In Dubai, there are many car parks which you can choose from according to your own preference. You can either use cash or a card machine.
There are different procedures for the different parking lots so be sure to check it out before going ahead and paying at the cashier.
Parking Ticket Machines
These machines are available inside and outside of the parking lots.
They basically dispense a piece of paper which is your ticket. Pay close attention to the expiry time on your ticket as it may be different than what you were expecting or believe that it should be.
This is because some slots/zones in Dubai have varying costs depending on the time of the day, days of the week and more so make sure you read carefully before inserting any money into them.
Prepaid Cards
These cards can be purchased at various locations and charged with a certain amount (minimum AED 50 + service charge). These cards can then be used for paying parking fees at most car parks in Dubai. The card also has an expiry date so you’ll need to recharge them before that date comes.
Mobile Apps
This is one of the most convenient ways for you to pay for your parking fee in Dubai provided that you have an internet connection on your mobile device.
The following are some of the available apps in the country.
1. ParkMe (Free)
ParkMe finds local parking, garages, and lots near your location or destination with real-time availability. It also provides maps, real-time rates & prices, directions, phone numbers, and more.
My Parking Space (AED 1 per hour plus 30 AED Validation Fee): With this app, you can book a guaranteed parking space for a time even months in advance.
2. Radio Parking (AED 1 Per Hour Plus AED 15 Validation Fee)
Using this app, you can pay for parking at all Dubai airports. It also allows you to view your parking transactions and extend the session remotely if needed.
3. PayByPhone (2 Free Hours + 8 Fils Per Minute)
You can use this app on your mobile phone even if you are not in Dubai. You’ll just have to register with them first then create an account before using it.
This way, there’s no need for any validation ticket or anything of that sort as they will be able to identify where exactly your car is parked according to the mobile device used by the driver.
You can also keep track of how much time is left for your parking session to expire.
4. Parkmobile (AED 1 Per Hour)
This is another useful app in Dubai that allows you to pay for your parking fee through your mobile phone. You can register and create an account which you can then use in different locations all over the city.
5. Eparking (Free)
With this app, you don’t have to worry about coming back on time since it provides a grace period of 15 minutes when notifying you when your parking session is going to expire.
It basically helps give you more time without having to worry about any additional charges if only a few minutes have passed after the expiry of the paid session.
This app works with most car parks in the city and not just one specific car park.
6. Dubai Parking (AED 1 Per Hour)
This is an app that will give you information about parking fees and rules for all of the main areas in Dubai such as Deira, Jumeirah, Bur Dubai and more so you will always be updated about these things.
7. MyCiTi (Free)
This app allows you to pay for your parking fee by use of a QR code that can either be scanned or entered manually depending on how it works with the cashier. You also don’t have to worry about getting out of your car since there’s no physical ticket issued.
There are other apps available but we’re only mentioning the most popular ones here.
If you have anyone to recommend or suggest then feel free to drop a comment below listing the name of the app and what it does.
Rodney S. Gibson
