Living in Dubai means keeping up with constant changes, one day you’re breezing through traffic, and the next, a new fee or road closure has you rerouting your entire commute. February is bringing a handful of new updates that could shake up your daily routine, especially if you drive in Dubai. But don’t worry, we’ve rounded up the key changes so you can focus on the real priorities (like scouting the best brunch deals).
Dubai in February: From Salik Changes to Road Closures, Here’s All The New Updates
1. A New Congestion Fee Is Rolling Out
Dubai is hopping on the global trend of congestion pricing! While cities like London, New York, and Singapore have long charged drivers to ease inner-city traffic, Dubai is now set to introduce a congestion fee in February.
For now, it will only apply to public paid parking spaces near Dubai World Trade Centre during major events. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) hasn’t spilled all the details yet, but keep an eye out. This could be the start of a broader rollout across the city.
2. Winter’s Second Phase Is Coming To An End
Dubai’s version of winter is split into phases, and phase two wraps up on February 10. According to Ibrahim Al-Jarwan, Chairman of the Emirates Astronomical Society, this marks the end of “Al-Shabt” and signals a gradual shift to warmer temperatures as we inch toward spring.
So, if you’re a fan of cool mornings and breezy evenings, enjoy them while they last, summer will be here before we know it!
3. Road Closures For Major Events
Not all changes are permanent, but there are two key dates when Dubai’s roads will see temporary closures due to major sporting events:
Sunday, February 9: The Burj2Burj Marathon will take over some of the busiest roads as runners race between Burj Khalifa and Burj Al Arab.
Sunday, February 23: The Spinneys Dubai 92 Cycle Challenge will start from Expo City, leading to restricted road access during the event.
The RTA will confirm exact road closures closer to these dates, so keep an eye out for updates if you’re planning to drive.
4. Barrier-Free Parking Arrives At Mall Of The Emirates
If you’ve noticed a lack of parking barriers at Mall of the Emirates, don’t panic, it’s not free parking (we wish!). The mall has introduced an advanced license plate recognition system that automatically tracks cars as they enter and exit.
Here’s how it works:
Your plate gets scanned when you enter.
If a fee applies, you’ll receive an SMS with a payment link.
You can pay through a web platform or link your account to Parkin’s wallet for faster payments.
While the tech is new, the parking fees remain unchanged, for now.
Also Read: From Plastic Ban To Salik Toll, 6 New UAE Laws Applicable From January 2025
5. Variable Salik Toll Fees Are Officially In Effect
Say goodbye to the flat-rate AED 4 Salik toll fee. Starting February 1, Dubai is moving to a new variable pricing system:
Peak hours (7-10 am & 4-7 pm): AED 6
General (10 am-4 pm & 8 pm-1 am): AED 4
Late night (1 am-6 am): Free
If you’re a night owl or an early bird, you might just score a free ride through the toll gates. And heads up, these rates will change again during Ramadan!
Final Thoughts
From Salik fee hikes to congestion charges and sporting event road closures, February is bringing a mixed bag of new rules and temporary disruptions.
Cover Image Courtesy: Appusviews/ Wikipedia