Parking in Dubai Made Easy: Your Essential 2024 Guide

What comes to your mind when you hear about the city of Dubai? Of course, this is luxury, the city of the future, unforgettable impressions, and rest to the fullest. One of the best ways to make your stay in this incredible place comfortable and active is to rent a car that will serve as your reliable partner. You can rent without deposit which will save you not only money but also allow you to enjoy a pleasant drive.

An integral part of your driving adventure in Dubai is the ability to park your car safely. In this article, you will be able to read which parking zones make up the extensive system throughout the city, when and how best to park, what violations to avoid, how to pay for parking, and many other answers to your questions. Information on parking in Dubai is regularly updated.

Types of parking in Dubai

Before telling you about different types of parking in Dubai, it is important to mention The Roads and Transport Authority - RTA - because it plays a leading role in the transportation system in Dubai, OAE, and in creating and implementing legislation.

So, when we talk about parking in Dubai, there are paid and free parking all over the city. Most parking lots in Dubai are paid - they can be municipal and private.

The whole city and all locations are divided into categories and zones:

• commercial area category includes roadside parking in Zone A and Zone B - you can leave your car at private parking lots, public garages, or various valet services;
• non-commercial area category - Zone C and Zone D - shopping mall parking lots, residential areas, popular sightseeing spots, and public beaches;
• special Dubai parking areas include E, F, G, H, I, J, and K parking zones - loading and unloading spots for business and deliveries, parking for people with disabilities, and VIP parking spaces.

So, as you can see, Dubai authorities take care of different types of transport and categories of the population and tourists.

Parking Zones in Dubai

There are 11 parking zones throughout the city, each marked with a special sign and has its parking fees, and also you can find the map online on the RTA website.

Zone A

Zone A is a short-term zone for parking in Dubai because it includes all roadside parking in busy commercial areas of Dubai.

Timing: Mon-Sat 8:00 am - 10:00 pm, no breaks

Ramadan Timing: 8:00 am - 6:00 pm; 8:00 pm - 12:00 am

Zone B

Zone B also includes parking lots in commercial areas, but it’s long-term because this zone is located in not-so-busy places. Compared to Zone A it’s cheaper to park there.

Timing: Mon-Sat 8:00 am - 10:00 pm, no breaks

Ramadan Timing: 8:00 am - 6:00 pm; 8:00 pm - 12:00 am

Zone C

Zone C is a roadside parking in residential areas. It’s a non-commercial short-term type of parking in Dubai. If you need to visit any residential area, seek for Zone C parking signs.

Timing: Mon-Sat 8:00 am - 10:00 pm, no breaks

Ramadan Timing: 8:00 am - 6:00 pm; 8:00 pm - 12:00 am

Zone D

Zone D also belongs to the non-commercial category and includes all the residential areas parking in districts Al Qusais and Al Nahda. It is considered to be the cheapest zone to park there.

Timing: Mon-Sat 8:00 am - 10:00 pm, no breaks

Ramadan Timing: 8:00 am - 6:00 pm; 8:00 pm - 12:00 am

Zone E

Now let’s talk about special areas. Zone E comprises underground and public car parking of the Waterfront Market, the former Deira Fish Market.

Timing: Mon - Sat 8:00 am - 11:00 pm, no breaks

Ramadan Timing: 8:00 am - 6:00 pm; 8:00 pm - 12:00 am

The underground parking spaces are free.

Zone F

Zone F is also a special area parking zone that belongs to Barsha Heights, more known as Tecom areas (Dubai Media City, The Knowledge Village Hotel, and Dubai Internet City).

Timing: Mon - Sat 8:00 am - 6:00 pm, no breaks

Ramadan Timing: 8:00 am - 6:00 pm

Zone G

If you need to go downtown, search for Zone G, which covers Burj Khalifa, the Marasi Bay area, and the Dubai Health Care City Area.

Timing: Mon-Sat 8:00 am - 10:00 pm, no breaks

Ramadan Timing: 8:00 am - 6:00 pm

Zone H

When you find yourself in a free-trade zone, you are in Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO) and it is Zone H. Within this zone you will be charged the same as to park in Zone A.

Timing: Mon - Sat 8:00 am - 10:00 pm, no breaks

Ramadan Timing: 8:00 am - 6:00 pm; 8:00 pm - 12:00 am

Zones I, J, and K

Zone I is one of three designated parking spaces at Jumeirah Lake Tower (Zone J and Zone K are also included in this area). It’s a prime parking zone and you can only stay there for up to three hours. The parking fees are 10 AED per hour.

Timing: Mon-Sat 8:00 am - 10:00 pm, no breaks

Ramadan Timing: 8:00 am - 6:00 pm; 8:00 pm - 12:00 am

Zone J is a short-term parking zone where you can also park your car for 30 minutes up to 3 hours.

Timing: Mon-Sat 8:00 am - 10:00 pm, no breaks

Ramadan Timing: 8:00 am - 6:00 pm; 8:00 pm - 12:00 am

Zone K differs from the previous two zones as it’s a long-term parking space where you can leave your car for up to 24 hours.

Timing: Mon-Sat 8:00 am - 10:00 pm, no breaks

Ramadan Timing: 8:00 am - 6:00 pm; 8:00 pm - 12:00 am

During the holy month of Ramadan, the hours of free parking have traditionally been changed. From Monday to Saturday, the toll will be charged from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and from 8:00 p.m. to midnight.

Parking in Dubai will be free for two hours - from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.- so believers can finish their fast and visit the mosque for evening prayers. Parking in zone F in the Tecom area will be free from 18:00 to 08:00 the next day. Parking fees for multi-level parking lots will be charged 24/7 throughout Ramadan.

Dubai Parking Area Categories

In addition to different zones, paid parking spaces are divided into two main categories: category 1 and category 2. Category 1 covers Zones A and B, more specifically - Deira, Bur Dubai, and Jumeirah areas. Category 2 comprises all other paid parking lots in Dubai including roadside parking. If the location does not fall into category 1 it automatically falls into category 2.

Separately, it is worth paying attention to multi-story parking lots, where the parking fees are AED 5 per hour.

Regardless of the categories, everyone should know where and when parking in Dubai is free. According to The OAE Government Portal people with determination are allowed to park free of charge. Usually, parking is free on Sundays and public holidays. RTA announced free parking in Dubai on the Eid Al Adha holiday.

How to pay for parking in Dubai?

Paying for parking in Dubai is actually very easy and the local authorities have made sure that you have a choice of payment methods:

• Coins - an old-fashioned but still popular way to pay for Dubai parking. However, this can be inconvenient for those who do not carry local coins - fils.
• mParking or paying via SMS - RTA offers you an easy way to pay for parking, you just need to send a text message to 7275 and write your plate number - space - area code - duration of your stay at the parking lot. This SMS will only cost you 30 fils to send. After that, you will receive a confirmation text and it works as your paid ticket.
• WhatsApp - not only SMS can be used as a “payment message”, but you can also send a text with your car’s license plate number to the RTA WhatsApp number +971 505 936 646, choose a parking area, and send the number of hours you’re about to park your vehicle for and you receive a payment link.
• RTA Dubai or Dubai Drive app - download the app, register your car, and follow the instructions. This way is considered to be the most convenient and easy, and it is the most popular among users. The app is available for both Android and iOS devices.
• RTA website - if you don’t want to download the app on your phone you can visit the official website at any time and pay for parking there.
• Pre-paid cards - you can go to any grocery store or supermarket and take care of paying for parking in advance by purchasing AED 30, AED 50, or AED 100 worth of cards.
• NOL card - it is a rechargeable smart card that makes your life easier in Dubai, especially if you use not only rented cars but also public transport. It can be purchased at metro and bus stations, in some supermarkets (Spinneys, Waitrose, and Carrefour), RTA customer happiness centers, or through their website.
• Seasonal parking cards - if you want to save money on car parking, then these cards are your reliable assistant. Buy a card for 3 months, 6 months, or a whole year, securely place the card on the car display, and no longer worry about payment. This method is suitable only for those who plan to stay in Dubai for a long period.
• Salik - it’s a special tag that works similarly: you buy it, register your vehicle, and stick this tag onto your windshield. And enjoy driving without barriers.
• RFID bank cards - simply pay by credit and debit cards equipped with RFID chips at the parking ticket machine, get a ticket, and display it.
• NFC - and last but not least - Near Field Communication technology. Swipe your smartphone over the terminal and confirm the transaction.

Many customers are interested nowadays, can I pay in cryptocurrency in Dubai? Sometimes it seems that the Emirates already live in the future, so the answer is yes, Dubai is very crypto-friendly. So, that is one of the possible ways to pay for using parking spaces.

Fines Associated with Parking in Dubai

RTA is called upon to develop a whole set of parking rules to ensure that their transport system functions flawlessly. Since road users are an integral part of it, they also regulate the issue of car parking spaces throughout the city. Here is a list of existing fines for improper parking that you should be familiar with*.

*https://www.dubaipolice.gov.ae/wps/portal/home/opendata/fines/!ut/p/z0/04_Sj9CPykssy0xPLMnMz0vMAfIjo8zi_T29HQ2NvA18_V2NzQwCA_y9Ayy83Y3cTU30g1Pz9AuyHRUBDwd0dQ!!/

**Fines in dollars are approximate because they depend on the exchange rate at the time of payment.

Along with a fine for parking rules violations, you may receive black points from the local authorities. Usually, the rental companies just advise you to pay the fine, but if you plan a long-term stay in Dubai, you need to get rid of these points. To do this, you need to visit the official website of the Dubai Police, check your black points (min 2 - max 24), sign up for a traffic awareness course, and keep driving safely.