How Much Is Hourly Parking in Atlanta? A Local’s Guide to What You’ll Pay

Hourly parking in Atlanta, Georgia can cost anywhere from about $1 per hour on some city streets to $10–$15 per hour at busy private garages near major attractions. What you actually pay depends heavily on where you park, when you park, and who runs the lot or garage.

Below is a clear breakdown of typical hourly rates and what to expect in different parts of the city.

Typical Hourly Parking Prices in Atlanta

Use this as a quick reference for rough, commonly seen ranges (actual prices vary by operator and time):

These ranges are meant to set expectations, not quote exact prices. Always check posted signs or payment machines before leaving your car.

Hourly Street Parking in Atlanta

Street parking is managed mostly by Atlanta’s Department of Transportation and ParkAtlanta-style systems in central areas. Meters and pay stations are common in:

• Downtown
• Midtown
• Parts of Old Fourth Ward, Inman Park, Westside, and other busy neighborhoods

What You’ll Typically Pay at Meters

In most metered zones you can expect:

• About $2 – $4 per hour in core areas
• Time limits often range from 2 to 4 hours
• Rates may be slightly lower further from the main business districts

Rates can differ block by block, so always check:

• The pay station display
• Stickers or plates on the parking meter
• Nearby rate signage

How to Pay at Atlanta Meters

Most modern meters and kiosks accept:

• Coins and credit/debit cards
• Mobile payment options through parking apps listed on the signs
• A printed receipt or confirmation on the app as proof of payment

⏱️ Tip: If you’re parking for just an hour or two near restaurants or shops, metered street parking is often cheaper than a garage and closer to your destination—if you can find a spot.

Hourly Parking in Downtown Atlanta

Downtown Atlanta is full of garages and lots serving offices, government buildings, hotels, and attractions like:

• Georgia Aquarium
• World of Coca‑Cola
• State Farm Arena
• CNN Center area / Centennial Olympic Park

Typical Downtown Hourly Rates

You’ll often see:

• $5 – $7 per hour at many standard garages
• $8 – $10+ per hour closer to major attractions or hotels
• Event pricing (flat fees, often higher) on game days, concerts, or large conventions

Many garages also cap rates with a maximum daily charge, which can be a better deal if you plan to park for 4+ hours.

Common Patterns Downtown

• First 15–30 minutes may be discounted or free in some garages (not universal).
• Event nights near State Farm Arena or Mercedes-Benz Stadium often switch to flat event rates instead of hourly.
• Lots close to Centennial Olympic Park or the aquarium can be significantly higher during peak tourist times.

If you’re planning a quick downtown errand, factor in:

• The time to drive in and out of a garage
• Whether metered street parking nearby is available and cheaper for a short stay

Hourly Parking in Midtown Atlanta

Midtown is dense with:

• Office towers
• Arts institutions like the High Museum of Art
• Restaurants and nightlife
• Georgia Tech’s nearby campus areas

Typical Midtown Hourly Rates

You’re likely to see:

• $3 – $5 per hour in some mixed-use deck garages
• $5 – $8 per hour in high-demand buildings or close to Peachtree Street
• Higher rates closer to major venues or nightlife, especially evenings and weekends

Some residential and mixed-use buildings may allow visitor parking by the hour, but usually at standard downtown-style prices.

Hourly Parking in Buckhead, Westside, and Other Popular Areas

Buckhead

Buckhead’s office and shopping areas around Lenox, Phipps Plaza, and Peachtree Road have many garages and surface lots.

• Expect $3 – $6 per hour in many retail or office decks
• Higher rates in hotel garages or luxury retail zones
• Some shopping centers may offer first hour free or validated parking, then charge hourly

West Midtown / Westside

Around Westside Provisions District, Howell Mill Road, and nearby development:

• Commonly $2 – $5 per hour in decks and surface lots
• Certain restaurant-driven lots may switch to flat evening or valet-style pricing

In-Town Neighborhoods (Virginia-Highland, Inman Park, etc.)

In more residential-commercial districts:

• Many side streets are free but may have time or permit restrictions
• Private lots near restaurants and bars can be:
  • $2 – $4 per hour, or
  • A flat fee for the evening (e.g., $5–$10)

Always check for “customers only,” “no overnight,” or tow‑away warnings on neighborhood lots.

Event and Stadium Parking: Hourly vs. Flat Rates

Near Mercedes‑Benz Stadium, State Farm Arena, and major event venues, hourly pricing often gives way to flat event pricing during:

• Falcons and Atlanta United games
• Concerts and large events
• Big conventions or festivals

You might see:

• $10 – $15 for a few hours
• $20+ for prime lots very close to the stadium or arena

If no event is happening, some of these same lots may revert to:

• $5 – $10 per hour or
• Standard day/evening hourly structures

If your question is specifically “how much is hourly parking right by the stadium,” be prepared for event pricing that effectively overrides normal hourly rates during busy times.

Airport Hourly Parking at Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport

If you’re asking about hourly parking at the airport, the fees are generally higher than in the city.

Hartsfield‑Jackson offers:

• Hourly parking decks close to each terminal
• Daily parking and other long‑term options further away

Hourly decks are designed for:

• Pick‑ups and drop‑offs
• Short business trips
• Quick terminal access

While exact rates can change, travelers can expect the airport hourly lots to be:

• More expensive on a per-hour basis than city garages
• Best for stays of a few hours, not all-day or multi-day parking

For up-to-date rates, you can contact:

Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport
6000 N Terminal Pkwy
Atlanta, GA 30320
Main airport information: (800) 897‑1910

How Time of Day and Day of Week Affect Hourly Prices

In Atlanta, when you park can be just as important as where:

• Weekday business hours:

  • Higher demand in downtown and Midtown
  • Hourly rates at garages may be at their standard (or highest) levels

• Evenings and weekends:

  • Some garages offer discounted evening or weekend rates
  • Others near entertainment districts may raise rates or switch to flat event pricing

• Overnight:

  • Not all lots/garages allow overnight parking
  • Those that do often switch from hourly to flat overnight or daily pricing

⚠️ Always read posted rules to avoid:

• Tickets on residential-permit streets
• Towing from lots that prohibit overnight or non-customer parking

Tips to Keep Hourly Parking Costs Down in Atlanta

Here are simple ways Atlanta drivers often save money:

• Compare meters vs. garages
  If you only need 1–2 hours, a meter for $2–$4 per hour can beat a $10 minimum garage rate.

• Walk a block or two
  Parking one or two blocks away from a main attraction or hotel can reduce hourly rates significantly.

• Avoid event zones when possible
  If there’s a game or concert, park slightly outside the venue area when time allows and walk or rideshare in.

• Check time limits
  A cheaper meter with a 1–2 hour limit isn’t helpful if you’ll be in a 3‑hour meeting and risk a ticket.

• Use mixed-use decks
  Garages attached to grocery stores, apartment buildings, or mixed-use developments sometimes have more moderate hourly pricing than dedicated visitor decks.

Finding Official Info and Handling Tickets

For questions about city-run on-street parking, meters, or tickets in Atlanta, a good starting point is the City of Atlanta:

City of Atlanta – Department of Transportation (parking enforcement & meters)
55 Trinity Ave SW
Atlanta, GA 30303
Main City Hall phone: (404) 330‑6000
(Ask to be directed to parking/transportation or parking enforcement.)

If you receive a parking citation, the ticket will typically list:

• The amount owed
• How long you were parked
• Instructions for paying or disputing the citation

Follow the printed instructions carefully and respond within the listed timeframe to avoid late fees.

In practice, most drivers in Atlanta pay somewhere between $2 and $10 per hour for typical city parking, with higher prices around major attractions, stadiums, and the airport. If you know your destination and roughly how long you’ll stay, you can usually choose between metered street parking, a private lot, or a garage to match your budget and convenience.