Unscripted New York · Parking

Cheapest Parking Near Central Park NYC

Parking near Central Park doesn’t have to wreck your budget — but you have to know where to look and when to book.

Finding the cheapest parking near Central Park NYC is about timing and knowing where to look — here’s how to pay less without spending an hour circling.

The Cheapest Option: Pre-Book Through SpotHero

The single best way to get cheap parking near Central Park is to pre-book a garage through SpotHero. Walk-up garage rates near the park run $20–$35 for a few hours. Pre-booked rates through SpotHero regularly come in at $15–$25 for the same garages — sometimes lower. Booking takes under two minutes. You lock in your rate, show up, and park. No circling, no meter watching, no $65 ticket risk.

Cheapest Street Parking Options

Free on Sundays

NYC meters are suspended every Sunday. Metered spots along the avenues and side streets around Central Park are free all day. Get there before 10am — spots go fast. See our full guide to free parking near Central Park for all the options.

Free on Holidays

Both meters and alternate side parking are suspended on major legal and religious holidays. Check the full 2026 suspension calendar before your visit.

Unmetered side streets above 96th Street

The residential blocks on the Upper West Side above 86th and the Upper East Side above 96th have a mix of unmetered spots. No meter cost — but ASP rules still apply, and you’ll walk further to the park’s southern attractions. Always read the signs carefully before walking away from your car.

Meter Rates Near Central Park

• Below 96th Street: $5.00/hour — adds up fast for a full day

• 96th to 110th Street: $3.00/hour — more manageable for shorter visits

• Enforced Monday–Saturday, approximately 9am–7pm (check posted signs)

• Pay via the ParkNYC app — see our best parking apps guide

For anything over 2 hours near the south end of the park, a pre-booked garage is almost always cheaper than feeding the meter.

Cheapest Neighborhoods to Park and Walk In

Harlem (north of 110th St.)

Garages in Harlem near the northern park entrance are significantly cheaper than midpark options. You’re a short walk to the Conservatory Garden and the Great Lawn from here.

Upper West Side (side streets, not avenues)

The side streets off Broadway on the UWS sometimes have cheaper garage options than the blocks directly facing the park. A 5-minute walk to Central Park West is worth it for the savings.

The Math

Option	Typical Cost	Time to Secure
Pre-booked garage (SpotHero)	$15–$25	2 minutes online
Walk-up garage	$20–$35	Instant (if available)
Metered street (4 hrs, below 96th)	$20	15–45 min circling
Unmetered street (above 96th, Sunday)	Free	15–45 min circling
Metered street (Sunday)	Free	10–30 min circling

Pre-booking wins on both price and time in most scenarios. Pre-book the cheapest parking near Central Park on SpotHero before you leave home.

Got a ticket while looking for a deal? Read our NYC parking tickets guide before you pay — and know your 5-minute grace period rights.

Parking rules, meter rates, and garage pricing change. Always verify current rates and read the physical sign before you park.

More Central Park Parking Guides

Cheapest Parking Near Central Park NYC (Actual Prices, Not Guesses)