We get it — parking in Seattle can be confusing and pricey, but it doesn't need to deter you from going into town. There are over 1 million places to park, even if it doesn’t always feel like it. We’ve put together some tips + tricks on where to find them.

Before heading downtown

Download PayByPhone to pay for parking with ease. Most metered spots use this app — while some still accept coins, there's no need to carry all that change around.
Plan where to leave your car using Seattle’s interactive parking map.
You can also use apps like SpotHero to grab a space and pay in advance.

Know the rules

Colors are key — curbs marked white, yellow, or red generally mean passenger vehicles can’t park there (or at least not for long).
Street paid parking is in effect Monday-Saturday and can span two, four, or 10 hours. Keep track of the rates, which were recently updated.
No matter what the sign says, no car can be parked in one spot on a street for longer than 72 hours — so don’t leave it there on your vacay.

Free parking

Enjoy a break from paying for street parking on Sunday fundays and national holidays.
An open secret is that lots near the Amazon buildings in South Lake Union are free after 4 p.m. Monday-Friday and on weekends.
Pioneer Square’s First Thursday Art Walk also offers parking options gratis.

More resources

Get details about accessible parking.
Find electric vehicle charging stations around the city.
If you receive a parking citation, you can pay your ticket online, in person, or by mail.

Of course, you can avoid all those parking headaches by simply getting around the city without a car. Hop on a bike or bus and leave the endless circling behind.