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Philadelphia is one of the country’s most walkable cities and is easy to navigate on foot or by public transportation.
But we get it: Sometimes you prefer to drive your personal or rental vehicle.
In a city so big, vehicle parking can be confusing or daunting. Use this comprehensive guide to better understand the rules and regulations of parking in Philly, how to pay for parking and more.
Philadelphia has thousands of on-street metered parking spots throughout the city.
Each residential or business district has parking rates and regulations tailored to that neighborhood’s needs, with regulatory signs indicating time limits, enforcement hours and areas that the meters cover. By meters, we are mostly talking about pay-by-plate kiosks intended for multiple spaces that have replaced the majority of single-space pole-mounted meters in the city.
Traditionally, most metered spaces in Philadelphia allow paid parking for up to four hours, and most are enforced every day of the week from early mornings to late nights, depending on the neighborhood or zone.
Every metered block also includes at least one space with its own regulations that is reserved for vehicles of people with disabilities (more on this below).
— Photo courtesy Philadelphia Parking Authority
Philadelphia observes free street parking days on nine holidays each year, including Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Labor Day and Christmas.
When parking on non-metered streets, be sure to check all posted signage for parking restrictions and maximum parking times before leaving your vehicle. More information on street parking can be found below.
The Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA) operates 10 parking garages across Center City and over 40 parking lots — which are often cheaper and offer longer parking times than street parking — throughout a number of neighborhoods. Many PPA garages and lots feature discounted evening and weekend rates.
To locate a PPA parking facility near your destination, click here for garages or here for parking lots.
There are, of course, private garages and lots not operated by the PPA, so be sure to check prices in advance to guarantee you’re getting the best deal near where you wish to go.
Most visitor street parking takes place in business, entertainment or historical districts. But residential neighborhoods — which exist alongside these areas — offer non-metered residential parking permits for those who live there, with restrictions for non-residents.
— Photo by Visit Philadelphia
Visitors are allowed to park along these designated permit-parking streets for a limited time before a vehicle must be moved.
Pro tip: Carefully read all parking signs before leaving your car to avoid ticketing and towing during hours when permits are required and visitor parking may be prohibited.
In addition to designated disabled or van-accessible spaces throughout Philadelphia, the city allows up to 60 extra minutes of free parking on any street (except where parking is prohibited) for vehicles displaying disability parking placards or plates when operated by or transporting a person with a disability.
Unlimited free street parking (except where parking is prohibited) is also permissible for vehicles with clearly identifiable wheelchair lifts or ramps.
Traditional single-space coin-operated meters have been replaced throughout most of the city by pay-by-plate kiosks intended for multiple spaces on each block, which currently number over 2,000 citywide.
The solar-powered curbside kiosks accept credit cards and debit cards, cash and any devices with a tap-to-pay function as methods of payment. All you need to do is enter your license plate number to start.
Unlike coin-operated meters, the amount of time you can purchase is much more flexible. And unlike previous-generation kiosks, you do not need to display a printed ticket on your dashboard. You can even use any kiosk to re-up your time, so long as you know the zone number in which your vehicle is parked. And if you need a receipt, simply choose to print one, have one texted to you or request one by clicking here.
Or skip the kiosk altogether and use the meterUP app to pay for parking right from your phone (see below).
You don’t even have to mess with a parking kiosk thanks to the PPA’s pay-by-phone app known as meterUP, which allows you to pay for parking right on your phone from almost anywhere in the city.
Once you’ve downloaded the free app and created an account, simply park wherever you see a PPA meterUP sign, open up the app, enter your zone number, set your parking duration and pay.
Convenient features of the mobile app include parking-expiration alerts and the options to extend parking time remotely or stop time early to avoid paying for unused minutes. You don’t even need a smartphone to use meterUP: To pay-by-dial, simply call (877) 727-5303 and follow the prompts.
There are some limitations to keep in mind. If you have reached the maximum time posted (“2-Hour Parking Max,” for example), you can still extend your time, but the rate doubles. For a second extension, the rate triples. And if you surpass the maximum time limit three consecutive times in one zone, you will not be permitted to start another session in that zone for 30 minutes.
Each block and street side has its own dedicated zone number. It’s important that you select the correct zone and side of the street on which you park.
Be sure to follow any restriction signs and instructions for where you choose to park, metered or unmetered.
Posted signs will help you figure out where you can park, what times are available and for how long. Generally, red signs tell you when and where you can’t park, while green signs indicate when and where you can.
Pay particular attention to street cleaning times, bus lanes, tow-away zones and loading zones. Parking is not permitted in front of driveways and, of course, fire hydrants. And remember, “No Parking” signs mean you cannot park in that area, while “No Stopping” signs mean you may not even sit inside your vehicle and idle in that area.
A last note: You may notice cars — particularly in South Philadelphia — parked in the median in the middle of a street. This is not legal parking, but it is a way of life for people who live in parking-spot-challenged neighborhoods.
In an unfamiliar city (or even your hometown), it can be hard to know where to look for a space. The internet has made it very easy to find that great space that can just make your day.
The city does not offer an official parking finder, but several apps provide that service, including ParkMobile, SpotHero, ParkWhiz, Parkopedia and even Google Maps.
If you are in town to visit a Philly resident, the city offers day passes for visitors that can be purchased by a resident for use in the permit parking district of that resident.
A five-pass booklet of residential permit parking day passes may be purchased in advance for $35 and is valid for a year from the date of purchase. Passes are then hung from a rearview mirror while parked. Residents can purchase two booklets once every 60 days for their guests.
Residential parking permits are non-transferable, meaning you cannot use a resident’s pass in your non-resident vehicle.
Another option for visitors is a temporary parking permit for parking in residential zones. Permits may be purchased in advance in 1-, 15-, 30- or 60-day versions and are valid for one year from the date of purchase. A one-day pass is just $7. You may apply for a permit via this link.
If you’re driving and parking around Philadelphia, odds are you’ll be hitting some of the city’s most-visited landmarks.
Along with the information on street parking, garages and lots listed above, here are some tips about parking around popular attractions.
With street parking very limited in the area, the most convenient way to park at Independence National Historical Park is in the Autopark at Independence Mall underground garage. The open-24/7 garage offers over 600 spaces with rates available for as little as an hour and up to a full day, plus specials such as early bird and evening rates.
Vehicle clearance in the garage is six feet, six inches, and accessible van parking is on the first level. Entrances are available on both 5th Street and 6th Street (North Independence Mall East) between Market Street and Arch Street. You can even view garage capacity on the PPA’s website.
Even some lifelong Philadelphians aren’t aware that there’s a multi-level underground parking garage directly beneath the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The 700-space facility opens a half-hour before museum hours and closes a half-hour after.
The entrance is located along Anne d’Harnoncourt Drive (aka Art Museum Drive) north of the museum. Museum visitors receive discounted rates, but the garage is also a short distance from all the great attractions around the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
— Photo courtesy Philadelphia Museum of Art
In town for a game, concert or stadium event?
The South Philadelphia Sports Complex — encompassing Lincoln Financial Field, Citizens Bank Park and Xfinity Mobile Arena — features a series of official parking lots (Lots A through X) with nearly 20,000 spaces, along with overflow lots sprawling into FDR Park and the Naval Hospital (adding another 3,000 spaces). Entrances are primarily accessible from Pattison Avenue or Broad Street.
Tailgating is only permitted in certain lots, so check out this map indicating approved areas before you break out the barbecue.
Fees vary based on the event but normally range from $20 to $50 for standard vehicles. Parking is free in Xfinity Mobile Arena lots on non-event nights and one hour after the start of the final event of the day in the complex.
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, or SEPTA, offers bus, subway, Regional Rail and trolley service throughout the region. SEPTA is a convenient way of getting to and around the city, but first, you need to get to SEPTA.
Most Regional Rail stations (click for a list) — along with select transit centers — offer SEPTA-run parking and Park and Ride lots, and four stations have garages as well.
Parking payments can be made via the SEPTA Park app, the Flowbird app or at pay-by-plate kiosks (with some still accepting cash), charged as a daily flat rate.
The PPA meterUP app can be used for payment at Torresdale, Fox Chase and Fern Rock Transportation Center stations.
Parking is practical for passengers both coming and going at the Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), with numerous parking options including reserved, economy, valet and everyday parking, along with private offsite facilities.
Short-term garage and lot rates scale up every half-hour between 30 minutes and four hours, then cost a flat rate between four and 24 hours. Economy Lot short-term parking offers a $15 flat rate for up to 24 hours (on a first-come, first-served basis) with free 24/7 shuttle buses to and from the terminals. For guaranteed parking and potential cost savings, utilize the convenience of Reserved Parking.
Long-term parking is available in the Economy Lot and at terminal parking garages. Garages C and D and the Economy Lot offer electric vehicle charging stations, and all lots and garages offer accessible parking. Garage and lot height limits are six feet, two inches.
There’s plenty more to know about parking in Philly. For more information, check below or visit the PPA at philapark.org.
You can find designated metered parking spaces for scooters and motorcycles (known as corrals) throughout the city at the end of blocks that are clearly painted to line up on an angle.
All-day parking is available for $5 and can be purchased at a pay-by-plate kiosk or through the meterUP app, with a zone number designated for each corral. “Dense parking” is available, meaning you may secure as many vehicles into one corral as can reasonably fit. Scooters and motorcycles are not permitted to park in bicycle corrals.
On residential blocks, including those with residential permit parking, motorcycles and scooters are permitted to park against a building on the sidewalk in front of a residence under certain conditions, including not interfering with pedestrian and wheelchair travel and permission of the property owner.
If your personal vehicle or rental is an electric car, Philadelphia has plenty of charge-while-parked options and hundreds of charging stations.
Find available stations using locator maps from EVgo, ChargePoint, Tesla and PlugShare.
If your vehicle is towed, you can find out where it was taken (and how to get it back) by entering your license plate number into the PPA’s towed vehicle finder. And if your vehicle has been booted, click here to find more information on payment and retrieval from the PPA.
Occasionally, legally parked vehicles can receive a “relocation tow” when in the way of a special event, utility or construction work or during a weather emergency. If you believe this has happened, contact the Philadelphia Police Department in the district where your car was parked. (Find your district by entering the address here.)
Curious how much your drive to Philadelphia will cost? Check out AAA’s Gas Cost Calculator, which allows you to see approximately how much your drive will impact your budget based on regional up-to-date fuel costs.
You can find alternate modes of transport to Philly other than your car on our Getting Here page.
Staying overnight? A number of hotels in Philadelphia offer stay-and-park packages that come with free hotel on-site parking (and other perks), including the Visit Philly Overnight Hotel Package. Click below for more info.
— Photo by D. Nichole for Visit Philadelphia
You don’t have to drive to easily get around Philly.
Philadelphia is served by the SEPTA public transportation system, which includes trains, subways, buses and trolleys. Leave your car at the hotel and hop aboard rather than worrying about parking. Or leave your car at home entirely and use one of several car-free options for traveling to and around the city.
Another alternative is the citywide Indego bike-sharing service, which offers street-side rentals at over 250 dock-and-lock stations starting at just $4.50 per half-hour ride. Simply walk up to any Indego station and check out bikes for trips around the city 24/7 using the kiosk or Indego mobile app.
The only way to fully experience Philly? Stay over.
Book the Visit Philly Overnight Package and get free hotel parking and priceless peace of mind.
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