Salik Tolls in Dubai & their Locations

Salik is an innovative electronic toll collection system in Dubai, featuring 10 strategically placed gates across major highways. Operational since 2007, it manages traffic congestion, generates infrastructure funding, and promotes sustainable transportation. The system uses RFID technology to automatically deduct tolls from prepaid accounts when vehicles pass through designated gates.

Located on key routes like Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Ittihad Road, Salik gates help distribute traffic flow, reduce environmental impact, and support Dubai’s urban development goals. With variable pricing and continuous technological improvements, Salik remains a critical component of Dubai’s intelligent transportation infrastructure.

Salik, Dubai’s automated road toll collection system, plays a crucial role in managing traffic flow and infrastructure development in the emirate. As of February 2025, Dubai operates a total of ten Salik toll gates strategically placed across the city’s major highways. This comprehensive guide will explore the Salik system, its importance, locations, associated roads, and various aspects of its operation.

Total Number of Salik Gates in Dubai

As of February 2025, Dubai has ten operational Salik gates. The most recent additions are the Business Bay Crossing gate and the Al Safa South gate, which became operational on November 24, 2024.

Why Salik is Important

Salik serves several crucial functions in Dubai’s transportation ecosystem:

1. Traffic Management: By implementing tolls on busy routes, Salik encourages drivers to use alternative roads, thereby reducing congestion on main arteries.
2. Infrastructure Funding: Revenue generated from Salik tolls contributes to the development and maintenance of Dubai’s road network.
3. Environmental Impact: By reducing traffic congestion, Salik indirectly contributes to lower vehicle emissions and improved air quality.
4. Public Transport Promotion: The toll system incentivizes the use of public transportation, aligning with Dubai’s sustainability goals.

Salik Gates: Locations Linked Roads and their Impact

Al Barsha Gate

Location: Sheikh Zayed Road, near Mall of the Emirates
Operational Date: July 1, 2007
Linked Roads: Sheikh Zayed Road (E11)
Impact: Controls traffic flow along one of Dubai’s busiest commercial districts, easing congestion near Mall of the Emirates and surrounding areas.

Al Garhoud Bridge Gate

Location: Al Garhoud Bridge
Operational Date: July 1, 2007
Linked Roads: Al Garhoud Bridge, connecting Deira and Bur Dubai
Impact: Manages traffic between old and new Dubai, reducing congestion on this vital crossing.

Al Maktoum Bridge Gate

Location: Al Maktoum Bridge
Operational Date: July 1, 2007
Linked Roads: Al Maktoum Bridge, connecting Deira and Bur Dubai
Impact: Regulates traffic flow between Deira and Bur Dubai, with free passage during specific hours to encourage off-peak travel.

Al Safa Gate (North)

Location: Sheikh Zayed Road, near Al Safa Park
Operational Date: July 1, 2007
Linked Roads: Sheikh Zayed Road (E11)
Impact: Manages traffic flow on Sheikh Zayed Road, one of Dubai’s main arteries.

Airport Tunnel Gate

Location: Airport Tunnel on Beirut Street
Operational Date: April 15, 2013
Linked Roads: Beirut Street, leading to Dubai International Airport
Impact: Controls traffic to and from the airport, ensuring smooth flow for travelers.

Al Mamzar North Gate

Location: Al Ittihad Road, near Al Mamzar
Operational Date: September 15, 2008
Linked Roads: Al Ittihad Road
Impact: Manages traffic entering Dubai from Sharjah, helping to reduce cross-emirate congestion.

Al Mamzar South Gate

Location: Al Ittihad Road, near Al Mamzar
Operational Date: September 15, 2008
Linked Roads: Al Ittihad Road
Impact: Controls traffic leaving Dubai towards Sharjah, working in tandem with Al Mamzar North Gate.

Jebel Ali Gate

Location: Sheikh Zayed Road, near Jebel Ali Free Zone
Operational Date: November 9, 2018
Linked Roads: Sheikh Zayed Road (E11)
Impact: Manages traffic flow to and from Abu Dhabi and the southern areas of Dubai.

Business Bay Crossing Gate

Location: Al Khail Road, at Business Bay Crossing
Operational Date: November 24, 2024
Linked Roads: Al Khail Road (E44)
Impact: Reduces traffic on Al Khail Road by approximately 15% and on Al Rebat Street by up to 16%, diverting vehicles from Jebel Ali towards Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road and Emirates Road.

Al Safa South Gate

Location: Sheikh Zayed Road, between Al Meydan and Umm Al Sheif Streets
Operational Date: November 24, 2024
Linked Roads: Sheikh Zayed Road (E11)
Impact: Works in conjunction with Al Safa North gate to reduce traffic on Sheikh Zayed Road by up to 42% from Al Meydan and Al Safa Streets.

Salik Timings in Dubai

Salik, Dubai’s electronic toll collection system, operates with variable pricing based on the time of day to manage traffic flow effectively. As of January 2025, the following timings and rates apply for Salik gates in Dubai:

Peak Hours (Weekdays)

• Morning: 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM
• Evening: 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM
• Rate: AED 6 per crossing

Off-Peak Hours (Weekdays)

• Midday: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
• Night: 8:00 PM to 1:00 AM
• Rate: AED 4 per crossing

FREE Salik Timings

• Daily: 1:00 AM to 6:00 AM

Salik Rates on Sunday

• Flat rate of AED 4 throughout the day

Special Considerations

• Al Maktoum Bridge Gate: Free from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM on weekdays and from Saturday 10:00 PM to Monday 6:00 AM
• Al Mamzar North and South Gates: Only one charge applies if passing through both gates in the same direction within one hour
• Al Safa North and South Gates: Only one charge applies if passing through both gates in the same direction within one hour

Salik Timings in Ramadan

During Ramadan, the timings are adjusted as follows:

• Peak hours (AED 6): 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
• Off-peak hours (AED 4): 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM to 2:00 AM
• Free period: 2:00 AM to 7:00 AM

These variable rates are designed to encourage drivers to travel during less congested periods, thereby improving overall traffic flow throughout Dubai.

Speed Limits on Salik-Associated Roads

Speed limits on roads with Salik gates vary depending on the specific location and road conditions. Here are the general speed limits for the main roads associated with Salik gates:

1. Sheikh Zayed Road (E11): 100-120 km/h, with some sections at 140 km/h
2. Al Khail Road (E44): 100-120 km/h
3. Al Ittihad Road: 80-100 km/h
4. Beirut Street: 80 km/h
5. Al Garhoud Bridge: 80 km/h
6. Al Maktoum Bridge: 60 km/h

It’s important to note that these speed limits may change, and drivers should always adhere to posted speed limit signs, which take precedence over general guidelines.

Salik Fines and Penalties

Failing to comply with Salik regulations can result in fines. Here are some common Salik-related fines:

1. Passing through a Salik gate without sufficient balance: AED 50
2. Tampering with or covering the Salik tag: AED 100
3. Using an unregistered vehicle through Salik gates: AED 100 per crossing

Speeding Fines and Penalties

Speeding fines in Dubai are determined by the extent to which a driver exceeds the speed limit. Here’s a general list of speeding fines:

1. Exceeding speed limit by up to 20 km/h: AED 300
2. Exceeding speed limit by 21-30 km/h: AED 400
3. Exceeding speed limit by 31-40 km/h: AED 500
4. Exceeding speed limit by 41-50 km/h: AED 700
5. Exceeding speed limit by 51-60 km/h: AED 1,000
6. Exceeding speed limit by more than 60 km/h: AED 2,000

Additional penalties may include black points on the driver’s license and vehicle confiscation for severe violations.

While Salik is designed to manage traffic effectively, some drivers may wish to avoid toll gates. Here are several strategies to bypass Salik gates:

Use Alternative Routes

Several roads in Dubai allow drivers to avoid Salik gates:

• Al Khail Road (E44): Connects major areas while avoiding most Salik gates.
• Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311): A popular highway connecting Dubai and other emirates, free of Salik gates.
• Ras Al Khor Road (E44): Provides an alternative to Sheikh Zayed Road for north-south travel.
• Al Manama Street (D77/D67): Offers a Salik-free route in certain areas.

Plan Trips During Off-Peak Hours

Some Salik gates offer free passage during specific times:

• Al Maktoum Bridge Gate: Free from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM on weekdays and from Saturday 10:00 PM to Monday 6:00 AM.

Use Public Transportation

Dubai’s extensive public transportation network, including the Metro and bus systems, provides Salik-free travel options.

Carpooling

Sharing rides with colleagues or friends can help distribute the cost of Salik tolls among multiple passengers.

Residential Area Routes

In some cases, navigating through residential areas can provide Salik-free alternatives, though this may increase travel time.

Salik Pricing and Recent Changes

As of February 2025, the standard Salik toll rate remains at AED 4 per crossing. However, it’s important to note that Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced the introduction of a Variable Road Toll Pricing system starting in January 2025. Under this new system, toll rates will be adjusted based on the time of day to further manage traffic congestion:

• Peak Hours (Weekdays): AED 6
• Off-Peak Hours: AED 4

This variable pricing strategy aims to encourage drivers to plan their trips during less congested periods, thereby improving overall traffic flow throughout the city.

Impact of New Salik Gates

The addition of the Business Bay Crossing and Al Safa South gates in November 2024 has had a significant impact on Dubai’s traffic patterns:

Business Bay Crossing Gate:

• Reduced traffic on Al Khail Road by approximately 15%
• Decreased congestion on Al Rebat Street by up to 16%
• Improved traffic distribution by diverting vehicles towards Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road and Emirates Road

Al Safa South Gate:

• Working in tandem with the existing Al Safa North gate, reduced traffic on Sheikh Zayed Road by up to 42% from Al Meydan and Al Safa Streets
• Improved traffic flow in the surrounding areas, including Business Bay and Downtown Dubai

These new gates are expected to generate approximately 111 million trips in 2025, contributing significantly to Dubai’s transportation infrastructure funding.

Future of Salik in Dubai

As Dubai continues to grow and evolve, the Salik system is likely to undergo further changes and expansions. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) regularly assesses the need for new toll gates to meet the city’s changing traffic demands. While no specific locations have been announced for additional toll gates beyond the current ten, the RTA is known to implement strategic measures to optimize traffic flow across the emirate.

The introduction of the Variable Road Toll Pricing system in 2025 represents a significant step towards more dynamic traffic management. This approach, common in many major cities worldwide, allows for more responsive congestion control and may pave the way for further innovations in Dubai’s transportation infrastructure.

Conclusion

Salik plays a vital role in Dubai’s transportation ecosystem, helping to manage traffic flow, fund infrastructure development, and promote sustainable travel options. With ten strategically placed gates across the city’s major highways, the system continues to evolve to meet the needs of Dubai’s growing population and expanding road network.

While some drivers may seek ways to avoid Salik tolls, it’s important to recognize the system’s broader benefits in terms of reduced congestion, improved air quality, and infrastructure funding. As Dubai continues to develop, Salik will likely remain an integral part of the city’s approach to traffic management and urban planning.

Residents and visitors alike should stay informed about Salik locations, toll rates, and any new implementations or changes to the system. By understanding and effectively navigating the Salik system, drivers can contribute to smoother traffic flow and a more efficient transportation network for all of Dubai’s road users.