Free Parking Waikiki + Cheap Parking in Waikiki 2018

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.