Facts checked on October 18, 2026
Where is Dubai South?
Dubai South lies in the south of the emirate, towards the Abu Dhabi border. It sits along Emirates Road (E611) and Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311), with Expo City Dubai nearby.
Most of the land is reserved for the airport and related uses. There are also districts for logistics, business, golf and housing.
The airport as the driver
In April 2024 the Dubai government approved a new passenger terminal at Al Maktoum International Airport, costing AED 128 billion. The first phase is planned within about ten years, and Dubai International Airport's operations are to move there in the coming years.
A city with homes for about one million people is planned around the airport in Dubai South. These are long-term plans, so think in years.
Developer and character
The master developer is Dubai South itself, which also builds and sells its own residential projects. Other developers build on plots in the area as well, including in Emaar South.
According to Dubai South, the Residential District has more than 30,000 residents living in gated communities. It has parks, sports courts, a hypermarket, a mosque and a school.
Known residential communities within Dubai South include Emaar South, The Pulse and South Bay.
Types of homes and freehold
Supply includes apartments from studios to three bedrooms, and townhouses and villas, mostly with three to five bedrooms. There are completed communities and many off-plan projects.
The first freehold homes in Dubai South were handed over in 2018. Check each unit through the title deed or, for off-plan, the Oqood registration with the Dubai Land Department (DLD).
Off-plan payments go into the project's escrow account at a DLD-approved bank. Never pay outside that account.
Getting around
In practice Dubai South is a car-based area. A public bus links the Residential District with Expo metro station on the Red Line.
The distance to Dubai Marina, Downtown Dubai and the current airport is considerable. Drive your commute once on a normal working day.
What to check before you buy
The area is large, and so are the differences within it. That is why I always ask buyers first where they or their tenants need to go every day.
- Which district the project is in and what amenities already exist
- Who is developing the building and what they have delivered before
- Project status and transactions in DLD's real estate data
- Payments only through the project's escrow account
- How much of your decision rests on the airport, which is years away
Frequently asked questions
Where is Dubai South?
In the south of Dubai, around Al Maktoum International Airport and close to Expo City Dubai, along Emirates Road and Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road.
Can foreigners buy property in Dubai South?
Yes, freehold homes have been handed over in Dubai South since 2018. Check the title deed or the Oqood registration with DLD for each unit.
What should I check when buying off plan in Dubai South?
Look at the district, the developer, the handover date and the escrow account. Keep in mind that the new airport terminal is a long-term plan.
Is there a metro in Dubai South?
The Residential District has no metro station of its own. A public bus runs to Expo station on the Red Line.
