Salik is Dubai’s electronic road-toll system. When a vehicle passes under a Salik reader, it scans the windshield tag and charges the linked account automatically. There are no toll booths, and drivers do not need to stop. For visitors, the main things to check are the current toll times, whether a planned route passes a gate, and how a rental company bills tolls.
What is Salik and how does it work?
Salik uses a sticker tag and radio-frequency identification (RFID) readers to register toll crossings. For a privately owned vehicle, each tag must be activated and linked to the vehicle’s Salik account, which needs enough balance to cover tolls. The Salik and RTA apps provide account services such as balance checks, recharges and recent-trip information.
When you pass under a toll reader, continue driving at the posted speed. The system records the crossing without a barrier or cash payment point.
How Salik works with a rental car
Rental-car arrangements vary. Ask the company whether the car has a Salik tag and how it will bill your crossings. Salik tolls are generally separate from the rental price, and a provider may add an administrative fee. Check the rental agreement for the fee amount and when the toll charges will appear on your bill. RTA rental-service information and rental-company terms also describe Salik charges as separate fees.
Salik toll rates and times in 2026
The standard schedule applies outside Ramadan. Dubai’s published toll tariffs are AED 6 at peak times and AED 4 at off-peak times. From 1 June 2026, a 5% VAT applies to toll transactions, making those totals AED 6.30 and AED 4.20. The overnight period is toll-free.
| Day and time | Published tariff | Total with 5% VAT |
| Monday to Saturday, 6:00–10:00 am and 4:00–8:00 pm | AED 6 | AED 6.30 |
| Monday to Saturday, 10:00 am–4:00 pm and 8:00 pm–1:00 am | AED 4 | AED 4.20 |
| Every day, 1:00–6:00 am | AED 0 | AED 0 |
| Sunday, outside the toll-free period* | AED 4 | AED 4.20 |
*Sunday’s flat AED 4 tariff applies except on public holidays and event days, when a different schedule may apply. During Ramadan, Salik uses a separate timetable, so check its latest notice if travelling during the month. The published times and tariffs can change; confirm them before your trip.
Example: Three separate weekday peak-hour toll crossings would total AED 18.90 in Salik charges, before any rental-company fees.
Where are the Salik gates in Dubai?
Salik currently lists 10 toll gates across Dubai’s main road corridors. Check the official Salik gate map before setting your route, especially if you are driving between the airport, central Dubai and areas farther south or east.
| Road or corridor | Salik gate locations |
| Sheikh Zayed Road | Jebel Ali, Al Barsha, Al Safa North and Al Safa South |
| Al Khail Road | Business Bay Crossing |
| Al Ittihad Road | Al Mamzar North and Al Mamzar South |
| Beirut Street | Airport Tunnel |
| Sheikh Rashid Road | Al Garhoud Bridge |
| Umm Hurair Road | Al Maktoum Bridge |
Two gate pairs have a single-charge rule: passing both Al Safa gates, or both Al Mamzar gates, in the same direction within one hour is charged as one crossing. Other toll-gate passages are generally charged separately.
How to plan for Salik on a Dubai drive
Before setting off, check your route against the Salik gate map and consider these practical steps:
- Check the toll schedule: The charge depends on the day and time you pass the gate. Sunday and Ramadan schedules differ from the standard Monday-to-Saturday schedule.
- Review the rental terms: Confirm whether tolls are billed per crossing, whether an admin fee applies and when charges are collected.
- For your own car, check the account: Make sure the tag is active, attached to the correct vehicle and linked to an account with enough balance.
- Use route settings thoughtfully: A navigation app may offer an “avoid tolls” setting. Compare the suggested journey before using it, as avoiding toll roads can change your route and travel time.
If a Salik charge looks unexpected, check the trip history in the relevant account or contact the rental company for its toll statement. Keep the rental agreement and final invoice until the charges are clear.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to stop at a Salik gate?
No. Salik is a free-flow toll system. The reader detects the vehicle’s tag as it passes, so there is no booth or barrier to stop at.
How much does one Salik crossing cost in 2026?
Under the standard schedule, a weekday peak crossing costs AED 6 before VAT, or AED 6.30 including the 5% VAT introduced on 1 June 2026. An off-peak crossing costs AED 4 before VAT, or AED 4.20 including VAT.
Is Salik free on Sundays?
No. Outside the toll-free overnight period, the Sunday tariff is AED 4 before VAT, or AED 4.20 including VAT. Public holidays and event days may use a different schedule.
Do I pay twice for both Al Safa or Al Mamzar gates?
Not if you pass both gates in the same direction within one hour. The pair is charged as one crossing. This rule applies to the Al Safa North/South pair and the Al Mamzar North/South pair.
Do tourists need to buy a Salik tag?
If you are renting a car, ask the rental company how its vehicle is equipped and how it bills tolls; rental arrangements vary. If you are driving your own vehicle, check Salik’s current instructions for buying and activating a tag.
Can I pay cash at a Salik gate?
No. There are no toll booths. The toll is processed through the tag and linked account, or handled through the rental provider’s billing arrangement.
Can a rental company charge more than the Salik tariff?
It may add an administrative fee, depending on its terms. Ask for the per-crossing fee and billing process before collecting the car, then review the final invoice.
