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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Suzanne W. says
Hi Beat of Hawaii
Good day to you. And I would like to ask what would be the nearest free or cheap overnight parking available near Marina Tower Waikiki? I just received an email from them, which they will charge USD30 per day for parking at the hotel. Your advice is highly appreciated.
Thank you.
Regards
Suzanne Wing
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Suzanne.
You are very near Ala Moana Beach Park, where there has been limited free parking. Be sure to check the rules, as we’ve also gotten a ticket there overnight by not paying close attention to the signs.
Aloha.
Kap P says
Aloha!
We’re staying at the Hawaiian Monarch Hotel (444 Niu St) right by the Ala Wai Canal. Parking there is $30 a day. Is there anywhere else besides the Ala Wai that is close and free/cheap overnight?
Thank you for your feedback!
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Kap.
No there is not.
Aloha.
Juliana says
Aloha!
Great tips here! Thank you!
Could you please help me with a another tip about parking lots or free parking close to Waikiki Beachside Hostel (2556 Lemon Road).
Mahalo!
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Juliana.
The parking at the Honolulu Zoo and at the Waikiki Shell is quite close by.
Aloha.
Jane says
Aloha! Do you know any parking near Lewsters and kuhio Ave for overnight, and a walking distance maybe? Thanks in advance! mahalo
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Jane.
There is nothing nearby.
Aloha.
Shrimp says
Hi,
This is an amazing website. Got a question.
I am staying at Waikiki beachcomber by outrigger for several days. It costs $40 per night. I think it is fair but was wondering if you know any cheaper place to park. Thanks!
Best,
Shrimp
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Shrimp.
That might be the best bet. There is something else nearby listed at $30, but you’ll need to check that out for price confirmation, details, convenience, in/out privileges, etc. That option is Elite Parking Services LLC,
Holiday Inn Waikiki Beachcomber Resort, 2300 Kalakaua Avenue, Honolulu, 1-808-922-4646.
Aloha.
Zahra says
Hi there,
I will be staying on Tusitala St., do you know where the closest free parking would be?
Many thanks in advance!
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Zahra.
Right in the middle of Waikiki. No nearby free parking except in rare chance you find during parking hours on Ala Wai canal.
Aloha.
Ang says
Hi closest free parking for Paniolo at the Equus?
Mahalo!
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Ang.
They are listed – behind Hilton Hawaiian Village across street, or at Ala Moana Beach Park. Nothing overnight.
Aloha.
Bob M. says
Hi.
Great post! Thanks for all the info. We will be staying at Embassy Suites in Waikiki. Can you recommend free parking spots nearby? Thanks in advance.
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Bob.
Thanks. You’re right in the middle of Waikiki and there just aren’t any free parking spots other than extremely limited metered street parking as indicated.
Aloha.
Heather says
Great article on free parking in Waikiki! Which of your suggestions would be closest to Hilton Hawaiian Village? Thanks!
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Heather.
Thank you. The nearest is the hourly parking is found in the post under “2. Ala Wai Boat Harbor near Hilton Hawaiian Village.” Both free and hourly is available.
Aloha.
Sat says
Hi we are staying at alohilani and need to park overnight on Thursday. Please suggest any parking nearby.
Also, what about car rentals, is there anything in Waikiki area or do I need to go to the airport?
Thank you
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Sat.
Nearest free parking is a indicated, Waikiki Shell. Car rentals both at Waikiki and at the airport.
Aloha.
Gary R. says
Hi, We are staying at the Royal Garden at Waikiki from September 4th through the 12th. Are there any parking garages close by for us to park our car?
Thank you,
Gary
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Gary.
There’s nothing we know of beyond what is included in article.
Aloha.
Jodie P. says
Hi! Booked last minute for my sons 16th and my 50th in 3 weeks… staying at Wyndham Beach Walk – looking at your hints I don’t think there is anywhere within a 10 minute walk that has cheaper parking? Working out whether its worth getting a car (theres 6 of us) or just uber/public bus.. thank you
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Jodie.
Any of those choices is workable; it all depends on how you envision spending your time. Concur that there is no cheap parking anywhere nearby.
Aloha.
Melvin L says
Hello,
We are staying at the STAY HOTEL on 2424 Koa Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815, USA. The hotel charges $47USD/day. Do you know of free or cheaper parking near by. Willing to walk for cheaper parking. Any information would help. Thanks in advance.
Regards,
Melvin
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Melvin.
Nothing we know of. That’s right in the middle of Waikiki.
Aloha.
Laura says
Hi there, we are staying on Kaiulani Avenue, do you know of any free or cheap parking available around there? We are not staying in a hotel, and are happy to walk 10-15 minutes to the car. Thanks
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Laura.
Right in the middle of Waikiki. Other options are as listed already. For overnight, a walk to the the Waikiki shell.
Aloha.
Debbie says
Do you know anything about parking at IHOP by the Hilton Hawaiian village.
Thank you 😀
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Debbie.
The hourly parking near that hotel is already in the post (see #2). That’s all that there is.
Aloha.
Petra says
Hello,
we are staying at Aqua Oasis hotel, where is parking for 39 USD per day. Are there cheaper options nearby?
Thank you for your help.
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Petra.
Nothing that we are aware of.
Aloha.
Jim J. says
Are there any overnight parking options close to Hilton Waikiki Beach. 2500 Kuhio Ave.
Also, Any good breakfast places close as well? Where the locals go.
Thank You
P.S. Lived in Hawaii for 3 years..Plenty has changed. I will be there for a week starting 9/16/19.
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Jim.
Probably the zoo area parking is the best choice, especially overnight. Not sure about breakfast places – we like to use Yelp for ideas.
Aloha.
Fawn G. says
The Hale Koa has cheaper parking than the Hilton and is right next door. There is an IHop located directly across the street from the Hilton. Prices are a bit higher than the mainland but not much higher, Tere is no parking there but you can walk 2 minutes and be at the restaurant.
mike r. says
looking for alternative parking for staying at Sheraton Princess Kaiulani
Trina D says
Following. Staying in the same hotel in November
Courtney says
Can you park in the lifeguard parking overnight by Waikiki beach?
Vince N says
Do you know if we’re allowed to park in the the zoo lot along Kapahulu overnight?
Thank you!
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Vince.
As far as we know you can – but that is paid parking 24 hours a day.
Aloha.
Vince says
Thanks for the response.
Took a chance parking there prior to your response and luckily found a stall which was at a premium.. Rate was a mere $1.50/hr, half the price of what the hotel wanted! Time extensions could be made via text but I didn’t want to chance it so I physically paid in person again. You could pay up to 24 hrs max.
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Vince.
Thanks for update. Glad it worked out!
Aloha.
Daniel says
Aloha
We are staying at the Outrigger on the Reef Hotel (2169 Kalia Rd,).
Parking is very expensive at 35 USD per day. Are there cheaper options nearby?
Thank you very much for your fee feedback.
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Daniel.
Sorry, there really is nothing near your location that we are aware of.
Aloha.