Cheapest Parking Near Times Square NYC: What Actually Works
The most expensive parking zone in Manhattan — but there are real ways to pay significantly less. Here’s exactly how.
Cheapest parking near Times Square NYC comes down to one strategy above all others: pre-booking. This is the most expensive parking zone in Manhattan, but there are still real ways to pay less. Here’s how.
The short version: walk-up garage rates near Times Square commonly run $40–$75 for a few hours. Pre-booking the same garages through SpotHero typically brings that down to $19–$30. That single habit is the biggest lever for saving money in this neighborhood.
This is part of our complete guide to parking in New York City
⚠️ Two things to know before you book. First, enter your vehicle size — Times Square garages commonly charge oversize fees for trucks, SUVs, and vans. Second, check reservation restrictions: some garages in this area do not allow you to shorten or extend your reservation once booked. Know your exit time before you commit.
Pre-Book Times Square Parking
The price difference between walk-up and pre-booked rates near Times Square is often $20–$40. Two minutes of booking saves real money.
Find Times Square Parking on SpotHeroThe Cheapest Garages Near Times Square
Edison ParkFast — 50 W. 44th Street
Consistently one of the more affordable options in the immediate area, with pre-booked rates starting around $22. Close enough to walk to most Times Square destinations without being on the highest-priced block.
Garages Slightly Outside the Core
A few blocks from the heart of Times Square — around 235 W. 50th Street and similar addresses — garages are frequently cheaper than the ones directly on the main strip. The walk is only a few extra minutes and the savings are real.
Early Morning Rates (3am–10am)
Several garages in the area offer a lower overnight-into-morning rate. Not useful for an evening show, but valuable if you’re combining an early arrival with daytime sightseeing.
Cheapest Street Parking Strategy
Street parking near Times Square sits in Zone M1 — the most expensive metered zone in NYC.
- 1 hour: $5.50
- 2 hours: $9.00
To minimize cost on the street:
- Park after 7pm when most meters stop enforcing — always check posted signage on that specific block
- Use the ParkNYC app rather than coins — easier to manage your session and add time remotely
- Visit on a Sunday when meters are free citywide
- Visit on a major holiday when both meters and alternate side parking are suspended
What to Avoid
- Walking up to garages directly on the Times Square strip without checking rates first. These tend to be the highest-priced in the neighborhood specifically because of foot traffic and convenience markup.
- Arriving right before a Broadway show without a reservation. Demand spikes in the hour before curtain time, and available garages will charge a premium for last-minute spots.
- Booking without checking reservation restrictions. Some garages here lock you into the exact window you booked — no shortening, no extending. Know your exit time before you commit.
- Assuming you’ll find free street parking on a weekday. The area is too commercially dense and too tightly metered.
Cost Comparison
| Option | Typical Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-booked garage (SpotHero) | $19–$30 | Most visits — best overall value |
| Walk-up garage | $40–$75 | Avoid if possible |
| Metered street (2 hrs) | $9.00 | Short visits only |
| Sunday/holiday meters | Free | If your timing lines up |
| Early morning rate (3am–10am) | Reduced | Early arrivals only |
Quick Reference: Parking Near Times Square
| Situation | Best Move |
|---|---|
| Any standard visit | Pre-book via SpotHero — $19–$30 |
| Broadway show | Book at least 24 hrs ahead — demand spikes pre-curtain |
| Sunday visit | Street meters are free citywide |
| Short visit only | Street meter at $5.50/hr after 7pm enforcement ends |
| Budget option | Garage 2–3 blocks from core — walk the difference |
| Before you book | Check reservation restrictions — some don’t allow changes |
The cheapest parking near Times Square isn’t about finding a secret spot — it’s about not paying the walk-up premium. Book ahead, and the price difference alone often justifies the two minutes it takes.
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