Chicago brings in visitors from near and far. Whether the iconic architecture or the sports and music scenes draw you, or you just want to taste its famous deep-dish pizza, you can’t go wrong visiting this great city. Chicago makes a worthy place for a standalone trip or a stop on a road trip through the area. But if you’re planning to drive to (or through) Chicago, you need to know where to park when it’s time to get out and see the sights. Here’s everything you need to know about Chicago parking.
Is There Free Parking in Chicago?
Image by Chris Dickens is licensed with Unsplash License
Can you find free parking when you’re ready to leave the car behind and get out to explore this special city? The availability of free Chicago parking depends on the time of day. You can park for free in most areas of Chicago between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m.
Most parking is also free on Sundays. You won’t have to pay for parking on a Sunday if you park in a metered space outside the city’s central business district. There’s an exception, though. You’ll still need to pay if you’re parking in a space with a sign that says, “7 Day Paid Parking.” Pay stations in areas with free Sunday parking won’t accept payment on a Sunday. That’s good news for your weekend road trip.
Where Can I Park All Day in Chicago?
Of course, you also need to know how to deal with Chicago parking when it’s not a Sunday. You don’t want to worry about scurrying to feed a meter when enjoying the city or digging into a deep-dish pizza. You can use several strategies to park all day and make the most of your time in the city.
There’s a Chicago parking app that makes dealing with street parking easy. You can pay for parking with your smartphone if you have the ParkChicago app. Using the app means you don’t have to visit pay stations, put a receipt on your dashboard, or rush back to your car before your time expires. Instead, you can use the app to add more time, even from remote locations.
Here’s a tip for visitors: You’ll usually find cheaper parking, both street parking and in parking lots, the farther away you go from the Loop and the Near North neighborhood. If you’re willing to park farther away, take a cab or bus, or walk to your destination, you can save on parking rates. The West Loop and Greektown tend to offer cheaper parking.
You can also go for valet parking if you want some added convenience. Valet parking is sometimes less expensive than parking in a garage or using metered street parking. Valet parking in Chicago usually allows you to leave your car for three hours, and you can pay increased rates beyond that time. Confirm how long you have and calculate the cost, including tip, if you opt for valet parking.
Is It Hard To Find Parking in Chicago?
Chicago parking does have a bit of a reputation for being tough. Yes, you can find metered parking on most downtown streets, but it’s sometimes hard to find an open spot. If you use metered parking, remember that parking is for two-hour slots. Don’t let your time elapse because you’ll inevitably get a ticket. Remember, the Chicago parking app can help you add time even when you’re not at your car.
You also want to be careful about street parking bans in Chicago. The city strictly enforces parking zone bans during rush hour in downtown Chicago. Your car will get towed if you park in one of these zones, so carefully check all street signs before parking, and make sure to move your car before the no parking time starts.
Rush hour parking zone bans aren’t the only bans to watch out for when parking in Chicago. The city also enforces street cleaning bans, winter parking bans, and residential permit parking. You’ll also encounter parking restrictions at different times of the year, such as during baseball season in Wrigleyville and Bridgeport or in the South Loop when Soldier Field is hosting events.
Chicago parking apps can help streamline your parking search. In addition to using the ParkChicago app for street parking, you can use apps such as SpotHero and ParkWhiz to reserve discounted spots. You can even look for deals for parking garages. Put in the address or neighborhood you plan on exploring and see maps of discounted parking spots, then make your parking reservation online.
How Much Does It Cost To Park in Chicago?
Now, the question on everyone’s minds: Is Chicago parking expensive? Chicago uses metered parking predominantly in business areas. The city has a three-tier structure for setting the rates for meters. You’ll encounter the highest rates in the downtown Loop area. Here’s what to expect:
- Downtown Loop parking: $7.00 per hour.
- Central Business District parking: $4.75 per hour.
- Other parts of the city: $2.50 per hour.
Roosevelt Avenue borders the Central Business District parking area to the south, North Avenue is the north boundary, and Halsted Street is the west perimeter. The areas with the lowest rates have approximately 81% of all parking spaces in the city.
Parking meters accept credit cards. You can also use the ParkChicago app to pay by phone and extend your time. Using the app to pay for the maximum allowed time doesn’t cost you. But if you don’t need your spot for the maximum time, you’ll need to pay an additional fee. It’s typically only $0.35.
Are You Ready To Visit Chicago?
Now that you know how to park in the city, you’re ready for your big trip. Visiting Pequod’s Pizza is a must on your trip to Chicago. Make sure to stop by and order our deep-dish pizza or make a reservation while you’re in town. It’ll be a highlight of your visit.