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Philadelphia, one of the country’s most walkable cities, is incredibly easy to navigate either by foot or by public transportation. That just leaves one question: Where to park the car?
On-Street Parking
Philadelphia has thousands of metered spots throughout the city, perfect if you only plan to park for an hour or two. Each residential and business area of the city has parking regulations tailored to that neighborhood’s needs; signs indicate the time limit and the hours during which the meter must be paid. Every metered block also includes one space reserved for people with disabilities.
Neighborhood Parking
Some Philly neighborhoods offer permit parking for area residents. Visitors are allowed to park on these streets for up to two hours, and will be ticketed if they stay longer than that. Be sure to read all parking signs very carefully before leaving your car to avoid ticketing and towing during hours in which parking may be prohibited.
Looking for a place to stash your car for the duration of your visit? Check out the handy parking locator from the Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA) by clicking the button below.
If you want to spend the day wandering, finding a reasonably priced garage will save you from over-spending on meters — not to mention getting a parking ticket.
The PPA operates off-street parking lots and garages throughout the city. For information on specific locations, hours of operations and hourly rates, click the button below.
All around the city, the PPA has replaced many coin-operated meters with a kiosk system.
The new kiosks accept a variety of payment methods — including bills and even credit cards — and issue a printed ticket you place inside your windshield. Unlike coin-operated meters, the amount of time you can purchase is much more flexible.
Many neighborhoods have already switched over to meter kiosks, so make sure to read parking signs carefully prior to leaving your car.
Paying for parking in Philly just got easier! Skip the parking kiosks altogether and download the PPA’s meterUP app to pay for parking right from your phone.
Simply park wherever you see a meterUP sign, follow the instructions and you’re all set. Features of the new mobile app include parking expiration alerts, as well as the option to extend parking time remotely or stop time early to avoid having unused minutes.
To learn more about meterUP, watch the video or click the button below.
— Photo courtesy Philadelphia Parking Authority
More About MeterUp
For more information on parking in Philadelphia, check below or go to philapark.org.
There are specific, metered parking spaces allotted for scooters and motorcycles throughout the city placed at the end of blocks and clearly painted to line up on an angle. Click the button below for a comprehensive list.
Curious how much your trek to Philadelphia will cost? Check out AAA’s fuel cost calculator, which allows you to see approximately how much your drive will impact your budget.
Philadelphia is expertly served by public transportation, so another good option is to leave your car at the hotel once you arrive. Click the button below for more information about taking SEPTA.
Staying overnight? Hotels in Philadelphia offer a number of packages that come with free parking, including the Visit Philly Overnight Hotel Package. Click the button below for more info.