Tracking free parking Waikiki and cheap parking in Waikiki is something we’ve made a tradition for the past five years. It’s a passion, even a bit of a game if you will. This past weekend we saved well over $100 using these tricks, which is no chump change. In just once instance, a $35 hotel parking fee was reduced to zero.
If you’re staying at a hotel in Waikiki (or just parking there for the day), read on to save enough money for an evening on the town!
Free Parking Waikiki + Cheap Parking in Waikiki
There are some easy alternatives to paying ever more expensive parking rates in Waikiki. We’re talking about Honolulu having some of the more costly parking rates in the country. Here’s our updated list starting at the Ala Moana side of town and heading up to Waikiki’s Diamond Head side. Please let us know your tips too. Also, things can change rapidly, so be aware of signs regarding parking regulations.
1. Ala Moana Beach Park
If you’re staying at any of the hotels near Ala Moana, there is free all day and perhaps overnight parking along side the park on Ala Moana Park Drive. There are some places where parking is not permitted overnight including the side fronting the Waikiki Yacht Club, so be sure to read signs carefully. We’ve gotten a ticket by not reading.
Tip: It gets very busy on weekend days with beach goers at Ala Moana. A suggestion is heading to the mall for covered parking during the day, then parking overnight along the park, which is then virtually unused. Also, a visitor recently said they were cited parking overnight. “…If a road on a park is open after park hours you can only park for a maximum 60min between 2am and 6am.”
2. Ala Wai Boat Harbor near Hilton Hawaiian Village
You’ll also still find free parking behind the Illikai Hotel and the Hilton’s Duke Kahanamoku lagoon. But remember this free Waikiki parking lot has a 6-hour maximum and is closed between 10:30pm to 4:30am nightly. Google Maps. This lot tends to get crowded and people will wait for others to leave.
You will also find a paid lot here that is open 24 hours a day for $1.00 an hour (no in/out privileges). So if you are staying in the part of Waikiki, you can park at the free lot during the day and this one overnight.
Tip: The parking lot on the right side (towards airport) has many more spaces and fewer people queuing for them. While others sit in their car waiting, park there and you’ll already be at the beach.
3. Ala Wai Canal
Get there early and you may find free parking along the Ala Wai Canal (no parking Monday or Friday from 8:30am to 11:30am). Continue on Ala Wai Boulevard until you are on the opposite side of the canal from the convention center for more free spaces available 24 hours a day. It can happen, we recently found open spaces at around 10:00am. Image below.
4. Waikiki Shell
At the Diamond Head side, at the Waikiki Shell, you’ll find free unlimited time parking which is almost always available on Montserrat Avenue. You can park overnight too. Do watch for signs indicating occasional closures for special events. The nearby zoo lot charges $1.00 an hour (credit cards accepted) with a 4-hour maximum at any one time.
Tip: This works great for day parking as well as overnight parking at nearby Waikiki Hotels. Google Maps.
5. Kaioo Drive and Wai Nani Streets
Located at opposite ends of Waikiki, these streets have free parking too.
More 2018 Cheap Parking in Waikiki
You’ll also find parking meters on many of the streets off of Kalakaua Avenue and Kuhio Avenue. Meters range in price starting at $1 per hour.
Tip: Parking meters are not enforced on Sundays! Some take credit cards, but definitely not all. So it is handy and recommended that you come with a bag of quarters.
Clay says
Hi there! We are about a 20 minute walk from the Waikiki she’ll areas you mentioned. We are going to rent a car and leave it there overnight for 4 nights. Would you happen to know the likelyhood of a towing happening? Thank you so much! Your knowledge of the area is greatly appreciated!
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Clay.
Don’t know the answer. We have parked there innumerable times without a problem – that’s all that we can say.
Aloha.
Cindy A says
Do you know whats to park while staying in ohana waikiki east by outrigger honolulu
Thanks
Cindy
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Cindy.
Difficult middle of Waikiki location in terms of parking. Meters or limited free parking on streets as indicated, but it is hard to find and frustrating.
Aloha.
Carolyn says
Thanks for this useful website! I’d like to know how safe is the Honolulu Zoo parking lot? I know there’s no guarantee but just like to get a general idea. I’m interested in the Queen Kapiolani Hotel across the street. Can I pay $4 maximum for the day and have unlimited in and out access at the zoo lot? Or do I have to pay each time I park and also when I rest for the day and park overnight there?
Also, this hotel is at the very edge of the Waikiki area. Is it too quiet at night(as for safety) to walk back from the busier section?
Mahalo!
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Carolyn.
We’ve never had a problem but don’t have any feeling about the safety of that or any Honolulu parking lot. There is no in/out at the zoo lot, you pay each time. We park on the street adjacent to the zoo and the nearby free lot, as indicated in post. It has never felt unsafe walking there day or night, but again that is a personal matter.
Aloha.
Pat says
Hi we are staying at Wyndham beach walk looking for cheaper parking pls help
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Pat.
We’ve posted all that we are aware of.
Aloha.
Alicia C says
Hi!! Will be staying at the Courtyard Waikiki Beach, any cheaper parking lots around it? Thanks!
Alicia
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Alicia.
We’ve included all that we are aware of. You’re definitely nearby Ala Wai, if that street parking helps.
Aloha.
Ann says
Hi there, I will be staying in Courtyard Waikiki Beach next week. Did you find a reasonable parking nearby? The hotel only has a valet parking and charges 42$/day
Ann J says
Hi there, I will be staying in Courtyard Waikiki Beach next week. Were you able to find a reasonable parking nearby this hotel?
Susan says
Good evening? I will be staying at the Aston Waikiki Hotel in a few days, what’s the cheapest parking with overnight I could find.
Thanks
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Susan.
It will be the Montserrat Avenue parking discussed in the post. A reasonably short walk.
Aloha.
Eric L says
Hello: looking for a safe and reasonably priced overnight garage near the Waikiki Ritz Carlton. It’s not just about the price at the Ritz, but they are valet only, and we want to self park. We’re willing to walk a little if needed. I hear the King Kalahuau across the street is good: do they allow overnight parking? How much? What about the Royal Hawaiian garage: can you park there overnight if you’re not staying at their hotels? How much? Thanks very much!
Mahalo.
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Eric.
Sorry, but we don’t have any additional information on parking near RC.
Aloha.
Karen V says
Were staying at the hilton garden inn here in waikiki, is there any cheaper overnight parking in the area? Or weekly parking pass?
Ted J says
Just saw signs by metered parking spots on O’hua avenue and Paoakalani avenue that they do not charge parking fee after 6pm before 8am.
is there time length restriction as to how many hours you can park there?
Heidi says
The cheapest parking close to Duke’s Restaurant for about 6 hours so we can spend day at beach in front of Duke’s and have lunch there.
Iwan R says
Hi. It’s our first trip to Hawaii so any advice is much appreciated.
We would like to know of the best/cheapest parking near: Ritz-Carlton, Waikiki; Kahala Hotel; Marriott Ko’olina.
Thanks so much in advance 🙂
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Iwan.
For Ritz, there is parking on Ala Wai, although if you’re paying for Ritz, not sure you’ll really want to do that. There’s also hourly metered parking on the side streets nearby if you find a spot. Kahala – as far as we recall, there is no nearby parking, so you’ll probably be in their lot. Can’t remember Ko’Olina situation via-a-vis parking.
Aloha.
Jessica says
Do you know of any free or cheap day and overnight parking near the White Sands Hotel on Nohonani st? Thanks.
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Jessica.
We listed all of the parking deals that we are aware of. Parking on Ala Wai is probably the only possibility.
ALoha.
Rachel says
The island colony hotel is directly across the street from white sands and offers a flat rate fee of $30 for 24 hours. This is the best rate in the area that we were able to find, aside from finding free parking which can be quite difficult, especially after 3pm.
Shall says
We will be staying in the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki. Where can we find close cheap parking? I think we will need overnight parking. Also, what’s happening this weekend? Which boat ride will give us the best bang for our buck?
Mahalo 🙂
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Shall.
There is no close cheap parking other than the nearby hourly parking (not overnight) referenced in the post. We don’t normally make recommendations re events or boat rides.
Aloha.