Travellers leaving for New Year’s Day celebrations in Dubai may be pleased to know that Free Public Parking across Dubai has been officially confirmed for this New Year holiday.
The Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced that all the public parking zones across the city will be free of charge on Thursday, January 1, 2026 in commemoration of the New Year. This decision falls into the wider holiday plans of the emirate, which are aimed at easing the traffic flow and promoting the use of public spaces during holidays.
أعلنت #هيئة_الطرق_و_المواصلات في دبي عن مواعيد العمل في جميع خدماتها خلال عطلة رأس السنة الميلادية 1 يناير 2026. وتشمل ساعات العمل مراكز إسعاد المتعاملين، ومواقف المركبات الخاضعة للتعرفة، وحافلات المواصلات العامة، ومترو وترام دبي، ووسائل النقل البحري، ومراكز مزودي الخدمة (الفحص… pic.twitter.com/lwLGJL3D22
— RTA (@rta_dubai) December 29, 2025
The initiative of free parking is for all public parking areas, except multi-storey car parks and Al Khail Gate (N-365), where standard charges will still be in force. Paid parking services will resume on Friday, January 2, 2026, as it has been confirmed by the RTA.
This is in conjunction with the United Arab Emirates declaring New Year’s Day a public holiday, allowing residents and visitors of the country to enjoy festivities, fireworks and family outings in all parts of the country. For more information about the UAE’s Public Holiday 2026 schedule, please see our relevant coverage.
RTA announces adjusted timing of public transport
In conjunction with the announcement made by Dubai regarding free public parking, the RTA has also made some changes to the operating hours for public transport and customer services during the New Year holiday and urged residents to plan their journeys accordingly.
Dubai Metro and Tram Timings
The Red and Green Lines of the Dubai Metro will run between 5:00 am and 11:59 pm on Wednesday, December 31. On Thursday, January 1, Metro services will operate from midnight until 11.59 p.m. Dubai Tram services will operate from 6.00 am to 11.59 pm on December 31, and midnight until 1.00 am on January 1.
Public Bus Services
Bus commuters are advised to check the updated schedules using the S’hail application, which provides real-time transport information.
Starting from the afternoon of December 31, services from Al Ghubaiba Bus Station on Route E100 will be suspended. The last E100 service will leave Abu Dhabi at noon and Al Ghubaiba at 2.00 p.m., with services beginning again on January 4. Travellers coming to Abu Dhabi at this time are requested to use Route E101 from Ibn Battuta Bus Station. Route E102 will be run by Ibn Battuta from 2.00 p.m. on December 31 to the end of the day.
Marine Transport
Passengers using marine transport are urged to refer to the detailed service timings of the RTA’s official website during the holiday period.
Customer Happiness Centres Now
The RTA confirmed that all Customer Happiness Centres would be closed on January 1st, 2026. However, Smart Customer Happiness Areas located at Al Barsha, Al Twar, Al Kifaf and the RTA headquarters will remain open 24/7 and hence vital services are available.
Support Smooth New Year Travel
According to RTA, these measures, which include providing free public parking in Dubai, extended Metro services and digital customer support, aim to make mobility easier in the city during New Year celebrations, whilst still making sure to provide access to essential transport services.
Residents and visitors are encouraged to plan their travel ahead and to avail of Free Public Parking Dubai as part of the celebration of the start of 2026 and head out to watch New Year fireworks and drone shows across the city.
Related Reads:
Best Places to Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Dubai: Fireworks, Parties & Family Events
UAE Announces Public Holiday on New Year and Remote Work on Jan 2
