Plan Your Visit · St. Augustine, Florida
Parking & Getting Around St. Augustine
The Nation's Oldest City was laid out for foot traffic and ox carts, not cars — which is exactly why it's so charming, and exactly why you need a parking plan. Here's everything you need to know.
The Golden Rule: Park Once, Walk Everywhere
The colonial quarter is tiny, dense, and laced with narrow one-way lanes that fill with pedestrians. Park in the downtown garage as soon as you arrive and explore on foot — circling the old city looking for a closer spot will only cost you time and patience.
St. Augustine has one major public garage — and it's the single best place to leave your car. Tap a GPS button for turn-by-turn directions.
Historic Downtown Parking Facility
1 Cordova Street, St. Augustine, FL 32084 · next to the Visitor Information Center · enter via Orange Street & W. Castillo Drive
Steps from St. George Street, the City Gate, the Castillo, and the heart of the colonial quarter. Note: off-peak rates are suspended during major festivals and Nights of Lights, and peak hours may shift around holidays and special events. St. Johns County residents qualify for a discounted $3 entry — register at the garage office.
Garage Office(904) 484-5160 · open 7am–9pm daily
If the garage doesn't suit your plans, the city operates pay-station lots and metered street parking throughout downtown — all $2.50/hour with a 4-hour limit, payable by kiosk or the ParkStAug app.
Nights of Lights & Festival Parking
From mid-November through early January, downtown parking becomes extremely scarce. The city activates free satellite Park & Ride lots with shuttle service on busy evenings, dropping riders near the east side of the Bridge of Lions — and the garage's $5 off-peak rate is suspended during this season. Check citystaug.com for current Park & Ride lot locations and dates before an evening visit.
The same advice as always: leave the car parked and walk. The colonial quarter is compact and flat, St. George Street is pedestrian-only, and nothing downtown is more than about a 15-minute stroll from the garage. When you need wheels, here are your options.
Free
Walking
The old city is barely a mile across. St. George Street is closed to vehicles entirely, and the narrow colonial lanes reward wanderers. Comfortable shoes are a must — centuries-old streets and uneven brick are unkind to thin soles.
Free
STAR Circulator
The city's free downtown loop bus, running daily 10am–10pm with departures about every 15 minutes. Three stops: the Visitor Information Center turnaround beside the parking garage, the bayfront at 14 Avenida Menendez, and Cathedral Place between St. George and Cordova. Wheelchair accessible.
Seasonal · Free
Park & Ride Shuttle
On peak evenings during Nights of Lights and select festivals, free shuttles run from satellite lots into downtown, with drop-off near the Bridge of Lions. First-come, first-served — arrive early on weekend nights.
Low Fare
Sunshine Bus
St. Johns County's public transit system connects downtown with St. Augustine Beach, A1A, shopping centers, and the wider county. The Red Line serves the downtown and beach corridor.
$20–$40 / day
Bike Rental
Flat terrain, short distances, and a gorgeous bayfront ride across the Bridge of Lions to Anastasia Island make St. Augustine an easy cycling town. Several downtown shops rent by the hour or day.
Varies
Golf Carts & Scooters
Street-legal golf cart and scooter rentals are popular for cruising between downtown, the beaches, and the lighthouse. Note that St. George Street and some lanes remain pedestrian-only.
Varies
Uber & Lyft
Readily available throughout St. Augustine — best for evenings out, beach runs, and trips to and from Jacksonville International Airport (about an hour north).
Reference
Key Numbers
Keep these handy while you're in town.
Pro Tip
Mind the Bridge
The Bridge of Lions is a working drawbridge — it opens for boat traffic on a regular schedule, and traffic backs up fast. Heading to Anastasia Island or the lighthouse? Build in a buffer, especially at midday.