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Parking in Portland
In a lot, in a garage or on the street? You make the call.
From city-run parking garages to private lots to an app for on-street parking, Portland offers reliable options for parking during your visit.
Parking Garages and Lots Downtown
The city owns SmartPark garages in the central city with roughly 4,000 public spaces across five convenient locations. Each lot displays the number of available spots above the entrance in real time. More than 375 businesses downtown will provide a validation voucher for SmartPark parking with qualifying purchases.
Additional privately owned parking lots with varying daily, hourly, evening and weekend rates can be found throughout the central city.
On-Street Parking
In Portland’s central city, there are over 20,000 metered parking spaces. Parking hours and costs vary by neighborhood and time of day; parking is even free during some off-peak hours. Plan your parking in the downtown area or Portland’s residential neighborhoods in advance by checking the city’s public parking guide.
Portland offers two ways to pay for parking on the street: via a mobile app or at a pay station. The latter option uses a pay-by-plate system, meaning no more running back to your car with a paper receipt. Simply enter your license plate number and select the amount of time you wish to purchase; pay stations accept major credit cards and cash. The other option is paying via “Parking Kitty.”
The Parking Kitty App
Simplify your public parking experience by using Parking Kitty. This free-to-download, city-owned smartphone app allows you to pay for parking using just your phone — no more digging for coins for the parking meter. To use Parking Kitty, download the app from the App Store or Google Play (or use the web version), then create an account within the app and set up your payment information.
The next time you’re parking, open Parking Kitty, select the zone number for the area where you’re parked, select the amount of time you’ll be parked there, and pay directly through the app. While you’re out and about, you can use the app to check how much time you have left.
Parking enforcement officers will be able to see your mobile payment with their own handheld devices, so there’s no need to worry about those parking meters. (Note that there’s a small fee for each use of Parking Kitty — 40 cents per session as of 2023.)
Car-Free Transportation
Ditch your wheels and explore the city via public transportation, bicycle, e-scooter and more.
Parking Near Popular Attractions
Read on for parking options near some of Portland’s must-see attractions. (Don’t forget that there are other great ways to travel in the City of Roses — from MAX Light Rail to Portland Streetcar, from bus to bicycle.) In each case below, the following applies:
- Parking in a public SmartPark garage costs $1.80/hour as of 2023 (or pay the $14–$18 “all day” rate).
- Street parking costs $2/hour as of 2023.
- Finding a spot on the street can be challenging during peak hours.
Powell’s City of Books
- Neighborhood: The Pearl District
- Nearest SmartPark Garage: 730 SW 10th Avenue
- Walking Distance From Garage: 5 Blocks (5-Minute Walk)
- Street parking near Powell’s is an option, but it can be difficult to find a spot in the heart of the central city during peak hours.
Portland Art Museum
- Neighborhood: Downtown
- Nearest SmartPark Garage: 730 SW 10th Avenue
- Walking Distance From Garage: 5 Blocks (6-Minute Walk)
- The museum’s downtown location means finding parking on the street can take a little work, though spots are available.
More Sites and Attractions
There's far more fun to be had — and iconic sites to see — in Portland's Central City.
Lan Su Chinese Garden
- Neighborhood: Old Town Chinatown
- Nearest SmartPark Garage: 33 NW Davis Street
- Walking Distance From Garage: 4 Blocks (4-Minute Walk)
- The garden is located in the heart of Old Town Chinatown, a bustling central city neighborhood; street parking is an option, but it might take some hunting.
Voodoo Doughnut
- Neighborhood: Old Town Chinatown
- Nearest SmartPark Garage: 33 NW Davis Street —or— 621 SW 3rd Avenue
- Walking Distance From Garage: Both = 5 Blocks (6-Minute Walk)
- Another Old Town Chinatown location means the same caveats apply when hunting for street parking near Voodoo Doughnut: spots are out there, but finding one may take some effort.
Washington Park
- Washington Park is a large complex of attractions, including the International Rose Test Garden, the Oregon Zoo, the Portland Japanese Garden, Hoyt Arboretum and more. Parking is available in lots — the specific lot you’ll want to target will vary depending on your plans, so reference the Washington Park map to come up with a plan.
- Parking in a lot at Washington Park is $2 per hour as of 2023 (or $8 for a full day).
- Please note that parking at Washington Park is extremely limited; it’s much easier to park elsewhere and travel to the park via public transportation.
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