Translate
Sharjah International Airport
Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
Sharjah International Airport
Sharjah's gateway and Air Arabia's home hub.
- ›Sharjah Airport was one of the earliest airports established in the Gulf region, dating to the early 1930s.
- ›It served as a refuelling stop for early Imperial Airways routes between Britain and India.
- ›Air Arabia, headquartered at the airport, launched operations in 2003 as the region's first low-cost carrier.
- ›The airport operates a significant cargo facility, supporting Sharjah's status as a regional logistics hub.
- ›Its location near Dubai means it serves travellers from both emirates, easing congestion at Dubai's airports.
Sharjah International Airport, established in the 1930s as one of the earliest airports in the Arabian Gulf, serves as the home base of Air Arabia and a key budget travel hub for the UAE. Located just minutes from central Sharjah and a short drive from Dubai, the airport plays a vital role in connecting the Northern Emirates to destinations across the Middle East, Africa, South Asia, and Europe. Its character blends practical efficiency with the cultural warmth of one of the region's most historically rich cities.
- Terminal 1 — The main passenger terminal handling the majority of commercial flights, including all Air Arabia operations, with check-in halls, retail, and food outlets.
- Terminal 2 — A smaller terminal primarily serving charter and low-frequency regional carriers with basic passenger amenities.
- Taxis available at the designated taxi rank outside arrivals — metered and reliable
- Ride-hailing apps such as Careem and Uber operate from the airport
- Airport bus services connecting to Sharjah city centre and Al Jubail bus station
- Inter-emirate buses to Dubai and Ajman via Sharjah transport authority
- Car rental desks from major providers including Hertz, Europcar, and Budget located in the arrivals hall
- Mövenpick Hotel Sharjah
- Sheraton Sharjah Beach Resort & Spa
- Copthorne Hotel Sharjah
- City Seasons Hotel Sharjah
- Coral Beach Resort Sharjah
Inside the airport, passengers will find a modest selection of cafes and fast-food outlets including international brands and local snack options, most concentrated in the departure lounge area. Outside the airport, Sharjah's Al Wahda Street and Rolla Square offer an excellent range of affordable South Asian, Middle Eastern, and Lebanese restaurants. Sharjah is a dry emirate, so no alcohol is served anywhere within the city or airport.
- Sharjah enforces a strict no-alcohol policy throughout the emirate — plan accordingly before and after your flight.
- Allow extra time during peak hours as the road between Sharjah and Dubai is one of the most congested in the UAE.
- Currency exchange counters in the arrivals hall offer competitive rates, but compare before committing.
- Dress modestly when travelling through Sharjah, as the emirate upholds conservative cultural standards in public spaces.
AI-assisted overview, verified against public sources.
Route map (76 destinations)
Airlines serving this airport
Routes
Pick what matters for your layover or early flight, then compare on your favorite booking site.
IndianAirports may receive compensation when you book or purchase through some of the links on this page, at no additional cost to you. Prices and availability are set by the booking provider and may change. We never share your private trip details with partners — only the destination, dates and party size you searched.
City & Place Guide
No guide exists for this place yet — Click to generate a Traveler Pulse guide.
Passport, Visa & Immigration
Flying internationally via SHJ? Check entry, transit and customs requirements for United Arab Emirates from official government sources.
Sharjah International Airport is an international airport located 7 nautical miles east-southeast of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. It is spread over an area of 15,200,000 m2. It is the 3rd busiest airport in the country as well as the 10th busiest airport in the Middle East. It has one runway, and is the only airport in Sharjah capable of international flights as of 2025. By 2027, it is expected to increase its capacity to 25 million passengers annually.
Read full article on Wikipedia