How Dubai residents are avoiding peak hour parking charges

Dubai drivers keep their parking costs low with smart timing and public transport hacks

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Many Dubai residents are rethinking their daily commutes to avoid rising parking costs. From timing trips outside peak hours to using mall validations and metro-linked parking, commuters are finding creative ways to save.
Ahmad Alotbi/Gulf News

Dubai: Since the introduction of variable parking rates in April by Parkin, Dubai residents have found clever ways to reduce their daily commuting costs. Under the new system, public parking during peak hours now costs Dh6 for the first hour, while off-peak remain at standard rates.

A recent Gulf News poll found that 67% of UAE residents say Salik tolls and paid parking significantly impact their expenses. In response, many are changing habits, taking longer routes to avoid Salik or switching to public transport to access high-traffic areas.

Rather than absorb rising costs, commuters across Dubai are finding more economical ways to get around by combining driving with public transport or shifting to remote work.

Small habits that help save on parking in malls

Olga Sukhanova, founder of COLABB, shared a simple habit: “I’ve learned to always ask if parking can be validated at offices, cafés or service centres. It’s a small question that saves me money regularly.”

Many Dubai malls now use paid or ticketless parking, but popular spots still offer free options.

Mall of the Emirates (MOE) and Deira City Centre offer barrier-free parking managed by Parkin, with free parking for up to three to four hours. Shoppers can get an additional two hours free by spending over Dh150 or going to the cinema. Parking remains free on weekends.

Dubai Mall’s parking is managed by Salik with a barrier-free system, offering four hours of free parking on weekdays and six hours on weekends.

Ditching driving altogether and embracing public transport

For Mita Srinivasan, a long time resident since 1989 and business owner, said ditching her car was the most effective solution. “I stopped driving partly for health reasons, but also because Salik, parking fees and car maintenance were costing more than fuel,” she said.

She now uses the Dubai Metro or ride-hailing services for meetings and errands. “It’s less stressful than traffic or looking for parking and I can use the commute time productively to catch up on emails and calls.”

Saving with ‘Park and Ride’ at Dubai Metro stations

One Emirates employee and Dubai resident of seven years shared how he saves money by parking at Centrepoint Metro Station and taking the Metro to work. “I use the RTA multi-storey car park and get free parking because I tag in with my nol card,” he said.

This Park and Ride service is available at three Metro stations: Centrepoint, Etisalat by e&, and Jabal Ali. It offers free multi-storey parking for nol card users who continue their journey by train.

How strategic timing helps avoid peak parking fees

Jerry Joseph, a Syrian expatriate born and raised in Dubai and living in Deira, plans his outings to save on parking. “If I’m going to busy areas like JBR or Downtown, I take the Metro or Tram,” he said. “If I need to drive, I leave after 8pm when paid parking is nearly over, so I only pay for one hour, even if I stay out longer.”

While Joseph’s local area has paid public parking, he said finding a spot can sometimes be difficult in his neighbourhood. “I think Abu Dhabi’s model might work for busy residential areas in Dubai, where there is public parking specifically for residents, it would make a big difference.”

Some Dubai residents still face high parking costs and challenges

Some residents, particularly in areas like Al Khail Gate, are feeling the strain of limited long-term parking. One resident, who asked to remain anonymous, said Parkin’s newly introduced 365N zone now requires paid parking seven days a week.

“As a working couple with two cars, our building only offers one residential parking space. We’re paying daily parking fees and hoping Parkin introduces a subscription option for residents soon,” they said.

Not all parking zones are priced equally. SB, a Mamzar resident who preferred to use only his initials, drives early to work and parks in a Tecom-operated area where rates start at Dh10 per hour, regardless of peak or off-peak timing. “It adds up to around Dh2,625 a year, and due to that I am switching to remote work, this is the only way for me,” he said.