Parking in Seattle can be expensive but there are many spaces and parking lots available. The city’s department of transportation has an excellent map on its website that gives you a detailed overview of what streets are metered, which ones have time limits or are unrestricted, as well as where to find a parking garage. There is a city-wide 72-hour rule that means you can’t park your car on a street for longer than 72 hours. Sometimes it’s necessary to angle your wheels into the curb so check the signs for specific information when you park.
Where to Find On-Street Parking
On-street parking is readily available throughout the city with a mixture of time limits and payment scales. The price at parking meters varies at different times of the day but expect to pay around $3 per hour in the most central parts of the city.
Where to Find Parking Garages
In downtown Seattle, there are parking garages on nearly every other street so you will have no problem finding a free space. Prices vary dramatically so be sure to check online in advance or book a spot ahead if you’re on a budget. There are deals to be found! Most of the garages have security and many have electric car charging points.
Where to Park for Free
It is actually surprisingly easy to find free parking in Seattle but you’ll have to head to neighborhoods like Eastside or north to Queen Anne. There are many unrestricted streets in the outlying districts and it is not a great distance to downtown Seattle by foot or public transportation.
Park & Ride Locations
If you want to avoid the city congestion altogether, Washington State, in general, has an excellent park and ride system. Seattle is well served and there are many lots at metro lines to jet you into the city in no time. Usually, the lots operated by the Washington State Department of Transportation have a 48-hour maximum time limit that is enforced. We recommend putting any belongings in your vehicle out of view, as many sites have CCTV but in general, they are not guarded.
