Free or Cheap Parking Locations in Waikiki
Parking in Waikiki: What Should I Keep in Mind?
If you are renting a car, and staying in the Waikiki area, you will have to find a place to park your vehicle overnight. There are some locations where you can park for free, and you can save up to $35/night by taking advantage of these spots around Waikiki.
You may even be staying somewhere else on the Island of Oahu and wish to drive to Waikiki for a day at the beach, or a dinner out, or maybe even some shopping. You will want to take advantage of any Waikiki parking deals available.
Parking in the Waikiki area can be a real challenge if you want to save money. Most hotels and resorts in Waikiki offer parking for their guests, and there are often additional fees for parking. You will want to find out the cost to park at your accommodation, and whether or not you can have in/out privileges, or if your parking fee only allows one in/out. Find out if the cost to park is included in your hotel/resort fee – it would help if it is. Also consider if the daily rate is for a calendar day, or a 24 hour day, so you are not running around at the end of the day trying to find a place to park overnight. Also find out if there are taxes and tips to pay on top of this – if parking is self-parking or valet parking, as this could also add up.
If you are planning on just staying in Waikiki and spending most of your time at the beach, you probably do not need to rent a car for your entire trip – you can rent a car for the day on the days you plan to tour other areas of the island, and just return the car the same evening before the rental car company closes. Keep in mind, most of the rental car locations in Waikiki close at 7 or 8 pm, and they do not accept late returns.
Never leave any valuables in your vehicle. Don’t forget to make a note of where you are parked – it can be easy to forget where in the lot, or even what lot you parked in. And rental cars can all look the same. Some lots take cash only, so make sure you do carry cash.
IS THERE FREE PARKING IN WAIKIKI?
Ala Moana Beach Park
Yes, there are several options for free parking in Waikiki alongside the park on Ala Moana Drive, but no overnight parking. You will be ticketed if you do not follow the rules posted on the signs. This area does fill up fast on the weekends with all of the beachgoers at the park.
Ala Wai Boat Harbor area, by Hilton Hawaiian Village
You can find free parking behind the Ilikai Hotel and the Duke Kahanamoku lagoon, with a 6 hour maximum. These parking lots do fill up quickly, and you can stay a maximum of 6 hours, so there will be some turnover during the day. There is also a paid parking lot here, open 24 hours a day, and charges $1/hour, but no in/out privileges, so this might work if you want to stay for the day at the beach, or park overnight cheap.
Waikiki Shell
There is unlimited free parking at the Waikiki Shell on the Diamond Head side of Waikiki, on Montserrat Avenue. You can park here overnight. This is near the Zoo, which charges $1.50/hour in their parking lot, with a 4 hour maximum.
Hotel/condo parking
If you are staying in Waikiki, you can opt to park at your hotel or condo, and accept the higher rates per day to park there. This might be a good option if you need overnight parking in Waikiki. Some condos do have free parking – take advantage of that option if you are just planning on visiting locations within Waikiki during the day, and either walk or take public transit.
Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center
The parking lot is located in the middle of Waikiki. As long as you get your parking ticket validated by a merchant there by shopping for something, parking is free for the first hour, and then $2.00 per 20 minutes, or $6.00 per hour after free parking has been redeemed. The maximum allowable time is 4 hours – which will usually work if you are planning on doing a little shopping and having lunch.
Ross Store
The Ross store in Waikiki also has 2 hours of free parking if you buy something in the store – get validated.
Ala Wai Canal
There is free parking along the Ala Wai Canal not too far from the Ala Moana Shopping Centre. Get there early, to get the best spots. There is no parking on Mondays and Fridays between 8:30am and 11:30am.
Where Can I Park in Waikiki Cheaply?
Honolulu Zoo
The zoo has parking meters at 151 Kapahulu Avenue, parking is $1/hour, but you do have to feed the meters. The Waikiki Shell lot is across the street from the zoo on Monsarrat Avenue, and has free parking. There is also free parking on Monsarrat Avenue. There is also metered parking around Kapiolani Park where both the Zoo and the Shell are located. Parking is around the clock and the rate is 25 cents per half-hour. These locations can get busy, especially during festivals, and you may have to drive around to find a spot, but the prices are good.
King’s Village
The King’s Village Shops at 131 Kaiulani Avenue are open daily 6 am to midnight and charge a $10 flat rate to park. If your car is left over night, they will charge you an additional $10.
Outrigger Reef
If you are looking for a dinner and walk on the beach, the Outrigger Reef on the Beach at 2169 Kalia Road has valet parking only, and their rate for 4 hours with restaurant validation is $6. Other rates would apply for just parking at this location.
Waikiki Banyan
The Waikiki Banyan parking garage at 201 Ohua Avenue has a rate of $15 per 24 hour day, $80/week, or $140/month – this is a good rate. And they have In/Out privileges.
Hilton
The Hilton Hawaiian Village is located behind the Illikai and the Hilton lagoon, and costs $49 to self-park. It closes at 10:30 pm.
Public parking Waikiki rates are subject to change at any time, so best to check the rate again before you use any of these spots.