If you’ve noticed your parking costs creeping up lately, you’re not imagining it. The average cost of paid parking in Dubai shot up by 51% in the third quarter of 2025 compared to the same period last year, according to Parkin — Dubai’s main parking provider. The average hourly rate now sits at AED 3.03, up from AED 2.01. This jump came after the introduction of the variable parking tariff in April 2025. I have all the details of what this means for your daily drives in Dubai, so keep reading to know more.
Also read: 7 RTA Services You Can Access Over WhatsApp In Dubai
Why The Prices Went Up
The change to variable pricing means parking fees now depend on demand, location, and time of day. Think of it like surge pricing, but for parking. High-demand zones such as Downtown Dubai, Business Bay, Deira, and Jumeirah are now classified as premium areas.
During peak hours, from 8am to 10am and 4pm to 8pm, parking here costs AED 6 for the first hour. The good news? Off-peak rates haven’t changed, and parking remains free overnight (10pm to 8am), on Sundays, and on public holidays.
Will These Prices Go Down?
Dubai’s RTA isn’t ignoring these surge in numbers. They’ve asked a third-party to review the current seasonal card system and pricing structure. Once that’s done, the RTA may make changes to close the gap between the old seasonal card rates and the new daily variable prices.
