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.
Chip S. says
Any kamaaina discounts around the trump hotel area? I know you can park at the Bank for $10. Any other suggestions? I work at the Yard House.
Chris says
Hi! We are staying at Marriott Waikiki Friday 7/19 and Saturday 7/20. Hotel wants $45 a night 🤦♀️. Suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I don’t know the are at all! Thanks!
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Chris.
All ideas we know about are on the post. Use Google Maps and you’ll see the Waikiki Shell area parking.
Aloha.
Alex M says
We are staying at the Park Shore hotel (near zoo) and have a car hire for 7 days and was wondering if any options for free or cheap parking around here as hotel looking for $40 a day !! It would mainly be overnight parking.
Thanks in advance for any advice that you could give.
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Alex.
We specifically covered the zoo area and where to find free overnight parking at the Waikiki Shell.
Aloha.
alex m. says
apologises didn’t realise where Waikiki shell was !! but having looked on map link above it seems ideal for our needs :0) and you can park anywhere along there on both sides 24/7 (unless event on) ?
Thanks for your advice and look forward to our stay in November :0)
Alma P. says
Hi,
We are staying at an Air BnB located near the Ritz Carlton in Waikiki. We were thinking of renting a car for a couple of days, and as there’s no parking at our residence could you give us some tips on where we can park for free or cheap nearby?
Thanks 🙂
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Alma.
There is no free or cheap overnight parking in that area except for extremely limited availability along the Ala Wai canal.
Aloha.
Sandy says
Hello, we will be staying at the Modern Honolulu in a few weeks. Do you have any suggestions for where to park? Thank you for your help
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Sandy.
There is six hour parking in the public beach lot just behind you and there may be some overnight at Ala Moana Beach Park, which is about a 5 minute walk.
Aloha.
Erica says
Erica
we will be staying at the Pear Waikiki in early July, was looking to rent a car do you have any parking suggestions there? Are uber and Lyft better options?
Mel says
Will be staying at Modern Honolulu for a week. Any cheap parking suggestions?
Aaron says
I’m up in Laie for work but hoping to get to Honolulu over the next few days. Got any suggestions on free parking and non-touristy things to do?
Nelly says
Hello!
We’re staying at The Sheraton Princess
Ka’iluani. Would you please share any overnight parking, or possibly recommend we park at a residential area overnight?
Thank you,
ALOHA!
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Nelly.
Nothing new to offer, other than what is already there. Right in the middle of Waikiki with the worst parking options.
Aloha.
Josh B says
Hello,
Thanks for the parking information. We will be staying at the Diamond Head Beach Hotel in late July. What options do we have for free parking? Free overnight parking? I see your Montserrat Avenue recommendation. Are you talking about the stretch along (in?) the park? Is that the left hand side of the street. Thank you for all your help!
Josh
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Josh.
Lots of parking around that area. Down street towards the shell in the free lot, on Montserrat (though most is metered), and on the side street right before Kaimana Beach Hotel too.
Aloha.
Marisa L says
We will be staying at the Alohilani Resort in 2 weeks and we’re looking to find inexpensive parking nearby. Do you have any suggestions? Any advice is appreciated. Thank you!
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Marisa.
There’s nothing more that we can add for parking near your location in Waikiki. You can walk and park for free near the zoo if you’d like. That’s what we do.
Aloha.
Monica A. says
Hi: We are staying at the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort. On what street is there free parking near the zoon? Thanks!
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Monica.
“At the Diamond Head side, at the Waikiki Shell, you’ll find free unlimited time parking which is almost always available on Montserrat Avenue.”
Aloha.
Russell says
I’m staying at Wyndham Waikiki Beach hotel. Any suggestions for cheaper weeklong parking within .5 mile.
Carmen says
We will be staying at the Shoreline Hotel Waikiki on 342 Seaside Ave,. Could you please offer some suggestions for parking near there? Thank you very much for your time.
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Carmen.
Right in the center of Waikiki and not really any great choices. What we have listed includes the metered day park you might find and the very limited parking along Ala Wai.
Aloha.
David M says
Hi, we’re staying in marina tower hotel in ala Moana Blvd in the middle of may,, any recomendations for cheap or free parking ???
Marion says
We will be staying at the Wyndham Royal Gardens on Olohana Street. Could you please offer some suggestions for parking near there? Thank you for your time.
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Marion.
Right smack in the middle of Waikiki with few parking options; nothing other than what we already listed.
Aloha.
Taffer says
Hi where is he overnight free overnight parking near Ala Moana Beach park please? I am staying on Ala Moana Bvd and can park in the shopping centre for free during the day but need overnight parking on this side of Waikiki please. Taffer
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Taffer.
Check the Ala Moana Park Drive, inside the park. It has been free. We haven’t tried it in a while, so check to be sure. Also some parts of the street have other restrictions, so be careful.
Aloha.
Kati says
Could you please help? I’ll be staying at Hilton Hawaiian Village downtown Waikiki. To avoid hotel overnight parking charges…where can I park?
Thank you!
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Kati.
The only choices nearby HHV are already listed. There’s hourly parking behind and there’s overnight free parking near Ala Moana Beach Park, which is a walk.
Aloha.
Donna says
Kati,
If anyone in your group is active duty or retired military or DoD civilian, you can self-park in the Hale Koa hotel’s large garage (2004 Kalia Rd) across the street from the HHV for $30 (max 24 hrs). You can also park there hourly ($3.50 for 1st hr, $2 ea addl hr). Be sure to bring a military ID card. In comparison, the HHV self-park garage rate is $45 per day.
Adesh S says
Aloha,
I am staying at the Marriott Waikiki Resort located towards Diamond Head. I’d rather self park in a garage than the Valet parking at the Marriott. Any parking suggestions please? I guess of i do overnight parking they will charge the max full day rate. I know there are a few garages nearby the Marriott but they do not accept Spot hero parking membership. Typically if i use spot here for all day parking in Manhattan Spot hero cuts my rates by 50%.
Thank you and await your feedback,
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Adam. Don’t know anything about Spot hero. We listed everything we know of. Distance to Waikiki shell parking from there is very walkable and then it is free.
Aloha.
Donna says
Agree on the walkable distance. I stayed at the Hotel Renew last month and it was about a five min walk from the Waikiki Shell to my hotel. Parked my car overnight without issue (many other cars park overnight there). The lot can be full during the day but you can park in the Zoo lot for $1 per hr (meters take credit cards).