Dubai is among the most technologically advanced cities in the world. Almost everything here is automated, from vehicle refueling to paying for parking tickets. Specific parking areas are free in Dubai, especially for electric vehicles and people with disabilities. If you’re a driver, always be attentive to paid and free parking lots, rates, and time limits. Even paid parking areas may have limits, and violating them will result in fines.
Public parking facilities are available almost everywhere: from residential buildings, hotels, malls, and even beaches. You’ll even find parking near Dubai metro stations, so that you can leave your car and enjoy the journey on the train to avoid the overloaded traffic on the roads.
If you keep reading this article, you’ll learn everything you need to know about free and paid public parking in Dubai.
Parking Zones in Dubai, Available in 2025
Dubai has eleven different parking zones, separated by location and purpose. Each zone has its own rules and conditions.
Since April 4, 2025, Dubai’s RTA (Roads and Transport Authority) has introduced a new variable parking tariff policy. During peak hours (8-10 a.m. and 4-8 p.m.), premium parking zones (A-D) will be charged at AED 6/hour, while all zones switch back to standard parking AED 4/hour rates during off‑peak hours. Also, the premium rate may apply during off-peak hours in specific zones where the cost is higher due to demand. Let’s review each zone with a price breakdown (including new parking fees).
Zone A
Zone A includes roadside parking in some of the busiest areas of Dubai, like downtown Dubai. These lots are available from Monday to Sunday, open from 8am to 10pm. Drivers parking their vehicles here pay variable parking costs depending on the time of day:
Standard tariff:
- 4 AED per hour
- 8 AED for 2 hours
- 12 AED for 3 hours
- 16 AED for 4 hours
Premium tariff (peak hours and off-peak hours):
- 6 AED per hour
- 12 AED for 2 hours
- 18 AED for 3 hours
- 24 AED for 4 hours
Zone B
Zone B parking lots rules are similar to those of Zone A. These areas are also located in busy parts of the city, which are less in demand by drivers, but are still perfect for those parking their vehicles in key locations. Their schedule is also the same: they open at 8am and close at 10pm. This zone also applies variable parking costs based on peak times:
Standard tariff (Off-Peak/Peak):
- 3 AED per hour / 4 AED
- 6 AED for 2 hours / 8 AED
- 9 AED for 3 hours / 12 AED
- 12 AED for 4 hours / 16 AED
- 20 AED per day / 30 AED
Premium tariff (Off-Peak/Peak):
- 3 AED per hour / 6 AED
- 6 AED for 2 hours / 12 AED
- 9 AED for 3 hours / 18 AED
- 12 AED for 4 hours / 24 AED
- 40 AED per day
Zone C
Zone C is associated with non-commercial areas. It mainly includes roadside lots within residential districts of the city. Similarly to the previous categories, the parking lots here work from 8am to 10pm. Users also use the RTA Dubai system here for payment:
Standard tariff (Off-Peak/Peak):
- 2 AED per hour / 4 AED
- 5 AED for 2 hours / 8 AED
- 8 AED for 3 hours / 12 AED
- 11 AED for 4 hours / 16 AED
Premium tariff (Off-Peak/Peak):
- 2 AED per hour / 6 AED
- 5 AED for 2 hours / 12 AED
- 8 AED for 3 hours / 18 AED
- 11 AED for 4 hours / 24 AED
Zone D
Zone D is also dedicated to non-commercial areas. It includes lots in residential districts such as Al Qusais and Al Nahda. The schedule here remains the same. It is possible to use them from 8am until 10pm. Drivers will be interested in discovering that these parking lots are the cheapest. This zone offers the most affordable parking costs for parking their vehicles:
Standard tariff (Off-Peak / Peak):
- 2 AED per hour / 4 AED
- 4 AED for 2 hours / 8 AED
- 5 AED for 3 hours / 12 AED
- 7 AED for 4 hours / 16 AED
- 10 AED per day / 20 AED
Premium tariff (Off-Peak / Peak):
- 2 AED per hour / 6 AED
- 4 AED for 2 hours / 12 AED
- 6 AED for 3 hours / 18 AED
- 7 AED for 4 hours / 24 AED
- 30 AED per day
Zone E
Parking lots in this category are located in open-air and underground garages. Many underground spaces offer free parking. They operate from Monday to Saturday, 8am to 11pm.
- 4 AED per hour
- 8 AED for two hours
- 12 AED for three hours
- 16 AED for four hours
Zone F
This category includes many parking areas in Tecom. It is worth mentioning that these parking spaces have reduced working hours. Like most other lots, they open at 8am, but they close at 6pm. The RTA parking system applies here:
- 2 AED for one hour
- 5 AED for two hours
- 8 AED for three hours
- 11 AED for four hours
Zone G & Zone H
Zones G and H have the exact parking costs. Zone G includes some paid parking areas in the most popular parts of Dubai. Some of them are located near Burj Khalifa, Marasi Bay, and other key spots in the city. Drivers can leave their vehicles there from Monday to Saturday. Zone H features parking areas in Dubai Silicon Oasis. Similar to some other zones, these spaces allow parking for 30 minutes. The schedule here is the same as in Zone G: the lots open at 8am, close at 10pm, and operate from Monday to Saturday. The price for using them will be:
- 4 AED for one hour
- 8 AED for two hours
- 12 AED for three hours
- 16 AED for four hours
Zone I
The three remaining zones include parking lots in the Jumeirah Lake Tower area. Zone I parking is the most in-demand, and the maximum parking time here is limited to three hours. They work according to the regular schedule: from 8am to 10pm from Monday to Saturday. Due to high demand, parking here is also more costly.
- 10 AED for one hour
- 20 AED for two hours
- 30 AED for three hours
Zone J
Similarly to the previous zone, the maximum usage of these parking lots is limited to three hours. They operate from Monday to Saturday. The spaces open at 8am and close at 10pm without any breaks in between. Zone J allows for 30-minute parking. The prices here are:
- 2 AED for 30 minutes
- 4 AED for one hour of parking
- 8 AED for two hours
- 12 AED for three hours
Zone K
The last zone on the list also allows 30-minute parking. Its main feature is the extended maximum usage period. Zone K in Dubai refers to parking areas typically located near tourist attractions, beaches, and recreational zones, as well as in high-footfall areas where long-term parking is allowed (unlike Zones I and J, which have a 3-hour maximum limit). These areas work from 8am to 10 pm Monday through Saturday, and the fee for parking here will be:
- 2 AED for 30 minutes
- 4 AED for one hour
- 8 AED for two hours
- 12 AED for three hours
- 16 AED for four hours
- 20 AED for five hours
- 24 AED for six hours
- 28 AED for seven hours
- 32 AED for 24 hours
Categories of Parking Lots in Dubai
Dubai parking lots are also assigned to one of two categories, each with different rates and purposes. These categories help to organize the parking system and guarantee fair pricing, based on location and demand.
Category One
This category includes parking zones in Dubai’s busiest and most central areas, where demand and parking rates are generally higher. For example, in the Deira, Bur Dubai, Dubai Marina, and Jumeirah areas, the most popular destinations assigned to Category One are Port Saeed, Oud Metha, Al Souq Al Kabeer, Dubai World Trade Center, and Jumeirah Beach Residence.
Category Two
The second category includes parking areas in less crowded or popular parts of Dubai and its surroundings. The prices have remained mostly unchanged, except for multi-storey parking spaces, which have raised their rates to 5 AED per hour. Areas like Dubai Internet City or Dubai Media City are usually in Category 2 with more affordable public parking options.
How to Pay the Parking Fee in Dubai?
The system of paying the parking tariffs in Dubai is well thought-out and intuitive, so drivers won’t have to spend too much time figuring it out. Parking meters are usually installed in all paid parking areas across the city. You can choose between paying via smartphones, prepaid cards, or special machines in every parking lot.
- Mobile App: The app is available on Android and iOS via Google Play and the App Store. It’s user-friendly, supports English, and makes paying for public parking spaces easy.
- Parking Machines: All parking lots in Dubai have special devices for parking charge payments. The machines accept different coins and print out tickets after paying the fee. Remember to pin these tickets to their vehicle’s windshield when using paid parking lots.
- Prepaid Cards: Prepaid parking-lot cards are available in different denominations. You can buy one for 30 AED, 50 AED, or 100 AED and use the balance to pay for parking.
- Seasonal Cards: Seasonal cards are available for parking lots in prime areas of Dubai (Zone A and Zone B). Unlike prepaid cards, they have no face value but offer unlimited parking during their validity. Options include three, six, and twelve months.
- NOL Cards: NOL cards are convenient, especially if you park in Dubai regularly.
After obtaining such a card, it will be necessary to top up its balance. The tariff will be deducted from the balance every time the driver uses a parking lot. - SMS Payments: To use this method, you need to send a message in the correct format to 7275. The text should include the license plate number, the number of the parking area, and the number of hours. If the format is correct, the driver will receive a confirmation message within five minutes, and the tariff will be deducted from your phone balance.
- Payments via WhatsApp: WhatsApp is an alternative to smartphone payment. However, you’ll still need a local SIM card to use it, as funds will be deducted from its balance.
- RFID Bank Cards: The parking machines in Dubai also accept credit and debit cards with RFID chips.
- NFC: NFC (Near-Field Communication) is a short-range wireless communication technology. To use it, you must activate NFC on your phone and link a bank card to a payment system. Hold your phone near the terminal to pay, and the amount will be automatically deducted.
What Happens If You Don’t Pay for Parking in Dubai
In the United Arab Emirates (as in any other country), drivers may be fined for violating parking regulations. So, pay attention to these regulations and avoid parking your vehicle in the wrong places. Let’s review the most common violations and their penalties.
- Parking Violations Fines: Due to limited parking availability (especially when parking in busy areas), drivers may block traffic or misuse spaces, leading to fines of 200 AED or more. Failing to pay the parking tariff or not displaying the ticket on the windshield may also result in a 150 AED fine.
- Exceeding the Parking Limit: A vehicle that stays beyond the allowed time in paid parking spaces may be fined 100 AED.
- Parking in Pedestrian Areas: Leaving your vehicle on sidewalks or other pedestrian areas may result in a 200 AED fine. The same fine applies if you park outside designated parking spaces, especially near areas with heavy foot traffic or public transport access.
- Parking Without a License Plate: Parking a vehicle without a license plate is considered a more serious violation. In such a situation, the driver must pay a fine of 1,000 AED.
- Unauthorized Usage of Special Parking Slots: Parking in designated parking spots for people with disabilities or other reserved categories without a valid parking permit is strictly prohibited. Even if parking is free in that area, unauthorized use can lead to a fine of up to 1000 AED. Even if the driver has a parking permit, but it has expired, he will get a fine anyway.
- Parking in Reserved Spaces: Vehicles are forbidden to park in Dubai in places for special needs and in other reserved areas. Such special public parking lots usually have corresponding marks on the roadway, so they’re hard not to notice. If the driver leaves their vehicle in such an area, they must pay a fine of 1,000 AED.
- Causing Damage in Parking Facilities: According to Dubai laws, damaging parking area equipment (parking machines, information signs, etc.) is forbidden. The penalty is usually 1,000 AED.
- Fines for Umbrellas: In Dubai, using portable umbrellas to cover vehicles from the sun is prohibited, as it bothers other users of the paid parking lot. The fine for placing a portable umbrella over a car is 1,000 AED.
Parking in The City: Tips and Advice
- Off-peak parking hours: If your schedule is flexible, park during off-peak hours to avoid traffic and higher demand for parking spaces.
- Event parking: Event parking zones may be available during major festivals, exhibitions, concerts, or sports games. These areas are usually marked and offer special rates or permits, but they fill up quickly.
- Free parking: Some locations, like specific malls or beaches, offer free parking for a limited time. For example, shopping centers provide free parking for the first 2-3 hours.
- Dedicated parking zones: Always check signs to avoid fines. Residential areas, business districts, and tourist hotspots often have designated parking for residents, visitors, or delivery vehicles. Dedicated zones typically have different rules and time limits.
- Parking near metro stations: Some RTA parking areas are located in close proximity to metro stations, making it easy to park your car and switch to public transit during busy hours. This tip can be very useful when going to events or downtown areas.
FAQ
At what time do I not need to pay parking fees?
Free parking in Dubai is generally available on Sundays and during public holidays unless limited by the RTA.
What distinguishes variable parking, public parking, and premium parking?
The main difference is in location, pricing, and time limits. Public parking zones are available throughout the city and follow regular hourly rates. Premium parking spaces are more expensive and often have shorter time limits. These premium parking zones are designed for short stays. Meanwhile, variable parking tariff policy means that the parking fee can change depending on the time of day, zone, or day of the week.
When do parking tariffs apply in Dubai parking zones?
Parking charges must be paid within working hours. Most Dubai’s parking zones work between 8am and 10pm.
What is the maximum period a vehicle can be parked for?
The maximum number of parking hours may vary depending on the parking area. Most paid roadside parking lots have a maximum limit of four hours, while many others allow parking for 24 hours. If the driver needs to leave their vehicle for an extended period, it is possible to use a multi-storey parking area. Such areas have a maximum limit of 30 days.
How do you discover the zone of a specific parking lot?
Look for an orange sign to find the zone and other important details about a specific parking lot. This sign contains all the information about the zone and parking rules. These signs are found at every designated parking lot in Dubai and nearby areas.