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Public parking in Dubai is paid from 8am to 10pm, Monday to Saturday, in most zones, and costs from Dh2.10 to Dh6.30 an hour including VAT. It is free overnight, on Sundays and on public holidays in most zones. Since 1 June 2026 you also can't feed the meter with coins, because Parkin has ended cash payments at its meters. Not paying costs Dh150, which is why it pays to know the zones.
How much does parking cost in Dubai?
Parkin added 5% VAT to all its parking tariffs on 1 June 2026, and it says the underlying tariff structure did not change. These are the hourly rates as Gulf News listed them, with VAT.
| Rate | Per hour | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Premium, peak | Dh6.30 | 8am to 10am and 4pm to 8pm, except Sundays |
| Standard | Dh4.20 | Paid hours |
| Lower tariff A | Dh3.15 | Paid hours, where the zone uses it |
| Lower tariff B | Dh2.10 | Paid hours, where the zone uses it |
Premium pricing started on 4 April 2025 and covers spots near public transport and busy districts. Around Dubai World Trade Centre, Gulf News reported a separate rate of Dh25 an hour during major events, so check the sign if a big exhibition is on.
Parkin asked the RTA in February 2026 to adjust its tariffs, and any change needs approval from Dubai's Executive Council. We found no decision as of 3 November 2026, so look at the rate on the meter or in the app on the day.
What do the Parkin zone codes mean?
Every paid bay belongs to a zone with a code on the sign and on the meter, such as 333D. The number is the area and the letter is the zone type. Gulf News counts 11 main zones, A to K, with more than 20 variations. Letters ending in P, such as AP, BP, CP and DP, are the premium versions of the older A, B, C and D zones.
- A and C are short-stay zones, commercial and residential. One rental guide puts the maximum stay at 4 hours.
- B and D allow up to 24 hours, the same guide says, and have daily rate options.
- M and MP are mosque-area zones, free during prayer times.
- Newer community zones have their own rules. International City (621Q), for example, runs from 8am to midnight.
When is parking free in Dubai?
Gulf News said in its 1 June 2026 guide that parking is free every night from 10pm to 8am, and all day on Sundays and official public holidays. Two warnings. Some reports in May 2026 quoted 1am to 6am as the free window for parking. That is the Salik overnight window, and sources disagree here, so trust the sign. And some zones never stop: Gulf News lists codes W and X, in areas including Al Karama and Trade Centre, as open 24 hours every day, and Al Khail Gate (365N) has no free Sunday.
How do you pay for parking in a rental car?
- Parkin app. One rental guide says it accepts a phone number from any country and a foreign card. Parkin itself recommends the app because it avoids the extra charge on SMS. Add the plate from your rental contract before you park.
- SMS to 7275. Send plate, zone and hours separated by spaces, for example A12345 312C 2. You need a UAE SIM, and guides quote a Dh0.30 fee on top.
- Meter. Cash has gone. Parkin confirms nol cards still work, and one rental guide also lists bank cards.
Parkin has also begun replacing meters in some busy areas with cameras that read number plates. Gulf News reported more than 500 street cameras in the first phase, in places such as Burj Khalifa, Trade Centre 1 and Al Corniche, with charges taken automatically through the app and digital wallet. On a rented plate, don't assume you are covered. Ask how it works for your car before you leave it.
What are the parking fines in Dubai?
| Fine | Street and plot parking | Multi-storey car parks |
|---|---|---|
| Dh100 | Overstaying, or staying after the ticket expires | Not listed |
| Dh150 | Not paying, or no ticket on display when required | Lost ticket or card |
| Dh200 | No-parking areas, on the pavement | Double parking, blocking traffic, outside the bay lines |
| Dh500 | Not listed | Exceeding the maximum stay |
| Dh1,000 | Reserved People of Determination bays without a permit | Evading the fee, misusing reserved bays |
You can pay a fine on parkin.ae or in the Parkin app by plate, traffic file or fine number. On a rental, the fine lands on the car, so it comes to the renter after the rental, as we explain in our Salik and traffic fines guide.
Parking the car you actually rented
Street bays are one thing and a low supercar is another. A Ferrari F8 Tributo and a kerb stop don't get on, so stop short of the block and check the nose. A long Cadillac Escalade needs a proper look at the bay before you commit. Take a photo of the zone sign when you park, and set the app's reminder. If you would rather not think about it, our chauffeur service deals with the parking too, and any other question is one WhatsApp message away.
Sources
- Gulf News: free hours and rates, 1 June 2026
- Gulf News: VAT and zones, 22 May 2026
- Hi Dubai: Parkin on VAT and cash at meters, 25 May 2026
- Gulf News: parking fines list, 15 October 2026
- The Week: premium rates and zone names, March 2025
- Gulf News: premium definition and event rate
- Gulf News: Parkin tariff request, February 2026
- Gulf News: Parkin cameras, 13 May 2026
- Property Finder: community zones, January 2026
- Rentalcars Dubai: zones and payment for rental drivers
Photo: cars in a Dubai car park, as published by Khaleej Times.
