The Dubai Mall, one of the world’s most extensive shopping and entertainment hubs, welcomes over a million visitors annually. On Wednesday, June 19, 2024, the mall announced that it would charge a parking fee from July 1, 2024 onwards. In collaboration with Salik, Dubai’s only toll-operating company, the mall claimed that this parking fee would enable smooth entry and exit at the car park.
This comprehensive guide will explore the various parking fee structures, zones and exemption criteria details to ensure a smooth trip to the Dubai Mall.
- The Branding and Implementation
- Areas of The Dubai Mall That Fall Under the Paid Parking System
- Breakdown of the New Parking Fee at The Dubai Mall
- Parking Fee Payment Methods
- FAQs
The Branding and Implementation
Just after announcing a parking charge at the Dubai Mall, visitors saw several Salik boards in many places inside and outside the mall. The signage indicated that the mall is ready to introduce paid parking in the world’s biggest shopping destination from July 1.
Ibrahim Sultan Al Haddad, the CEO and Board Member of Salik Company PJSC, stated: “This marks a major milestone in our strategic journey to become a global leader in innovative, sustainable and smart mobility solutions. This move aligns perfectly with our aim to provide efficient and convenient solutions that eliminate the need for gates or barriers.”
The grey and white Salik branding was placed at the mall’s entrances, while the parking rates and regulation boards were outside the elevators.
On Sunday, June 30, male security guards were seen guiding and rerouting visitors to Salik-operated parking areas. This means the parking charge will be deducted from a visitor’s Salik account. Hence, you must have a Salik tag on your vehicle to access the paid parking areas of the Dubai Mall.
Areas of The Dubai Mall That Fall Under the Paid Parking System
The paid parking system applies to areas like:
- Grand Parking: Mostly accessed by guests visiting departmental stores.
- Cinema Parking: Ideal for visitors who have come for movies.
- Fashion Parking: Dedicated to those who have visited the mall for luxury shopping.
These zones now have advanced cameras and Salik tags to manage the traffic flow efficiently and charge the parking fee. However, parking at Zabeel and the Dubai Fountain area will remain complimentary.
Breakdown of the New Parking Fee at The Dubai Mall
Here’s a complete detail of the newly-launched parking charges at the Dubai Mall:
Parking Rate on Weekdays (Mon-Thurs)
| Hours | Parking Charges |
| 0-4 | Free |
| 4-5 | AED 20 |
| 5-6 | AED 60 |
| 6-7 | AED 80 |
| 7-8 | AED 100 |
| >8 | AED 200 |
| >12 | AED 500 |
| >24 | AED 1000 |
Parking Rate on Weekends (Fri-Sun)
| Hours | Parking Charges |
| 0-4 | Free |
| 4-5 | Free |
| 5-6 | Free |
| 6-7 | AED 80 |
| 7-8 | AED 1000 |
| >8 | AED 200 |
| >12 | AED 500 |
| >24 | AED 1000 |
Exemption from the Parking Charges
In cooperation with the UAE government, the Dubai Mall offer exemptions from the parking fee to a specific group of visitors to ensure accessibility. For instance:
- People of determination, including those with disabilities, are eligible for exemption from the parking fee. To apply for this exemption, they should follow the Salik procedure, which involves submitting necessary documents to the Salik office for verification.
- Emergency transport: This includes vehicles like Police, ambulances, etc.
Vehicles exempt from the Salik fee also get free-of-cost parking at the Salik-operated areas in the Dubai Mall.
Parking Fee Payment Methods
The Dubai Mall’s parking fee system is automated and highly efficient, ensuring fairness and transparency for all users. Here’s how visitors are charged a parking fee at the paid parking zones of the mall:
- Automated Detection: Cameras capture your vehicle’s licence plate as soon as it enters the paid parking area zone of Dubai Mall.
- Time Tracking: The system logs your vehicle’s entry and exit times.
- Fee Calculation: Parking fees are calculated based on the recorded time and automatically charged to the linked Salik account upon exit.
- Dubai Mall provides a grace period during which no parking fees are charged—up to 4 hours on weekdays and 6 hours on weekends, accommodating visitors who may need a little extra time.
- Salik Tag: Vehicles parked in fee-applicable zones must have an active Salik tag to enable the automatic deduction of parking fees.
FAQs
Yes, parking fees apply to all vehicles, including those with international plates or owned by tourists.
If you park with no balance in your Salik account, you must top up your account to cover the parking fees. This can be done through various methods, including online banking, Salik app or at Salik kiosks located in the mall. It is important to maintain sufficient balance to avoid any inconvenience in the future.
No, you cannot pay the parking charges in cash or by card. The fee is automatically deducted from your linked Salik account, ensuring a seamless transaction process.
Dubai Mall may offer special parking rates during holidays or events. For the most up-to-date information, check its official website or contact customer service.
If you exceed the grace period, parking fees will be automatically calculated and charged on exiting the mall according to the additional hours spent inside.
Currently, there is no provision for SMS notifications before the free hours are over. You must keep track of your parking time to avoid fees.
No, the Salik balance is specifically for paying tolls and parking fees at Dubai Mall only. Other malls may have different parking payment systems. Check the signs in parking lots for information about payment methods.
Dubai Mall may have a maximum daily parking fee limit of AED 1000 per day. Check the mall’s official website or contact customer service for specific details.
By becoming well-informed about the Dubai Mall paid parking charge, you can ensure a smooth visit to one of the world’s most visited places annually. However, avoiding visiting the mall during peak hours and utilising free parking zones can save you significant costs.
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