As the capital of Texas, Austin is a city that lives up to the state's infamous motto, "Everything's bigger in Texas." As one of the largest metropolitan cities in the country it is no doubt true that everything really is bigger in (Austin) Texas, and that includes the parking problems! Help yourself avoid a BIG headache by reading our parking tips to help you find parking quickly and easily, as well as find some of Austin's cheapest parking rates.
Searching for parking in a particular neighborhood? Click the links below to find the best parking spots in Austin!
Bigger City, Bigger Lots: There are tons of parking lots and garages scattered around Austin, and these lots live up to Texas's BIG reputation, with each lot having an average of 531 parking spaces!
Downtown Parking: Parking around downtown Austin can be tough to find on a budget, with many lots charging $2-$3 for every 20-30 minutes. Looking for something cheaper? If you don't mind walking around a bit, head towards the outer edge of downtown, the lots farther away from the core of downtown are much cheaper, having daily rates of $4-$8.
Nighttime Parking: Heading out for a night out on the town? Park your car at a lot that offers a flat evening rate, it's cheaper than paying per hour. It's also a good idea to park your car in a covered lot that you can leave your car in overnight in case you find yourself unable to drive home at the end of the night.
Street Parking: There are thousands of street meters scattered around Austin. These meters charge $1 per hour with a 3-5 hour time limit.
Real Time Availability: ParkMe has some of the best real time data for Austin parking. Check the ParkMe map to find lots with the most available spaces or to find out which blocks have the most open street meters!
Pro Tip 1: Be careful about parking your car overnight on the street in downtown Austin. Though street meter parking is free in the evenings (usually after 6pm, but can be after 12am in certain areas), auto theft is a common occurence downtown. The safest place to park is in a covered lot.
Pro Tip 2: The Austin parking enforcement is VERY efficient at their job. Be sure to read ALL the signs around you before leaving your vehicle to check that you are not parked in a "no parking" zone and that you have enough money in the meter. Austin parking officers are super quick at issuing tickets and getting your car towed, and can (and will) give you a ticket minutes after your meter expires.
| Parking Lot Density: | |
|---|---|
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0.0276 lots per sq. mile
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| Average Lot Price: | |
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$3.40 per hour
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| Average Lot Spaces: | |
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531 per lot
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| Five Largest Operators: | |
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LAZ Parking
Central Parking
University of Texas at Austin
ABM - Region #2502
Parking Systems of America
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| Largest Lots: | |
Copyright 2013 by ParkMe, Inc.
