Abu Dhabi Mawaqif Parking Guide: Fees, Kerb Colours, Permits and How to Pay
Standard Mawaqif parking costs AED 2 an hour, premium AED 3, and Sundays are free. A plain guide to kerb colours, permits, SMS payments and multi-storey fees.
By Vadim Kouznetsov, published
Paid roadside parking in Abu Dhabi costs AED 2 an hour in standard spaces and AED 3 an hour in premium spaces, from 8am to midnight, and it is free on Sundays and public holidays. The kerb colour and the nearby Mawaqif sign tell you which is which, according to a Gulf News guide to the system.
Abu Dhabi parking fees: standard vs premium
Public parking across the emirate is run by Mawaqif, the parking sector of Abu Dhabi Mobility (AD Mobility). Its inspectors patrol paid areas, enforce the rules and advise drivers.
| Premium | Standard | |
|---|---|---|
| Kerb colour | White and turquoise | Black and turquoise |
| Fee | AED 3 per hour | AED 2 per hour (AED 15 full day) |
| Maximum stay | Four hours | 24 hours |
| Paid hours | 8am to midnight | 8am to midnight |
| Free | Sundays and public holidays | Sundays and public holidays |
The same street can mix standard, premium and resident-only spaces, so check the kerb and the signage before you leave the car. If you also drive through the toll gates, see Abu Dhabi Darb Toll System 2025: Fees, Locations & Exemptions.
How to pay for Mawaqif parking
You can pay through the Darb app, the TAMM app, Mawaqif payment machines or SMS.
To pay by text, send an SMS to 3009 from a local mobile number, for example on Etisalat or du, in this order: plate code or category, plate number, parking type (S for standard, P for premium) and hours. So AUH5 12345 S 1 pays for one hour of standard parking.
Resident and villa parking permits
Resident parking spaces sit among the standard spaces in residential areas, marked by a turquoise line or a "Resident Permit Only" sign.
- From 9pm to 8am, they are reserved for permit holders, who park at no extra cost.
- Outside those hours, anyone can use them by paying the normal fee.
Villa resident parking spaces carry "Villa Resident Permit Only" signage.
- Villa permit holders park in their allocated zone all day at no extra cost.
- Visitors need a Villa Visitors Parking Permit and must park correctly before 2am.
- Owners request visitor permits by SMS from a registered number; up to four numbers can be registered.
- A request sent between 2am and 8am gives a permit valid for six hours.
- Visitor permits are free for UAE nationals and AED 2 per hour for non-UAE nationals.
Multi-storey car parks and fees
ITC runs seven public multi-storey car parks in Abu Dhabi with 3,788 spaces in total. Unlike roadside parking, the tariff applies 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and a multi-storey permit works at all ITC-run buildings in Abu Dhabi City.
| Duration | Fee |
|---|---|
| One hour | AED 2 |
| One day | AED 15 |
| Three months | AED 1,369 |
| Six months | AED 2,738 |
| 12 months | AED 5,475 |
Locations listed by Gulf News include Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Street (behind Liwa Centre), Al Lulu Street (behind Ahalia Hospital), the Al Dana car park and the Gold Souk area.
For holiday timings, see Abu Dhabi Darb Toll and Mawaqif Parking Ramadan 2026: Fees, Timings and Free Days.
Key takeaway
Standard Mawaqif parking costs AED 2 an hour and premium AED 3, from 8am to midnight, with free parking on Sundays and public holidays. Turquoise-lined resident spaces belong to permit holders from 9pm to 8am, and multi-storey car parks charge around the clock.
FAQ
How much is parking in Abu Dhabi per hour?
Standard parking costs AED 2 per hour, with a full-day fee of AED 15. Premium parking costs AED 3 per hour, with a maximum stay of four hours.
Is parking free in Abu Dhabi on Sundays?
Yes. Standard and premium roadside Mawaqif parking is free on Sundays and public holidays. Multi-storey car parks still charge, as their tariff applies every day.
What does a turquoise line mean in Abu Dhabi parking?
It marks a resident parking space. From 9pm to 8am only permit holders may park there; outside those hours anyone can use it by paying the normal fee.
How do I pay for parking in Abu Dhabi by SMS?
Send a text to 3009 with your plate code, plate number, S or P, and the hours. For example, AUH5 12345 S 1 pays for one hour of standard parking.
Further reading
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