Do you also want to park your car in Sharjah but don’t know the parking hours? After driving a car in Sharjah for more than 5-6 years, I found that the car parking system in Sharjah is a bit difficult to understand. Whether you are a resident of Sharjah or a visitor, you must understand Sharjah’s parking system. Today’s article will inform you about free parking in Sharjah, timings, fees, and more. This guide is designed to help both residents and visitors understand the city’s free and paid parking options in 2024.
Free Parking in Sharjah
- Shopping Malls: There are also some areas in the city of Sharjah where you can park your vehicle for free from 10 PM to 8 AM. Some shopping malls names like Sahara Center, City Center Sharjah, Mega Mall Sharjah Center, etc.
- Tourist Attractions: Despite the paid parking in the city, you can park your vehicle for free outside the Sharjah Aquarium, and Al Majaz Waterfront. There is no fee for this parking in Sharjah.
- Public Transportation Hubs: You can park for free at Public Transportation Hubs in Sharjah like Bus Terminal etc. including Al Jubail Bus Station.
- Park and Ride Facilities: As Sharjah is the third largest city in the UAE, Sharjah has implemented park and ride facilities to reduce congestion in the city. These allow you to park for free and then use public transport to get to your destination.
- Fridays and Public Holidays: Parking is free in Sharjah on public holidays and Fridays. Be sure to ask around for times as parking times may vary by location.
- Specific Zones with Time Limits: Try to find designated areas during non-restricted hours in Sharjah. These zones may offer free parking for limited durations. You can find these areas with the help of frequent signboards on the roads of Sharjah.
- Nighttime in Commercial Districts: Some commercial areas of Sharjah offer free vehicle parking from 10 pm to 8 am. Like outside a market or in a large empty field etc.
- Parking Disc System: Sharjah is piloting a parking disc system in specific zones. This system allows for free parking for a limited duration upon displaying the disc. Be sure to check if the zone you’re parking in uses this system and ensure you understand the time limitations.
Free Parking Timings
| Parking Days | Free Parking Timings |
|---|---|
| Saturday to Thursday | 10:00 PM to 8:00 AM |
| Friday | 12 AM to 11:59 PM |
| Public Holidays | 12 AM to 11:59 PM |
| Ramadan | 12 AM |
| Nighttime | 10 PM to 8 AM |
Paid Parking in Sharjah
The free parking information in Sharjah is given to you in the details above. Now we will tell you about paid parking timings and zones in Sharjah.
Paid parking facilities are available 24/7 in Sharjah’s high-traffic zones. These zones are marked with blue signage. Know about Sharjah’s paid parking zones and timings.
Paid Parking Zones in Sharjah
We have listed the paid parking zones in Sharjah below. You can pay for parking in these parking zones.
| Commercial and Busy Areas | |
|---|---|
| 01 | Al Majaz |
| 02 | Al Khozamah |
| 03 | Batanh |
| 04 | Industrial Areas (4, 5, 6) |
| 05 | Du Dang |
Paid Parking Rates in Sharjah
Car parking in Sharjah may have different rates depending on the vehicle. We have listed all the rates by vehicle type below.
Some multi-story car parks offer discounted rates for longer parking durations. Below are the prices of all these zones and vehicles please take a look.
Motorcycle Parking Rates
| Timings | Zone A (Central Sharjah) | Zone B (Outer Sharjah) | Zone C (Suburbs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 minutes | 0.5 AED per hour | 0.25 AED per hour | 0.10 AED per hour |
| 1 hour | 1 AED per hour | 0.50 AED per hour | 0.25 AED per hour |
| Next 2 hours | 2 AED per hour | 1 AED per hour | 0.5 AED per hour |
| Thereafter | 3 AED per hour | 2 AED per hour | 1 AED per hour |
Cars Parking Rates
| Timings | Zone A (Central Sharjah) | Zone B (Outer Sharjah) | Zone C (Suburbs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 minutes | 1 AED per hour | 0.5 AED per hour | 0.25 AED per hour |
| 1 hour | 2 AED per hour | 1 AED per hour | 0.5 AED per hour |
| Next 2 hours | 4 AED per hour | 2 AED per hour | 1 AED per hour |
| Thereafter | 6 AED per hour | 4 AED per hour | 2 AED per hour |
Scooters Parking Rates
| Timings | Zone A (Central Sharjah) | Zone B (Outer Sharjah) | Zone C (Suburbs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 minutes | 0.75 AED per hour | 0.37 AED per hour | 0.15 AED per hour |
| 1 hour | 1.5 AED per hour | 0.75 AED per hour | 0.30 AED per hour |
| Next 2 hours | 3 AED per hour | 1.5 AED per hour | 0.60 AED per hour |
| Thereafter | 4.5 AED per hour | 3 AED per hour | 1.2 AED per hour |
Bicycles Parking Rates
| Timings | Zone A (Central Sharjah) | Zone B (Outer Sharjah) | Zone C (Suburbs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 minutes | 0.25 AED per hour | 0.12 AED per hour | 0.05 AED per hour |
| 1 hour | 0.5 AED per hour | 0.25 AED per hour | 0.10 AED per hour |
| Next 2 hours | 1 AED per hour | 0.5 AED per hour | 0.20 AED per hour |
| Thereafter | 1.5 AED per hour | 1 AED per hour | 0.30 AED per hour |
Truck Parking Rates
| Timings | Zone A (Central Sharjah) | Zone B (Outer Sharjah) | Zone C (Suburbs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 minutes | 1.5 AED per hour | 0.75 AED per hour | 0.37 AED per hour |
| 1 hour | 3 AED per hour | 1.5 AED per hour | 0.75 AED per hour |
| Next 2 hours | 6 AED per hour | 3 AED per hour | 1.5 AED per hour |
| Thereafter | 9 AED per hour | 6 AED per hour | 3 AED per hour |
Paid Parking Methods
There are different ways to pay parking fees in Sharjah. Visitors and residents in Sharjah can pay parking fees using these methods. Here are some methods.
1) Parking Meters
Parking meters are widely available in Sharjah’s paid parking zones. Customers can pay using coins or Mawaqif prepaid cards available from authorized vendors. Feed coins or use prepaid parking cards at designated machines.
2) SMS Parking
Sharjah offers an SMS-based parking payment system, allowing customers to pay for parking via their mobile phones.
The procedure involves sending a text message to 5566 with SHJ <space> Plate number <space> Duration in hours.
The system will then deduct the parking fee from the user’s mobile balance. If the account doesn’t have a balance, it will be added to their phone bill.
3) Mobile Apps
MAWAQIF: Managed by the Sharjah Municipality, this app allows users to locate parking spaces and pay for parking through their mobile devices.
RTA Dubai App: Though primarily for Dubai, this app can be used in certain Sharjah parking zones due to the inter-emirate agreements.
4) Prepaid Cards
Prepaid parking cards can be purchased from various authorized outlets such as supermarkets, gas stations, and convenience stores. These cards can be used at parking meters or for SMS parking payments.
5) Pay and Display
- Locate the nearest Pay and Display machine
- Insert coins or use a card to pay for the desired parking duration
- Print the receipt and place it visibly on your vehicle’s dashboard
Parking permits
Residents of Sharjah can apply for an annual parking permit, which allows them to park for free in designated residential areas. Special permits are also available for people with disabilities. Contact Sharjah Municipality for details on obtaining a parking permit.
Parking violations
Parking violations in Sharjah can result in fines and even towing of vehicles. Common violations include:
- Parking in nine parking zones
- Expired parking meters
- Traffic blocking
Parking Tips
Finding parking in Sharjah is easy with these helpful tips:
- Use parking apps to find available parking spaces and pay parking fees easily
- Avoid peak hours (morning and evening) when the parking lot is crowded
- Consider alternative transportation such as buses or taxis, especially during busy times
Knowing your parking options can make your trip to Sharjah smoother. By following this guide, you will be able to find convenient and affordable parking for your needs.
Conclusion
Use places like shopping malls, and bus terminals to use free parking. In this zone in Sharjah, you can get free parking from 10 pm to 8 am. Also, enjoy free parking all day on holidays or holidays. Respect the traffic rules or you may face a heavy fine. We have used all these parking facilities in Sharjah 5-6 times. After extracting the extract we have read you all this information. Avoid parking in any illegal places to make your trip to Sharjah more enjoyable.