Last updated September 2026 by the Baba Car Rentals team.
Waikiki parking at a glance
| Spot | Cost | Overnight? | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ala Wai Boulevard (street) | Free | Yes | Must move car in the morning before street sweeping on Monday and Friday. You can park there again after street sweeping ends. |
| Waikiki Shell lot | Free | Yes* | Occasional closures for concerts and events |
| Monsarrat Ave and Kalakaua Ave (street) | Free in parts | Check signs | Only some stretches are free, read every sign |
| Honolulu Zoo lot | $1.50/hour | Check signs | Posted hours and limits |
| Ala Wai Boat Harbor lot | $1/hour | Yes, up to 24 hours | Use the paid public stalls |
Free parking in Waikiki
Ala Wai Boulevard
Free street parking runs along the Ala Wai Canal on the mauka (mountain) side of Waikiki. It's the closest free parking to the heart of Waikiki, so it fills up and you may have to circle around a few times to find a spot. Street sweeping means you have to move your car in the morning before sweeping starts on Mondays and Fridays, last we checked. Once sweeping ends, you can park there again. Read the signs on your block for the exact days and times.
Waikiki Shell lot
The Waikiki Shell parking lot, entered from Monsarrat Avenue, is free and allows overnight parking. It's a short walk to the Honolulu Zoo, the beach, and the Diamond Head end of Kalakaua.
Monsarrat Avenue and Kalakaua Avenue
Parts of Monsarrat Avenue and Kalakaua Avenue near the Waikiki Shell also have free street parking. Not every stretch is free, so read the signs on the exact block where you park.
Cheap paid parking in Waikiki
Honolulu Zoo lot: $1.50 an hour
You can park at the Honolulu Zoo lot even if you aren't visiting the zoo. At $1.50 an hour it's one of the cheapest paid lots in Waikiki, and it's an easy walk to the beach and Kalakaua Avenue.
Ala Wai Boat Harbor: $1 an hour
The paid public lot at the Ala Wai Boat Harbor, at the Ewa end of Waikiki near Ala Moana, is $1 an hour. You can park here even if you aren't using the harbor, and the paid lot allows overnight parking up to 24 hours at a time.
Local tips that save you money (and a tow)
- Read the signs every time, even at a spot you parked at yesterday. Rules change and event closures pop up.
- Snap a photo of the sign where you park. If there's ever a question later, you have proof of what was posted.
- Set a phone reminder for Ala Wai street sweeping days so you don't wake up to a ticket.
- Give yourself time. Free spots fill up, and circling for a while is normal.
- Never leave valuables in the car, not even in the trunk. Break-ins happen in busy tourist areas.
The real cost of a car in Waikiki: the rental plus the parking
Most visitors only compare rental rates, but in Waikiki the parking can cost almost as much as the car. Many Waikiki hotels charge $40 or more a night to park. Here's what that adds up to:
| Length of stay | Hotel parking at $45 a night | Free parking | You keep |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 week | $315 | $0 | $315 |
| 1 month | $1,350 | $0 | $1,350 |
Now stack that on the rental itself. Airport chains average about $1,800 for a month once taxes and fees are added. At Baba, our weekly rates run about 35% to 45% below our daily rate, and our monthly rates run about 55% to 65% below. Put a Baba weekly or monthly rental together with free parking and you're paying a fraction of what the airport rental plus hotel parking route costs.
We'll be straight with you: our yard is in Ewa Beach, about 30 to 40 minutes from Waikiki without traffic. For a day or two, that drive may not be worth it, unless you're a young driver. Most Waikiki rental counters charge drivers under 25 extra every day, or won't rent to you at all under 21, and we have some of the cheapest young driver fees around (more on our young driver rental page). For a week or longer, the savings add up fast and the drive pays for itself.
Checking a quote is easy, free, and instant, with no personal information needed. Or see how it all compares on our cheapest way to rent a car on Oahu page and our monthly car rental rates.
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Frequently asked questions
Is there free parking in Waikiki?
Yes. The best free options are street parking along Ala Wai Boulevard and the Waikiki Shell lot on Monsarrat Avenue. Spots fill up, so plan to circle a bit, and always read the posted signs before you leave your car.
Can you park overnight for free in Waikiki?
Yes. The Waikiki Shell lot on Monsarrat Avenue allows overnight parking, and Ala Wai Boulevard street parking is free around the clock except during street sweeping on Monday and Friday mornings. The Waikiki Shell lot occasionally closes for concerts and special events, so check for event signs every time you park.
Can I park at the Honolulu Zoo if I'm not visiting the zoo?
Yes. The Honolulu Zoo lot is $1.50 an hour and you don't have to be visiting the zoo to park there.
What's the cheapest way to have a car in Waikiki for a week or more?
Rent by the week or month from a local company instead of by the day from an airport chain, and use free street or lot parking instead of paying for hotel parking. Baba Car Rentals in Ewa Beach rents weekly and monthly to drivers 18 and up, with debit cards and your own insurance accepted.
Who pays for a parking ticket or tow on a rental car?
The renter. Baba Car Rentals is not responsible for any towing, tickets, fines, or fees. Parking rules can change at any time, so always read and follow the posted signs.
Staying in Waikiki for a week or longer?
Weekly and monthly rates. Drivers 18+. Debit cards and personal insurance accepted.
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