From its lively music venues to its thriving food scene, downtown Austin is a bustling hub that draws locals and visitors alike. However, navigating parking in the area can often be a challenge.
Whether you’re a long-time resident or just visiting for the weekend, it’s helpful to understand your parking options. Fortunately, Austin offers a variety of parking choices, from short-term, five minute street parking to long-term garage options. This guide breaks down the best spots to help you find parking that fits your needs.
In this article, we will cover:
We’ve also included a few helpful Austin parking apps to make getting around easier, along with an overview of the public transportation options in downtown Austin.
Street Parking Meters
For quick errands or short stops, metered parking is a convenient and affordable choice. Meters are often found near major attractions, restaurants and retail spots. Austin meters typically cost around $2 per hour and payments can be made via coins, credit card or the Park ATX app. Cash is not accepted at most meters.
Meter enforcement hours are generally Monday through Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.. While time limits can range anywhere between 15 minutes to as long as eight hours, most areas have a maximum duration of two hours. Always check posted signs for details to avoid tickets.
Looking for longer-term parking or a spot closer to your destination? Depending on where you’re headed, certain neighborhoods offer additional options beyond metered spaces.
Parking By Neighborhood
Downtown Austin has specific parking areas where drivers can park for extended periods, often at rates comparable to metered spaces. Popular areas include:
6th Street Entertainment District
Ideal for those exploring Austin’s nightlife, parking in this area gives easy access to restaurants, bars and live music venues. Meter rates here are generally around $2 per hour. Parking on sixth street is not allowed between Red River and Brazos streets from Thursday through Sunday, 9 p.m. to 3 a.m.
Rainey Street District
Planning to explore Austin’s bar and food scene? While parking can be tricky on Rainey Street, there are a few nearby options. The Carmelo Parking Lot, located just a 10-minute walk away at 506 E 5th St., offers reserved spots starting at $13 for two hours, with rates up to $48 for a full day. For those looking to park closer, the 382 Parking Lot, located at the end of Rainey Street, is open 24 hours with pricing that varies depending on the day of the week.
While parking is available, it can be limited and expensive. If you’re planning a visit to Rainey Street, taking an Uber or using a rideshare service is often the most convenient option.
South Congress
South Congress Avenue offers a variety of parking options, including metered street parking, neighborhood street parking and smaller surface lots behind businesses. Paid parking is enforced Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to midnight and Sunday from 1 p.m. to midnight, with rates and time limits varying by zone. Be sure to check posted signs for details and payments can be made using the ParkATX app or by texting to park.
Back-in angle parking is available down the roads of South Congress, making it easier to maneuver in and out of busy areas. Additionally, smaller surface garages behind businesses provide convenient alternatives to street parking, such as the SoCo Parking Garage and Music Lane Parking Garage. Neighborhood streets also offer limited parking, though availability may depend on local restrictions and resident permit zones.
Public Parking Garages
The City of Austin operates several public garages throughout downtown that are convenient and moderately priced. These garages can be a good option if you need parking for anywhere from a few hours to a few days.
Let’s take a closer look at the two main public garages operated by the city:
City Hall Garage
One garage located close to many attractions, such as Lady Bird Lake and the Austin Public Library, is the City Hall Garage. This garage offers around 750 parking spots, including electric vehicle charging stations.
This garage is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with daytime rates set at $6 for the first hour and $3 for every additional 30 minutes, capped at a daily maximum of $35. Monthly parking is available for $200.
Austin Convention Center Parking Garage
With more than 1,600 parking spaces, the Austin Convention Center is conveniently located near many downtown attractions, including the Texas Capitol, the Austin Convention Center and The Contemporary Austin – Jones Center.
This garage is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with rates starting at $0 for the first 30 minutes, $5 for up to one hour and $10 for one to six hours. For stays between six and 10 hours, the cost is $15 and 10 to 12 hours costs $20. Each additional hour adds $3, with a daily maximum of $48.
Private Parking Garages
While sometimes more expensive than the public garages, private garages can offer premium features such as reserved spots and enhanced security. If you are looking for parking near a specific location or property, a private garage may be a better choice.
Some also offer monthly and yearly parking passes, ideal for residents or frequent visitors, making them a good option if you need long-term parking.
Apartment Parking Garages
Several complexes in downtown Austin provide parking garages or lots where you can rent a space for the duration of your lease. If your complex offers parking, signing a parking contract is often the most convenient way to ensure easy access to your car on a daily basis.
Depending on availability, you can often add it to your apartment lease for an extra monthly charge. The cost of parking at downtown Austin apartments can vary widely, typically falling between $100 and $250 per month, depending on the building.
Paseo offers a secure, controlled-access parking garage with 409 spaces spanning the first nine floors of the building, providing convenient on-site parking for most residents. To learn more about pricing for standard and reserved spots in our controlled-access parking garage, get in touch with the Paseo team.
70 Rainey Parking Garage
Located at 70 Rainey Street, this parking garage serves the 70 Rainey residential complex. The garage spans nine levels, providing ample parking space for residents and guests.
For non-residents, parking is offered at an hourly rate, with flat fees applied during major events. Monthly parking options are also available, typically ranging from $150 to $200 per month, depending on availability and the specific location within the garage.
Fairmont Austin Garage
The Fairmont Austin Hotel offers both self-parking and valet services. The self-parking garage comprises over 500 spaces and operates 24/7, ensuring accessibility at any time. Self-parking rates are as follows:
- 0–3 hours: $20 (plus tax)
- 3–6 hours: $30 (plus tax)
- 6+ hours: $50 (plus tax)
- Overnight: $50 (plus tax)
Valet parking is also available, with rates starting at $28 for up to three hours. For guests dining at the hotel’s restaurants, complimentary self-parking or discounted valet rates may apply.
These are some of the most common and convenient parking options in downtown, but they don’t cover everything available. Austin has many additional garages and parking zones with varying rates scattered across the city.
To help you further explore the various parking options, let’s explore some resources that could facilitate your experience.
Downtown Austin Parking Apps
Parking apps are a great tool that can provide you with real-time information about availability, reservations and pricing. These apps can help you save time and even money with promotions and discounts.
Here are some of the top parking apps for downtown Austin:
ParkATX is the primary parking app used in Austin, offering a seamless experience for paying meter fees, tracking parking duration and finding available spaces in real-time. It’s a helpful tool for navigating parking in the city, helping you stay informed and avoid any parking-related headaches.
In addition, other parking apps offer features like payment tracking, rewards and detailed rules for each garage to help you avoid tickets. These apps are a great supplement to ensure you’re always in the know when it comes to parking.
Public Transportation in Downtown Austin
If you’d like to skip the hassle of parking altogether, public transportation offers a great alternative. With its modern bus system, Austin’s public transit is a reliable way to get around the city.
The CapMetro service, which allows riders to buy passes and plan their trips, runs throughout downtown Austin, connecting key neighborhoods and attractions. The MetroRail is another dependable option, operating until 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, extending to 1:30 a.m. on Fridays and 2:30 a.m. on Saturdays. Trains usually arrive every 15-30 minutes, depending on the time of day and day passes are priced at $7.
One-way fares start at $1.25, with discounts available for students, seniors and people with disabilities. Kids under 18 and emergency or military personnel in uniform ride for free. There are also options for day passes, week passes and monthly passes, with prices ranging from $2.50 to $41.25, making it a cost-effective choice for regular commuters.
While parking downtown can be a hassle, having the right information and planning ahead can make the process a lot easier. We hope that this guide has helped you gain a better understanding of the parking landscape in downtown Austin.
If you are interested in learning more about living in downtown Austin or parking at Paseo, please contact our leasing staff, who are happy to answer any questions you may have about our community.
Jordyn Brown
Jordyn is a regular contributing author for Paseo, covering leasing tips and all things downtown Austin. In her free time, you'll find Jordyn on a run, trying out new activities, or spending time with her dog, Fletcher.
June 17, 2025