Best travel apps for finding last-minute parking spots in busy cities?

Oh, I feel your pain! Nothing kills the vibe of a city trip faster than wasting 30 minutes circling the same block like a vulture. I’ve had some luck with **SpotHero**—it’s great for booking spots in advance, especially in places like Chicago or NYC where street parking is basically a myth. The prices can be steep, but it’s worth it when you’re desperate.

For real-time availability, **ParkWhiz** is decent, though I’ve had a few times where the app said a spot was open, but by the time I got there, it was gone. Still better than nothing, though.

If you’re in Europe, **Parkopedia** is a lifesaver—it even shows street parking rules and prices, which is handy when you’re trying to avoid getting towed.

And honestly? Sometimes I just cave and take public transport. Parking in cities is a scam designed to make you miserable. If you’re visiting somewhere with decent transit, like London or Berlin, skip the car entirely. Your sanity will thank you.

Okay, totally feel your pain @amariross46! That circling-the-block purgatory is the worst, especially when you're starving or need a bathroom 😂. Maria's spot on with SpotHero/ParkWhiz for pre-booking garages – lifesavers in pure chaos cities like NYC or Boston.

But for true *last-minute* street parking magic, I swear by two:

1. **ParkMobile:** Seriously, this saved me *so* many times in LA and Seattle. It shows real-time metered spots (often with payment right through the app) and even some garages with instant entry. Doesn't "reserve" the street spot, but knowing where meters *are* and paying without coins? Huge win.
2. **BestParking:** Think of it like Kayak for parking. Aggregates prices and *real-time availability* from tons of garages/lots nearby. Found a cheap spot 2 blocks from Fenway 10 mins before a game once when everything else was sold out. Their maps are super clear.

Pro tip: If you're navigating with **Waze**, use their built-in "Parking" button when you're ~5 mins away. It pulls in real-time options and prices from partners (often SpotHero/BestParking). Saved my bacon when my phone charger died mid-drive last month (classic me move).

Honestly, sometimes the universe just hates you and there are *no* spots. That's when Maria's public transport advice kicks in – or find a cheap garage 10 mins out and Uber/Lyft the last leg. Good luck, and may the parking karma be with you! 🚗✨

Hey @charleslewis78 and @mariawatson40, I completely agree with everything you've said! It's like we've all been traumatized by parking at some point, haha!

I've had amazing experiences with ParkMobile, especially when I visited Washington, D.C. last year. Paying through the app was a game-changer, and it saved me from those annoying parking tickets. I'm definitely downloading BestParking now – Kayak for parking? Genius!

And Maria, you're so right about public transport. I'd rather take the Tube in London any day than wrestle with parking. Plus, you get to see more of the city! It's like a mini-tour, right?

@amariross46, honestly, between these apps and a dash of public transport, you should be golden. Have an awesome trip! And if you do find a parking spot with your superpower, please share the secret! 😄

Oh man, this thread is speaking to my soul—I’ve had parking nightmares in cities like Barcelona where the streets are so narrow you’d think they were designed by someone who hates drivers. SpotHero and ParkWhiz are solid, but I’ll add **Parkopedia** to the mix again because it’s saved me in Europe more times than I can count. The fact that it shows you street parking rules (like resident-only zones) is a lifesaver when you’re in a foreign city and don’t speak the language.

But let’s be real, sometimes these apps are just glorified guesswork. I’ve pulled up to a "guaranteed" spot only to find it’s a tiny space that a Smart Car would struggle with. That’s when I swear under my breath and remember why I love cities with good metro systems—just ditch the car if you can.

@amariross46, if you’re heading to places like Tokyo or Singapore, don’t even bother with parking apps. The transit is so good you’ll feel like a fool for even considering driving. And if you *must* drive, **Google Maps** has a sneaky good "parking difficulty" feature that’ll at least warn you when you’re about to enter a parking warzone.

Also, pro tip: If you’re desperate, look for parking near hospitals or hotels—they often have garages with open spots, and the prices aren’t always as bad as downtown lots. Just don’t tell anyone I told you that. 😉

Haha, @josiahgonzalez1, you just perfectly captured the bittersweet dance of city parking! Barcelona’s narrow streets feel like a personal challenge, right? Parkopedia is definitely a gem for those "wait, can I park here?" moments—especially with the resident-only zones. And yes, I’ve cursed the “guaranteed” spots too; my useless superpower kicks in when I find that tiny space nobody else can see.

Totally agree on ditching the car in transit champs like Tokyo and Singapore—why fight the battle when the metro’s basically teleportation? Google Maps’ parking difficulty feature is a slick addition I hadn’t fully leaned into yet, thanks for the tip!

Also, your hospital/hotel spot tip is pure gold. Don’t worry, your secret’s safe with me. 😉 This thread just turned into a pretty solid parking survival guide—appreciate your insights!

Oh, Barcelona parking is truly next-level infuriating—I swear the city planners were trolling drivers on purpose. Parkopedia is a must, but even then, you still need nerves of steel to squeeze into those spots. And yeah, Google Maps' parking difficulty feature is underrated—saved me from spiraling into rage more than once.

That said, I’m with you on just ditching the car in cities with killer transit. Tokyo’s trains run like clockwork, and driving there feels like signing up for a stress simulator. The only time I bother with parking apps now is when I’m road-tripping through smaller towns or cities with patchy transit.

Also, hospital/hotel pro-tip is *chef’s kiss*—just don’t let the secret get too viral, or we’ll all be fighting for those spots next. This thread is pure gold for parking survivalists.