Guide To Car Parking In Sharjah

Finding a parking spot in large cities is a problem as old as city life itself and no matter where you are in the world, if you live and drive in a metropolitan area, you have most definitely found yourself struggling to find a spot at some point. Car parking in Sharjah is as challenging as any other populated city across the globe.

Although facing such a challenge is inevitable, it can be made easier if you are familiar with the ins and outs of car parking in Sharjah, such as the different zones, the rates, and various options when it comes to finding paid parking in Sharjah. In this article from Lookinsure mag, we have brought you the most comprehensive guide to car parking in Sharjah which will hopefully help you in facing this potentially cumbersome challenge.

Frequently Answered Questions

Types of Parking Zones in Sharjah

Parking zones In Sharjah which are regulated by the city’s Municipality, are generally categorized according to the location and their designated purpose. The main parking zones in Sharjah are:

1. Paid Public Parking Zones: these marked zones which are available in public areas and require users to pay fees during specific hours. These zones are further divided into:

• A Zones: which are located in more busy areas such as downtown and near highly-frequented places such as popular malls and government buildings. These parking areas are of course more expensive than B zones.

• B Zones are standard parking spots in areas with less traffic such as residential areas. Parking fees in B zones are less pricey compared to A zones.

2. Free Parking Zones: these zones which as the name suggests do not require users to pay a fee are generally found in places with little to no traffic such as residential and suburban areas.

3. Residential Parking Zones: in highly populated residential areas there are designated parking zones that are only reserved for residents. Parking in these zones requires a permit which is only issued for people living in the vicinity of the zone,

4. No-Parking Zones: areas where parking is prohibited as it might affect the flow of traffic or obstruct emergency services.

By the way, if Sharjah is a place you live or go, Sharjah parking SMS will definitely help you out.

How To Find Parking In Sharjah

Finding a parking spot is not always an easy task especially when visiting busy districts in rush hour, so it is important to consider your options in advance. There are different methods for finding car parking in Sharjah before getting to your destination. Some of these methods include using mobile apps such as:

Sharjah Municipality Parking App: using this app users can find and reserve the best options for paid parking in Sharjah

MAWAQiF App: although this app is more popular in Abu Dhabi, it does cover parking in certain areas of Sharjah and can help locate parking zones.

Via SMS: finding car parking in Sharjah is also possible with SMS. For doing so you will need to send an SMS containing your license plate information and the duration you will need a parking spot for to 5566. The exact format is as follows:

Plate Source + [space] + Plate Number + [space] + Duration (number of hours)

For example: SHJ 5119 2 (SHJ stands for Sharjah)

You might find the car insurance in Sharjah guide useful too if you live there and want to make a more informed decision. In Sharjah, just like anywhere else in the UAE, traffic regulations are as strict as ever. Therefore, knowing about Sharjah traffic fines is important.

Paid Parking Zones In Sharjah

As mentioned before, in busy areas in Sharjah car parking usually is not free and one is required to use paid parking zones which vary in price depending on the area. Parking in A zones for instance which are available in highly congested areas is more expensive than B zones which are usually located in areas with less traffic.

Free parking in Sharjah

Although paid parking in Sharjah is the most common way to find a spot for your car, there are places in the city where you can park your car without having to pay a fee. These places include:

• Residential Areas: neighborhoods located further from the city center usually offer free parking, although actually finding a spot can be tougher than it sounds. Also in some residential zones parking is only free for residents.

• Fridays and Public Holidays: In many areas of the city you can park your car without having to pay a fee on Fridays and during other public holidays, even in paid parking zones. However, there are exceptions such as no-parking zones.

• Shopping Malls, Park, and Other Public Spaces: parking in Sharjah is usually free in a lot of shopping malls, however, there is often a time limit after which you will be charged for each additional hour.

• Suburban and Outer City Areas: the outskirts of Sharjah, like most other cities, is much less busy and with a lot less traffic which makes finding a free parking spot easier than other areas in the city.

Key Locations for Free Parking in Sharjah

• Residential Areas: Al Nahda, Al Majaz, Al Qasimia
• Tourist Destinations: Al Qasba, Sharjah Aquarium
• Shopping Malls: Festival City Mall, Ibn Battuta Mall, Mercato Mall

Airport Parking In Sharjah

Sharjah Airport offers different solutions to parking for those passengers who like to use their own cars upon their arrival, which vary depending on the duration of your trip.

Short-Term Airport Parking Charges

Parking lots designated for short-term parking are located near the terminal and are ideal for those who are there just to drop off or pick up a passenger. For this mode of parking, you will be charged by the hour.

• First 30 minutes: Free2
• First hour: AED 102
• Each additional hour: AED 52
• Maximum daily rate: AED 150

Long-Term Airport Parking Charges

Long-term parking is reserved for those who want to go on a trip and prefer to have their car in the lot upon their arrival. This lot is usually farther away from the terminal; however, there are regular buses you can use for transfer.

• 24 hours to 30 days: Secure parking environment
• Payment options: Credit card, cash, NFC, and Scan to Pay service
• Grace period: 10 minutes after payment to exit

Paid Parking Fees In Sharjah

Paid parking applies from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM, from Saturday to Thursday. On Fridays and public holidays, parking is generally free throughout the city.

The fees for paid parking in Sharjah vary depending on the zone you are using, which can be either a Blue Zone, referring to general parking areas, or a Yellow Zone which is found in busy and highly congested areas. The dees for each zone are as follows:

Standard Parking (Blue Zones):

• One Hour: AED 2
• Three Hours: AED 5
• Five Hours: AED 8

Premium Parking (Yellow Zones):

• One Hour: AED 5
• Two Hours: AED 10
• Three Hours: AED 15

Parking Card Subscription Charges

If you use paid parking in Sharjah on a regular basis, having a parking card is a must as it makes things quite convenient for the user. These cards are offered to both individuals and corporations who require parking spots for multiple vehicles.

Depending on the type of plan you use, which can vary according to the duration and the areas covered, the parking card subscription fees are as follows:

How To Pay Parking Charges In Sharjah?

There are different methods for paying parking fees in Sharjah which include:

• Parking Meters: there are usually parking meters on-site which you can use for paying parking fees in Sharjah, using coin, cash, or credit/debit cards.
• Mobile Apps: if you use mobile apps for reserving a spot for car parking in Sharjah, you can use the same app to pay for it.
• SMS: in Sharjah, it is possible to reserve a parking spot with SMS, and if you use this method, the fee will be charged to your phone bill.

How To Pay Parking In Sharjah For Dubai Plate

Paying for parking in Sharjah for a Dubai-registered vehicle is no different than paying as a Sharjah resident and is possible using

• on-site parking meters
• the Sharjah Municipality App
• via sending an SMS to 5566.

Timings For Parking In Sharjah

Paid parking in Sharjah is generally enforced from 8 AM to 10 PM except for national holidays and Friday or Sunday depending on the emirate, when parking is free.

Parking Regulations And Fines In Sharjah

In Sharjah, parking regulations are set in place to ensure accessibility and prevent possible traffic jams. Some of these regulation include:

• Designation of paid parking zones which require payment during specified hours (usually from 8 AM to 10 PM, Saturday to Thursday).

• َAssigned parking for residents which is only accessible to residents with a permit.

• Other regulations specific to certain areas are written on signage which you must always pay attention to in order to avoid fines.

Common Violations And Fines:

1. Parking for longer than what you paid for AED 100 fine

2. Parking in a no-parking zone: AED 200 fine

3. Parking in a residential zone if you are not a resident: AED 200 fine

4. Using fake or invalid parking permit: AED 500 fine

5. Parking in handicapped parking zones: AED 1,000 fine

6. Blocking Traffic: AED 500

7. Booking parking spots without a valid driver’s license: AED 1,000

8. Misusing Equipment in the parking lot: AED 500

Parking Tips For Sharjah Drivers

To make car parking in Sharjah easier and avoid potential problems such as fines there are a few tips you can follow:

• Mind the signs: although there are general rules when it comes to car parking in Sharjah, it is best to look for and pay attention to signage to ascertain whether or not you are allowed to park at a certain place. Blue signs often designate no-parking zones, where parking is prohibited even on holidays.

• Subscribe for a parking card: if you use paid parking in Sharjah, it is best to apply for a parking card which not only makes it more convenient to pay for parking, it can also help you save money.

• Use SMS services to find and reserve parking spots: without using the internet or any complicated online service, you can find, reserve, and pay for a parking spot by sending an SMS to 5566. Bear in mind that the SMS must be written in a specific format.

Conclusion

Although car parking in Sharjah can be quite a challenge sometimes, there are ways you can make it easier and less stressful. By using online services or through SMS messages, it is now possible to find, reserve, and pay for a parking spot for yourself before getting somewhere. In this article, we have tried to provide you with a comprehensive guide on car parking in Sharjah, to help you manage this task in a better and more efficient way.