There’s nothing like picking up a rental car, navigating unfamiliar roads, finding your hotel, and being confronted by a forest of “No Parking” signs in a language you can’t read. Add in a case of jet lag and you have a recipe for true travel frustration.
To avoid this hassle, take a look at vacation parking options.
Hotel parking
When you book your hotel room, take a moment to find out about parking. Suburban hotels often have free parking. You park at your own risk, but you don’t have to worry about finding a place to store your car. ( Tip: Suburban hotels near major tourist attractions, like Disneyland, generally charge for parking.) The
Downtown hotels may or may not have parking available. If they do, expect to pay big city fees. Safety can also be a concern. The cost of your hotel room may have nothing to do with the security of the hotel parking area.
Make sure you know how to contact the police in case your car is stolen or stolen. Get everything out of your car every night so potential thieves have no reason to break a window.
In some cases, particularly in Europe, your hotel may not offer parking at all. Ask the receptionist where to park and what to do to load and unload your luggage before you arrive. In some cities, you may end up parking in a metered municipal lot; this option may require you to “power up” your meter every few hours during the business day. If you can’t find another place to leave your car and you’re staying in a big city, consider parking at a downtown train station, which will likely offer long-term parking.
Parking in town
Ask anyone who has visited New York City: a big city is not a place to bring a car. If you have no other choice, check with your hotel or do your research online to determine the best place to park your car. If the train station offers parking, you can leave your car there. Municipal lots and parking lots are also good options. Check the parking situation before you start your trip; looking for parking at the last minute is not a good idea.
If you need to park on the street or in a garage, find out how payment works before you get out of your vehicle. In many European countries and large US cities, you will need to pay at a kiosk, obtain a receipt, and post it on your dashboard to show that you have paid. (This can backfire if the local meter maid reaches your car before you return with the receipt, but such cases are quite rare.) Washington, DC, and some other cities allow you to pay for parking with your smartphone or credit card. . In Germany, you will have to display a Parkscheibe (parking disc) on your dash if you park in an area that requires it.
You can buy one at a gas station or order one online.
Airports, train stations and cruise ports
You can find information on parking options at airports, train stations, and cruise ports on their websites. If the website is in another language, read it using a translation tool. If you don’t face a language barrier, you can call the general information number of your train station, airport, or cruise port to inquire about parking availability.
Airports offer many parking options, including hourly, daily, and long-term parking. There are private parking services outside the airport in many cities. Plan ahead if you are traveling during a vacation period; Airport parking lots fill up quickly during the holiday season.
Train stations in small towns generally don’t have many parking spots available, even if the station’s website says there is ample parking. Train stations in major cities, on the other hand, generally have a lot of paid parking.
Cruise ports generally offer long-term parking for cruise passengers. You may need to show your cruise tickets to park.
In all of these situations, thoroughly clean the passenger compartment of your car. Never leave anything visible that could inspire a burglar to break a window. If you keep a GPS unit in your car, bring glass cleaner and clean the inside of the windshield before parking. Take everything out of your car, even pencils, or hide it in the trunk.
Parking information and parking applications
If you are looking for city or hotel specific parking information, start by visiting the website for that city or hotel. You can also call your hotel or the city’s tourist information office to inquire about parking options.
Most travel guides offer limited parking information because writers tend to assume that most visitors use public transportation.
Visitors to many large cities can take advantage of parking websites. Some of these websites allow you to reserve and pay for your parking space before you leave home.
If you own a smartphone, take advantage of the many parking-related apps that are available, including ParkWhiz, ParkingPanda, and Parker. Try any app you download in your local area before you decide to trust it during your trip.
