Downtown Pittsburgh Parking?

August 9, 2007 8:33 AM

Looking for overnight parking in Pittsburgh. I'm staying five nights at a downtown hotel; I'm cheap, and I don't want to pay $18 per night to park. Are there any cheaper alternatives? I'm willing to walk.
posted by Otis to travel & transportation (13 comments total)

I know this may sound like a stupid and snarky question, but when I've stayed downtown in Pittsburg in the last couple of years, the parking was free for hotel guests. Have you checked with your hotel?
posted by Pollomacho at 8:50 AM on August 9, 2007

Free? Really? I've never experienced that staying downtown in any large city in the U.S. Would be a nice perk though. No, unfortunately, the hotel web site says $18 for self park and $23 for valet.
posted by Otis at 8:58 AM on August 9, 2007

Does your car need to be in a garage all day, or just after a particular time?

Here's a list of Parking Authority Garages, and the night rates are much better. (map of garages). ALCO parking also has a list of their garages.

The Post Gazette has a map of downtown with garages. Wonky interface, Google it ain't.

The First Avenue Garage has a T station attached to it, so you might be able to park there and take the T (free within downtown, operates between 5am and 1am) to your car. But some other lots seem to have comparable rates in case you're not near a T station or don't want to take the T.

We Pittsburghers take pride in our 3 subway stops. Seriously though, it's a nice little subway.
posted by ALongDecember at 9:03 AM on August 9, 2007

I know that there is some (relatively) less expensive parking during the day around Smallman St. and 12th Street. I suspect that the inexpensiveness holds for overnight parking, as well.

It's definitely within walking distance of Downtown, although I believe shuttle service is also available for free.
posted by esd at 9:04 AM on August 9, 2007

esd, the ones you talk about on Smallman, are they the ALCO lots? If they are, they may close at night. (Maybe it's this one, but that must be a typo that it closes at 1pm.)
posted by ALongDecember at 9:18 AM on August 9, 2007

I've never experienced that staying downtown in any large city in the U.S.

That's strange, New York is the only place where I've had to pay recently (and I usually try not to drive there anyway so it's a wash). Most places even do valet for free (plus tip of course).
posted by Pollomacho at 10:31 AM on August 9, 2007

You could park up on Mt. Washington and take the incline ($1.75) down the side of the mountain and walk across the Smithfield Bridge to downtown.

The bus also costs $1.75. You can park on the street for free in most neighborhoods in Pittsburgh. Leave your car on some street off of Forbes in Squirrel Hill and take the 61a or 61b bus. I did that for a couple years while I lived there.
posted by Jeff Howard at 10:34 AM on August 9, 2007

What Jeff Howard said. I used to live on Wightman St. off of Forbes and it's a nice safe spot.
posted by theantikitty at 11:49 AM on August 9, 2007

I used to live on Mt. Washington; the neighborhood nearest the incline requires parking permits. Now I live in Squirrel Hill near Forbes and Wightman, and yes if you wanted to, you could leave your car parked on any side street here. But I guess that would not meet your requirement of parking downtown.

Uh, ALongDecember's list of parking resources may be your best bet. Damn hotel!
posted by chinston at 12:41 PM on August 9, 2007

ALongDecember, you're right—I was thinking of the ALCO lots. Sorry about that, Otis!
posted by esd at 2:39 PM on August 9, 2007

Thanks for the great answers everyone. Looks like the First Ave. garage might be the best/safest bet. Might try the on-street neighborhood parking if the weather is OK and I'm feeling adventurous.
posted by Otis at 3:09 PM on August 9, 2007

If you feel adventurous to take public transit feel free to contact me or post to this question. I've learned quite a bit about the system.
posted by ALongDecember at 3:14 PM on August 9, 2007

What Jeff Howard said. I used to live on Wightman St. off of Forbes and it's a nice safe spot.

I also lived on Wightman St., and left my car there all the time.
posted by ludwig_van at 6:56 PM on August 9, 2007