Parking is paid between 8am and 10pm on weekdays. It costs 14 AED between 8am and 9pm, and 7 AED between 9pm and 10pm. Starting 4 April 2025, parking in Dubai will be dynamic and depend on the time of the day and the location. Premium parking spaces in Dubai will be more expensive than Standard parking spaces.
|
Time (Mon–Sat) |
Premium parking |
Standard parking |
|
Peak: 8:00–10:00 AM and 4:00–8:00 PM |
AED 6 per hour |
AED 4 per hour |
|
Off-peak: 10:00 AM–4:00 PM and 8:00–10:00 PM |
Normal zone rate |
Normal zone rate |
|
10:00 PM–8:00 AM |
Free |
Free |
- From the 1st of June 2026, Park 'n' Save will include VAT in its prices for parking, seasonal parking cards and permits.
- Premium parking is conveniently located in the central business districts of Dubai such as Downtown Dubai and the Business Bay areas, as well as in Deira, Sheikh Zayed Road and Jumeirah, and also near Dubai Metro Stations.
- Standard parking serves the rest of Dubai's public parking areas.
- Off-peak rates remain the same. You pay the rate listed on the zone sign.
Is parking free on Sunday in Dubai?
yes. All city-operated parking meters are free on Sundays. This was instituted by the UAE’s change of its rest day from Friday to Saturday. Before 2022, the city waved all meter fees on Fridays. Some older articles may state “free on Fridays” and mean the same as this current article.
Friday and Saturday are now normal paid days in Dubai.
Where you still pay on a Sunday
- - Constant 24-hour charging of multi-storey car parks by Parkin.
- - Areas shown to be charged every day of the week.
- - Mall, hotel, hospital and airport car parks.
- - Parking in communities and business districts.
Free parking on public holidays in Dubai (2026 calendar)
The RTA announced that all public parking will be free for all official public holidays. The free parking days are usually released a few days before the public holiday. In 2026, from the 25th to the 29th of May, public parking was free for Arafat day and Eid Al Adha. During this period, multi-storey parking charged its customers for its services. Public parking resumed its free service on the 30th of May, 2026.
|
2026 holiday |
Date |
Status |
|
New Year’s Day |
1 January |
Passed |
|
Eid Al Fitr |
20–22 March |
Passed |
|
Arafat Day & Eid Al Adha (free parking) |
25–29 May |
Passed |
|
Hijri New Year |
16 June |
Passed |
|
Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday |
25 August |
Passed |
|
UAE National Day (Eid Al Etihad) |
2–3 December |
Next free days |
The dates of Islamic holidays are determined by the sighting of the moon. You can check with the RTA or Parkin announcements for confirmation.
What about Ramadan?
Ramadan does not make parking free. The RTA usually announces changed paid-parking hours for the holy month, so check the Parkin app at the start of Ramadan for that year’s timings.
How to read a Dubai parking sign
Every paid space has a sign with a zone code – a number followed by letters, such as 345C or 345CP. You need this code to pay.
• The number identifies the exact parking zone.
• The letter (A, B, C, D and so on) shows the tariff group.
• A “P” at the end (AP, BP, CP, DP) means it is a Premium zone with the higher peak-hour price.
• The sign also shows the paid hours. If it says 24 hours or 7 days, it is paid on Sundays too.
How to pay for parking in Dubai (no more cash)
From 1st June 2026, cash payments at parking meters will no longer be allowed. Other options will be as follows:
- - Parkin app - This app is easy to use, and provides a reminder and allows you to extend the parking time from anywhere.
- - SMS to 7275 – Here you send your parking request by SMS. Reply SMS is charged.
- - RTA Dubai/Dubai Now apps.
- - nol card at parking meters.
Parking fines to be aware of
Parking in handicapped spots will cost you AED 2,000. Failing to pay for parking will cost you AED 150. Parking fines are automatically given to the car owner.
Driving a rental car in Dubai? Read this
Fines and parking tickets for rented vehicles are given to the rental company. Likewise, for Salik Tolls. The best way to avoid surprise tolls and finances is to:
- Download the Parkin app and add your rental car’s plate number.
- Make errands on Sundays or after 10:00 P.M. on weekdays when street parking is free.
- Avoid metro stations and parking in premium areas like Business Bay and Downtown between 8:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M.
- When in a mall, validate your parking ticket to avoid a charge. Some malls have free parking hours. Check the rules at the entrances.
|
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is parking free in Dubai?
Parking is free on Sundays and public holidays. It is also free to park from 10:00 PM to 8:00 AM. All other times, parking costs money on weekdays from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
Is parking free on Sundays in Dubai?
Yes, parking is free on all public surfaces managed by ParknShop. Multi-story parking, parking in malls, and other “paid parking” areas are not free on Sundays.
Is parking free on Saturdays in Dubai?
No, parking on Saturdays costs money.
When does metered parking end in Dubai?
All parking ends at 10:00 PM and all parking is free from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
When is paid parking waived in Dubai?
Parking is always free on public holidays. The RTA waives metered parking on Eid Al Fitr, Eid Al Adha and UAE National Day (Eid Al Etihad).
If the input is shorter than the target, it is acceptable to leave the last question empty.
What is the rate for parking in Dubai during peak hours?
Peak hour parking rates in Dubai are from 8 AM to 10 AM and from 4 PM to 8 PM from Saturday to Friday. Standard parking during these hours costs 4 AED per hour while premium parking costs 6 AED per hour. As of June 1, 2026, all parking rates charged by Parkin will have a 5% VAT added to the rates.
Is cash payment for parking in Dubai allowed?
From June 1, 2026, payment for parking services in Dubai will only be allowed via the Parkin app, SMS to 7275, the RTA app or Dubai Now app, a NOL card or credit card. Cash payments will not be accepted.
What should be the final thought on parking in Dubai?
Is it free to park in Dubai? It is free to park on the streets of Dubai on Sundays. Also, parking is free on United Arab Emirates public holidays, and from 10 PM to 8 AM. If you are parking in Dubai outside of these hours, you will have to use the Parkin app to pay for parking. Remember to use the Parkin app to pay for parking during the hours listed above. Multi-story parking lots will always charge a fee for parking.
