Find your Way Downtown
parking in burlington downtown
Parking in Burlington Downtown is designed to be accessible, flexible, and responsive to community needs, with free parking after 6 p.m., on Sundays, and statutory holidays (excluding Spencer Smith Park lots), special accommodations for accessible permit holders and veterans, and updated Saturday fees in high-demand areas introduced in April 2024.
Learn about parking in Burlington Downtown.
On-Street Parking
Need to make a quick stop downtown? On-street parking is available for up to 20 minutes to support businesses offering curbside pickup. This applies to the area between
- Caroline Street, and Lakeshore Road
- Burlington Avenue and Martha Street
Just a friendly reminder: please follow all posted parking regulations, including no-stopping zones and loading areas.
Paid Parking
If you’re planning to stay a little longer, paid parking is available Monday to Friday (and Saturdays in select areas) from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in:
- Lot 1 (Pearl Street lot, north of Village Square)
- Lot 4 (Elizabeth Street lot)
- Lot 5 (Brant Street lot)
- On-street metered spaces
The rate is $2 per hour, and you can pay using cash or credit card at our machines – or skip the hassle and use the HONK! Mobile app to pay and extend your time right from your phone.
Saturday Parking
On Saturdays between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m., paid parking applies only in:
- Lot 1 (Pearl Street lot, north of Village Square)
- Lot 4 (Elizabeth Street lot)
- Lot 5 (Brant Street lot)
- On-street metered spaces
Most other City lots downtown are free to use on Saturdays. Please remember that on-street parking is limited to three hours.
Free Parking
Enjoy free parking in most downtown lots:
- From 6 p.m. to 1 a.m., Monday to Saturday
- All day on Sundays and statutory holidays
This includes the Waterfront Parking Garage at 414 Locust Street, and most other municipal lots.
Accessible parking permit holders and veterans with a City of Burlington issued permit can park for free in any space if designated spots are full.
Honk! the mobile parking app
How It Works
- Download the HONK! Mobile app from the App Store or Google Play.
- Create an account and enter your license plate and payment info.
- Select your parking zone, choose your duration, and confirm payment.
- Walk away. Your parking is covered!
Important Reminders
- When you make a minimum payment of 25¢, the City of Burlington adds on 20 minutes. This means you get 28 minutes total for 25¢ (25¢ = 8 minutes of paid time plus 20 minutes of free time).
- Remaining paid time on a parking purchase is transferable from: pay street to another pay street, pay city parking garage or lot to another pay city parking lot. Please note, users must move their vehicle to a different parking spot to be eligible for this feature.
- If you have any questions, contact the City of Burlington at 905-335-7777 or by email.
The City of Burlington’s Partnership with HONK!
As of May 2018, HONK! officially replaced Telepark as Burlington’s mobile parking provider. The HONK! mobile app integrates seamlessly with Burlington’s pay-by-plate parking machines, eliminating the need to print and display a paper ticket. This innovation supports the City’s goal of offering efficient, user-friendly parking solutions that reduce congestion and improve access to the waterfront and downtown core. City Transportation Director Vito Tolone praised the app for being “fast, safe, and secure,” while HONK! CEO Michael Back called the launch “a win-win for drivers and the municipality”.
Read the full press release.
HONK! is more than just a payment tool—it’s part of Burlington’s commitment to making downtown more accessible, welcoming, and easy to navigate. Whether you’re shopping, dining, or attending an event, HONK! helps you get there and stay there—without the parking hassle.
Public Transit
Convenient Stops Throughout the District
Connecting riders across the city and to three GO Station hubs and intercity transit links, click here to review City of Burlington transit schedules, find information about the MyRide application and start planning your journey to Burlington Downtown.
All Burlington Transit vehicles are equipped with bike racks, making it easier for cyclists to combine biking with public transit.
Fares & Free Ride Programs
Burlington Transit offers a range of fare options. Children 12 and under, and adults 65+ ride for free, while other riders can pay using PRESTO cards, cash, or contactless methods. Monthly passes, multi-ride tickets, and discounted programs like SPLIT (Subsidized Passes for Low-Income Transit) are available to eligible residents. Burlington Transit also supports U-Pass programs for students and offers specialized transit services for those with mobility needs. Full fare details and real-time trip planning tools are available on the Burlington Transit website.
Contact Information
Email: Contactbt@burlington.ca
Phone: 905-639-0550 or toll-free 1-877-213-3609 ext. 7154
Handi-Van Service: 905-639-5158
Customer Service Hours
Monday to Friday: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Last Saturday of the month: 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m
Walking & Cycling
Pedestrian and Cyclist-friendly routes await you!
Downtown Burlington is a certified Ontario By Bike™ business area, making it a welcoming and accessible destination for cyclists and pedestrians.
You can easily explore the downtown core on foot or by bike, thanks to its walkable layout and bike-friendly amenities. The area features secure bike lock-up spots, access to water and rest areas, healthy food options, and basic repair tools (available at accommodations).
Several BDBA member businesses – including Lettuce Love Café, Lola Choco Bar & Sweet House, Waterfront Hotel, Tourism Burlington, and the Art Gallery of Burlington – are certified as bicycle-friendly.
Elgin Street Promenade
The Elgin Street Promenade provides a scenic, multi-use path that connects downtown businesses to the Centennial Trail, making it easy to explore Burlington by bike or on foot’
For maps, resources, and more cycling info, visitors are encouraged to check out links to Tourism Burlington and the City of Burlington’s cycling pages.
Trails and Bikeways
Click here for Trails and Bikeways throughout the City of Burlington
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