Ramadan Salik Timings 2026: When Dubai Toll Gates Are Free

Planning your commute around Ramadan Salik timings 2026 could save you substantial money during the holy month. Dubai toll gates will be completely free between 2am and 7am every single day. This offers motorists a valuable window to travel without charges. Salik will implement variable pricing throughout Ramadan, with peak fees reaching Dh6 between 9am and 5pm on weekdays. Off-peak hours offer reduced rates of Dh4.

Understanding Ramadan's time schedule is everything you need for managing your dubai salik timing well. This piece breaks down salik timings in dubai in detail and covers free hours, peak rates, traffic patterns, and salik recharge options to help you direct through the adjusted toll system during this blessed month.

Ramadan 2026 Salik Timings: Complete Schedule

Salik operates on a modified variable pricing structure throughout Ramadan 2026, with rates adjusted to accommodate altered working hours and fasting schedules. The toll system divides each day into three distinct pricing brackets and creates predictable cost windows for motorists navigating dubai salik timing.

Monday to Saturday Salik Timing

Weekdays follow a three-tier pricing model during the ramadan time schedule. Peak hours run from 9am to 5pm. Crossing any toll gate costs Dh6 during this time. This represents a united eight-hour peak window that differs from the split morning and evening peaks applied during regular months.

Low-peak rates of Dh4 apply during two separate periods: the morning transition from 7am to 9am and the extended evening window from 5pm until 2am. This evening low-peak period spans nine hours. The system designed it to accommodate iftar gatherings and evening activities common during Ramadan.

The off-peak free period covers 2am to 7am each day and allows toll-free passage through all 10 Salik gates. This five-hour window supports suhoor travel and sunrise prayers without incurring charges.

Sunday Salik Timing

Sundays operate under simplified pricing, excluding public holidays and major events. A flat Dh4 rate applies throughout the day from 7am to 2am, whatever the traffic volume. Peak and low-peak differences disappear on Sundays and provide consistent pricing for weekend commuters.

The free period from 2am to 7am remains similar to weekdays. This uniform approach makes Sunday the most predictable day to calculate salik recharge needs.

Key Differences from Regular Timings

Normal Salik operations charge Dh6 during two four-hour blocks: 6am to 10am and 4pm to 8pm. Ramadan unites these into one continuous peak from 9am to 5pm and eliminates the early morning rush hour charge.

The free window extends by one hour compared to the regular 1am to 6am slot. Low-peak evening hours also expand by a lot and run until 2am instead of 1am. These adjustments arrange salik timings in dubai with Ramadan's shifted daily rhythms and reduced morning traffic.

When Are Dubai Toll Gates Free During Ramadan?

The toll-free window between 2am and 7am represents the most valuable chance to save costs during ramadan salik timings 2026. Motorists passing through any of Dubai's 10 Salik gates during these hours face zero charges. Early morning travel becomes ideal for suhoor preparations and sunrise prayers.

Free Hours Breakdown

This five-hour window runs every single day throughout Ramadan, including Sundays and weekdays. The timing moves from the standard 1am to 6am free period used during regular months and extends the morning free window by one hour. Drivers observing suhoor can travel without worrying about toll deductions. Those attending early prayers benefit from charge-free passage.

How to Maximize Free Toll Windows

Planning around these hours can cut your monthly transportation costs substantially. You avoid all toll charges and eliminate the need for frequent salik recharge during this period when you schedule long drives between 2am and 7am. To name just one example, crossing multiple gates for work or personal errands within this window saves Dh6 per gate during what would otherwise be peak hours.

Up-to-the-minute traffic apps prove helpful for route planning, especially before Iftar when congestion peaks. Moving regular commutes earlier or later takes advantage of either the free window or the reduced Dh4 off-peak rates.

One critical mistake drivers make involves assuming Salik operates free around Iftar. Toll gates remain active during evening rush hours, which often experience the heaviest traffic of the day. The evening period from 5pm to 2am charges Dh4, not zero.

Expected Traffic Patterns During Free Hours

Early morning hours between 2am and 7am see minimal congestion, as most residents remain home for suhoor or rest. This creates smooth passage through toll gates without the delays common during daytime salik timings in dubai.

Understanding Peak, Low-Peak, and Off-Peak Rates

Variable pricing during ramadan salik timings 2026 operates on traffic management principles rather than arbitrary time blocks. Salik introduced this system on January 31, 2025, replacing the previous flat Dh4 rate that applied uniformly whatever congestion levels.

What Determines Peak Hours

Traffic volume and adjusted government schedules drive the designation of peak periods. Government offices, private companies, and schools follow modified timings during Ramadan to accommodate fasting hours. These moves create different traffic flow patterns compared to regular months, prompting Salik to combine peak hours into a single eight-hour window from 9am to 5pm instead of the usual split morning and evening blocks.

Regular peak hours at 6am to 10am and 4pm to 8pm reflect typical work commutes. Ramadan's later start times eliminate early morning congestion. The morning low-peak rate of Dh4 extends from 7am to 9am for this reason.

Cost Comparison: Ramadan vs Regular Rates

Regular weekday tolls charge Dh6 during two four-hour peak windows, while Ramadan charges the same rate for one continuous eight-hour period. Morning commuters save Dh2 per gate between 6am and 9am during Ramadan compared to regular months.

Evening rates favor Ramadan travelers substantially. The low-peak Dh4 rate runs until 2am instead of 1am, adding an extra hour of reduced charges. The free window also gains an hour and runs from 2am to 7am versus the standard 1am to 6am slot.

How Variable Pricing Works

Higher rates during congested periods discourage unnecessary trips and spread traffic across different hours. This strategy generated Dh3.09 billion in revenues for Salik in 2025, marking a 35.1 percent year-on-year increase. Net profit reached Dh1.55 billion, up 33.4 percent from Dh1.16 billion the previous year. The pricing adjusts based on time and requires no manual intervention for salik recharge deductions.

How to Prepare Your Salik Account for Ramadan

You should keep adequate account credit before Ramadan starts. This prevents last-minute salik recharge hassles during the busiest travel periods. Account management happens entirely online through www.salik.ae or the Smart Salik app and eliminates service center visits. 

Salik Recharge Options

Recharge cards come in denominations of AED 50, AED 100, and AED 200. You can activate these by calling 800-SALIK (72545) or sending an SMS to 5959 with the format: R, 12-digit number, account number, and PIN.

The Salik website and Smart Salik app accept credit cards for online payments. ATMs and Cash Deposit Machines at Dubai Islamic Bank and Emirates NBD also process salik recharge transactions. Bank mobile apps from participating institutions offer additional top-up channels.

Checking Your Account Balance

Balance inquiries work through multiple channels. You can visit the Salik website and enter your plate number plus mobile number under "Check Balance". You can also call 800-SALIK (72545) and follow the automated prompts. The Smart Salik and Dubai Drive apps display current balances after login.

Setting Up Auto-Recharge

Auto-recharge requires a UAE-based bank account. The system deducts payments automatically at the time your balance drops below a preset threshold. This prevents toll violations during ramadan salik timings 2026.

Downloading the Salik App

The Smart Salik app supports balance inquiries, instant recharge, trip tracking, and violation management. You can download it from the App Store or Google Play Store.

Conclusion

Planning around Ramadan Salik timings for 2026 can substantially reduce your transportation costs during the holy month. The free 2am to 7am window works perfectly for suhoor travels. Avoid the 9am to 5pm peak hours when possible and keep your account topped up through convenient Salik recharge options.

These adjusted timings help you traverse Dubai's toll system with ease. Proper planning saves you money and ensures smooth commutes throughout Ramadan.