Dubai is updating its paid parking fees starting April 2025. Based on the latest available information, these changes are part of a new “Variable Parking Tariff Policy” introduced by Parkin, the city’s public parking operator, in collaboration with the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). The updates aim to manage parking demand, reduce congestion, and align with Dubai’s urban mobility goals.
Here’s a breakdown of the key differences you can expect compared to the current system as of March 20, 2025:
From April 2025: Fees will vary depending on the time of day:
Peak Hours (8:00 AM–10:00 AM and 4:00 PM–8:00 PM, Monday to Saturday): Premium parking spaces in high-demand areas will cost AED 6 per hour. These hours target busy commuting times to encourage public transport use or shorter parking durations.
Off-Peak Hours (outside peak times): Premium parking will drop to AED 4 per hour, while regular parking spaces will remain at AED 4 per hour across all hours where fees apply.
Difference: You’ll pay more (AED 6 vs. AED 4) during peak hours in premium zones, but off-peak rates in those zones align with the current standard rate. Regular zones appear unchanged at AED 4 per hour.
From April 2025: Premium parking spaces will be explicitly defined in high-demand areas, such as:
Within 500 meters of metro stations
High-occupancy zones during peak times (e.g., Deira, Bur Dubai, Downtown Dubai, Business Bay, Jumeirah, Al Wasl Road).
Dense commercial hubs and markets.
Difference: Premium zones will see a structured increase to AED 6/hour during peak times, compared to the current AED 4/hour in many busy areas (Zone A or C). Off-peak in these premium zones matches the current rate, but the peak pricing is a 50% jump from AED 4 to AED 6.
From April 2025: A congestion pricing policy for major event areas (e.g., Dubai World Trade Centre) will charge AED 25 per hour during events. This began in February 2025 as a pilot (e.g., during Gulfood) but will continue as part of the broader April rollout.
Difference: Event pricing introduces a significant hike (up to AED 25/hour vs. AED 4–6/hour) in specific zones during large gatherings, which wasn’t consistently applied citywide before.
From April 2025: No change to the general operating hours (8:00 AM–10:00 PM, Monday to Saturday) or free parking on Sundays and holidays. Multi-storey parking remains 24/7 with fees.
Difference: The structure of free parking days and hours remains unchanged, so the variable rates only affect paid periods.
No Change in Regular Zones: If you park in non-premium zones (e.g., residential areas like Al Nahda or less busy commercial spots), the fee stays at AED 4/hour, matching current rates.
Event Days: Parking near event venues like DWTC could cost AED 25/hour, a dramatic rise from standard rates, affecting those attending conferences or exhibitions.
Strategic Parking Choices: You might save money by parking in off-peak hours (AED 4/hour in premium zones) or choosing regular zones over premium ones where possible.Parking codes have been revised (e.g., Zone A might now be “AP”), but this doesn’t affect tariffs yet—just signage and app updates.
Seasonal Cards: No specific updates on seasonal parking card prices were detailed for April 2025, but current rates (e.g., AED 1,400 for 3 months in Zone A) may adjust later to reflect variable tariffs.
Payment Methods: Remain unchanged (coins, SMS, RTA app, NOL card, etc.), though you’ll need to specify peak/off-peak durations in premium zones.
These changes reflect Dubai’s move toward dynamic pricing to manage traffic flow, similar to the variable Salik toll system introduced earlier.
For the most accurate impact on your specific parking habits, check the updated zone codes and tariffs on the RTA or Parkin website in April, as final details may still evolve.
Here’s a breakdown of the key differences you can expect compared to the current system as of March 20, 2025:
Dubai Paid Parking Update April 2025
1. Introduction of Variable Rates (Peak vs. Off-Peak Pricing):
Current System (as of March 2025): Parking fees are generally fixed per hour based on the zone (e.g., AED 2–4 per hour in most standard zones, higher in premium or special areas like JLT or Trade Center First), with no distinction between peak and off-peak times.From April 2025: Fees will vary depending on the time of day:
Peak Hours (8:00 AM–10:00 AM and 4:00 PM–8:00 PM, Monday to Saturday): Premium parking spaces in high-demand areas will cost AED 6 per hour. These hours target busy commuting times to encourage public transport use or shorter parking durations.
Off-Peak Hours (outside peak times): Premium parking will drop to AED 4 per hour, while regular parking spaces will remain at AED 4 per hour across all hours where fees apply.
Difference: You’ll pay more (AED 6 vs. AED 4) during peak hours in premium zones, but off-peak rates in those zones align with the current standard rate. Regular zones appear unchanged at AED 4 per hour.
2. Premium Parking Zones:
Current System: Zones are categorized (A, B, C, D, etc.) with fixed tariffs based on location and demand (e.g., commercial vs. residential). Special areas like Jumeirah Lakes Towers (Code E) or Trade Center First (Code X) already have higher rates (e.g., AED 10/hour or AED 25/hour during events).From April 2025: Premium parking spaces will be explicitly defined in high-demand areas, such as:
3. Event-Specific Tariffs:
Current System: No widespread event-specific pricing, though some areas like Trade Center First (Code X) charge AED 25/hour during events.From April 2025: A congestion pricing policy for major event areas (e.g., Dubai World Trade Centre) will charge AED 25 per hour during events. This began in February 2025 as a pilot (e.g., during Gulfood) but will continue as part of the broader April rollout.
Difference: Event pricing introduces a significant hike (up to AED 25/hour vs. AED 4–6/hour) in specific zones during large gatherings, which wasn’t consistently applied citywide before.
4. Operating Hours and Free Parking:
Current System: Paid parking operates from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM, Monday to Saturday, with free parking on Sundays and public holidays. Multi-storey car parks charge 24/7.From April 2025: No change to the general operating hours (8:00 AM–10:00 PM, Monday to Saturday) or free parking on Sundays and holidays. Multi-storey parking remains 24/7 with fees.
Difference: The structure of free parking days and hours remains unchanged, so the variable rates only affect paid periods.
How This Impacts You
Cost Increase in Peak Hours: If you park in a premium zone during peak hours (e.g., near a metro station or Downtown Dubai), you’ll pay AED 6/hour instead of AED 4/hour—a 50% increase. For example, 2 hours of parking jumps from AED 8 to AED 12.No Change in Regular Zones: If you park in non-premium zones (e.g., residential areas like Al Nahda or less busy commercial spots), the fee stays at AED 4/hour, matching current rates.
Event Days: Parking near event venues like DWTC could cost AED 25/hour, a dramatic rise from standard rates, affecting those attending conferences or exhibitions.
Strategic Parking Choices: You might save money by parking in off-peak hours (AED 4/hour in premium zones) or choosing regular zones over premium ones where possible.
Additional Notes
Seasonal Cards: No specific updates on seasonal parking card prices were detailed for April 2025, but current rates (e.g., AED 1,400 for 3 months in Zone A) may adjust later to reflect variable tariffs.
Payment Methods: Remain unchanged (coins, SMS, RTA app, NOL card, etc.), though you’ll need to specify peak/off-peak durations in premium zones.
These changes reflect Dubai’s move toward dynamic pricing to manage traffic flow, similar to the variable Salik toll system introduced earlier.
For the most accurate impact on your specific parking habits, check the updated zone codes and tariffs on the RTA or Parkin website in April, as final details may still evolve.
