Marhaba lounge a productive stopover for travellers who need to work or refresh before an onward meeting.
Priority Pass holders whose DXB partner lounge is full - DXB’s Priority Pass partner lounges can reach capacity during peak periods. Marhaba does not operate on the same allocation system, so the Day Pass can be a reliable alternative if you find the Priority Pass lounge at capacity.
Practical Tips for Your Visit
- Bring your boarding pass - entry without a same-day boarding pass is not permitted, and digital passes are accepted.
- Book online to save - the online discount is small but consistent, and it removes any uncertainty about availability.
- Note your terminal before booking - Terminal 1, 2, and 3 are separate facilities at DXB. A booking at the Terminal 3 Marhaba lounge does not grant entry to Terminal 1.
- Confirm shower availability - not all locations have showers; if this is important to you, verify when booking.
- Factor in walk time - Terminal 3 is enormous. Walking from one end to the other can take 15–20 minutes. Allow time to reach the lounge from your arrival gate before your session clock starts.
For transport from DXB to the city after your layover, the Dubai airport guide covers Metro connections, taxis, and transfer times to all major areas.
The Marhaba Day Pass fills a clear gap in the DXB lounge ecosystem. It is not cheap in absolute terms, but for travellers facing a meaningful layover without a qualifying card or ticket, AED 150–260 buys a level of comfort and calm that the main terminal concourses cannot match.
Plan Your Trip
✈️ Book your flights to the UAE 🛡️ Get travel insurance 📱 Stay connected with an eSIM 🚗 Rent a car
Frequent flyers may prefer one of the UAE credit cards with lounge access.