Hotel Parking Guide: Costs, Valet vs Self-Park and How to Save
How hotel parking works in the UK, US and Australia: self-parking vs valet, typical costs, city-centre alternatives, EV charging, oversized vehicles and ways to cut parking costs.
Key takeaways
- City-centre hotel parking can be expensive per night; always check before you drive.
- Valet parking costs more than self-parking and usually involves tipping in the US.
- Nearby public car parks or park-and-ride can be much cheaper.
- If you need EV charging or space for a large vehicle, confirm in advance.
In this guide
- Types of hotel parking
- Where parking is expensive
- Where parking is usually free
- How to save
- Valet parking tips
- EV charging
- Large vehicles and motorhomes
- Country notes
- Parking cost comparison (hypothetical, per night)
- Questions to ask the hotel
- Driving in city centres
- Parking for families and accessibility
- Common mistakes to avoid
- The bottom line
Parking is one of the most overlooked hotel costs. A great-value room can become expensive once you add parking in a city centre. Here is how hotel parking works and how to save.
Types of hotel parking
| Type | How it works | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Free parking | Included in the room rate | None |
| Self-parking | You park in the hotel's car park | Per night |
| Valet | Staff park and retrieve your car | Higher, plus tips (US) |
| Partner car park | Nearby public car park with hotel discount | Varies |
| Street parking | Public parking on the street | Varies; check rules |
Where parking is expensive
- Central London, Edinburgh and other UK city centres.
- US cities like New York, San Francisco, Chicago and Boston.
- Resort areas such as Las Vegas, Miami Beach and Waikiki. See where to stay in Las Vegas.
- Central Sydney and Melbourne.
Where parking is usually free
- Motels and roadside hotels. See our motels guide.
- Suburban and business-park hotels.
- Many rural and coastal hotels.
How to save
- Check parking costs before booking, and include them in your total.
- Use park-and-ride or public transport into cities.
- Look for public car parks with daily rates.
- Use parking apps to pre-book nearby spaces.
- Choose hotels outside the centre with free parking and good transit.
- Return your hire car if you will not need it in the city.
- Look for parking packages at airport hotels. See airport hotels guide.
Valet parking tips
- Ask how long it takes to retrieve your car; request it in advance.
- Take valuables out of the car.
- Check the car for damage before and after.
- Tip in the US. See our tipping guide.
EV charging
More hotels offer electric-vehicle charging, sometimes free, sometimes paid. Chargers may be limited, so request one when booking and confirm the connector type.
Large vehicles and motorhomes
Many city-centre car parks have height restrictions. If you have a van, SUV with roof box or motorhome, check maximum heights and space availability.
Country notes
- UK: Many city hotels have limited or no parking; city-centre public car parks and low-emission zones (such as London's ULEZ and congestion charge) may also apply.
- US: Self-parking and valet are common; resort parking can be high.
- Australia: Inner-city parking is expensive; suburban and regional hotels and motels usually include parking.
Parking cost comparison (hypothetical, per night)
| Option | Example cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| City-centre hotel valet | 50 + tip | Convenient, expensive |
| City-centre hotel self-park | 35 | Limited spaces |
| Public car park nearby | 20 | Short walk |
| Park-and-ride + transit | 10 | Longer journey |
| Suburban hotel with free parking | 0 | Commute into city |
Over a five-night city stay, the difference between valet parking and park-and-ride can be several hundred in any currency.
Questions to ask the hotel
- Is parking on-site, off-site or valet only?
- What is the nightly charge, and is it per entry or per 24 hours?
- Can I reserve a space?
- What is the height limit?
- Are there EV chargers, and what do they cost?
- Can I take my car in and out freely?
- Is parking included for loyalty members or in any package?
Driving in city centres
Many cities now have low-emission or congestion zones. In the UK, London's congestion charge and ULEZ, plus clean-air zones in cities like Birmingham and Bristol, can apply to visitors. In Europe, many cities have low-emission zones requiring stickers or registration. Check the rules for your hire car before you drive in.
Parking for families and accessibility
If you need accessible parking, ask about the number of accessible bays and their distance to the entrance. Families with lots of luggage benefit from hotels with drop-off areas and luggage trolleys.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Not checking parking costs before booking.
- Driving into a city-centre clean-air or congestion zone without checking the rules.
- Leaving valuables in the car.
- Assuming parking is available without reserving.
- Forgetting to tip valet staff in the US.
The bottom line
Always check parking costs before booking a hotel you plan to drive to. For city stays, public transport is often cheaper and easier. For airport trips, parking packages can save money.
Frequently asked questions
Do hotels charge for parking?
Many do, especially in city centres and US resort areas. Suburban, motel and roadside hotels often include free parking.
Should I tip for valet parking?
In the US, yes: tipping a few dollars when your car is returned is customary. In the UK and Australia, valet parking is less common and tipping is optional.
Can I reserve hotel parking?
Some hotels let you reserve, especially in cities with limited spaces. Others operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Ask in advance.
Prices, fees, taxes and booking rules change often and vary by hotel, date and country. Figures in this guide are typical ranges for planning, not quotes. Always confirm the total price and cancellation terms with the hotel or booking site before you pay.
