Can anyone suggest an inexpensive place to park your car?

Question

We need to park near the Carnival cruise ship departing dock in Miami Flordia and the parking facility for the cruise ship is charging $20.00 a day. That is a bit steep, and over our budget. We would love any suggestions.

Answer 1

Well, unfortunately Miami is not a cheap place to park.  I've stayed at hotels near the pier that charged $30 a night for parking.

And I'd be careful with anything very cheap, because there are parts of Miami that aren't so safe to keep a car.  (And not just inner-city: I've heard of people having their cars broken into or stolen from the LaQuinta on Le June, for example.)

I think your best option is one of the City of Miami Beach parking lots.  It's $8 per day at a surface lot (less secure than a garage), $15 per day at a garage, or the monthly pass is $75.  Call in advance, though, to check availability and that they won't tow a car left for several days in a row.  (I can't swear they're secure, but I've parked at the 13th street garage for a few days without incident.)

http://www.miamibeachfl.gov/NEWCITY/dept...

And expect to pay about $20-$30 for a cab each way.

Hope you have a great cruise.  Please think about sharing your cruise experience with us at http://www.cruisesavvy.com/journals ... or check out other people's cruise pictures and stories.

Answer 2

i wouldn't know where you could park your car overnight in downtown miami either way what you would be saving from the rate you would need to pay a taxi service to take you to the port.  you can't walk there.  so while 20 a day is heavy you  really don't have a choice other then to to ahve someone drive you if you live in or near miami

Answer 3

My suggestion is to look for a hotel nearby that offers park and fly service. You go and stay at the hotel the night before and then leave your vehicle there and take a shuttle to the dock.

Granted, we were flying from Pitttsburgh, PA to Miami, but for the cost of the hotel room, we parked free for the entire week.

Just a suggestion.

Answer 4

Can you have someone drive you to the port and then come back and pick you up?  If you are driving a long way, what about stopping a short ways from the pier and seeing if there are any long term parking garages that you can stay at (or a hotel that will allow you to park if you stay one night) and taking a shuttle to the pier.  A taxi from Miami Airport to the pier is $24 plus tip (at least it was in June 2007 and February 29, 2008).  

There is also a free Metromover that might be helpful ...

http://www.metro-dade.com/transit/metrom...

http://www.metro-dade.com/transit/movers...

Answer 5

If you are staying at a hotel for one night prior to the cruise, some hotels will let you leave your car there for a small daily rate.  May want to check out that avenue....

Answer 6

If you stay at a hotel the night before departure, some let you stay in their parking lots for free for the duration of the cruise...check into it.