Tourism Expert’s Guide to Free Parking, Budget Parking Garages, and Parking Rules in Rome, Amsterdam, Berlin, Copenhagen, and Budapest
Here’s a comprehensive table to help you find free parking spots, budget-friendly parking garages, and essential parking rules in Rome, Amsterdam, Berlin, Copenhagen, and Budapest. I’ve also included tow depot details, penalties, and the best apps to make your trip stress-free. Let’s dive in!
Table: Free Parking, Budget Parking Garages, and Parking Rules
| City | Top 5 Famous Sights | Free Parking Spots | Budget Parking Garages (Price/Hour) | Parking Rules | Tow Depot Info | Top Parking Apps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rome | 1. Colosseum | Parcheggio Via dei Cerchi | Parcheggio Colosseo (€3/hour) | – ZTL Zones: €80 fine – Blue lines: Paid parking – Yellow lines: Reserved | Address: Via Pietralata 157 Phone: +39 06 67291 Website: Rome Tow Depot | EasyPark, Parkopedia, MyCicero |
| 2. Vatican City | Parcheggio Borgo Pio | Garage Vaticano (€4/hour) | – White lines: Free parking – ZTL enforced 24/7 | Penalty: €100–€200 + storage fees | ||
| 3. Trevi Fountain | Parcheggio Ludovisi | Garage Tritone (€3.50/hour) | – Parking discs required in some free zones | |||
| 4. Pantheon | Parcheggio Piazza del Popolo | Garage Piazza del Popolo (€2.50/hour) | – Watch for no-parking signs | |||
| 5. Roman Forum | Parcheggio Via dei Fori Imperiali | Garage Fori Imperiali (€3/hour) | – Avoid blocking driveways | |||
| Amsterdam | 1. Rijksmuseum | P+R ArenA (free with public transport ticket) | Q-Park Museumplein (€5/hour) | – Paid parking in city center (€7.50/hour) – Free parking outside central zone | Address: Haarlemmerweg 8-10 Phone: +31 20 251 1511 Website: Amsterdam Tow Depot | ParkMobile, EasyPark, Yellowbrick |
| 2. Van Gogh Museum | P+R Zeeburg | Interparking Museumplein (€4.50/hour) | – Parking discs required in some areas | Penalty: €90–€140 + storage fees | ||
| 3. Anne Frank House | P+R Sloterdijk | Parking Centrum Oosterdok (€6/hour) | – Avoid bike lanes and tram tracks | |||
| 4. Dam Square | P+R Amsterdam Noord | Parking De Kolk (€5/hour) | – Watch for resident-only zones | |||
| 5. Vondelpark | Free street parking nearby | Q-Park Vondelpark (€4/hour) | – Parking meters accept cards and coins | |||
| Berlin | 1. Brandenburg Gate | Free parking near Tiergarten | Parkhaus am Brandenburger Tor (€4/hour) | – Paid parking in central areas (€2–€4/hour) – Free on Sundays | Address: Heidestraße 50 Phone: +49 30 9026 3040 Website: Berlin Tow Depot | Parkopedia, EasyPark, Jelbi |
| 2. Berlin Wall Memorial | Free parking on Bernauer Straße | Parkhaus Alexanderplatz (€3.50/hour) | – Watch for resident-only zones | Penalty: €55–€100 + storage fees | ||
| 3. Reichstag Building | Free parking near Spreebogenpark | Parkhaus Reichstag (€5/hour) | – Avoid blocking bike lanes | |||
| 4. Museum Island | Free parking on Monbijoustraße | Parkhaus am Dom (€4/hour) | – Parking discs required in some areas | |||
| 5. Checkpoint Charlie | Free parking on Friedrichstraße | Parkhaus Checkpoint Charlie (€4.50/hour) | – Watch for no-parking signs | |||
| Copenhagen | 1. Tivoli Gardens | Free parking on Vesterbrogade | Parkering Tivoli (€4/hour) | – Paid parking in city center (€3–€5/hour) – Free on Sundays | Address: Refshalevej 163 Phone: +45 33 66 33 66 Website: Copenhagen Tow Depot | EasyPark, ParkMan, Apcoa Flow |
| 2. Nyhavn Harbor | Free parking on Strandgade | Q-Park Nyhavn (€5/hour) | – Watch for resident-only zones | Penalty: €70–€150 + storage fees | ||
| 3. The Little Mermaid | Free parking on Langelinie | Parkering Langelinie (€3.50/hour) | – Avoid blocking bike lanes | |||
| 4. Rosenborg Castle | Free parking on Øster Voldgade | Parkering Kongens Have (€4/hour) | – Parking discs required in some areas | |||
| 5. Christiansborg Palace | Free parking on Slotsholmen | Parkering Slotsholmen (€4.50/hour) | – Watch for no-parking signs | |||
| Budapest | 1. Buda Castle | Free parking on Szentháromság tér | Parkoló Budavári Palota (€3/hour) | – Paid parking in central areas (€2–€4/hour) – Free on Sundays | Address: Haller utca 2-6 Phone: +36 1 288 7000 Website: Budapest Tow Depot | SimplePark, Parkl, Mobipark |
| 2. Parliament Building | Free parking on Kossuth Lajos tér | Parkoló Országház (€3.50/hour) | – Watch for resident-only zones | Penalty: €50–€100 + storage fees | ||
| 3. Chain Bridge | Free parking on Clark Ádám tér | Parkoló Clark Ádám tér (€4/hour) | – Avoid blocking tram tracks | |||
| 4. Széchenyi Thermal Bath | Free parking on Állatkerti körút | Parkoló Széchenyi fürdő (€3/hour) | – Parking discs required in some areas | |||
| 5. St. Stephen’s Basilica | Free parking on Zrínyi utca | Parkoló Szent István Bazilika (€4/hour) | – Watch for no-parking signs |
Key Tips for Parking in These Cities
- Always Check Signs: Parking rules can vary by street, so read signs carefully.
- Use Apps: Parking apps like EasyPark, Parkopedia, and ParkMobile can save you time and money.
- Avoid Restricted Zones: ZTLs, resident-only zones, and bike lanes are a no-go.
- Plan Ahead: Free parking is rare in city centers, so arrive early or use budget garages.
With this guide, you’ll be able to explore these amazing cities without worrying about parking fines or tow trucks. Happy travels! 🌍🚗