How do I pay for street parking in Austin using my phone?
Use the Park ATX app to pay for most street parking in Austin, including the 78705 area. Download it from your app store. Find the zone number on parking signs or decals. Enter the zone, your license plate, and session length. Pay with a credit card. You get alerts when time runs low and can extend remotely.
Park ATX works in mobile-pay-only spots for contactless use. Try promo codes like FREE15ATX1 or FREE15ATX2 for 15 minutes free. "Makes parking in Austin so much easier," says user Brittany Eck.
Other Phone Apps
The Way.com app also works for on-street parking. Enter your license plate and stay length. ParkMobile covers some zones, like 6501-6520 for Premier Parking. Call 877-727-5953 or use the app. Payments show via license plate scan, not on meters. Fees apply: $0.75 per transaction for basic.
Austin Street Parking Rates (as of 2026)
Rates encourage turnover. Pay-by-plate means no sticker needed.
| Hour | Rate |
|---|---|
| 1st | $2.00 |
| 2nd | $2.00 |
| 3rd | $3.00 |
| 4th | $3.50 |
| 5th | $4.00 |
| 6th | $4.50 |
| 7th-10th | $5.00 |
Max session: 10 hours, up to $39 total. Rates from Austin Transportation data. Enforcement: Mon-Sat 8am-6pm in many spots, check signs. Motorcycles park free up to 12 hours.
Step-by-Step: Pay with Park ATX
- Download Park ATX app and create account.
- Park in a marked spot. Note zone number.
- Open app, enter zone and plate.
- Select time and pay.
- Get receipt and alerts.
- Extend if needed without walking back.
Tips to Avoid Tickets
Always check signs for zones, times, and limits. Most spots limit to 2 hours. Officers scan plates handheld. Add extra plates to your app account. Stop session early to save money. In 78705 near UT, spots fill fast: arrive early.
Cash not accepted at pay stations; use card there too ($0.25 fee). For longer stays, try garages at $5/day.
How Sidekick Helps
Sidekick tracks your parking costs across cities. Log sessions to see yearly spend: average driver pays $250/year on parking, per Sidekick data from 1,200 owners. Get alerts for enforcement hours. Optimize ownership: cut parking fees 15% with smart tracking (Sidekick Research Team, 2026 analysis of 950 vehicles).
Park smart. Save time and money.