Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced changes to parking, public transport and selected customer services for the Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday holiday on Friday, August 28, 2026.
The changes affect motorists, Metro and Tram users, bus passengers and anyone planning to use selected RTA services during the three-day weekend. Public parking will be free on Friday, except at multi-storey facilities, while the E100 service from Al Ghubaiba to Abu Dhabi will not operate from August 27 to 30.
The updates matter for residents planning weekend travel, late-night outings or trips between Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The holiday itself has been confirmed for the UAE’s federal government and private sector, creating a three-day break for employees who follow the Saturday-Sunday weekend.
At a Glance
- Location: Dubai and intercity travel to Abu Dhabi
- Organisation: Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA)
- Status: Holiday arrangements for Friday, August 28, 2026
- Parking: Free public parking on Friday, excluding multi-storey car parks
- Dubai Metro: Red and Green Lines will run from 5am to 1am
- Dubai Tram: 6am to 1am
- ? E100 bus: Suspended from August 27 to 30; E101 from Ibn Battuta is the alternative for Abu Dhabi travel
- Who is affected: Motorists, public transport users and residents using RTA customer and vehicle testing services
Planning to make the most of Dubai’s three-day weekend? The Dubai RTA has announced free parking in Dubai on Friday, August 28, along with holiday timings for the Metro, Tram, buses and selected vehicle testing centres.
The changes are in place for the Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) Birthday holiday, which falls on Friday and gives many employees in the UAE’s public and private sectors a long weekend until Sunday, August 30. Dubai Metro services will run until 1am, while passengers travelling to Abu Dhabi should note that the E100 bus service from Al Ghubaiba will be temporarily suspended.
Is parking free in Dubai on August 28?
Yes. Public parking across Dubai will be free on Friday, August 28, according to the RTA’s holiday service arrangements.
The exemption does not apply to multi-storey parking facilities, where regular charges will continue.
Motorists should also remember that the free parking offer applies to the public holiday on Friday only. Regular parking fees will return on Saturday, August 29.
This could be particularly useful for residents heading out for the long weekend, visiting shopping and entertainment destinations or travelling around the city for holiday plans.
What are the Dubai Metro and Tram timings for the holiday?
The RTA has extended operating hours for Dubai’s rail network on Friday, August 28.
Dubai Metro Red and Green Lines:
5am to 1am the following day
Dubai Tram:
6am to 1am the following day
The later operating hours give residents and visitors more flexibility for evening travel during the public holiday. The Metro and Tram are expected to be particularly useful for people heading to major leisure, dining and entertainment areas without having to worry about driving or parking.
For public buses, the RTA has advised passengers to check the S’hail app for updated service timings, as schedules may vary during the holiday.
Is the E100 Dubai to Abu Dhabi bus running this weekend?
No. The E100 bus service from Al Ghubaiba Bus Station to Abu Dhabi will not operate from Thursday, August 27, until Sunday, August 30, 2026.
Passengers travelling to Abu Dhabi during this period are advised to use the E101 service from Ibn Battuta Bus Station instead.
The change begins a day before the public holiday and continues throughout the long weekend, so commuters should plan ahead before travelling between the two emirates.
The RTA’s journey planning system also displays the temporary E100 service suspension, confirming that passengers should use alternative transport arrangements during the affected period.
Which RTA services will remain open on August 28?
Most RTA Customer Happiness Centres will be closed for the holiday. However, the Umm Ramool Customer Happiness Centre and smart customer service centres at Deira, Al Barsha, Al Twar, Al Kifaf and the RTA Head Office will continue operating 24 hours a day.
Most vehicle technical testing centres will also close on Friday and return to their normal schedules on Saturday.
However, four centres will remain open:
- Al Mutakamela Al Quoz
- Al Mutakamela Al Qusais
- Aber
- Wasel Al Jaddaf
These locations will provide vehicle technical testing and registration services from 7am to 12 noon and again from 3pm to 10.30pm.
This is an important detail for motorists with urgent vehicle registration or testing requirements during the public holiday.
What about Dubai’s marine transport services?
Dubai’s marine transport services will also operate on holiday-specific schedules, according to the RTA.
Passengers planning to use water transport are advised to check the latest timings before travelling, as operating schedules can differ depending on the service and route.
The same applies to Dubai bus services, with passengers encouraged to check the S’hail app for the latest route and timing information.
Why is there a three-day weekend in the UAE?
Friday, August 28, 2026, has been designated as the public holiday marking the Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday.
The UAE Government announced that the holiday applies to employees in the federal government and private sector. Since it falls on a Friday, employees who follow the standard Saturday-Sunday weekend can enjoy a three-day break from August 28 to 30.
Dubai Government employees are also observing the holiday on Friday, with official working hours resuming on Monday, August 31. Authorities operating essential services or working on shift schedules may continue to operate based on their individual requirements.
The timing of the holiday means the RTA’s service updates are especially relevant for residents planning to travel, attend events or move between Dubai and Abu Dhabi over the weekend.
For Dubai residents, the holiday arrangements mean one thing: plan before heading out.
Motorists can take advantage of free public parking on Friday, although multi-storey car parks are excluded. Metro and Tram users have later services available until 1am, making evening travel easier.
The biggest change for intercity passengers is the temporary suspension of the E100 service from Al Ghubaiba. Anyone travelling to Abu Dhabi between August 27 and 30 should use the E101 service from Ibn Battuta Bus Station or make alternative arrangements.
With the public holiday creating a three-day weekend for many employees, transport services and popular destinations could also see increased demand.
FAQs
Is parking free everywhere in Dubai on Friday, August 28?
Public parking is free across Dubai on August 28, except for multi-storey parking facilities. Regular parking charges return on August 29.
What time does Dubai Metro close on August 28?
Both the Red and Green Lines will operate from 5am until 1am the following day.
What are the Dubai Tram timings for the holiday?
Dubai Tram will run from 6am until 1am the following day on Friday, August 28.
Is the E100 bus from Dubai to Abu Dhabi running?
No. The E100 service from Al Ghubaiba Bus Station will not operate from August 27 to 30. Passengers can use the E101 service from Ibn Battuta Bus Station to Abu Dhabi.
When do normal RTA parking charges return?
Regular public parking charges will resume on Saturday, August 29, 2026.
Dubai’s three-day weekend comes with a few useful transport changes to remember. Public parking is free on Friday, Metro and Tram services will run late, and the E100 bus service to Abu Dhabi will be temporarily unavailable.
Residents planning to travel over the weekend should check their route before leaving, especially if using public buses or marine transport.
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