Dubai confirms free parking on New Year’s Day

Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has confirmed that public parking zones will be free of charge during the New Year holiday on Thursday, January 1, except at multi-storey facilities and Al Khail Gate N-365.

Charges resume on Friday, January 2.

The RTA has also announced operating hours for key services during the New Year holiday:

• All Customer Happiness Centres and vehicle testing centres will be closed on January 1, while smart service centres at Al Barsha, Al Twar, Al Kifaf and RTA headquarters will remain open 24/7.
• Dubai Metro services on both the Red and Green Lines will run continuously from 5:00 AM on Wednesday, December 31 to 11:59 PM on Thursday, January 1.
• Dubai Tram will also extend its hours, running from 6:00 AM on Wednesday, December 31 to 1:00 AM on Friday, January 2.
• Bus schedules will vary, so commuters are advised to check the S’hail app for details.
• Note that Route E100 from Al Ghubaiba Bus Station to Abu Dhabi will be suspended from the afternoon of December 31, until January 4. The last trip will depart at 12:00 noon from Abu Dhabi and at 14:00 from Al Ghubaiba.
• Passengers are advised to use Bus Route E101 from Ibn Battuta Bus Station to Abu Dhabi during this period.
• Marine transport timings can be found on the RTA website.

The RTA is advising residents and visitors to plan ahead and use public transport where possible during the New Year celebrations.

#RTA has announced the operating hours for all services during the New Year holiday on 1st January 2026. The announced timings cover Customer Happiness Centres, paid public parking facilities, public bus services, Dubai Metro and Dubai Tram services, marine transport services, as… pic.twitter.com/jdUmxpO023

— RTA (@rta_dubai) December 29, 2025