- Tips for parking in Miami
- Where to find parking garages and lots in Miami
- Where to find on-street parking in Miami
- Where to find free parking in Miami
- FAQs
Miami, Florida, is famous for its gorgeous beaches, its Art Deco historic district, and its lively atmosphere. No matter your travel vibe, you’ll find plenty of things to do in Miami!
As the largest city in South Florida, though, finding parking in Miami can be a bit tricky sometimes, especially if you’re headed downtown or to the beach. But not to worry—we’re here to tell you where to find the best parking garages, street parking, and free parking in Miami. Whether you’re exploring Miami for several days or starting out on a South Florida road trip, read on for our expert tips.
Tips for parking in Miami
When you’re looking for parking in Miami, there are a few things unique to this city that will affect your search. Keep these general tips in mind:
- Plan ahead: Miami hosts tons of events on any given day, so be sure to check the calendar to know which areas to avoid if possible—not only because of full lots and garages, but also because of price hikes.
- High traffic: Downtown and South Beach tend to be the most crowded areas, so reserve parking in advance if you can.
- Use apps: There are several mobile apps you can download to find parking in Miami on the go, like ParkMobile, PayByPhone and SpotHero. These apps show you available parking spaces in your area in real time.
- Residential parking: Some residential zones in Miami require a permit to park there, so look for signs indicating this and never block driveways.
- The heat: Miami is known for its hot weather, so try to park in garages or in the shade when possible.
So, pick up your vehicle at the SIXT branch at Miami airport or in Miami Beach and hit the road!
Where to find parking garages and lots in Miami
Parking garages are some of the most secure and convenient parking options in Miami. While garages might sometimes be more expensive than parking lots, they offer the perks of shade and added security. Garages should have signs at the entrance listing the cost, but be aware that there may be higher rates during special events.
There are plenty of parking garages in Miami, with many of them located in the downtown area or near other popular attractions. Miami is also home to both public and private parking garages, with the private ones usually being more expensive. Just be sure not to lose your ticket—you’ll need it to get out of the garage. Otherwise, you’ll have to pay a flat fee. Some garages also allow ticketless parking via an app, so it’s worth checking ahead for peace of mind.
Popular parking garages in Miami include the following:
- 17th Street Garage: This public parking garage is located in South Beach, and rates tend to hover around $2 per hour, with a maximum daily rate of $20*. This garage also has EV charging stations.
- Fifth & Alton Miami Beach Public Parking: This public garage also charges around $2 per hour* and is located on the southern side of Miami Beach near the bridge to the mainland. The maximum daily rate is $20*.
- Miami-Dade Cultural Center Garage: This parking garage is located in the heart of downtown near Government Center, giving easy access to several highways and attractions. Rates start at $3 per half hour for up to 2.5 hours*.
- Bayfront Parking: This garage is situated next to Bayfront Park along the coast, and the rate is a flat rate of $20*.
There are also plenty of parking lots in Miami, and while shade isn’t guaranteed, they might be cheaper than some of the garages you’ll come across.
Some lots in popular locations include the following:
- Miami Beach Parking Lot: This lot is located at the south end of South Beach on Washington Avenue and costs $2 per hour*. If this lot is full, there are at least two more within a 5-minute drive.
- You’ll find several private lots in the Wynwood area, including on the corner of NW 23rd and NW 5th, as well as off NW2nd behind the convention center.
Parking apps can also help you find available spots in nearby parking lots and garages in real time.
SIXT pro tip: Parking garages are much more plentiful in Miami than parking lots, unless you’re headed to Miami Beach. To save money on parking, we recommend looking for public garages in your desired destination.
Where to find on-street parking in Miami
If you don’t want to pay for parking in a garage or a lot, you can also find on-street parking in Miami. This city has around 9000 on-street parking spots, but most of them are metered, so you’ll need to pay attention to time restrictions.
Most of the meters run from 8 a.m. until midnight, but there will be some permit zones and zones with no-parking days due to street cleaning. Meters usually accept coins, credit, and debit cards, while some may also accept dollar bills. Meters typically run from 7 a.m. until 2 a.m.
You can find metered street parking in Miami in the following areas:
- Downtown Miami: There is metered parking along Biscayne Boulevard and near the Port.
- South Beach: Collins Avenue and Ocean Drive in Miami Beach have metered parking spots for $4 per hour.* Enforcement hours run from 9 a.m. to 3 a.m.
- Wynwood: There is limited metered parking available in this neighborhood along NW 36th and NE 29th.
- Brickell: Limited metered parking is available in this area, usually along SE 15th.
SIXT pro tip: If you’re heading to Miami Beach and looking for street parking, it might be better to park in the North Beach area, as these meters are typically about $1 cheaper per hour* than meters in South Beach.
Where to find free parking in Miami
Don’t want to pay for parking in Miami? You’re in luck—there are a select few areas where you can find free parking. The Coconut Grove and Coral Gables areas usually offer free parking in designated zones. If you’re looking for free parking in Downtown Miami or Miami Beach, it’s best to download ParkMobile or SpotHero to find free spots.
SIXT pro tip: You can also access free parking in Miami if you park in metered spots outside of enforcement hours, and some of the garages we mentioned above give you the first 2 hours of parking free. Brickell City Centre also has an underground garage where the first 2 hours are free*.
Your last option for free parking in Miami is to use one of the city’s Park and Ride lots. These lots are open daily from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., and no overnight parking is allowed. You can park in these lots free of charge and use the Metrobus to get to your final destination. Some of the most convenient Park and Ride lots are listed below:
- Tamiami Station Park and Ride: This lot is located at 14710 SW 8th Street. Park and then ride the 837 Express Bus* to downtown Miami.
- Dolphin Park and Ride: Located at 12065 NW 12th Street, the 836 bus provides a direct service to downtown every 10 minutes during peak hours and every 30 minutes during off-peak hours.*
SIXT pro tip: There are several other Park and Ride lots available, but they only have connecting bus routes to the downtown area. If you want a direct, quick service, the Tamiami Station and Dolphin Park and Ride are your best bet.
FAQs
Is parking difficult in Miami?
Parking in Miami can sometimes be difficult due to the sheer number of people trying to access the city’s beaches and attractions. However, if you’re able to plan ahead and use a parking app, it will be easier to find available parking spots at your destination in real time.
How much does parking cost in Miami?*
The cost of parking in Miami can vary depending on the location and whether you’re using garages, lots, or metered on-street parking. In Miami Beach, you can expect to pay about $4 per hour for metered parking, while many garages charge $2 per hour for up to $20 per day. In the city of Miami, metered parking can range from around $0.75 to $1.50* or more per hour, depending on the location.
Where can I park when going to the beach in Miami?
Those headed to the beach in Miami can find plenty of public lots and garages in South Beach, such as 17th Street Garage, Fifth & Alton Miami Beach Public Parking, and the lots along Washington Avenue. Collins Avenue and Ocean Drive also offer metered street parking in Miami Beach.
How can I pay for parking in Miami?
Garages and lots usually take cash or credit cards. If you download an app like ParkMobile, you can pay directly via the app for street parking. Metered parking typically accepts either coins or credit/debit cards.
*Disclaimer: These parking tips, pricing, and locations are valid as of April 2025.
