Have you recently become a resident of Dubai? Or are you visiting the city for your next holiday and looking for tips on how to save some money? No matter how long you’re staying, there are some car parking Dubai tips every driver should know. Keep on reading as we discuss free parking Dubai, where to find free parking in Dubai, and some general information about the parking system in Dubai.
Keep an Eye Out for Your Calendar
We know how confusing parking regulations in Dubai are. Especially if you’re looking for free spots, but don’t worry. Just learn some basic understanding of traffic laws on car parking Dubai. Then, you’ll become a master yourself. Soon, you’ll be advising your desperate friends in Dubai!
First, you need to know where to find free parking in Dubai. However, some specific days offer free parking everywhere in Dubai.
Public Holidays in UAE
Thanks to the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), there is a law that permits any parking owner to charge fees on holidays. This law applies to all paid parking lots and metered zones. Here is a list of public holidays in Dubai:
- New Year’s Day
- Eid al-Fitr
- Arafat Day
- Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice)
- Islamic New Year (Hijri New Year)
- Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday (Mawlid al-Nabi)
- Commemoration Day (formerly Martyr’s Day)
- UAE National Day
If you happen to be looking for free parking Dubai on any of these days, you probably won’t be worrying about any charges.
Car Parking Dubai in Sundays
To make things more interesting, Dubai officials have announced another rule that makes parking free on Sundays. And no, it’s not because of the weekend. Sunday is the first day of the week in the UAE. They’re trying to make car parking Dubai easier during the busiest day of the week.
In a nutshell, next time you’re looking for free parking during the rush hour on Sunday, you won’t have a problem. Just get to the nearest parking lot without spending a dime.
Where to Find Free Parking in Dubai? Look for These Zones
Now, if it’s not Sunday or you’re not attending an “Eid” celebration, you’ll need to know about these places. There are some zones in Dubai where, most of the time, you can find a free spot. Let’s review them one by one.
Residential Areas
These areas are hard to find in Dubai Downtown. However, if you’re staying in other parts of the city, these areas might be useful. Just make sure you pay attention to signs indicating private access or property so you won’t get into any problems. And please don’t block a poor guy’s garage door!
My Sand, My Land!
If you find a spot where it’s not covered with asphalt, you’re lucky enough to be the winner of the free parking Dubai quest! Parking your car on sand won’t cost you any money. In other words, no one can charge you for blocking a piece of sand. Although rare, sandy spots aren’t so hard to find, especially in the outer regions of Dubai.
Metro Stations
Do you spend much of your time in the subways of Dubai? Well, that’s good news for you. Most metro stations in Dubai offer free parking lots. Contriving a combination of metro and driving for busy areas could be a fast and cost-effective plan. However, even if you’re not a fan of the metro, you can still benefit from its parking lots.
Designated Free Parking Zones
Dubai offers free parking zones for its citizens, too. Staying at these places wouldn’t cost you a thing any time of the day. These areas aren’t found commonly, especially in central parts of Dubai. However, we suggest checking your location to see if you find any of them near you.
One more useful tip to remember is specific destinations. Many of the hotels, restaurants, or hospitals have dedicated parking lots for their visitors. Check with your reservationist to see if free parking is part of their amenities.
Use a Parking App
If you didn’t know yet, yes! There is something called a parking app. I’m also sort of a grandpa when it comes to apps and smartphones. But using such apps is quite practical. They help you locate and navigate free spots throughout the city.
Street Parking
Last but not least, we have the old-fashioned style of searching for empty spaces on the streets. We mentioned this option to highlight the fact that not every inch of the street in Dubai is invaded by payment machines! Moreover, some spots are paid during a certain time of the day. For instance, they will only charge if you park your car in the mornings and afternoons. Besides, all street parking in Dubai is free from 10 pm until 8 am.
Free Parking Dubai Near Its Landmarks
Are you heading to one of Dubai’s landmarks? Or you’re visiting a popular mall for shopping? Then much of our previous recommendations might not be that useful to you. However, you can still find free parking even when you’re visiting a busy center. Just stick to this list.
Free Parking Dubai for Malls
One of the things that Dubai is most famous for is shopping malls. Not to mention Dubai has the largest mall in the world named after itself. There are some general regulations that Dubai Mall parking follows that you should know.
First, it’s usual for Dubai’s malls to offer at least two hours of free parking. You can consider it when planning your stay duration. There are also some commercial plans for customers. If they spend a minimum amount at a mall, they’ll get discounts or free parking. On the other hand, some other malls offer limitless free parking, and some will charge you immediately.
Here, we have gathered some information about parking charges in popular Dubai malls. Take a look at this chart:
| Mall name | Free parking plan | Paid plan |
|---|---|---|
| The Dubai Mall | First four hours | 20 AED per additional hours |
| Mall of the Emirates | First three hours | 10-15 AED per additional hours |
| Ibn Battuta Mall | Always free | — |
| Dubai Festival City Mall | First four hours | 5 AED per additional hours |
| City Centre Deira | First three hours | 20 AED per additional hours |
| City Centre Mirdif | Always free | — |
| The Pointe (Palm Jumeirah) | — | 100 AED for three hours, 20-10 AED per additional hours |
| Mercato Mall | Always free | — |
| BurJuman Mall | First three hours | 20 AED per additional hours |
| Dubai Marina Mall | First three hours | 20 AED per additional hours |
| Wafi Mall | First three hours | 10-15 AED per additional hours |
Free Parking for Dubai’s Tourist Attractions
Another popular destination in Dubai, especially for tourists, is the city’s attraction sites. Are you thinking of renting a car and touring the city but aren’t sure about parking challenges? Well, we’ve got your back. If you learn about these convenient parking garages, you’ll be just fine. Pay a visit to these garages to keep both the freedom and cost-effectiveness of a car rental.
Here’s a list of parking garages that always offer free plans:
- Dubai Opera Green Parking: Located in the heart of Dubai. It’s perfect for visiting attractions like Burj Khalifa.
- Marina Parking: It is located in Dubai Creek Harbour.
- Al Marsa Parking: It is near Dubai’s old city, ideal for visiting old museums and cafes.
- Al Seef: It is the alternative option for Al Marsa when visiting the old city.
- Palm West Beach Parking: near Palm Jumeirah
Other famous Dubai leisure attractions, like amusement parks, offer free parking, too. Some places include the Global Village, IMG World, Dubai Frame, and Garden Glow.
Free Parking Dubai When Visiting Public Parks
Most Public Parks in Dubai offer free parking as well. Or they might include discounts and cheaper fees than usual places. Hopefully, this will encourage you to spend a relaxing day in nature without worrying about extra charges. Some famous public parks that offer free parking include Burj Park, Safa Park, Creek Park, and Zabeel Park.
Last Word
Finding free parking Dubai seems like an impossible task. But if you follow some basic information, you can easily recognize where to find free parking in Dubai. This modern city with its bustling highways is made for cars.
Look out for some free zones and check if your destination offers free parking lots. Learn about a couple of useful garage parking, install a parking app and you’ll become a master of Dubai’s parking system in no time.
FAQ
Yes. There are many places in Dubai that offer free parking. Some of these places include residential areas, malls, and garage parkings. Car parking Dubai is also free on Sundays and holidays.
Parking used to be free on Fridays in Dubai. However, recently they have moved it to Sundays.
Ibn Battuta Mall, City Centre Mirdif, and Mercato Mall offer limitless free parking. Other famous malls like Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates, and City Centre Deira offer up to four hours of free parking.
Yes. Parking is generally free throughout the city’s parking zones. This law is regulated by the Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).
