Mall of the Emirates launched a full barrier-free parking system on 3 February 2025, eliminating entry and exit gates across all its Dubai parking facilities. Powered by advanced license plate recognition, the solution — developed under a five-year partnership between Majid Al Futtaim and Parkin PJSC — lets drivers flow in and out without stopping for a ticket or a barrier arm.
How the Barrier-Free Parking System Works
Cameras mounted at entry and exit points scan every number plate as vehicles arrive and depart. The system logs the duration automatically, then sends a payment link via SMS to the registered mobile number. Drivers who have linked their account to the Parkin wallet are charged automatically — no action required.
The technology achieves a 99.99% licence-plate recognition accuracy, making manual overrides extremely rare. There are no paper tickets to lose and no physical barriers to wait behind.
Parking Rates at Mall of the Emirates
Existing charges remain in place — only the payment method has changed:
| Duration | Weekday Rate |
|---|---|
| 0 – 4 hours | Free |
| 4 – 5 hours | AED 20 |
| 5 – 6 hours | AED 40 |
| 6 – 7 hours | AED 60 |
| 7 – 8 hours | AED 100 |
| 8+ hours | AED 150 |
Weekends (Saturday & Sunday): Free all day.
Shoppers who receive an SMS payment link must settle the fee within three days of exiting to avoid a AED 150 fine.
Why Mall of the Emirates Made the Switch
The barrierless system is designed to "deliver ticketless parking to improve visitor accessibility and minimize parking congestion," according to the mall. By removing physical barriers, the mall eliminates one of the most common bottleneck points at large retail destinations — the entry and exit queues that form during peak hours.
Parkin PJSC, the largest paid-parking operator in Dubai, manages the infrastructure and payment platform, with the Parkin wallet acting as the primary automated payment option for frequent visitors.
What Shoppers Should Do Now
Visitors who want seamless automatic billing should register their vehicle on the Parkin app and link a payment method before their next visit. Those without an account will still receive an SMS payment link and can settle the fee online within the three-day window.
