Dubai parking fees 2026: zones, peak hours and how to pay

Most paid public parking in Dubai charges from 8am to 10pm, Monday to Saturday, and is free overnight, on Sundays and on public holidays, according to Parkin, the company that runs the emirate's public parking. Since 4 April 2025 the price also depends on the time of day. Peak hours are 8am to 10am and 4pm to 8pm; off-peak hours are 10am to 4pm and 8pm to 10pm. In a premium zone the first hour at peak time costs AED 6.30 in Parkin's zone tables, while off-peak rates stayed as they were.

How the zones work

Every parking bay has a zone code on its sign: a letter, sometimes followed by a P. The P marks a premium zone. Parkin says premium bays are in busy, high-demand areas such as Deira, Bur Dubai, Downtown Dubai, Business Bay and Jumeirah. It picks them for being within 500 metres of a metro station, for being full at peak hours, or for sitting in dense markets and commercial districts. Zones A and C are roadside bays along the street. Zones B and D are plots, open car parks where longer stays are allowed.

What parking costs in the main zones

These are Parkin's published prices, off-peak first and peak second.

Premium roadside, zone AP: AED 4.20 an hour off-peak and AED 6.30 at peak, up to 4 hours (AED 16.80 or AED 25.20). Half an hour is AED 2.10, or AED 3.15 at peak.

Standard roadside, zone A: AED 4.20 an hour at any time, up to 4 hours (AED 16.80). Half an hour is AED 2.10.

Premium plots, zone BP: AED 3.15 an hour off-peak and AED 6.30 at peak. A full day of 14 hours is AED 42.

Standard plots, zone B: AED 3.15 an hour off-peak and AED 4.20 at peak. 14 hours is AED 31.50.

Premium roadside, zone CP: AED 2.10 an hour off-peak and AED 6.30 at peak, up to 4 hours.

Standard roadside, zone C: AED 2.10 an hour off-peak and AED 4.20 at peak, up to 4 hours.

Premium plots, zone DP: AED 2.10 an hour off-peak and AED 6.30 at peak. 14 hours is AED 31.50.

Standard plots, zone D: AED 2.10 an hour off-peak and AED 4.20 at peak. 14 hours is AED 21.

Areas with their own codes

Some districts have their own codes and prices. In Jumeirah Lakes Towers, zones E and I cost AED 10.50 an hour at any time, while zones J, K and L cost AED 4.20 off-peak and AED 6.30 at peak. Burj Khalifa, Business Bay and Dubai Healthcare City (zone GP) cost AED 4.20 off-peak and AED 6.30 at peak. Dubai Hills (zone G) and Damac Hills (zone H) are AED 4.20 an hour at any time. Dubai Media City, Dubai Internet City and Dubai Knowledge Park (zone F) charge AED 4.20 an hour, up to AED 33.60 for 14 hours. Dubai Sports City (zone S) is AED 2.10 an hour. International City (zone Q) charges from 8am to midnight, AED 3.15 for the first hour.

Zones that charge every day

Not every zone is free on Sundays or at night. Parking at mosques (zones M and MP), in Al Quoz Industrial Second (zone N), at the Fruits and Vegetables Market (zone V) and in Al Qusais First, Al Karama and Madinat Dubai Al Melaheyah (zone W) is paid 24 hours a day, Monday to Sunday. Always read the sign next to your bay before you leave the car.

Multi-storey car parks and malls

Parkin's multi-storey car parks are open 24 hours, every day, at AED 5 an hour plus 5% VAT, or AED 40 plus VAT for 24 hours. At City Centre Deira the first three hours are free, Monday to Saturday; after that it is AED 20 for the fourth hour, rising step by step to AED 150 for seven hours or more. At Mall of the Emirates the first four hours are free, Monday to Friday, then AED 20 for the fifth hour, rising to AED 150 for eight hours or more. Both charge AED 200 for a car left overnight between 4am and 6am.

During big events

Since 17 February 2025 the streets around major festivals, exhibitions, conferences and concerts can switch to event pricing for the duration. The zones are marked with the event tariff on their signs, in the Parkin app and on Parkin's social media. Parkin's tables give AED 26.25 an hour, for up to four hours, during events in zone X (Trade Centre First, Trade Centre Second and Za'abeel Second).

How to pay by SMS or WhatsApp

Send a message to 7275 with your plate number, the zone number on the sign and the hours, separated by spaces. "A00000 123A" buys one hour, "A00000 123A 1/2" half an hour and "A00000 123A 2" two hours. Registered users can write their nickname instead of the plate. A virtual ticket comes back by message, and a reminder arrives 10 minutes before it runs out: reply "Y" to add another hour. Each SMS costs 30 fils on top of the parking fee, and the service works on etisalat, du and Virgin Mobile lines. Do not delete the confirmation message. Parking can also be paid in the Parkin app.

Common questions

Is parking free on Sundays? In most zones, yes, all day, and on public holidays too. Zones M, MP, N, V and W are the exceptions.

Is parking free at night? In most zones, from 10pm to 8am.

Where can I check a zone? Parkin's website and app list every zone and its prices. Parkin's helpline is 800 7275 and its email ask@parkin.ae.