Best Parking in Austin

Austin, Texas is a vibrant and bustling city that attracts a lot of visitors all year round. The city is known for its live music scene, fantastic food, and outdoor activities.

However, parking in Austin can be a bit of a challenge, especially during peak hours. It is essential to know where to find the best parking options to avoid the frustration of driving around in circles looking for a parking spot.

In this guide, we will share with you the best parking options in Austin to make your visit more enjoyable and convenient.

1. Street Parking

Street parking is a great option for those who don’t mind walking a few blocks to their destination.

Downtown Austin provides ample street parking options with various meters to choose from. However, street parking can be a bit of a challenge during weekends and events, so it’s always essential to check parking signs carefully before leaving your vehicle.

The Austin parking system uses a tiered price structure for most street parking. The parking rates start at just $2 per hour for the first 2 hours. Then the rates start go up to $3 for the 3rd hour. The limit is $5 per hour for up to 10 hours. It is also worth noting that motorcycles and scooters are allowed free street parking for up to 12 hours.

Click here to learn more about Austin’s Paid Parking.

Free Street Parking

There is free parking available on several streets every Sunday. On-street parking meters in the area near Barton Springs Road and South Lamar, for example Toomey Road, Lee Barton Drive and several others, are only enforced Monday-Saturday (8 AM – Midnight). Therefore Sundays are free!

There is also free parking available on IH-35 to Chicon from East 4th Street to East 7th Street. Parking restriction apply Tuesday through Saturday (6 p.m. to midnight), meaning free parking Sunday, Monday and during the day for the rest of the week.

Other free parking spaces:

201 E. 17th Street – Near the Bullock Museum
1132 Colorado Street – Near the Austin Capitol
222 E 6th Street – Near the Westin Austin Downtown
1508 Lavaca Street – Near the Hampton Inn & Suites
336 E. 14th Street – Near the Moody Amphitheater
819 Congress Avenue – Parking near the Omni Austin Hotel

Always watch out for signs for restriction during busy periods. These will usually be around 9 p.m. to 3 a.m Thursday to Sunday.

2. Parking Garages

There are numerous parking garages located throughout Downtown Austin, offering safe and secure parking options.

Some of the best parking garages in Austin include the Montopolis Parking Garage located at 439 Montopolis Drive and the Austin Convention Center Garage located at 201 East 2nd Street. Parking fees in these garages are usually flat rates or hourly rates, so it’s always helpful to do a bit of research before heading out.

There are some garages that allow you to park for free for a limited time:

Austin Central Library – 710 W Cesar Chavez Street is free for an hour and it the $5 for two more hours.
Capitol Visitors Garage – E 12th St and E 13th St. Free parking for the first two hours with a rate of $1 for each half hour after that (open Mon-Fri 7am-6:30pm).
City Hall – 301 W 2nd Street. 30 minutes of free parking and then $5 an hour afterwards.

Click here to learn more about Austin Parking with Parkopedia.

3. Valet Parking Services

Valet parking is a convenient and stress-free option if you’re in a hurry or have a lot of luggage to carry. In Austin, several companies offer valet parking services such as the Lone Star Valet Parking and the Hotel Granduca Austin.

These services usually require an additional fee on top of the parking charges, so it’s essential to take note of the additional costs for budget planning.

4. Park and Ride Services

Park and Ride services are a cost-effective option for visitors who want to explore the city without worrying about parking or traffic.

Capital Metro, Austin’s public transportation provider, offers Park and Ride services to popular tourist destinations such as Barton Springs and Zilker Park. Visitors can park their vehicles at designated Park and Ride locations and take the bus to their intended destination.

Click here to learn more about Austin’s Park and Ride Services.

5. Alternative Parking Options

If you’re looking for unique and alternative parking options, Austin has a couple of options for you. The Electric Cab of Austin provides eco-friendly transportation services around the city, and they offer services such as drop-off and pick-up locations.

Another alternative parking option in Austin is the RideScout App, which helps you find available parking spots and offers real-time parking availability. Smarking is also useful for helping you find a parking spot online with 24/7 parking available at the Indeed Tower garage on 200 W 6th Street. This is the perfect location for visiting many tourist spots, hotels and downtown Austin. You can purchase the SmartPass to have a parking space waiting for you ahead of time.

Click here to learn more about the Indeed Tower Parking Pass.

6. Get Home Safe Ticket Waiver Program

This excellent safety measure ensures you get home safely after a night out. The guidelines according to AustinTexas.gov:

‘If you left your vehicle overnight at a City of Austin parking meter to seek a responsible ride home and received a parking ticket, you are eligible to have the parking ticket waived from Austin Transportation.

To participate in this program, drivers must fill out the online Get Home Safe Ticket Waiver Form within the next business day after receiving the parking ticket. They will need to upload to the form a copy of their parking ticket and a copy of their proof of responsible ride (such as a taxi, bus, or ride-hailing) receipt with time and date.’

To learn more about this Ticket Waiver Program click here.

Conclusion

Parking in Austin doesn’t have to be a hassle as long as you know where to find the best parking options. From street parking to valet services, there are several options to choose from depending on your preference and budget. And if you fly from Austin, you just leave your car at Austin airport parking garage at the Bergstrom overnight parking.

We hope that this guide will help make your visit to Austin more enjoyable and, most importantly, stress-free. Remember to always do proper research before heading out and to have a fantastic time exploring the city!