The University of Texas, Austin Parking Options: A Quick & Easy Guide
Updated: Aug 2, 2022
The University of Texas, Austin is a world-renowned institution of learning, and with good reason. Set in the heart of one of America's most vibrant and liveable cities, UT Austin is a place where students can really get the most out of their college experience.
With the city being a hotbed of activity, and the university itself being one of the largest in the country, it's no surprise then that finding a place to park near UT Austin can be a bit of a challenge.
If you're looking to explore one of the most scenic college campuses in America, Smarking's Smartpass or flexible parking, you can help make your trip more convenient and save more time.
Our software allows you to find a parking spot without much hassle. You can pick an ideal parking spot and pay for it in advance – you don't have to jump through hoops to park your car in Austin, or anywhere else for that matter.
That said, here is a guide to help you find a spot to park near the university.
Parking Options at the University of Texas, Austin
The first thing to know is that there are three types of parking on campus: students, faculty/staff, and visitor.
Student parking is for students who have a valid UT ID and are enrolled in at least one class.
Faculty/staff parking is for employees of the university who have a valid UT ID.
Visitor parking is for people who are not affiliated with the university and do not have a UT ID.
Visitors do not have access to any free parking spots on the campus; they have to park in one of the university’s many parking garages. But if they’re only visiting the campus for a limited time – maybe to quickly access one of the buildings in the university – then they can use one of the loading zones. The Office Trinity parking garage (1815 Trinity St.) is available for daily parking Monday through Sunday--24 hours a day. Specialized permit types go for around $48 to $95.
Loading zones are spaces in the university where visitors can park their cars for a maximum of 30 minutes. Visitors don’t need a permit to use these spaces, but they need to leave their emergency lights flashing and stick to the set time limit. Failure to do so can attract a few penalties and fines.
Another option is to use paid parking meters. Parking meters are available throughout the campus, and their time limit is 2 hours during the day. To use this option you need to pay $1 for every 15 minutes during weekdays, and $1 for every hour during the weekend and after hours. If you need more time to park your car, then you may have to use a parking garage. If you park overtime at the meter without authorization, there may be a fee of $75.
The university has 13 parking garages located throughout the campus that charge daily parking rates ranging from $14 to $21.
Parking Garages Throughout Campus
There are two types of parking garages: staffed garages and unstaffed garages.
Staffed garages include:
San Antonio Garage (SAG)
Brazos Garages (BRG)
Conference Center Garage (CCG)
Trinity Parking Garage (TRG)
Health Center Garage (HCG)
Speedway Garage (SWG)
Manor Garage (MAG)
Unstaffed garages include:
Dobie Center Garage (DCG)
Nueces Garage (NUG)
East Campus Garage (ECG)
Rowling Hall Garage (RHG)
Guadalupe Garage (GUG)
San Jacinto Garage (SJG)
27th Street Garage (TSG)
Popular University Of Texas Locations Nearby
When you're looking for something to do near the University of Texas, Austin, there's no shortage of activities and attractions to choose from. From world-renowned museums and restaurants to exciting nightlife and outdoor recreation, UT students and visitors alike can find plenty of enjoyable diversions in the area.
With the help of Smarking's Smartpass, enjoy any of these activities without worrying about parking spots or tickets:
Take a stroll through Zilker Park
Located just a few blocks from UT Austin's campus, Zilker Park is one of the most popular parks in the city. There is plenty of parking at Zilker Park. With its scenic walking and biking trails, picnic areas, playgrounds, and more, it's the perfect place to spend an afternoon or evening outdoors. Close by, you'd be able to find parking near Hyatt Regency Hotel.
Explore the Blanton Museum Of Art
One of the top university art museums in the country, the Blanton is sure to delight visitors with its impressive collection of European and American art. With over 17,000 works in its collection, the museum has something for everyone. The Blanton is also home to a cafe, gift shop, and an outdoor sculpture gard