GITEX GLOBAL 2026 runs from 7 to 11 December 2026 and has moved to Expo City Dubai. The GITEX Summit is on 7 December, and the four-day expo runs from 8 to 11 December at the Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC). For the closest stay, choose Expo City itself: the venue names Expo Village Serviced Apartments and Cheval Maison Expo City Dubai among the three hotels within walking distance. For a short metro ride, look at Dubai Investment Park. For the beach and restaurants, stay on the Red Line in Dubai Marina or JLT, which has direct trains to Expo 2020 station.
Staying for GITEX week only? Apartments on HotelApartments.com are listed for stays of 30 nights or more. For shorter GITEX stays, message us on WhatsApp or send an enquiry with your dates and number of guests. We will check availability with the properties near the venue.
GITEX 2026 at a glance
- Dates: GITEX Summit on Monday 7 December 2026; expo from Tuesday 8 to Friday 11 December 2026.
- Venue: Dubai Exhibition Centre, Expo City Dubai.
- Nearest metro: Expo 2020 station on the Red Line. Some signs and apps call it Expo City Dubai.
- Within walking distance: Expo Village Serviced Apartments, Cheval Maison Expo City Dubai and Rove Expo City, according to DEC.
- From Dubai International Airport (DXB): about 40 km, or 35 to 45 minutes by road depending on traffic, according to DEC.
- Parking: free for DEC events, with a shuttle from the parking zones to the Arrivals Plaza.
Check the Summit venue on your ticket. Some third-party listings still place the 7 December Summit at Dubai World Trade Centre, while the expo is at Expo City.
GITEX has moved, so last year's hotel advice no longer applies
2025 was the last year GITEX GLOBAL was held at Dubai World Trade Centre. For years, the obvious choice was a hotel on Sheikh Zayed Road, in DIFC or in Downtown, a few minutes from the halls.
In 2026 the show is in Expo City, in the south-west of Dubai near Al Maktoum International Airport. The city-centre districts that used to be next door are now a long commute away. If you are repeating last year's booking, check the location again before you pay.
Where to stay for GITEX 2026: five areas compared
- Expo City and Dubai World Central: walk to the halls. Best for exhibitors with early set-up, late teardown and equipment to carry. Quieter in the evening, with fewer restaurants than the city.
- Dubai Investment Park: one Red Line stop from Expo 2020, or a short taxi ride. Best for teams who want to be close to the venue without staying in Expo City. Check how far your building is from the station.
- Dubai Production City, Dubai Sports City and Al Barsha South: taxi or car via Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311). Best for groups with a car or a booked transfer. Not on the metro branch to Expo 2020.
- Dubai Marina, JLT and The Greens: direct Red Line trains to Expo 2020. Best for the beach, restaurants and evening meetings. The daily ride is longer than from the areas above.
- Sheikh Zayed Road, DIFC and Downtown: the Red Line or a long taxi ride. Best only if most of your other meetings are in the financial district. The longest commute to the venue.
1. Expo City and Dubai World Central: walk to the halls
If you are exhibiting, start here. Stand build-up starts before the doors open, and teardown runs after the last visitor leaves. Being able to walk back to your apartment between shifts makes a real difference over five days.
The Dubai Exhibition Centre lists three hotels within walking distance of the venue. Two of them are listed on HotelApartments.com:
- Cheval Maison Expo City Dubai: serviced apartments inside Expo City, which Expo City describes as "just moments from the metro".
- Expo Village Serviced Apartments: studios and one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments in Expo Village, the residential neighbourhood on the former Expo site.
Also in Dubai World Central is Staybridge Suites Dubai Al Maktoum, in Aviation City near Al Maktoum International Airport. It is a drive from the venue rather than a walk, so plan on a taxi each day.
There are only a few places to stay within walking distance of the halls. If your dates are fixed, enquire about them first. See all apartments in Dubai World Central.
2. Dubai Investment Park: one metro stop away
Dubai Investment Park station is the stop before Expo 2020 on the Red Line, so you have a short ride to the venue each morning.
Dubai Investment Park is a large district. Check the walk or taxi ride from your building to the station before you plan on taking the metro. See all apartments in Dubai Investment Park.
3. Production City, Sports City and Al Barsha South: drive in
These neighbourhoods suit teams travelling by car or with a booked transfer, as they are not on the metro branch to Expo 2020.
- Dubai Production City: Element Me'aisam and more apartments in Production City
- Al Barsha South: Millennium Montrose and more apartments in Al Barsha South
- Apartments in Dubai Sports City
Morning traffic towards Expo City is likely to be heavier than usual during show week. Leave extra time on the first day until you know your route.
4. Dubai Marina, JLT and The Greens: on the Red Line
If you want restaurants, the beach and evening networking, stay on the Marina side of the Red Line. Direct trains run to Expo 2020 station, so you avoid sitting in rush-hour traffic in a taxi.
Red Line trains alternate between two final stops, Expo 2020 and Life Pharmacy. Check the screen on the platform and board a train going to Expo 2020.
- Apartments in Dubai Marina: the widest choice we list in this part of Dubai.
- Apartments in Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT)
- Apartments in The Greens and Dubai Internet City, handy if you also have meetings with the technology companies based there.
5. Sheikh Zayed Road, DIFC and Downtown: only if your meetings are there
These were the natural choice when GITEX was at the World Trade Centre. In 2026 they mean the longest daily journey to the venue. Choose them only if most of your meetings are in the city and you will spend just a day or two at the show.
Hotel room or serviced apartment for GITEX?
For one person staying a few nights, a hotel room near the venue works well. For an exhibiting team, or for anyone staying in Dubai through December, a serviced apartment is often more practical:
- One apartment for the team: a two- or three-bedroom apartment keeps colleagues together, with a shared living room for the evening debrief.
- A kitchen: breakfast before a 7 am set-up, and a fridge for water and snacks, are easier than five days of hotel meals.
- Laundry: by day three, somewhere to wash branded staff shirts matters.
- Room to work: a table for preparing demos and calls with the office back home.
Check each listing for bedrooms, beds, kitchen equipment and laundry facilities, and ask us to confirm anything that matters to your stay in writing.
When to book and how long to stay
- Enquire now if your dates are fixed. There are only a few apartments within walking distance of the halls.
- Exhibitors: arrive before 8 December. Build-up happens before the expo opens. Check your exhibitor manual for your set-up slot and book from the night before it.
- Visitors attending the Summit on 7 December: arrive on 6 December, and check where the Summit is held.
- Plan your check-out around teardown. If you are dismantling a stand on Friday 11 December, stay the night of the 11th and leave on the 12th.
- Ask for the full price. Rates during major exhibitions can include an event supplement, so ask for the total cost for your exact dates.
- Read the cancellation terms. If your trip depends on a visa or budget approval, compare the cost of a flexible rate with a cheaper non-refundable one.
Getting to the Dubai Exhibition Centre
- Metro: Expo 2020 station is a few minutes' walk from DEC. According to DEC, trains run every 3 to 4 minutes at peak times and every 5 to 7 minutes off-peak. Use a Nol card, and check the RTA's S'hail app for journey times.
- Taxi and ride-hailing: the Uber and Careem drop-off point is on Boulevard 2020 Street.
- Car: access is via Expo Road (E77) and Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311). Parking at DEC events is free, with a scheduled shuttle from the parking zones to the Arrivals Plaza.
- Airports: most international visitors land at Dubai International (DXB), about 40 km away. Al Maktoum International (DWC) is much closer but has fewer commercial flights.
Housing a team or a national pavilion
If you are housing a delegation, a pavilion team or a group of exhibitors, our corporate housing team can find several apartments close to each other. A dedicated account manager handles your bookings, and approved corporate accounts receive consolidated invoicing. Send us your dates, headcount and preferred area, and we will reply with options for GITEX week.
Frequently asked questions
When is GITEX GLOBAL 2026?
GITEX GLOBAL 2026 runs from 7 to 11 December 2026. The GITEX Summit is on 7 December and the expo is from 8 to 11 December.
Where is GITEX 2026 held?
The expo is at the Dubai Exhibition Centre in Expo City Dubai. It moved there from Dubai World Trade Centre, which hosted GITEX until 2025. Check your ticket for the venue of the Summit on 7 December.
What is the closest accommodation to GITEX 2026?
The Dubai Exhibition Centre lists three hotels within walking distance: Expo Village Serviced Apartments, Cheval Maison Expo City Dubai and Rove Expo City. The first two are listed on HotelApartments.com.
Can I book an apartment for GITEX week only?
Our online listings are for stays of 30 nights or more. For a shorter GITEX stay, send us an enquiry with your dates and we will check availability near the venue.
Which metro station is closest to GITEX 2026?
Expo 2020 station on the Red Line, a few minutes' walk from the Dubai Exhibition Centre. Some signs and apps call it Expo City Dubai.
Is Dubai Marina a good place to stay for GITEX 2026?
Yes, if you want restaurants and the beach after the show. Red Line trains run direct from the Marina area to Expo 2020 station. The journey is longer than from Expo City or Dubai Investment Park.
How far is Expo City from Dubai International Airport?
About 40 km. The Dubai Exhibition Centre estimates 35 to 45 minutes by road, depending on traffic.
Should I still stay near Dubai World Trade Centre for GITEX?
Not for the expo. In 2026 it is held at Expo City Dubai, so Sheikh Zayed Road and Downtown mean a long daily journey. Stay there only if most of your meetings are in the city.
Sources
- GITEX GLOBAL 2026, official website (dates)
- Dubai Media Office: GITEX GLOBAL moves to Expo City Dubai in 2026
- Dubai Exhibition Centre visitor FAQs (metro, parking, taxis, airport distance, nearby hotels)
- Expo City Dubai: plan your visit
- Gulf News: Red Line trains to two destinations
Event details were checked on 11 October 2026. Confirm dates, venues and transport arrangements with the organisers before you travel. HotelApartments.com is not affiliated with GITEX GLOBAL or its organisers.
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