Sharjah International Airport

Sharjah International Airport is about 15 km from central Dubai. In light traffic the drive can take around 15 minutes, but at rush hour on the roads between Sharjah and Dubai it can take up to two hours, so allow plenty of time. Many travelers flying Air Arabia land at Sharjah and stay in Dubai, especially in Deira, Al Nahda and the areas close to the Sharjah border.

The airport is about 13 km east-southeast of Sharjah city, outside the built-up center on the road toward Al Dhaid. Travel time to Al Majaz, Al Qasba, the Corniche or the Heart of Sharjah depends on traffic, which is heaviest at weekday rush hours. Taxis, Mowasalat buses and pre-booked transfers all link the terminal with the city.

No. Sharjah International Airport (SHJ) is in the emirate of Sharjah, while Dubai International Airport (DXB) is a separate airport in Dubai, about 15 km away. Both serve travelers heading to Dubai and Sharjah, but they have different airlines, terminals and ground transport. Check that your ticket shows the code SHJ before you plan your pickup.

Sharjah International Airport has one passenger terminal, used by every scheduled airline for both arrivals and departures. Arriving passengers clear immigration, collect their bags and pass through customs in the same building before reaching the arrivals area. Because there is only one terminal, you never need to change buildings when you connect between flights at Sharjah.

Air Arabia is based at Sharjah and flies from here to the Gulf, the Indian subcontinent, Central Asia, Africa, Turkey and Europe. Other airlines include Air India Express, IndiGo, SpiceJet, airblue, Fly Jinnah, Pakistan International Airlines, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, US-Bangla Airlines, Qatar Airways, SalamAir, Royal Jordanian, EgyptAir, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, Pegasus Airlines and AJet.

Sharjah Taxi serves the airport 24 hours a day, with stands close to the arrivals exit. All airport taxis are metered, and a surcharge applies to rides that start at the airport. Taxis adapted for passengers with limited mobility can also be requested. Use the official taxi stand rather than accepting rides offered inside the terminal.

Yes. Mowasalat runs public buses between the airport and Sharjah city. Route 14 links the airport with Al Sharq bus station, route 15 with Al Rolla via University City, route 88 runs between Al Rolla and Al Saja'a via the airport, and route 99 connects Al Jubail bus station with the airport overnight. Buses are slower and less convenient with large bags.

Air Arabia operates coaches between Sharjah Airport and Al Ghurair Centre in Deira, Dubai, with a limited number of departures each day, and also serves other emirates by pre-booked coach. Check the current timetable with Air Arabia before you fly. For other times, most travelers going to Dubai use a taxi or a pre-booked transfer.

It depends on your nationality. GCC citizens do not need a visa, citizens of a number of countries receive a visa on arrival, and others must apply for a visa before traveling. Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date you enter the UAE. Check the current rules with the UAE authorities or your airline before you fly.

Yes. Sharjah Airport has the Al Diyafa Lounge, at the main entrance of the departure area, and The Lounge, both on the departures side. The lounges are open around the clock and charge for entry, unless access comes with your airline ticket or travel package, and they can be booked in advance. A transit hotel with 16 rooms sits near the departure gates.

Yes. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the terminal building at Sharjah International Airport. The terminal also has currency exchange counters and ATMs, a 24-hour food court, duty-free shops, a kids' play area, baby care rooms, prayer rooms and a medical center, and car rental desks are open around the clock in the arrivals area.

Sharjah International Airport is run by the Sharjah Airport Authority and is the home base of Air Arabia. It handled about 19.48 million passengers in 2025, up 13.9 percent on 2024, with 116,657 aircraft movements. The airport has one runway, 4,060 m long, and opened on 1 January 1977, replacing the earlier airfield closer to the city.

Yes. The Sharjah Airport Authority is carrying out an expansion program that includes a new passenger terminal building and a central facilities station. The project aims to raise the airport's capacity to about 25 million passengers a year, with mid-2027 given as the target. Until then, all flights continue to use the current terminal.

Sharjah is on Gulf Standard Time, UTC+4, all year, with no daylight saving time, the same as Dubai and the rest of the UAE. The currency is the UAE dirham (AED), and you can change money or withdraw cash at exchange counters and ATMs in the terminal. Summers are very hot and humid, so plan for high temperatures from June to September.