Question about Parking in Boston

Charles Street Entrance to Boston Common Parking Garage

Question: Do you have to put money in the parking meters along Boston streets on Saturday? Thanks!

Susan's response: Yes, you do - unless one of the official City of Boston holidays happens to fall on the Saturday when you want to park. In that case, parking is free.

The only free days for on-street parking are Sundays and holidays. Time limit restrictions are also lifted on these days, meaning that you can keep your car in the same space all day if you want. Otherwise, the limit is 2 hours or less, if you're in shorter term parking, such as 30 minutes. Even if you keep going back and adding more quarters, you still risk getting a ticket for staying too long.

Keep in mind that holiday parking is free only on the official day of the holiday, not the day when it's celebrated. For example, if a holiday falls on Saturday but government offices and businesses close on Friday to celebrate it, you can park free on Saturday but not Friday.

My experience is that finding a free metered parking space on Sunday or a holiday is just as hard, if not harder, than on weekdays and Saturday.

At this time, metered parking in Boston costs $.25 for 12 minutes, or 5 quarters for an hour. The only neighborhood where I’ve noticed parking pay stations (where you note your parking space number, put money or swipe your credit card in the parking pay station to get a time-stamped ticket, and put the ticket inside your car on the dashboard) is Back Bay - so make sure you have plenty of quarters if you’re parking in another Boston neighborhood.

The good news is that many Boston parking garages charge considerably lower rates on Saturday and Sunday than they do for weekday parking. For example, the Boston Common Parking Garage charges weekend rates of $11 - more than on-street metered parking, but much less than the cost of a ticket. Other garages charge even less on weekends, although they may not be quite as convenient to access and exit.

Do be careful when parking in Boston to read signs up and down the block, as restrictions aren’t always obvious, and keep in mind that all bets are off when snow starts falling, as snow emergency rules may kick in. Above all, never park in “Residents Only” spaces, as most neighborhoods are vigilant about calling the police if they see cars in “their” spaces.

Hope this helps!

Susan

Click here to post comments.

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How?
Simply click here to return to Parking in Boston.

Back to Boston Tourism and Discovery Guide Home Page

Connect with Boston Discovery Guide

Boston Tourism Blog
Get the latest updates on Boston events, attraction discounts, and hotel specials as they happen. Best place to find up-to-date tips about things to do in Boston.

Boston Tourist Tips Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe for free to Boston Tourist Tips to learn about all the top events for the coming month, plus tips about discounts, seasonal information, and attractions.

Boston Travel Questions
Do you have Boston travel questions? Ask them here, and we'll answer.

Plan Your Trip to Boston

Cheap Flights to Boston
Where to find cheap flights to Boston Logan Airport, how to find best online deals and specials, and when to consider flying into an nearby airport.

Boston Hotels | Best Deals, Luxury Hotels, Boutique Hotels
Whether you want waterfront views, cheap rates, luxury, proximity to special events, top service, or a warm welcome for your pet, you can find Boston hotels to match your preferences.

Boston Discount Cards
Want to see Boston for half-price? Find out which discount cards give you the biggest savings.

Enjoy Your Boston Visit

Top Boston Attractions
Check out about Boston's must-see attractions, how to get discounts, and how to get there.

Boston's Biggest Events
Learn about festivals, holiday celebrations, parades, concerts, shows, kids activities, free movies, sports, and other fun things to do each month in Boston - plus where to find discounts, deals, and half-price tickets.

Boston Sightseeing Information and Neighborhood Map
Need the "big picture" of Boston neighborhood locations, and the top attractions in each one? Use our sightseeing map to learn where things are.

Boston Tours
Find all the fun ways to see Boston - the Freedom Trail (with or without costumed guides), movie tours, Duck Boat tours, Boston Harbor cruises, daytrips to Concord, Salem, and Plimouth Plantation - and much more!

Boston CruisePort Visitors

Cruises from Boston and Shore Excursion Information
Whether you're departing on a cruise from Boston's Black Falcon Cruise Terminal or spending just a day here for a Port of Call shore excursion, you'll find all the information you need here.