Starting on April 4, 2025, parking in Dubai is going to change significantly. Rates in premium zones will triple during peak hours, so get ready for a significant change in how parking is handled throughout the city. The first hour of parking in places like Al Barsha will change from Dh2 to Dh6, which may surprise a lot of drivers if they aren’t aware of it beforehand.
The adoption of this variable pricing system was not impulsive. With higher rates for six of the fourteen chargeable hours per day, it has been thoughtfully designed to address traffic problems in Dubai’s busiest areas. If this method sounds familiar, it’s because it works similarly to the Salik road toll system in Dubai, which charges more during periods of high demand.
What you should know about the timing is as follows:
- Peak times are from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Off-peak times are 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.You should budget Dh6 per hour for Zones W and WP during peak hours, while the rate drops to Dh4 during off-peak hours. Even though these changes won’t have an impact on your parking routine right now, being aware of them now will give you plenty of time to modify your routine and make plans for 2025.
Variable parking fees will be implemented in Dubai starting in April 2025.
The largest public parking company in Dubai, Parkin PJSC, has announced that variable parking rates will be implemented across the emirate beginning in April 2025. With this announcement, parking operations in Dubai’s crowded districts will undergo a significant change, shifting to a demand-based pricing model that more accurately accounts for real usage trends.
RTA announced a new tariff structure.
A new variable tariff structure that clearly distinguishes between premium and standard parking zones has been introduced by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in collaboration with Parkin. Premium parking spots will cost Dh6 per hour under this system during periods of high traffic. These premium zones, which include places within 500 meters of metro stations and high-density commercial areas, are not chosen at random.
During the same peak hours, parking in standard areas will cost you a more reasonable Dh4 per hour. The purpose of this two-tiered strategy is to better distribute parking demand and lessen the congestion that has grown all too common in Dubai’s busiest areas.
|
Time Period |
Classification |
Premium Zone Rate |
Standard Zone Rate |
|
8am-10am |
Peak Hours |
Dh6/hour |
Dh4/hour |
|
10am-4pm |
Off-Peak |
Regular rates |
Regular rates |
|
4pm-8pm |
Peak Hours |
Dh6/hour |
Dh4/hour |
|
8pm-10pm |
Off-Peak |
Regular rates |
Regular rates |
|
10pm-8am |
Overnight |
Free |
Free |
We have set up special hours for Ramadan 2025, with two fee-based times from Monday through Saturday: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. to midnight. This modification acknowledges the special change in daily schedules that occurs during the holy month.
Notably, off-peak hour rates (10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.) will not change, adhering to the current pricing structure that Dubai locals are already accustomed to. Multi-level parking structures will continue to have their own pricing schedules and be open around-the-clock.
Date of effect and schedule for implementation
On April 4, 2025, the full variable parking tariff system will go into effect. When the modifications to the Salik toll gate system were first announced in November 2024, the initial implementation date was set for March 2025. To make sure the right infrastructure and communication systems were in place, we did, however, update the timeline.
Instead of switching all at once, we have a planned, phased implementation strategy. On February 17, 2025, event-specific parking rates were introduced, marking the start of the first phase. This first phase impacts the neighborhoods around important locations, such as the Dubai World Trade Center, where parking is now Dh25 per hour during conferences and exhibits.
On April 4, 2025, the second and more extensive phase will begin when premium parking designations and peak-hour pricing are fully implemented in all public parking zones (A, B, C, and D). This gradual rollout was planned to allow locals and guests enough time to get used to the changes.
Parkin officials claim that the new system is based on in-depth market research and traffic pattern analysis. International best practices for managing urban parking are in line with the variable pricing model. Furthermore, the policy applies “peak and off-peak tariffs across 100 percent of the public parking portfolio and to approximately 35 percent of developer spaces,” extending its reach beyond public facilities.
In order to clearly identify premium zones and applicable rates, Parkin has already started updating signage throughout the impacted areas. In anticipation of the April implementation date, you’ll see new zone codes and tariff displays popping up all over Dubai. To make sure you’re completely informed of the changes, we’re also disseminating digital information about the new parking system via Parkin’s website, mobile app, and social media channels.
A crucial part of Dubai’s larger plan to control traffic and maximize urban mobility as the city continues to grow quickly is the implementation of variable parking fees.
Peak and Off-Peak Parking Hours Are Introduced by RTA
A well-thought-out time-based pricing structure is at the core of Dubai’s new parking strategy. In order to clearly distinguish between busy and quiet times of the day, we have designed this system to react directly to the natural flow of traffic. The way you approach parking in our city will be drastically changed by this change.
Peak hours are defined as 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Finding a parking space usually becomes difficult during “peak hours,” which are defined as six of the fourteen chargeable hours. The busiest parking hours are from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. in the morning and from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the evening, which corresponds perfectly with normal commuter schedules.
Here’s what you should know during these busy periods:
- The hourly rate for premium zones (designated by a “P” suffix) is Dh6.
- Standard zones continue to charge a fixed Dh4 per hour.
- The increased fees ensure that spaces are available and help control traffic.To help you understand, let’s examine a real-world example. Parking in Al Kifaf (Zone WP) will cost you:
- Dh6 per hour during the 8–10 am morning rush
- Dh6 per hour during the peak evening hours of 4 to 8 p.m.
- Dh4 per hour throughout all other hours of operationCompared to our previous flat-rate system, this targeted approach applies surcharges only during peak parking demand, which is a significant change.
Off-peak times
The good news? Rates stay the same during off-peak hours, which are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. This entails going back to the regular Dh4 per hour rate for premium zones during these slower times.
In order to make the system equitable, we have also included a number of exceptions:
- Parking on Sundays is free during peak hours, providing you with a break on the first day of the workweek.
- Public holidays: Parking is kept reasonably priced during special occasions by not charging premium rates.
- Overnight parking: We will continue to offer free overnight parking from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m.