Dubai Airport Parking: Everything You Need To Know

It is noticeable that parking at Dubai International Airport has quietly become pricier over the past two years. The biggest issue most car users face is not just higher prices but a confusing structure that varies sharply by terminal. The rates are different based on Terminal 1, 2 or 3, whether you choose premium or economy parking, and how long you plan to stay. Terminal 2 is by far the most affordable choice right now, while Terminal 1 and especially Terminal 3 command higher rates due to demand and location.

The short-term parking is quite affordable, which is a huge relief for most car owners, but the prices shoot up quickly for longer stays. The airport offers seasonal discounts, but there are not many, and they are easily missed; that makes most travellers pay full price without actually knowing that there are cheaper options available.

Terminal Parking Rates (2025)

Terminal	Premium Hourly	Daily Rate	7 Days	Walking Distance
Terminal 1	AED 30	AED 75-125	AED 700	Premium 2-3 min, Economy 7-9 min
Terminal 2	AED 25	AED 60	AED 420	Premium 3-5 min, Economy 10-12 min
Terminal 3	AED 30	AED 100-125	AED 700	2-3 minutes

The Premium vs Economy Trade-Off

Everyone driving to the airport has multiple options for parking, and each one comes with some trade-off. While Terminal 1 offers two parking options, Premium Car Park A is located 2–3 minutes from the terminal doors and costs AED 30 for the first hour. It takes seven to ten minutes to get to Economy Car Park B, which costs AED 25 per hour. Clearly with an AED 5 difference, it offers you extra convenience, nothing more.

If you are visiting the airport for a short trip which is less than 5 hours, the premium parking is a good choice. Essentially, you are rushing to catch a flight or picking someone up quickly. However, if you are going to stay longer than a day, in that case, economy options work best, saving you considerable money. A week of parking in the premium lot costs over AED 700; economy runs approximately AED 420–490 for the same period.

Terminal 2 is cheapest overall; the reason is simple, as it deals mostly with budget airlines and regional flights. Here the daily parking averages AED 70 compared to AED 85–125 at other terminals. If your flight uses Terminal 2, you save money automatically. The trade-off is that Terminal 2 is smaller and has fewer amenities.

Terminal 3 serves Emirates, Qantas, and flydubai. There is only one parking option: a multi-level facility 2–3 minutes from the entrance. There is no separate economy parking; you must pay premium rates, regardless of your preference.

The Seasonal Discount 

The airport announced discounted parking for summer 2025 from June 10 to 30. During this time, long-stay rates dropped to AED 100 for 3 days, AED 200 for 7 days, and AED 300 for 14 days. That’s genuinely excellent value compared to standard rates.

But the promotion lasted only 20 days. If your travel dates fell outside that narrow window, you paid full price. And most people don’t check parking promotions before booking flights. You discover the deal existed only after it ended.

Similar promotions ran in the past but were valid only for a limited period and not very attractive for most drivers visiting the airport. These seasonal deals work if you happen to travel during promotion periods. But the airport doesn’t announce them far enough in advance for most people to plan around them.

The Lost Ticket Penalty

If you happen to lose your parking ticket, then be ready to pay AED 200–250 depending on the zone. This also means it doesn’t really matter how long you actually parked; no ticket means maximum penalty.

This catches people who tucked their ticket somewhere safe and then forgot where. Alternatively, the ticket may have fallen out of your pocket. The parking machines aren’t concerned about your explanation. No ticket equals an AED 200–250 charge.

The Metro Alternative

Another option is parking at the Metro, and Terminals 1 and 3 connect directly to Dubai Metro. If you are travelling alone with one bag, taking the metro from anywhere along the Red Line is cheaper than parking. The metro from Dubai Marina to Airport Terminal 1 costs AED 7.50. The round trip is AED 15. Compare that to even one day of economy parking at AED 70–125. But Metro does not necessarily work for families with kids and luggage. Or if your flight departs early in the morning before the Metro starts around 6 AM on weekdays, or if your flight departs early morning before the Metro stops (around midnight).

The calculation changes if multiple people are travelling. Four people taking taxis might cost AED 200–300 total. At that point, parking for AED 70–125 daily looks competitive.

Best Choice 

Here is what you should choose based on your need: If your trip is under three days: Park at Terminal 2 if your flight uses it; else pay the cost at your terminal. The difference between AED 85 and AED 125 for two days is not worth the extra time.

If you have a trip for four to seven days: Economy parking or Public Parking in Abu Dhabi becomes mandatory if you want to avoid paying AED 280+. Those extra 5–10 minutes of walking distance save real money over a week.

For trips over seven days: Private off-site lots charge AED 25–40 daily with shuttle service included. That’s AED 175–280 for a week versus AED 420–700 at the airport.

For trips over two weeks: Fourteen days at Terminal 1 Economy costs nearly AED 1,000, and private lots charge AED 400–600 for the same period.

The Free DWC Option

Dubai World Central (DWC), Al Maktoum International Airport, offers completely free parking for all passengers for up to 3 days. There is no limit on times or fees; you just park and walk to the terminal. But here is the catch: DWC only handles limited international flights currently. Most routes still operate via Dubai Airport. If your flight uses DWC, it is a great deal.

Conclusion

It is evident that Dubai, as an international destination and a huge transit hub, is busy and always in demand. Therefore, the cost of parking can vary significantly depending on the terminal you choose. Terminal 2 is cheapest at around AED 70 daily. Terminals 1 and 3 charge AED 85–125 daily, depending on the premium or economy selection. For stays over seven days, off-site alternatives save substantial money compared to airport rates.