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As of 2026, there are 10 Salik gates operating in Dubai, and this number is fixed at the moment. These gates are part of Dubai’s electronic toll collection system and are installed on major highways, bridges, and tunnels where traffic volume is consistently high.
The purpose is not only toll collection but also traffic regulation, congestion management, and controlled road usage during peak hours.
Salik is fully automated, which means there are no toll booths, no stopping, and no manual payment. Once a vehicle passes under a Salik gate, the toll is deducted automatically from the registered Salik account.
This happens instantly, and the driver is not alerted at the gate itself. Because of this, many drivers cross Salik gates without consciously noticing them, especially on routes like Sheikh Zayed Road.
Knowing exactly how many Salik gates exist, and where they are placed, is essential for cost planning, particularly for daily commuters, intercity travelers, and rental car users. Without this knowledge, toll charges can accumulate quite a bit over time.
Here is the full and updated list:
Each gate is positioned where traffic density is predictably high, and their locations are not interchangeable. This means that route selection directly determines whether a Salik charge applies or not.
Salik gates are not evenly distributed across the city. Instead, they are concentrated on roads that carry high daily traffic volumes and connect major residential, commercial, and industrial areas. These locations are chosen to regulate flow rather than restrict movement.
Sheikh Zayed Road contains four Salik gates, making it the road with the highest Salik concentration in Dubai. These include Al Barsha Gate, Al Safa North Gate, Al Safa South Gate, and Jebel Ali Gate.
This road connects central Dubai with Abu Dhabi and passes through key business districts, which explains the higher number of toll points.
Because Sheikh Zayed Road is often unavoidable for commuters, many drivers cross more than one Salik gate in a single journey. This makes understanding timing and charges especially important for frequent users of this route.
Salik gates are also placed on bridges and tunnels because these structures naturally restrict traffic movement. Al Garhoud Bridge and Al Maktoum Bridge connect different parts of old and new Dubai, while the Airport Tunnel serves traffic moving to and from Dubai International Airport.
Al Maktoum Bridge is different from other Salik locations because it is not tolled at all times. Charges apply only during specific hours, while the bridge remains toll-free at night, on Sundays, and on public holidays. This makes it a preferred route for drivers who are timing their trips to avoid toll charges.
Al Ittihad Road has two Salik gates, Al Mamzar North and Al Mamzar South, positioned close to the Dubai–Sharjah border. These gates mainly affect daily commuters traveling between the two emirates.
A specific rule applies here. If a vehicle passes through both Al Mamzar gates within one hour, the toll is charged only once. This rule is designed to prevent double charging on short-distance cross-border commutes.
Salik charges in Dubai are time-based, not fixed throughout the day. This system was introduced to reduce congestion during peak hours rather than to generate flat toll revenue.
During peak hours from Monday to Saturday, the charge is AED 6 per crossing. During low-peak periods, the charge is AED 4. During off-peak hours, Salik gates are free. On Sundays, charges are reduced, and off-peak periods remain toll-free.
There is no daily or monthly cap on Salik usage. Every valid crossing is charged separately unless a specific exception applies, such as the Al Mamzar one-hour rule or the toll-free periods on Al Maktoum Bridge.
Avoiding Salik gates is possible, but it usually involves trade-offs. Drivers can use internal roads instead of highways, select toll-free routes on navigation apps, or travel during off-peak hours when gates are free.
However, avoiding Salik often increases travel time significantly. In many cases, paying the toll is more efficient than using longer alternative routes, especially during working hours.
Driving through a Salik gate without a registered tag is considered a violation. If this happens, the driver is given a grace period of ten days to purchase and register a Salik tag.
If the vehicle is not registered within this period, fines begin to apply. The first violation results in a fine of AED 100, the second results in AED 200, and every subsequent violation carries a fine of AED 400. These fines are issued per crossing and can accumulate rapidly.
Any vehicle passing through a Salik gate is required to pay, regardless of whether the driver is a resident or a visitor. This includes private vehicles, company vehicles, and rental cars.
In rental cars, Salik charges are typically tracked by the rental company and billed to the customer after the rental period ends. The responsibility to pay still lies with the driver.
Yes, Salik is charged in both directions whenever a vehicle passes under an active gate. Direction does not affect whether a toll is applied.
If a vehicle passes through a Salik gate with insufficient balance, a fine of AED 50 is issued. Only one insufficient balance violation is recorded per day.
There are four Salik gates on Sheikh Zayed Road, which is more than any other road in Dubai.
Salik charges are reduced on Sundays, and off-peak hours are free. Al Maktoum Bridge is fully toll-free on Sundays.
Dubai operates 10 Salik gates, all strategically placed to regulate traffic on major roads and crossings. Salik functions automatically, applies charges based on time of travel, and requires vehicles to be properly registered to avoid fines.
Once drivers understand where the gates are and how charges apply, Salik becomes predictable rather than confusing. It is not optional, but it is manageable, and planning routes with this system in mind helps reduce unnecessary costs and violations.
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