Yes, free parking Waikiki is possible, even with the exquisite view pictured here. And tracking free parking Waikiki and cheap parking Waikiki is something we’ve made a tradition for years. It’s a passion, even a bit of a game if you will. Yesterday, we scoured Honolulu again and we saved using these tricks. It is easy to save as much as $35 per night in hotel parking fees, which is no chump change.
Whether 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 Waikiki in 2020
There are some easy alternatives to paying ever more expensive parking rates in Waikiki. Below are seven of our favorite places to park in Waikiki, followed by three tips not to be missed.
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 but no longer overnight parking alongside the park on Ala Moana Park Drive. Always be sure to read signs carefully. We’re guilty of having gotten a ticket ourselves here 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.
2. Ala Wai Boat Harbor area, near Hilton Hawaiian Village.
You’ll also still find a lot of free parking behind the Illikai Hotel and the Hilton’s Duke Kahanamoku lagoon. But remember these free Waikiki parking lots have a 6-hour maximum. Google Maps. Lots tend 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 can work 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.
On 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 $1.50 an hour (credit cards accepted) with a 4-hour maximum at any one time. We’ve parked overnight here many times over the years without issue.
Tip: This works great for day parking as well as overnight parking at nearby Waikiki Hotels. Google Maps.
5. Diamond Head Road area.
There is abundant metered parking all along Diamond head road. Fee is 50 cents per hour and it is free on Sundays and before and after parking regulation hours. You can park overnight.
6. Kaioo Drive and Wai Nani Streets.
Located at opposite ends of Waikiki, these streets still have free parking too.
7. Side streets off of Kalakaua and Kuhio Avenues.
Here you’ll find metered parking with a range of prices starting at $1 per hour.
Three additional tips.
Parking meters are not enforced on Sundays!
Some take credit cards, but definitely not all.
It is highly recommended that you come with a bag of quarters.
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Nicole R says
Mahalo! đ€
Jenn says
Hello! I read the Honolulu Zoo parking lot is not closed at night. Is that true? Would it be an issue to find overnight parking around there?
Debbie says
Thanks for the info!
Tom K says
Helpful information. Between parking and resort fees, it can add up to $100 per day for hotel guests. Gouging at best so To the naysayers of this site, if it wasnât for exorbitant overnight hotel parking fees then there wouldnât be a site like this. Pro consumer, all good. Thank you.
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Tom.
Thanks. Beat of Hawaii is about many other things, and that would rank lower than others, but we appreciate your words.
Aloha.
Kelly K says
I live in Seattle and therefore am loathe to pay for parking. I find it counterintuitive to charge high parking rates to tourists or locals. Your suggestions are much appreciated, thank you! The more money we save on parking, the more we have to spend in local eateries and shops around the island when we come.
Matthew says
Much appreciated for the information. I just downloaded the âSpotAngelsâ app after finding this website and it looks ot be pretty helpful for finding parking. Free parking capabilities in the app as well which also features more capabilities like placing a pin on a map for your car etc.
Jason P says
Aloha, most of these free parking locations are for “beach & park recreational use only” not for hotel guests or employees. Sites like yours are the reason it won’t be free for long.
John says
Get over it
Craig O says
Thanks for the great tips. Coming in June ( I’m clean, no vi rus ) Want nice kick back spot on nice beach, fathers day camp out w/ son, 3 nights and we’ll go back home :0) … any ideas?
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Craig.
Stay tuned for more information about June travel. There are so many choices of islands and places that are beyond the scope of what we try to do here.
Aloha.
Lucy says
Is there any reduction in cost of parking for handicap drivers?
AnnMarie P. says
Can I use my handicapped placard for parking?
Aileen W. says
Yes you can use your handicap placard. I bring mine from California every time I vacation in Hawaii and Iâve never been ticketed.
Aff says
Can I park overnight (maybe 7pm – 8am) in metered parking that is only enforced until 6pm with a handicap placard? Or does the time limit still apply?
Michael K says
I have a handicap placard which gives me free parking at meters in my state, Nevada. Is this the case in Hawaii?
Sheryl S. says
In Hawaii, it only allows free parking for 2 1/2 hours, maybe a little longer grace period.
(Many states allow unlimited free parking. Not Hawaii.)
Jim D. says
Aloha KÄkou!
Any tips for finding permanent parking for people who live on O’ahu? My situation is that I’ll be moving to Honolulu Area this Feb, my car will arrive via boat in Late Feb, what can I do?
Ben S. says
How long is the walk from the zoo parking to the Marriott Waikiki? Thank you.
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Ben.
Depending on how fast you walk, perhaps 5+ minutes.
Aloha.
Marc says
Easy walk Ben – only 5ish minutes!
Donna says
3 minutes. Itâs 1 block