Is there free parking in the city?

Calgary offers free parking, but availability varies depending on location, time, and type of vehicle. Here are the main ways to save on parking, according to official sources and local residents.

1. Free street parking

  • Hours:
  • Monday–Saturday: After 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 a.m. the following day.
  • Sunday and holidays: 24 hours a day.
  • Areas: Valid throughout the city, including Downtown.
  • Conditions:
  • Check signs – some areas have restrictions (e.g., “No Parking 3:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.” for traffic relief).
  • Maximum stay – 9 hours in specially marked areas.

2. Holidays and weekends

Free days (only valid on the holiday):

Example: On December 25, you can park for free even in areas marked “Paid Parking.”

3. Parking with limited free time

  • CORE Shopping Centre: 3 hours free with a purchase at the mall (ticket validation required).
  • Banker's Hall: Night parking for $2 (6:00 p.m.–6:00 a.m.).
  • Hyatt Hotel: Free for guests of Thomson's restaurant.

4. Loading Zones

  • Free: Up to 20 minutes.
  • Conditions:
  • License plate registration required via the MyParking app or vpm.parkplus.ca.
  • Violation fine: $75–150 CAD.
  • Where to find it:
  • Near Calgary Tower (zone 2650).
  • Near Hong Kong Plaza (zone 1118).

5. Parking for electric vehicles

  • Free charging: In 6 parking lots (e.g., City Hall Parkade, Arts Commons).
  • Conditions: Parking fees apply, but charging is free.

6. Residential areas

  • For residents:
  • A standard permit costs $30 CAD/year.
  • Allows you to park in your zone without restrictions.
  • For visitors:
  • Guest permits ($15 CAD/day) or free short-term zones (e.g., Montgomery).

7. Night parking

  • Route 300 (night bus): Free ride with parking in the surrounding area (Somerset-Bridlewood, Saddletowne).
  • Downtown parking: Night rates from $2–3 CAD.

Tips from locals

  1. Use apps:
  • SpotAngels: Real-time map of free parking spots.
  • MyParking: For registering in loading zones and paying.
  1. Avoid rush hour: Some streets are no parking from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
  2. Read signs carefully: Different rules may apply to different sections of the same street.

**Conclusion

Free parking in Calgary exists, but it requires attention to detail. The most reliable options are street areas after 6:00 p.m., Sundays, and holidays. For short stops, use loading zones, and for longer stops, use discounted parking lots. Is there free parking in the city?