A Comprehensive Guide for Navigating Dubai’s Parking Landscape: Dubai has many parking options including paid lots, public parking, and other parking. Parking in Dubai is chargeable for 14 hours from Monday to Saturday, starting from 8:00 am until 10:00 pm. However, parking is exempted from charges on Sundays and public holidays. It’s noteworthy that Fridays, which were previously designated as free parking days, now require payment for parking.
Parking in Dubai can be a complex affair due to the variety of zones and parking types available. Here’s a detailed guide to understanding the parking zones, types, charges, payment methods, fines, and FAQs related to parking in Dubai:
| Day | Parking Hours | Parking Charges |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday | Free | Free |
| Monday-Saturday | 8:00 am to 10:00 pm | Parking charges apply for 14 hours |
| Friday | Parking charges apply | Previously designated as free, now chargeable |
Parking Fees
Parking fees range from AED 2 to AED 20 per hour based on parking zones and fees may goes up to AED 40 per 4 hours.
Understanding Dubai’s Parking Zones
Dubai is segmented into various parking zones, each with its own regulations and tariffs. From commercial roadside parking in Zone A to special parking areas in Zone E, understanding these zones is crucial for smooth parking experiences.
Parking Zones and Types:
- Zone A: Commercial roadside parking in designated commercial areas.
- Parking tariff varies based on duration.
- Timing: Monday to Saturday from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm.
- Zone B: Parking lots in commercial zones.
- Cheaper than Zone A.
- Timing and tariff same as Zone A.
- Zone C: Non-commercial roadside parking in residential areas.
- Parking tariff varies based on duration.
- Timing same as Zone A.
- Zone D: Parking lots in non-commercial areas.
- Cheapest parking charges.
- Timing and tariff same as Zone A.
- Zone E: Special parking areas including underground lots of Waterfront Market.
- Parking tariff varies based on duration.
- Timing: Monday to Saturday from 8:00 am to 11:00 pm.
- Zone F: Dedicated parking lot for Tecom areas.
- Parking tariff varies based on duration.
- Timing: Monday to Saturday from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm.
- Zone G: Paid parking areas of Downtown Dubai.
- Parking tariff varies based on duration.
- Timing: Monday to Saturday from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm.
- Zone H: Parking lots in Dubai Silicon Oasis.
- Parking tariff varies based on duration.
- Timing same as Zone A.
- Zone I, J, K: Various parking zones with specific maximum stay durations.
- Parking tariff varies based on duration.
- Timing same as Zone A.
Tarrif by Zones
here’s the complete tariff for all parking zones in Dubai:
Zone A (Commercial Roadside Parking):
- AED 2 for half an hour
- AED 4 per hour
- AED 8 for two hours
- AED 12 for three hours
- AED 16 for four hours
Zone B (Parking Lots in Commercial Zones):
- AED 3 per hour
- AED 6 for two hours
- AED 9 for three hours
- AED 12 for four hours
- AED 15 for five hours
- AED 20 for 24 hours
Zone C (Non-commercial Roadside Parking):
- AED 2 per hour
- AED 5 for two hours
- AED 8 for three hours
- AED 11 for four hours
Zone D (Parking Lots in Non-commercial Areas):
- AED 2 per hour
- AED 4 for two hours
- AED 5 for three hours
- AED 7 for four hours
- AED 10 for 24 hours
Zone E (Special Parking Areas):
- AED 4 per hour
- AED 8 for two hours
- AED 12 for three hours
- AED 16 for four hours
Zone F (Dedicated Parking Lot for Tecom Areas):
- AED 2 per hour
- AED 5 for two hours
- AED 8 for three hours
- AED 11 for four hours
Zone G (Paid Parking Areas of Downtown Dubai):
- AED 4 per hour
- AED 8 for two hours
- AED 12 for three hours
- AED 16 for four hours
Zone H (Parking Lots in Dubai Silicon Oasis):
- AED 2 for half an hour
- AED 4 per hour
- AED 8 for two hours
- AED 12 for three hours
- AED 16 for four hours
Zone I (Prime Parking in Jumeirah Lake Tower):
- AED 10 per hour
- AED 20 for two hours
- AED 30 for three hours
- AED 40 for four hours
Zone J (Parking Lots in JLT):
- AED 2 for half an hour
- AED 4 per hour
- AED 8 for two hours
- AED 12 for three hours
- AED 22 for four hours
Zone K (Parking Lots with Short Stays):
- AED 2 for half an hour
- AED 4 per hour
- AED 8 for two hours
- AED 12 for three hours
- AED 16 for four hours
- AED 20 for five hours
- AED 24 for six hours
- AED 28 for seven hours
- AED 32 for 24 hours
These tariffs apply during the specified timings mentioned earlier, with variations during Ramadan timings.
Parking Zones and Tariffs Table
| Zone | Location | Hourly Rate (AED) | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Commercial areas (roadside) | 2 for 1/2 hr to 16 for 4 hrs | Mon-Sat 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM |
| B | Less congested commercial zones | 3 per hr to 20 for 24 hrs | Mon-Sat 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM |
| C | Residential areas (roadside) | 2 per hr to 11 for 4 hrs | Mon-Sat 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM |
| D | Residential areas (Al Qusais, Al Nahda) | 2 per hr to 10 for full day | Mon-Sat 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM |
| E | Waterfront Market (above & underground) | 4 per hr, increments of 4 for each additional hr | Mon-Sat 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM |
| F | Tecom region | 2 per hr to 11 for 4 hrs | Mon-Sat 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM |
| G | Downtown Dubai | 4 per hr to 16 for 4 hrs | Mon-Sat 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM |
| H | Dubai Silicon Oasis | 2 for 1/2 hr to 16 for 4 hrs | Mon-Sat 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM |
| I | Jumeirah Lake Tower (prime parking) | 10 per hr to 40 for 4 hrs | Mon-Sat, max 3 hrs stay |
Parking Area Categories
- Category One: Areas covered by Zone A and B.
- Category Two: Rest of Dubai not falling under Category One.
Category One (Areas covered by Zone A and B):
Deira:
- Abu Hail
- Hor Al Anz
- Al Baraha
- Al Muteena
- Al Khabaisi
- Al Muraqabat
- Rigga Al Buteen
- Port Saeed
- Al Rigga
- Naif
- Ayal Nasir
- Deira Fish Market
- Al Ras
- Al Buteen
Bur Dubai:
- Al Shindagha
- Al Souq Al Kabeer
- Al Hamriya
- Umm Hurair 1
- Umm Hurair 2
- Oud Metha
- Al Karama
- Al Mankhool
- Al Raffa
- Al Hudaiba
- Al Kifaf
- 2nd December street
- Sector between Dubai World Trade Centre and Interchange One on Sheikh Zayed Road
Jumeirah:
- Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR)
- JBR Walk
- 308th Street
- Al Saada Street
- Parallel Sheikh Zayed Road between Dubai World Trade Centre and Interchange One
Category Two (Rest of Dubai not falling under Category One):
All zones not mentioned under Category One fall under Category Two for parking in Dubai.
Understanding these categories helps drivers in identifying the areas where parking falls under different regulations and charges.
How to Pay Parking Charges
- mParking: Pay via SMS using the format provided.
- RTA Dubai/Dubai Drive Application: Pay via the dedicated mobile application.
- Paid Parking Machines: Buy parking tickets using coins.
- Prepaid Cards: Available at grocery stores and supermarkets.
- Seasonal Parking Cards: Available for selected parking lots.
- Nol Card: Use Nol card for parking payments.
- Banks with RFID: Pay using RFID bank cards.
- NFC on Smartphones: Pay using NFC technology.
- WhatsApp: Pay via WhatsApp message to Mahboub (RTA’s Chatbot).
Parking Fines in Dubai
Residents or tourist in Dubai failure to comply with parking regulations may result in fines ranging from AED 100 to AED 1,000, depending on the violation. Various fines for violations such as non-payment, exceeding time limits, obstructing facilities in Dubai. Here’s the list of traffic penalties in Dubai converted into a table format:
| Penalty Description | Fine Amount (AED) |
|---|---|
| Not paying parking tariff or visible ticket | 150 |
| Parking beyond the allowed time limit | 100 |
| Exceeding the maximum parking hours | 100 |
| Obstructing or misusing a parking facility | 200 |
| Crossing sidewalks or parking on a sidewalk | 200 |
| Parking in forbidden areas | 200 |
| Parking a car without a number plate | 1,000 |
| Unauthorized use of special need parking or using an expired permit | 1,000 |
| Parking in a reserved spot or parking without a permit | 1,000 |
| Harming a parking ticket machine, zone plates, or parking areas | 1,000 |
| Placing a parking umbrella over a vehicle without a permit | 1,000 |
mParking or SMS Parking in Dubai
To utilize mParking or SMS Parking in Dubai, follow these steps:
For Unregistered Users:
- Compose SMS: Send an SMS to the number 7275 (PARK).
- Format: Use the following format:
<Plate No.> <Space> <Zone No.> <Space> <Duration>. - Example: If your plate number is ABC123, you’re parking in Zone 1, and you want to park for 2 hours, your SMS would look like this:
ABC123 1 2.
For Registered Users:
- Compose SMS: Send an SMS to the number 7275 (PARK).
- Format: Use the following format:
<Nickname> <Space> <Zone No.> <Space> <Duration>. - Example: If you’ve registered with the nickname “JohnDoe” and you’re parking in Zone 1 for 2 hours, your SMS would look like this:
JohnDoe 1 2.
Note:
- Make sure to replace placeholders such as
<Plate No.>,<Zone No.>,<Duration>, and<Nickname>with your actual details. - Ensure that the format is correct and includes spaces between each component.
- The duration is typically in hours.
- You’ll receive a confirmation SMS once your parking session is successfully registered.
By following these steps, you can easily pay for parking using mParking or SMS Parking in Dubai, even if you’re not a registered user.
Parking Regulations and Tips
Understanding parking regulations is essential to avoid fines. While parking is chargeable from Monday to Saturday, with exemptions on Sundays and public holidays, recent changes now require payment for parking on Fridays. Moreover, adhering to designated parking zones and respecting special needs parking is paramount for a hassle-free experience.
Here’s a list of parking tips for navigating Dubai’s parking landscape
- Plan Ahead: Research parking options before heading out to your destination. Knowing the nearest parking zones or facilities can save you time and hassle.
- Arrive Early: If you’re attending an event or visiting a popular area, arriving early can help you secure a parking spot before it gets crowded.
- Use Public Transport: Consider utilizing Dubai’s efficient public transport system, such as the metro or buses, to avoid the hassle of parking altogether.
- Explore Alternative Parking: Look for alternative parking options, such as parking lots or garages, which may offer more availability compared to roadside parking.
- Download Parking Apps: Utilize mobile apps that provide real-time information on parking availability and rates in different areas of Dubai.
- Observe Parking Signs: Pay attention to parking signs and regulations to avoid fines. Different zones may have varying parking restrictions and tariffs.
- Keep Change Handy: If you opt for paid parking, ensure you have sufficient change or prepaid cards to cover the parking fees.
- Park Legally: Always park in designated parking areas and avoid illegal parking to prevent fines or towing of your vehicle.
- Consider Valet Parking: In busy areas or shopping malls, valet parking services may offer convenience, although they may come at an additional cost.
- Be Mindful of Peak Hours: Be aware of peak parking hours, especially during weekends or evenings, and plan your parking accordingly to avoid congestion.
- Respect Disabled Parking Spaces: Avoid parking in designated disabled parking spaces unless you have a valid permit, as it’s a violation that incurs hefty fines.
- Follow Payment Procedures: If paying for parking, ensure you follow the correct payment procedures, whether it’s through SMS, mobile apps, or parking meters.
- The parking fee rate is higher in commercial and densely-populated areas such as Downtown Dubai, Mall of the Emirates, Burj Khalifa, Business Bay, Dubai Marina, and Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR).
Parking time in Dubai
Parking in Dubai is free on Sundays and public holidays, and paid from 8 AM–10 PM, Monday through Saturday. However, some parking zones charge from 8 AM–6 PM, and others have different hours. For example, the Knowledge Village, Dubai Media City, and Dubai Internet City charge from 8 AM–6 PM, and are free from 6 PM or 10 PM on Sundays until 8 AM on Mondays.
In Dubai, parking is absolutely free on Sundays and public holidays. Paid parking zones charge from 8 AM to 6 PM or 10 PM, depending on the zone. Most parking zones close at 10 PM, but zones in Dubai Media City, Dubai Internet City, and the Knowledge Village close at 6 PM.
Parking in Ramadan 2024
During Ramadan, paid parking zones in Dubai have two shifts, Monday–Saturday, from 8 AM–6 PM and 8 PM–midnight. Public parking is free from 6 PM–8 PM.
FAQs
Free Parking on Fridays?
No, free parking on Sundays and public holidays only.
Identifying Parking Zones?
Look for orange-colored paid parking boards.
Using mParking/SMS Parking?
Follow the provided formats for registered and unregistered users.
Understanding the parking zones, types, charges, payment methods, fines, and FAQs is essential for hassle-free parking in Dubai.
