Landing for WHX, two venues to choose.
Dubai International sits about 15 minutes from one WHX venue and about 30 from the other, by the organiser’s own count. Your first stop depends on the day you land, what is in your bags and which hall your meeting is in.
The two venues are not the same distance from the airport
WHX Dubai 2027 is held from Monday 25 to Thursday 28 January 2027 at two places: Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) on Sheikh Zayed Road, and the Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC) at Expo City Dubai. For a visitor landing at Dubai International (DXB), the two venues are very different journeys.
The organiser gives its own airport figures. DWTC is about 15 minutes by taxi or about 20 minutes by Metro. DEC is about 30 minutes by taxi or about 45 minutes by Metro. Our own route model from Terminal 3 agrees with the shape of that: about 10 km to DWTC, about 45 km to DEC. Our model is approximate, from OpenStreetMap routing with no traffic, and puts DEC at roughly 30 to 40 minutes. Google Maps on the day will differ, and a show week adds traffic.
| From DXB | Organiser, taxi | Organiser, Metro | Our model, by road |
|---|---|---|---|
| To DWTC, Sheikh Zayed Road | About 15 minutes | About 20 minutes | About 10 km, 10 to 15 minutes |
| To DEC, Expo City | About 30 minutes | About 45 minutes | About 45 km, 30 to 40 minutes |
The model is from Terminal 3. If you land at another terminal, tell us when you ask for a quote and we adjust the plan.
Planning this trip? Tell us the date and group size for a fixed price.
Get a quoteWhat the organiser already offers
The organiser’s travel page says the Dubai Metro Red Line serves both venues: Expo 2020 Station for DEC, with a short signposted walk, and World Trade Centre Station for DWTC, which connects directly. Careem and Uber operate around the clock at both, it adds, and paid parking exists at both. A free shuttle runs between the venues on every show day.
For a lone traveller with one carry-on, a taxi from the arrivals hall or the Metro may be all you need. We would say so. Our taxi, ride-hailing and private transfer comparison sets out the trade-offs without a sales push.
WHX is a trade event with registration. Badges are digital, kept in the WHX Events App, and the organiser’s site explains who can attend. We do not sell tickets or passes.
Hotel first or venue first
This is the question that decides most arrival plans.
- Land on Sunday 24 January or earlier: go to the hotel first. The show is not open yet, and a rested team is worth more than a rushed first look.
- Land on Monday 25 January: the exhibition opens at 11:00, and Advantage and Platinum ticket holders can enter from 10:00. A morning arrival could reach DWTC fairly easily. Expo City is a longer first leg.
- Land on a later day: check the day’s hours. Tuesday and Wednesday run 10:00 to 18:00, and Thursday closes at 17:00. Hours are subject to the organiser’s final notice.
Hotel first is the better choice when the group carries stand materials, medical device cases, banners or several suitcases per person. A venue first stop means everything stays on the vehicle with nowhere to put it down, and we could not find any published bag storage at either venue. If you plan to go straight to a hall, ask the organiser what is allowed.
A group arriving together can see how a meet-and-greet works in our big group arrival guide, and the airport transfer page lists what a standard pick-up includes.
Arriving at Al Maktoum Airport instead
Some itineraries land at Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) in Dubai South. The organiser notes that DWC is very close to Expo City, though with a limited number of commercial flights. Our model puts DWC to DEC at about 20 km, roughly 20 to 30 minutes, and DWC to DWTC at about 55 km, roughly 45 to 55 minutes. Our Al Maktoum Airport transfer page covers that route.
Where a private vehicle fits
We are Dubai Bus Services, a private company. We are not the organiser’s transport provider. The organiser’s shuttles, hotel buses and ride-hailing come first in your planning, and our service sits next to them.
A pre-booked vehicle makes sense for a delegation of six or more, for a team with equipment, or for anyone who wants one driver holding a name board at arrivals and one set of times for the week. We do not know whether a coach or minibus may use a specific drop-off at either venue, so we agree it against the organiser’s access plan before the day.
A small executive group fits the Mercedes V-Class. A larger team, with bags, usually needs the Mercedes Sprinter or the 13-seater van. A large delegation moves in the 30-seater mini coach or the 50-seater coach. For a single executive on a tight schedule, the airport chauffeur service is the closer match.
The return on Thursday
Thursday 28 January is the shortest show day, with the exhibition closing at 17:00. That makes it the day many groups fly out. Work backwards from your flight: the time you want to be at the airport, the road leg, the time to leave the hall with your bags. From Expo City the road leg is the longer one.
Collect bags from the hotel before the show if you can, and hold them in the vehicle through the day. Tell us the flight number and time, and we plan the pick-up point and a margin with you. We confirm the pick-up point with the organiser’s current notice and do not promise a door.
Before you fly
Entry rules depend on your passport. Check the official UAE government visa page and the organiser’s visa support page before you book flights. Your own government’s travel advice page is worth reading too. We do not give visa advice.
Late January is peak season, so larger vehicles go early. Send the flight numbers, the head count, the hotel and which venue you need first, and use the booking page to ask for a fixed written quote.
Keep reading
- WHX Dubai 2027 transport guide: WHX Dubai 2027 runs at two venues, Expo City and the World Trade Centre. How the Red Line and the free venue shuttle work, and where a private vehicle fits.
- Marina, JBR and Downtown hotels to WHX 2027: Staying in Dubai Marina, JBR, the Palm, Downtown or Business Bay for WHX 2027? Approximate times to Expo City and the World Trade Centre, and how to plan the day.
- DXB airport to Expo City for GITEX: Landing at Dubai International for GITEX Global 2026 and heading to Expo City: Metro, taxi or a pre-booked vehicle, hotel first or venue first, bags and the return.
- GITEX two venues in five days: GITEX Global 2026 starts at Dubai World Trade Centre on 7 December and moves to Expo City on 8 December. How the Metro, the organiser shuttle and a private vehicle handle the move.
- Gulfood 2027 venue and airport run: Gulfood 2027 is split across Dubai World Trade Centre and Expo City. Which sectors are where, how the Metro fits, and the road time from each airport.
- Dubai airport transfer for groups: Vans, Sprinters, mini coaches and 50-seat coaches for groups landing at DXB or DWC, with the luggage and the split flights planned.
Frequently asked.
Quick answers for this trip.
How far is Dubai Airport from the WHX venues?
The organiser gives about 15 minutes by taxi to the World Trade Centre and about 30 minutes to Expo City. Allow more in show week, as traffic is heavier.
Which venue should I go to first?
It depends on your meetings. The organiser puts medical technology, imaging and international halls at Expo City, and labs, pharma and wellness at the World Trade Centre. Most arrivals go to the hotel first.
Can I take the Metro from the airport?
Yes. The organiser gives about 20 minutes to the World Trade Centre and about 45 to Expo City. Check the RTA timetable for the hours on your day.
Is there luggage storage at the venues?
We found no published bag storage details for either venue. Ask the organiser, or drop your bags at the hotel before you go.
What if I land at Al Maktoum Airport?
Expo City is close by, according to the organiser, though commercial flights there are limited. Our model puts the drive at roughly 20 to 30 minutes.
Do you run the WHX airport shuttle?
No. We are a private company, not appointed by the organiser. Our vehicles are booked separately and are not part of its shuttles.
Will you wait if my flight is late?
We track the flight number you give us and adjust the pick-up. The written quote states what waiting time is included.
How much does a transfer cost?
Ask for a fixed written quote. It depends on the terminal, the group size, the venue and the hotel, and you get it in writing before you accept.
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