Dubai rolls out new parking fees from April 4: Everything you need to know

“The introduction of a Variable Pricing Tariff Policy marks a recent evolution to Dubai’s regulatory parking landscape, representing a strategic step forward for both Parkin and the emirate. This important update aligns our operations with international standards, reflecting Dubai’s progressive approach to urban mobility and traffic management. The locations for premium parking spaces were selected based on three criteria: first, ease of access to the area using public transport, such as areas within 500 meters of a metro station; second, areas with high parking occupancy during peak periods; and third, density and congestion, such as markets and commercial activity zones,” Eng. Mohamed Abdulla Al Ali, CEO of Parkin, said in a statement.

Premium parking locations in Dubai

The Road and Transport Authority Dubai (RTA) will designate certain areas as Premium Parking zones in high-demand, densely populated areas, including those near public transport infrastructure.

“Premium parking spaces include, for example, commercial areas in parts of Deira and Bur Dubai, Downtown Dubai, Business Bay, Jumeirah and Al Wasl Road and other locations,” Al Ali said.

New tariff structure

The new tariff structure divides the day into peak and off-peak hours. Peak hours include:

• 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM
• 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Rates include:

• AED6 per hour for Premium Parking spaces
• AED4 per hour for all other public paid parking spaces

Off-peak hours include:

• 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
• 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM

However, tariffs remain unchanged. Parking will continue to be free overnight from 10:00 PM to 8:00 AM and all day Sunday.

For major events such as conferences, exhibitions, festivals, and concerts, special event parking zones with adjusted rates will be activated to manage higher vehicle volumes.

That said, Parkin has classified parking into Premium and Standard categories. Premium zones exist in areas with high demand, including those near public transport. These zones have signs and tariff information on display, with details available on Parkin’s website, app and social media.

Following discussions with the RTA, 40 per cent of Parkin’s public portfolio is now designated as Premium Parking, up from the previous 35 per cent. The rest remains as Standard Parking.

As of late 2024, Parkin operated 3,200 spaces across six multi-storey car parks. The tariff for these remains at AED5 per hour, charged continuously throughout the year. Parking for more than eight hours in a 24-hour period will cost a maximum of AED40.

Parkin’s private developer portfolio included 19,200 spaces at the end of 2024. After RTA consultations, about 35 per cent of this portfolio will now use the variable tariff, up from the previously expected 0 per cent.

For events at Dubai World Trade Centre, parking in the 200 surrounding spaces will cost AED25 per hour from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Events scheduled for 2025 include:

• GITEX (October 13-17)
• Beautyworld Middle East (October 27-29)
• Gulfood Manufacturing (November 4-6)
• The Big 5 (November 24-27)
• Automechanika Dubai (December 9-11)

Under premium peak pricing, parking costs will increase by 50 percent.

Dubai Zone A parking

Dubai Zone B parking

Dubai Zone C parking

Dubai Zone D parking