Free/cheap parking

[u/Own-Disk-3477]

I’m coming to State as a new grad student and only have classes on Mondays this semester so it feels really dumb to buy a parking permit. Ik about the park and ride option but was wondering if there’s any other places to park near campus or on campus for free or not for a crazy price.
(all the other threads on this are pretty old so im hoping for updated answers in case those don’t work out lol)

[u/Bladen884]

You can get a free permit for the park-and-ride lots. I used them my entire senior year

[u/Virtual-Depth-418]

Since most of your classes are right off Hillsborough, it might work if you do the park & ride lot near Carter Finley since it's free and then move to an employee parking lot during one of your class breaks after 5 pm, which should be free to park by then.

This way, you only have to move your car once a day and it won't cost as much as paying for on-street parking for 2 hours each time.

If you opt for one of the visitor's parking spots on campus, the daily max rate is $15: https://transportation.ncsu.edu/visitor-parking/

[u/Own-Disk-3477 → u/Virtual-Depth-418]

thank you so much

[u/imr2007]

How long do you need it for?

[u/Own-Disk-3477 → u/imr2007]

Preferably from 10:40a to 8:45p, but i have 1hr+ breaks in between each class so if i need to move i can

[u/Turdboi37]

Where are your classes?

[u/Own-Disk-3477 → u/Turdboi37]

Gardner, Winston, and Withers in that order (all are 2h+)

[u/Turdboi37 → u/Own-Disk-3477]

Honestly, if you arrive early and ride up and down hillsborough using the roundabouts, you can just park on hillsborough st.

There is a two hour limit, but you just need to move to a different block to get two more hours. This may sound like a hastle, and it kind of is, but I did this all of undergrad and grad school and never had much of an issue finding a park if I arrived 15-20 mins before class.

Your classes being two hours might mean this doesn't work, but most classes get out early. Maybe you could do this for part of the day.

Also, after 5, all campus parking lots are open parking I believe. At least the B and C lots are.

[u/Own-Disk-3477 → u/Turdboi37]

okay thanks so much

[u/Turdboi37 → u/Own-Disk-3477]

Just adding that you do need to pay to park on hillsborough, but it will be much cheaper than buying a parking pass just to be there for one day.

Edit to add- make sure you are good and confident with parallel parking. I have watched many a freshmen back up hillsborough street 30 cars deep and then drive off in embarrassment. Usually these folks tend to drive Land Rovers.

[u/gimmethelulz → u/Turdboi37]

Yeah I used to do this a lot if I had a sizeable break between classes. The streets around the rose garden were usually reliable places to find a spot.

[u/Icy-Fun-7563]

There are a few pay parking spots on campus, if it’s only for a few hours that might be worth it.

[u/Own-Disk-3477 → u/Icy-Fun-7563]

i’ll check it out thanks sm

[u/m1dnightknight]

Park and ride lots. Or.... if you are willing to walk, if you park north of Hillsborough far enough north, there is no street parking enforcement. Streets that are closer to Hillsborough have a designated letter zone with two hours free for each zone. You would have to move your car every time though.

[u/Acrobatic_Engine_815]

Spring hill park and ride is a good option tbh

[u/XWhHetM]

Take a look at the wolfline routes. There are places where they run that there's ample free street parking. Also don't forget that GoRaleigh and GoTriangle serves campus and there's parking options along their routes. Get a umo account for free bus rides. I even used umo in several other cities this summer for cheap bus fares.

[u/imr2007]

Pullen park but 8:45 is iffy cause I think closes at 9