Boston Common Garage

Best downtown Boston parking garage

Boston Common Garage is conveniently located under Boston Common and boasts relatively cheap parking rates - at least, compared with other nearby downtown parking garages.

Best of all, the Boston Common Parking Garage is easy to find and easy to exit - a big benefit in a city where many streets are so narrow and winding that you'd swear they haven't changed since Colonial times.   If you're wondering where to park in Boston, this parking garage may be the perfect choice.

Entrance to Boston Common Garage from Charles Street

You enter (if you're driving) the underground Boston Common Garage on Charles Street, which is 1-way going north between Boston Common and the Public Garden.  It's easy to reach from Storrow Drive, I-93, and Mass Pike (I-90).

Once you park and lock your car, you take an elevator up to ground level and walk out through one of the 4 small kiosks that provide pedestrian access to the parking garage, which otherwise is invisible. 

The parking kiosks are all located in vicinity of the Charles Street / Beacon Street corner of the Common, and blend architecturally with the few other buildings on the Common.  Be sure to remember which one you come out of, as it will probably be closest to your car when you return.  

Parking kiosks like this one provide elevator access to parking under Boston Common

The Boston Common Garage is owned and operated by MCCA, the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority, which also operates the new Boston Convention and Exhibition Center on the South Boston Waterfront, the Hynes Convention Center in Back Bay, and a 3rd convention center in the western part of the state. 

Inside, you'll find 1,300 parking spaces.  The underground garage is well-lit, and gets fairly heavy usage day and night.  Occasionally, the dreaded "Lot Full" sign blocks the entrance.

Because the city is so compact, the location of the Boston Common Parking Garage is convenient to the Theatre District, Park Square, Downtown Boston, Chinatown, Back Bay (the end closest to the Public Garden), and Faneuil Hall / Quincy Market. 

If you're planning to explore the Freedom Trail, you'll find the Boston Visitor Information Center where you can pick up a free map just on the other side of the Common - and of course, Boston Common itself is part of the Trail.

Parking rates at Boston Common Garage

Parking rates are hard to beat in this part of Boston:

Weekday rate:  Enter between 6am and 4pm

$8 - Up to 1 hr
$12 - Up to 2 hrs
$16 - Up to 3 hrs
$22 - Up to 10 hrs
$27 - Maximum charge for 24 hours

Evening rate:  Enter between 4pm and 6am and exit before 8am - pay just $11

Weekend rates: 

$11 - Enter after 6am on Saturday or Sunday and exit by 8am on the following morning
$22 - Enter after 6am on Saturday and exit by 8am on Monday

Best of all, when special events such as Shakespeare on the Common are held on Boston Common, the parking garage sometimes donates a portion of your parking fee to support the event.

How to save money on parking if you're visiting Boston

If you're planning to visit Boston, want to bring your car, and your hotel of choice has just quoted $42 as the daily parking rate - which is not uncommon now at many Boston hotels - you may be able save a significant amount of money if you can take advantage of overnight and weekend parking at the Boston Common Parking Garage. 

This strategy works best if you're just visiting for the weekend and if you're willing to get up early enough in the morning to move your car out of the parking garage so that you don't have to pay weekday hourly rates.  

This strategy may also work for you If you're visiting without a car but want to rent one just for weekend use.

Details and directions

Location:   0 Charles Street.  Enter Boston Common Garage on Charles Street between the Public Garden and Boston Common.  You'll find detailed directions from Storrow Drive, I-93, and the Mass Pike (I-90) on the website
Hours:   24 x 7
Cost:  See above; see the website for monthly rates
For more information:  617-954-2098;  website
Nearest T station:  Green and Red Lines/Park Street