How to Pay Parking in Dubai: SMS, App and AI Assistant Options
How to pay parking in Dubai: text your plate number, zone code and hours to 7275, or pay in the Parkin or RTA Dubai app. You can also pay through Superchat's AI parking assistant. This guide covers every payment method, paid hours, zone codes and the fines to avoid.
The Quick Steps: How to Pay Parking in Dubai
Whichever method you choose, the process is the same. Public parking in Dubai is run by Parkin, and every payment needs your plate number, the zone code and the time you want.
Find the zone code. It is printed on the sign near your bay, for example a number followed by a letter.
Pick a payment method. Use the Parkin app, the RTA Dubai app, SMS to 7275, or a meter.
Enter your plate, zone and hours. Pay, then keep the confirmation until you drive away.
Payment Methods Compared
Method | Best for | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
Parkin app | Everyday drivers and visitors | Extend remotely and get expiry warnings |
RTA Dubai or Dubai Now app | People already using RTA services | Also handles parking and fines |
SMS to 7275 | Quick payment with no app | A small SMS fee applies; needs a UAE SIM |
Paying from a chat | Use the number on Parkin's official site | |
Meter with nol or bank card | A backup when your phone is dead | Cash and coin machines are being phased out |
Parkin App and RTA Dubai App
For most drivers the app is the easiest option. You save your plate once, choose the zone and duration, pay by card, and the app warns you before the session ends so you can extend it from your phone.
Pay Parking in Dubai by SMS
Send a text to 7275 with your plate number, the zone code and the number of hours. You receive a confirmation message, and you can extend the session before it expires. The SMS fee is added to the parking charge.
WhatsApp, nol Card and Meters
You can also pay through Parkin's WhatsApp service, with a nol card, or at a meter that takes bank cards. Check the official Parkin website for the current WhatsApp number, because unofficial numbers circulate online.
Dubai Parking Time: Paid Hours and Free Hours
Street parking in Dubai is paid from 8 am to 10 pm, Monday to Saturday. It is free from 10 pm to 8 am, on Sundays and on public holidays in most zones. Some private or premium areas charge seven days a week, so always read the bay sign.
Since April 2025, Parkin has used variable pricing. In premium zones, parking costs AED 6 per hour at peak times, which are 8 to 10 am and 4 to 8 pm. Standard rates stay lower off-peak. Multi-storey car parks charge a flat AED 5 per hour with a daily cap of AED 40. Around the Dubai World Trade Centre, event days carry a higher rate of AED 25 per hour. According to recent guides, a 5% VAT applies to parking charges from June 2026, so check the final amount before you confirm.
Dubai Parking Zone Codes
The zone code tells you the area and the tariff. Parkin updated the codes in 2025, so use the code on the sign, not an old list.
Code | Where it applies |
|---|---|
A, B, C, D | Main public parking zones across the city |
AP, BP, CP, DP | Premium parts of zones A to D, with peak pricing |
E, I, J, K, L | Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT) |
F | Knowledge Village, Dubai Media City, Dubai Internet City |
G | Burj Khalifa area, Marasi Bay, Dubai Healthcare City, Dubai Hills |
H | Dubai Silicon Oasis |
X | Around the Dubai World Trade Centre, event pricing |
Parking in Dubai for Visitors and Rental Cars
How to Pay Parking in Dubai if You Have a Foreign Number
SMS payment works only with a UAE SIM card. If you use a foreign number, install the Parkin app, register with your phone number, add a card and pay by plate number and zone code. If you drive a rental car, make sure the plate saved in the app is the rental's plate, not your own.
Parking Fine in Dubai: How to Avoid It
Pay before you walk away from the car.
Pay for the full time you need. A recent guide lists about AED 150 for not paying and about AED 100 for overstaying, so check the current amounts with RTA.
Extend before the session ends instead of after.
Check the maximum stay for your zone, because some zones limit the hours.
Read the sign, since premium and event zones follow different rules.
Pay Parking in Dubai With the Superchat AI Assistant
If you do not want to remember codes and formats, the Superchat AI parking assistant (see the Car Parking page on the Superchat site) lets you handle parking in a chat instead of switching between apps.
Tell it your plate number and where you parked.
Say how long you need.
Confirm the amount before you pay.
Ask it to extend the session when you need more time.
FAQ
How to pay parking in Dubai by SMS?
Here is how to pay parking in Dubai by SMS: send a text to 7275 with your plate number, the zone code and the number of hours. Wait for the confirmation message, and extend before it expires if you need more time.
When is parking free in Dubai?
Parking is free from 10 pm to 8 am, on Sundays and on public holidays in most zones. Some private or premium zones charge every day, so check the sign.
Can I pay for parking in Dubai without a UAE number?
Yes. Use the Parkin app with a foreign phone number and a card. SMS payment needs a UAE SIM.
How much is parking in Dubai per hour?
It depends on the zone and the time of day. Premium zones charge AED 6 per hour at peak, and multi-storey car parks charge AED 5 per hour with a daily cap of AED 40. Check the sign and the final amount in the app.
How do I extend my parking time?
Extend through the app or by SMS before your session ends. This avoids a fine for overstaying.
Can an AI assistant help me pay for parking?
Yes. You can tell the Superchat AI parking assistant your plate, location and duration and confirm the payment in the chat. Always check the amount and zone before you pay.
Ready to Park Without the Hassle?
Pick the method that suits you, read the zone code on the sign, and let the Superchat AI parking assistant handle the details for you.
