Dubai's Barrierless Parking System: What Shoppers at Mall of the Emirates and City Centre Deira Need to Know

A new, barrierless parking system has been introduced at two of Dubai’s most popular shopping destinations—Mall of the Emirates and City Centre Deira—to streamline parking and improve customer convenience. Managed by Parkin, the system uses Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) to record vehicle entry and exit times, eliminating the need for traditional ticketing or boom barriers.

To avoid fines of up to AED 150, shoppers are advised to familiarize themselves with how the system works and the applicable fees. Here’s a breakdown of the key features:

How It Works

When you enter either mall, your car’s number plate is scanned and logged. Upon exit, the system calculates the duration of your stay. If the parking exceeds the free limit, a payment notification is sent via SMS to the number registered with your vehicle. Users have up to five days to settle charges.

Payment Options

Parking charges can be paid through the Parkin app. Accepted payment methods include Apple Pay, debit/credit cards, and the Parkin Wallet. Frequent visitors can enable AutoPay for automatic deductions, while occasional users can opt for the PayLater feature.

Parking Charges Breakdown

Mall of the Emirates

• Free: Up to 4 hours

• AED 20: 4 to 5 hours

• AED 40: 6 to 7 hours

• AED 80: 7 to 8 hours

• AED 100: More than 8 hours

• AED 200: Overnight (2am–6am)

• Drive-through fee: AED 3

Free Parking Bonus: VOX Cinemas and Ski Dubai customers get an extra 2 hours free.

City Centre Deira

• Free: Up to 3 hours

• AED 20: 3 to 4 hours

• AED 40: 4 to 5 hours

• AED 60: 5 to 6 hours

• AED 100: 6 to 7 hours

• AED 150: More than 7 hours

• AED 350: Overnight (4am–6am)

When Is Parking Free?

• Mall of the Emirates: Free for up to 4 hours (Monday to Friday)

• City Centre Deira: Free for up to 3 hours (Monday to Saturday)

Validation for Free Parking

Shoppers spending AED 150 or more can receive a full day of free parking by validating:

• At Mall Customer Service Desks

• At VOX Cinemas

• Through the Parking Management Office

• Via Valet Parking (automatically validated)

Fines and Penalties

Users must pay outstanding parking fees within five days. Failing to pay within:

• 2 days: You’ll receive an SMS reminder

• 3 days: You’ll get a follow-up phone call

• After 3 days, A Dh150 fine is applied

Unauthorized use of People of Determination parking spaces results in an AED 1,000 fine if a valid permit is not displayed.

This system reflects Dubai’s push toward smart mobility solutions, offering more convenience and fewer delays while ensuring regulatory compliance through tech-driven infrastructure.