Quick answer
Public street parking in Dubai is paid Monday to Saturday, 8am–10pm, and free on Sundays and public holidays. Premium zones cost AED 6 an hour at peak times (8–10am and 4–8pm) and AED 4 off-peak; standard zones cost less. You pay through the Parkin app, by SMS or at a machine, using the zone number on the orange sign.
1When is parking free in Dubai?
Paid hours are Monday to Saturday, 8am–10pm. Outside those hours, on Sundays and on public holidays, standard public parking is free. Some zones — around busy commercial areas and some multi-storey car parks — run longer hours, and the sign in each zone is what counts.
2How much is parking in Dubai?
| Zone | Peak (8–10am, 4–8pm) | Off-peak |
|---|---|---|
| Premium (busy areas near metro stations and commercial streets) | Peak (8–10am, 4–8pm)AED 6 an hour | Off-peakAED 4 an hour |
| Standard | Peak (8–10am, 4–8pm)Around AED 4 an hour | Off-peakAround AED 2 an hour |
Dubai's parking operator, Parkin, sets the tariffs and they can change. The price for each zone is on its sign and in the app.
3How do you pay for parking in Dubai?
- 1Find the zone number on the orange parking sign or the machine.
- 2Pay in the Parkin app (or the RTA app) with the car's plate number and the zone, choosing how long.
- 3Or send an SMS to 7275 with the plate number, zone and hours — the charge goes on your phone bill, so it needs a UAE number.
- 4Or pay at the machine with a card or coins, and leave the ticket on the dashboard where it can be read.
The app sends a reminder before your time runs out and lets you extend without walking back to the car. For a rental car, enter the plate exactly as it appears, including the plate code.
4Is parking free at malls and hotels?
Many malls give a number of free hours and then charge, often with the plate read by camera at the entrance, and the rules differ between weekdays and weekends. Hotels usually offer free or discounted parking to guests, and valet at the entrance.
Beach car parks and parks in popular areas are often paid and busy at weekends; arrive early or use the Metro and tram for the last stretch.
5What parking fines should you avoid?
On a rental car, parking fines reach the rental company and are billed to you, usually with an admin fee.
- Staying past the time you paid for.
- Parking in a resident permit zone — common in residential areas, marked on the signs.
- Blocking other cars, fire lanes or pavements; cars can be towed.
- Parking on sand lots that are not marked as public parking.
6Parking at popular places in Dubai
| Where | Parking | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown / Dubai Mall | ParkingLarge mall car parks plus paid street parking | TipNote your car park zone and level — the malls are huge |
| Dubai Marina | ParkingPaid street parking, mall and tower car parks | TipEvening spaces are scarce; the tram helps |
| JBR beach | ParkingPaid parking near The Walk and the beach | TipArrive early at weekends |
| Old Dubai (Deira, Bur Dubai) | ParkingPaid street zones, busy | TipPark once and walk the souks |
| Palm Jumeirah | ParkingHotel and mall parking | TipHotels often validate parking for guests and diners |
Rules and prices at private car parks are set by each operator and posted at the entrance.
7Parking tips for rental cars
- Photograph the zone sign and your parking ticket or app confirmation.
- Set the app reminder before you walk away.
- Never block another car, even for two minutes — towing is quick.
- In summer, use shaded or covered parking; interiors get dangerously hot.
- At hotels, ask about guest parking before you use the street.
Frequently asked questions
Is parking free on Sundays in Dubai?
Standard public parking is free on Sundays and public holidays. Check the zone sign, as some areas and car parks charge every day.
What are Dubai's paid parking hours?
Monday to Saturday, 8am–10pm, for standard public parking.
Can I pay for parking with a foreign phone number?
SMS payment needs a UAE number. Use the Parkin app or the machines instead.
What happens if I get a parking fine in a rental car?
It goes to the rental company as the owner, which charges it to you, usually from the deposit and often with an admin fee.
Is parking free at night in Dubai?
Street parking is free outside the paid hours — from 10pm until 8am in most zones — and all day on Sundays and public holidays. Some areas and private car parks follow their own hours, so read the sign.
Where can I park near the Dubai Mall?
The mall's own car parks are the easiest option, with thousands of spaces and signed zones. Note the zone and level where you leave the car — the car parks are large and look alike.
Written by the TripReview team from our own price benchmarks and the rules published by UAE authorities, and updated 22 September 2026. Figures are ranges, not quotes — check the latest rules with the official source before you travel. How we rate companies
