Seattle
Seattle parking lots are easiest to compare by destination and timing. A UW campus visit, an athletic event, a Seattle Center attraction, a hospital appointment, and downtown sightseeing can all call for different parking plans.
Before leaving, check the lot’s access rules, payment method, time limits, and event restrictions. The best choice is the one that fits your destination, vehicle, and expected stay without adding an avoidable walk.
We chose these places in Seattle based on what visitors say about them, the information available on each and how easy they are to reach.
Featured positions are clearly marked and only offered to businesses that already earned their place in the guide.
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#1Convenient hospital access
Clean, well-kept garage
Forest Parking is a Seattle garage with free and paid parking options, known for a clean, well-kept setting and convenient access to Seattle Children’s Hospital. It is especially practical for families visiting the main lobby or nearby specialty departments.
Availability can tighten during busy periods, and valet service may be used when standard spaces fill.
#2Volunteer Park Parking Lot provides free parking within Seattle’s Volunteer Park, with convenient access to the Asian Art Museum, water tower, reservoir, gardens, playground, and park paths. The lot is a practical base for combining several park stops in one visit rather than moving the car between attractions.
Its generous size and park setting make it useful for visitors arriving by car, including those bringing children or pets. The surrounding area offers space to walk, sit, exercise, and explore.
#3Spacious paved parking near campus
University of Washington Parking Lot E-18 is a paved Seattle parking area with marked spaces for cars, trucks, and motorcycles. It offers both paid and free parking arrangements, depending on the applicable space or permit, and is within walking distance of campus destinations and athletic facilities.
The lot is spacious and generally straightforward to use, though traffic around its entrances can become heavier during university events. It works best when campus access matters more than being immediately beside the destination.
#4University of Washington Parking Lot is a Seattle campus parking area suited to visitors who need direct access to university facilities. Entry and exit can require extra patience when ticket scanners are difficult to read, so keeping the parking ticket accessible is worthwhile.
Permit and payment requirements should be checked before parking.
#5App-based advance booking
Fremont Village Square access
AirGarage Public Parking provides paid parking in Seattle, including the Fremont Village Square location. Its digital booking approach makes it easy to find a space, reserve ahead and navigate parking through the app. The experience is particularly streamlined for drivers who prefer handling parking before arrival rather than searching on the street.
Space dimensions and availability can vary, and many covered spaces may already be reserved. Larger vehicles should check the layout carefully before committing, especially when advance reservations are involved.
#6Renaissance Seattle Hotel Parking Garage provides secure-feeling garage parking in Seattle, with the added convenience of hotel lobby services nearby. Helpful staff and a positive service orientation make it appealing for hotel-related visits, interviews and downtown appointments where street-meter limits are restrictive.
#7Near Red Square
UW QUAD N5 Parking Lot provides free and paid parking in Seattle, with a convenient campus location near the Foster School of Business and roughly a five-minute walk from Red Square. Its position is especially useful for university visits and nearby hospital appointments.
A UW permit is required, and advance planning is sensible when demand is high.
#8Parking Lot E-17 ADA is a Seattle parking area valued for its location when a space is available. It can become very busy, but finding an open spot provides convenient access for nearby destinations.
Drivers should allow flexibility during busy periods.
#9Compact-car downtown parking
Near underground tour
Butler Garage is a paid Seattle parking garage with nearby street parking and a location convenient for downtown sightseeing , including the Seattle Underground Tour and waterfront connections. Advance booking through a parking app can simplify a full-day visit, while pricing may be competitive for compact vehicles.
The spaces are notably narrow, so the garage is better suited to compact cars than large SUVs. Availability can tighten during the day, and drivers should review session limits, closing arrangements and the full charge before parking.
#10Near UW cherry blossoms
Central Plaza Garage is a Seattle parking garage serving University of Washington visitors, with free and paid options across garage, lot and street formats. Level 1 access can make it especially convenient for reaching the Quad and seasonal cherry blossoms, while campus events and Husky Stadium are also within reach.
Payment is handled through an app, although weak garage connectivity can make completing the transaction awkward. Allow time to walk from the garage to more distant destinations, including the stadium.
#11Large spaces near Seattle Center
KOMO Plaza Garage offers several Seattle parking formats, including a paid multi-storey garage, paid surface parking and paid street spaces, with some free street parking nearby. Its location across from the Space Needle and close to Seattle Center, Chihuly Garden and Glass, Pacific Science Center, Climate Pledge Arena and the Museum of Pop Culture makes it useful for a full day of sightseeing.
The garage is clean, well-lit and designed with relatively generous spaces, including room for larger SUVs. Advance booking can simplify arrival, while prepaid QR access is generally straightforward. Keep the QR code ready and allow extra time if connectivity or event traffic may affect exit.
#12Free parking near trails
Public Parking Lot is a free, open-to-the-public parking area in North Seattle with ample space for visits to nearby gyms, sports fields, parks and walking trails. The lot is clean, maintained and free of obvious hazards, making it a straightforward base for active outings rather than a downtown destination.
PayByPhone visitor parking
Seattle University Visitor Parking serves campus visitors with open-lot parking and a PayByPhone option. A full 24-hour session can be useful for extended visits, including activities around Capitol Hill and the Pike/Pine area. Spaces may be limited, maneuvering can be tight, and some larger areas are permit-only, so the exact location matters.
Parking permits are required on campus. Register the vehicle’s license plate accurately when purchasing a virtual permit to avoid citation issues.
#14Central U-District location
U-District Parking Lot is a paid Seattle parking area positioned centrally near The Ave. It can be a lower-cost option when nearby spaces are scarce, but the lot is relatively small and payment equipment may be unreliable.
Drivers should inspect the space, payment process and surroundings before leaving a vehicle for an extended stay.
#15Downtown advance reservations
520 Pike Tower is a paid multi-storey Seattle parking garage with a downtown location and advance-reservation options. It can suit planned visits when a clean, organized facility is more appealing than street parking, but its narrow lanes, tight turns and ticket scanners require careful driving and patience.
Review the reservation terms and total exit cost before arrival, particularly for short stays. Keeping the QR ticket accessible is important because replacing or recovering a lost code can delay departure.
Summary
| # | Business | Rating | Reviews | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Forest Parking | 4.6 | 27 | Seattle Children’s Hospital visits |
| #2 | Volunteer Park Parking Lot | 4.7 | 18 | — |
| #3 | University of Washington Parking Lot E-18 | 4.2 | 78 | UW campus visits |
| #4 | University of Washington Parking Lot | 4.6 | 8 | — |
| #5 | AirGarage | Public Parking | 4.6 | 7 | — |
| #6 | Renaissance Seattle Hotel Parking Garage | 4.4 | 11 | — |
| #7 | UW QUAD N5 Parking lot | 4.1 | 32 | University campus visits |
| #8 | Parking Lot E-17 ADA | 4.2 | 13 | — |
| #9 | Butler Garage | 3.9 | 207 | Compact cars |
| #10 | Central Plaza Garage | 3.9 | 61 | UW campus walks |
| #11 | KOMO Plaza Garage | 3.9 | 97 | Seattle Center attraction days |
| #12 | Public Parking Lot | 3.8 | 8 | — |
| #13 | Seattle University Visitor Parking | 3.5 | 13 | — |
| #14 | U-District Parking Lot | 3.5 | 20 | — |
| #15 | 520 Pike Tower | 3.5 | 28 | Planned downtown visits |
For businesses
Map and areas
The available entries span several destination patterns, including University of Washington parking, Volunteer Park, Seattle Center access, and hospital visits. No broader neighborhood labels are verified, so use the destination name as your geographic starting point. For busy days, judge convenience by the final walking route rather than the lot name alone. Check whether the space serves your event or appointment, then allow extra time for entry, payment, and finding the correct exit.
The University of Washington entries are the natural starting point for campus visits, walks, and university events. Check the exact campus destination, permit or payment requirements, and walking distance before choosing between nearby lots.
Reservation needs depend on the lot, event, and time of day. Before traveling, check whether the space accepts advance booking, whether event rules change access, and what happens if you arrive later than planned.
Prioritize the entrance you need, the time required to reach it, and how long the appointment may last. For Seattle Children’s Hospital visits, confirm whether the selected facility or lot has specific visitor instructions before departure.
Group your destinations by walking route and choose a lot that supports the longest planned stop. Check time limits, in-and-out rules, and the closing schedule so the parking arrangement matches your itinerary rather than just the first attraction.
