If you’re about to drive to Tampa, FL, to enjoy everything the city has to offer – nightlife, shopping, and cultural attractions, then one thing we want to forewarn you about is the number of people living there. Tampa is the third most populated city in Florida, and due to it being so highly populated, finding free parking can be a challenge. We’ve created a guide for you to find free parking quickly and easily.
Free Parking near Downtown Tampa, FL
We love going to Tampa for several reasons, and the amount of free parking is one of them. Street parking is free for the first two hours, and then it starts to cost. After the two hours, metered parking takes into effect. We’ve listed some free parking options down below for you.
Is there free parking in Tampa, FL? You can find free parking in Tampa, FL, at the following locations after 6 pm.:
- 207 E. Twiggs St.
- 601 N. Ashley Dr.
- 200 Polk St.
- 308 E. Zack St.
- 216 E. Madison St.
- 515 N. Franklin St.
- 400 N. Tampa St.
- 611 N. Florida Ave.
| Street Name/ Address | Walking distance to Curtis Hixon Park |
| 601 N. Ashley Dr. | 4 mins. |
| 200 Polk St. | 5 mins. |
| 207 E. Twiggs St. | 6 mins. |
| 308 E. Zack St. | 6 mins. |
| 216 E. Madison St. | 7 mins. |
| 400 N. Tampa St. | 7 mins. |
| 515 N. Franklin St. | 8 mins. |
| 611 N. Florida Ave. | 8 mins. |
What to Know about Parking for Free in Tampa, FL
When you park for free in Tampa, FL, you’ll want to consider the following due to a lot of the free and cheap parking being in residential areas:
- Don’t park in front of block anyone’s driveway
- Don’t block anyone’s doorways or entrances
- Respect the residents – you are leaving your vehicle with them
- Park close to the curb
- Don’t double park
- Make sure your car is locked before leaving it
- Check for/the parking signs before leaving your vehicle
Free All Day Parking in Tampa
Some people are at work all day and looking for all-day parking in Tampa. There isn’t much available in free all-day parking. However, there are some cheap parking options that we will mention here.
Is there free all-day parking in Tampa? While you won’t find free all-day parking in Tampa, you can find cheap parking at the following locations:
- 509 E. Whiting St.
- 721 N. Jefferson St.
- 133 S. Jefferson St.
- 802 N. Ashley Dr.
- 201 S. Ashley Dr.
- 202 S. Tampa St.
- 310 S. Florida St.
- 302 S. Morgan St.
| Street Name/Location | Walking distance to Tampa Theatre | Price |
| 802 N. Ashley Dr. | 4 mins. | $9 |
| 310 S. Florida St. | 7 mins. | $9 |
| 721 N. Jefferson St. | 8 mins. | $7 |
| 202 S. Tampa St. | 9 mins. | $9 |
| 201 S. Ashley Dr. | 10 mins. | $9 |
| 509 E. Whiting St. | 12 mins. | $6 |
| 133 S. Jefferson St. | 16 mins. | $8 |
| 302 S. Morgan St. | 17 mins. | $9 |
Free Overnight Parking in Tampa, FL
Sometimes finding overnight parking is necessary. Whether you’re staying overnight at a friend’s, or you’re simply finding yourself staying out dancing all night, it’s helpful to know where there’s overnight parking.
Is there free overnight parking in Tampa? There’s free overnight parking in Tampa at the following locations:
- 501 N. Morgan St.
- 500 E. Zack St.
- 811 Pierce St.
- 501 E. Madison St.
- 501 N. Florida Ave.
- 412 E. Madison St.
- 701 E. Zack St.
- 650 N. Franklin St.
| Street Name/Address | Walking distance to Kiley Garden |
| 650 N. Franklin St. | 6 mins. |
| 501 N. Florida Ave. | 7 mins. |
| 412 E. Madison St. | 8 mins. |
| 501 E. Madison St. | 9 mins. |
| 501 N. Morgan St. | 10 mins. |
| 500 E. Zack St. | 10 mins. |
| 811 Pierce St. | 13 mins. |
| 701 E. Zack St. | 13 mins. |
Beaches in Tampa with Free Parking
Tampa has a variety of different beaches to choose from to visit. So if you’re looking for the best beaches to visit in Tampa, FL, check out the list below. Beaches tend to have fewer free parking spaces, so we’ve written a list of different parking options.
Ben T. Davis Beach
Ben T. Davis Beach is close to downtown Tampa, only ten minutes away. While there isn’t free parking, there is plenty of cheap parking. And when we say cheap, we genuinely mean it’s cheap and won’t break the bank! Parking costs $0.55 per hour.
Is there free parking near Ben T. Davis Beach? You can’t find free parking. However, there’s plenty of cheap parking at 7740 W. Courtney Campbell Causeway directly at the beach.
Davis Islands Beach
Davis Islands Beach is one of the smaller beautiful Tampa beaches. You can sometimes enjoy the view of anchored boats sitting in the water when you go there. There isn’t much available in terms of free parking, but we did find the one parking garage that does offer some!
Is there free parking near Davis Islands Beach? You can find free parking near Davis Islands Beach at 155 Columbia Dr.
Castor Beach
When you do a Google search for Castor Beach, you can barely find anything on it. It’s right on the campus of the University of South Florida. Students primarily come here to relax, but you can also watch birds fly over the pond or sit in one of the hammocks. Free parking is somewhat limited, but we’ve noted where you can find some.
Is there free parking near Castor Beach? You can find free parking near Castor Beach at the following locations:
- 11302 N. 56th St.
- 11201 N. Malcolm McKinley Dr.
| Street Name/Location | Walking distance to USF |
| 11302 N. 56th St. | 20 mins. |
| 11201 N. Malcolm McKinley Dr. | 28 mins. |
Cypress Point Park
Cypress Point Park is the perfect place to witness the sunset over the city while watching the water. The park also has a variety of trails, a volleyball court, a golf course, and a playground. It’s also the perfect spot to grab lunch. Free parking is hard to find, but whatever free parking exists, we mention it here.
Is there free parking near Cypress Point Park? You can find free parking near Cypress Point Park at 5534 W. Cypress St.
Free Parking near Tampa Zoo
ZooTampa is a popular place to visit for families and young couples. Most zoos where you travel have expensive overflow parking, but ZooTampa is a bit different.
Is there free parking near Tampa Zoo? You can park directly at the zoo, as it offers free parking at 1101 W. Sligh Ave.
Free Parking near Tampa Airport
When you’re going to the Tampa Airport to drop someone off, it can be super helpful to have free parking. Parking at airports are notorious for being more expensive. However, a parking lot directly at the Tampa Airport offers free 2-hour parking.
Is there free parking near Tampa Airport? You can find free parking near Tampa Airport at the Cell Phone Waiting Lot at Airport Access Rd.
Free Parking near Tampa Riverwalk, FL
The Tampa Riverwalk is a pretty commonplace to visit if you’re a tourist or resident. Many eclectic restaurants line the water, and people can enjoy various watersports. Other attractions like museums can also be found there due to its host of different entertainment options. We’ve collected the multiple streets where you can park for free.
Is there free parking near Tampa Riverwalk? You can find free parking near Tampa Riverwalk at the following locations after 6 pm:
- 300 E. Madison St.
- 302 Kennedy Blvd.
- 411 N. Morgan St.
- 309 N. Florida Ave.
- 308 N. Tampa St.
- 105 E. Jackson St.
- 409 Polk St.
- 610 E. Zack St.
| Street Name/Address | Walking distance to Tampa Riverwalk |
| 105 E. Jackson St. | 4 mins. |
| 308 N. Tampa St. | 5 mins. |
| 302 Kennedy Blvd. | 8 mins. |
| 309 N. Florida Ave. | 8 mins. |
| 300 E. Madison St. | 9 mins. |
| 411 N. Morgan St. | 12 mins. |
| 409 Polk St. | 15 mins. |
| 610 E. Zack St. | 16 mins. |
Free Parking near Busch Gardens Tampa
Busch Gardens is like Six Flags or Disney World but for adults. Many people travel from all over to enjoy the many rides (and the beer) of Busch Gardens Tampa. Because it’s an amusement park, parking can get quite full and therefore expensive. So, many may wonder whether Busch Gardens in Tampa has free parking close by or not.
Is there free parking near Busch Gardens Tampa? You can park for free at Busch Gardens Tampa if you have an annual pass with Busch Gardens. The parking option is called preferred parking. Without the pass, preferred parking costs $11. Otherwise, there is no free parking close by.
Free Parking near Tampa Convention Center
Quite a few businesses have their conferences at the Tampa Convention Center. With conferences bringing in hundreds and sometimes thousands of people, it can be such a lifesaver to know where to find free parking. Read on to find out where you can park for free close to the convention centre!
Is there free parking near Tampa Convention Center? You can find free parking near Tampa Convention Center at the following locations:
- 299 E. Brorein St.
- 306 E. Jackson St.
- 319 Pierce St.
- 311 N. Morgan St.
- 309 N. Florida Ave.
- 308 N. Tampa Ave.
- 101 E. Kennedy St.
- 412 E. Madison St.
| Street Name/Address | Walking distance to Tampa Convention Center |
| 299 E. Brorein St. | 5 mins. |
| 306 E. Jackson St. | 10 mins. |
| 308 N. Tampa Ave. | 10 mins. |
| 309 N. Florida Ave. | 11 mins. |
| 101 E. Kennedy Blvd. | 11 mins. |
| 412 E. Madison St. | 15 mins. |
| 311 N. Morgan St. | 15 mins. |
| 319 Pierce St. | 16 mins. |
Hotels with Free Parking in Tampa, FL
Are there hotels with free parking in Tampa, FL? The following hotels offer free parking in Tampa, FL:
- Ramada by Wyndham Tampa Airport
- Holiday Inn Tampa Westshore
- La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham
- Hampton Inn & Suites Tampa Airport29
| Hotel Name | Walking distance to Novus Westshore |
| La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham | 17 mins. |
| Holiday Inn Tampa Westshore | 23 mins. |
| Ramada by Wyndham Tampa Airport | 24 mins. |
| Hampton Inn & Suites Tampa Airport | 29 mins. |
Hotels with Free Parking near Tampa Cruise Port and Shuttle
Tampa is unique because it has a cruise port, meaning that cruises are starting off from here only to steer towards any place in the world. Due to that, there is a high demand for hotels with free parking near the Tampa cruise port and shuttle. The popular question is, does that even exist?
Are there hotels with free parking near Tampa Cruise Port and Shuttle? The following hotels offer free parking as well as free shuttle service near the Port of Tampa:
- Tahitian Inn Boutique Hotel Tampa
- Holiday Inn Express Tampa East Ybor City
- Chase Suite Hotel Tampa
- Springhill Suites Tampa Brandon
Note: None of these hotels are within walking distance of the Port of Tampa.
Free Handicap Parking in Tampa
Disabled parking is often some of the best parking available. In Tampa, most disabled parking is free. When you park in a disabled parking spot, don’t forget to display your handicapped sign – otherwise, you will get a ticket. You can park on most metered street parking in Tampa, FL, and you won’t have to pay as long as you display your handicap sign.
Is there free handicap parking in Tampa, FL? You can find free handicap parking in Tampa, FL, at the following locations:
- 1713 Angel Olivia Seniors St.
- 1804 N. Republica De Cuba
- 1400 E. 6th Ave.
- 1424 E. 9th Ave.
- 1828 E. 9th Ave.
- 1400 E. 11th Ave.
- 1713 N. 15th St.
| Street Name/Address | Walking distance to the Orpheum |
| 1713 Angel Olivia Seniors St. | 4 mins. |
| 1828 E. 9th Ave. | 5 mins. |
| 1400 E. 11th Ave. | 9 mins. |
| 1713 N. 15th St. | 9 mins. |
| 1804 N. Republica De Cuba | 10 mins. |
| 1400 E. 6th Ave. | 10 mins. |
| 1424 E. 9th Ave. | 11 mins. |
Free RV Parking in Tampa
In the U.S., travelling with an RV is pretty standard. RV parking can be so expensive, so finding free or cheap RV parking can help keep travel costs down. Since Tampa is pretty densely populated and a city, there aren’t many RV parks nearby.
Is there free RV parking in Tampa? Unfortunately, there is no free RV parking in Tampa. However, you can find cheap RV parking at 8492 Manatee Bay Dr.
Free Motorcycle Parking in Tampa
At Road Trip Heroes, we don’t just tell you where to park your car. We also include parking options for our friends with motorcycles! There’s nothing as freeing as getting on your bike and driving in Tampa, FL, where the weather is just right. If you’re looking for parking, we got you covered.
When looking at the parking options, we give you the block and parking number. Each parking spot has a parking number, so we’ve included it here.
Is there free motorcycle parking in Tampa? There is no free motorcycle parking in Tampa; however, you can find cheap motorcycle parking for the same price as other cars at the following locations:
- #6555 900 E. Twiggs St.
- #2611 100 E. Zack St.
- #2624 200 E. Zack St.
- #2701 100 E. Polk St.
- #1575 700 E. Morgan St.
- #2012 100 N. Ashley St.
- #4220 100 S. Franklin St.
- #1639 500 N. Pierce St.
| Street Name/Location | Walking distance to Tampa City Hall |
| #2611 100 E. Zack St. | 6 mins. |
| #2624 200 E. Zack St. | 6 mins. |
| #4220 100 S. Franklin St. | 6 mins. |
| #1639 500 N. Pierce St. | 7 mins. |
| #2012 100 N. Ashley St. | 7 mins. |
| #1575 700 E. Morgan St. | 8 mins. |
| #2701 100 E. Polk St. | 9 mins. |
| #6555 900 E. Twiggs St. | 11 mins. |
Related Questions
Is parking free in downtown Tampa at the weekends? In some areas, parking is free in downtown Tampa, while in others, it isn’t. For example, north of Kennedy Blvd, parking is free from 8 am to 2 pm on Sundays. Otherwise, parking does cost the normal price even on the weekend.
How do you pay for street parking in Tampa? There are different ways to pay for street parking in Tampa, FL, and most can be paid via a parking pay station or an app on your phone. ParkMobile is the app you would use to pay for street parking in Tampa.
How much does it cost to park in downtown Tampa? If you park downtown in Tampa, you will have to pay $2.50 per hour for street parking. Paid parking is from 8 am to midnight. After midnight, parking is free. Weekends also have paid parking, though if you park north of Kennedy Blvd, there’s free parking from 8 am to 2 pm.
