Dubai announces free parking and extended Metro hours for Eid Al Fitr 2026
Residents and visitors advised to plan journeys during holiday period
DUBAI – Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced revised operating hours for its services during the Eid Al Fitr holiday in 2026, alongside free public parking across the emirate for the first three days of the holiday.
The changes will apply from Thursday, March 19, until Saturday, March 21, covering several key services including customer happiness centres, public buses, Dubai Metro, Dubai Tram, marine transport and vehicle technical inspection centres. The adjustments are aimed at supporting residents and visitors travelling across the city during one of the busiest festive periods of the year.
Dubai typically experiences a surge in mobility during Eid, with families visiting attractions, shopping districts and waterfront destinations. To help accommodate this increase in demand, the authority has expanded public transport schedules while easing parking access in commercial and residential areas.
Free parking
According to the authority, public parking will be free from the first to the third day of Eid Al Fitr, allowing residents and visitors to move around the city without parking charges during the main days of celebration.
The exemption applies to all public parking zones managed by the authority across Dubai, although multi-level parking terminals will continue to operate with normal paid tariffs.
The move is part of a broader plan to support mobility during public holidays and to facilitate smoother travel to major leisure destinations, shopping centres and cultural attractions that tend to draw large crowds during Eid.
With parking fees waived across the emirate, many residents are expected to travel by car to popular areas such as beachfront destinations, retail districts and entertainment venues that traditionally see heavy footfall during the holiday period.
Metro timings
Public transport services will also operate on extended hours during the holiday week to accommodate higher passenger numbers.
The Dubai Metro Red and Green Lines will run from 5am until 1am the following day between March 18 and March 21, allowing passengers to travel late into the night during Eid celebrations.
On March 22, the Metro will operate from 8am until 1am, maintaining late-night connectivity for commuters and visitors moving across the city after the main holiday period.
Extended operating hours have become a regular feature during major occasions in Dubai, enabling residents and tourists to access transport options for longer periods as events, shopping activities and family gatherings continue late into the evening.
Tram schedule
The Dubai Tram will also operate on adjusted timings throughout the holiday week.
From March 18 to March 21, the tram service will run from 6am until 1am the following day, providing connectivity across the Dubai Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence areas.
On March 22, tram operations will begin at 9am and continue until 1am, aligning with the revised holiday schedule for the broader transport network.
The tram plays a key role in linking waterfront districts with the wider transport system, connecting passengers to the Metro and providing access to several leisure destinations along the coastline.
Bus changes
Bus services will continue to operate during the holiday period, although certain intercity routes will experience temporary changes.
Intercity bus route E100 will not operate from Al Ghubaiba Bus Station starting Wednesday afternoon, March 18, and will remain suspended from that location until March 22.
During this time, the E101 service will operate from Ibn Battuta Bus Station, offering an alternative connection for passengers travelling between Dubai and neighbouring emirates.
Passengers are encouraged to check updated schedules and route information before travelling, particularly for intercity journeys where temporary adjustments may affect departure points.
Updates related to city bus routes and marine transport services, including water taxis, abras and the Dubai Ferry, will be available through the S’Hail application, which provides real-time information on public transport across the emirate.
Service centres
Alongside transport services, the authority has also confirmed adjustments to the operating hours of its customer happiness centres and service provider facilities during the Eid holiday period.
These centres handle a range of services including licensing support, transport-related inquiries and vehicle technical inspections conducted through authorised testing centres.
The temporary schedules will allow essential services to continue while accommodating the holiday break observed across the public sector.
Dubai authorities typically announce revised service hours ahead of major religious and national holidays, enabling residents to plan administrative visits or vehicle testing appointments around the festive period.
The updated schedules also help ensure that essential services remain available for those who require assistance while maintaining reduced operations across some facilities.
During Eid Al Fitr, Dubai’s transport network often records a noticeable rise in passenger traffic as families and tourists travel between residential neighbourhoods, shopping districts, waterfront promenades and entertainment venues.