We get it — parking in Seattle can be confusing and pricey, but it doesn’t need to deter you from going into town. There are over 1 million places to park, even if it doesn’t always feel like it. We’ve put together some tips + tricks on where to find them.
Before heading downtown
- Download PayByPhone to pay for parking with ease. Most metered spots use this app — while some still accept coins, there’s no need to carry all that change around.
- Plan where to leave your car using Seattle’s interactive parking map.
- You can also use apps like SpotHero to grab a space and pay in advance.
Know the rules
- Colors are key — curbs marked white, yellow, or red generally mean passenger vehicles can’t park there (or at least not for long).
- Street paid parking is in effect Monday-Saturday and can span two, four, or 10 hours. Keep track of the rates, which were recently updated.
- No matter what the sign says, no car can be parked in one spot on a street for longer than 72 hours — so don’t leave it there on your vacay.
Free parking
- Enjoy a break from paying for street parking on Sunday fundays and national holidays.
- An open secret is that lots near the Amazon buildings in South Lake Union are free after 4 p.m. Monday-Friday and on weekends.
- Pioneer Square’s First Thursday Art Walk also offers parking options gratis.
More resources
- Get details about accessible parking.
- Find electric vehicle charging stations around the city.
- If you receive a parking citation, you can pay your ticket online, in person, or by mail.
Of course, you can avoid all those parking headaches by simply getting around the city without a car. Hop on a bike or bus and leave the endless circling behind.
