Free parking across Dubai for Eid
Dubai motorists will enjoy three days of free public parking during Eid Al Fitr 2026 under a new announcement from the RTA. The authority said that all public parking zones in the emirate will be free of charge from the first day of Eid until the end of the third day, in line with the city’s usual practice of easing mobility and costs for residents and visitors during major religious holidays.
The waiver covers all standard on‑street and public surface parking spaces but does not apply to multi‑storey parking buildings, where regular fees will continue to be collected. RTA confirmed that normal parking tariffs will automatically resume from the fourth day of Eid Al Fitr.
Holiday likely from March 19 to 21
The free‑parking window is tied to the official Eid Al Fitr holiday, which is expected to fall around Thursday, March 19, or Friday, March 20, 2026, depending on the sighting of the crescent moon. The RTA’s service advisory covers the period from Thursday, March 19, to Saturday, March 21, aligning transport and customer service schedules with the expected Eid break.
Authorities reiterated that, as with all Islamic occasions, the final confirmation of Eid dates remains subject to the moon‑sighting process, but residents can use the announced window as a working guide for planning travel and parking.
Revised timings for Metro, Tram and buses
Alongside free parking, the RTA has issued special operating hours for Dubai Metro and Tram during the Eid holidays. Red and Green Line stations will operate from March 18 to 21 between 5am and 1am the following day, while on Sunday, March 22, trains will run from 8am to 1am. Dubai Tram services are scheduled from 6am to 1am between March 18 and 21, and from 9am to 1am on March 22.
Intercity and some express bus routes will see temporary adjustments, including the suspension of Route E100 from Al Ghubaiba to Abu Dhabi during parts of the break and additional services on Route E101 from Ibn Battuta to Abu Dhabi and Route E102 from Al Jafiliya to Musaffah. Marine transport schedules have also been tweaked to match expected demand along key corridors such as Dubai Creek and Dubai Marina.
Closures of testing and customer centres
Vehicle testing and registration facilities will be closed from Thursday, March 19, to Saturday, March 21, as part of the holiday arrangements. Technical inspection services are set to resume on Sunday, March 22, at centres including Tasjeel Al Twar, AutoPro Al Mankhool, Tasjeel Al Awir, Tasjeel Discovery Gardens, Al Yalayis, Shamil Al Muhaisnah, Al Mutakamela Al Quoz and Shamil Nad Al Hamar.
All conventional Customer Happiness Centres will also be shut during the Eid break, but RTA confirmed that the Umm Ramool centre and the smart centres in Deira, Al Barsha, Al Twar, Al Kifaf and the RTA Head Office will continue operating 24/7. Officials added that if Ramadan extends to 30 days, some closures for service provider centres could be extended until Sunday, March 22.
What motorists should keep in mind?
Authorities are urging drivers to note that while public parking is free, certain privately managed or multi‑storey facilities will still charge during the Eid period, making it essential to check on‑site signage before leaving vehicles. Residents are also encouraged to make use of extended public transport hours to avoid congestion near major malls, prayer grounds and popular leisure destinations during the holidays.
With three days of free parking, longer Metro and Tram operating windows, and clear guidance on closures, the RTA’s Eid Al Fitr 2026 plan is designed to keep Dubai moving smoothly while giving residents a small financial break at one of the busiest times of the year.