How I went through seven Salik gates without paying a dirham

Dubai: I’ve always been that person — the one who’ll take a slightly longer detour just to dodge a Salik toll gate. Not because I can't afford it, but more because I get this weird satisfaction out of saving those few dirhams. It's like a mini victory every time. The small thrills of life, right?

Because of that, it’s been years — maybe even a whole decade — since I last cruised down the full length of Sheikh Zayed Road without keeping an anxious eye on the toll signs. I'd always stick to the parallel roads, peeking over occasionally at the wide lanes, the dazzling skyline, and thinking, “Someday, maybe…”

Then came the new Salik pricing system earlier this year. For once, something about traffic rules actually worked in my favour! With off-peak hours, reduced charges, and even a complete waiver between 1am and 6am, it felt like someone had finally opened a secret backdoor for people like me.

Now, I’m naturally a night bird — I live in Al Nahda and work all the way in Dubai Investment Park 2 — so one random weekday night, I decided to just go for it. I got on Sheikh Zayed Road from Jebel Ali a little after 1am, and let me tell you — it was magic. No tolls. No traffic. No stress.

I cruised through seven Salik gates — Jebel Ali, Al Barsha, Al Safa South, Al Safa North, Al Garhoud Bridge, Al Mamzar South, and Al Mamzar North — without paying a single dirham. I got to enjoy the road with reduced traffic and the best night-time cityscape Dubai has to offer.

There’s something about seeing the skyline lit up, gliding past iconic buildings without having to tap your brake pedal every few seconds, that just feels surreal.

So here’s a little tip from someone who’s spent years avoiding Sheikh Zayed Road: if you’ve got a love for late-night drives, and you want the city to yourself without burning a hole in your wallet, this post-midnight window is your golden ticket.

Trust me, it’s worth losing a little sleep over.