Quick Summary
- In most of Miami, parking meters and garages take cards or mobile apps, so you rarely need large amounts of cash.
- City run parking widely uses PayByPhone and ParkMobile, while many modern pay by plate meters still accept coins as a backup.
- For a stress free stay, download an app in advance, keep a payment card handy and carry a small amount of cash for older machines or private lots.
How Miami parking payment works today
If you last visited Miami years ago, you might remember feeding coins into metal meters along Biscayne Boulevard or in Coconut Grove. Today the city leans heavily towards digital parking, especially in popular areas like Brickell, Wynwood and Downtown.
The Miami Parking Authority promotes PayByPhone and ParkMobile as the main ways to pay for on street and many off street spaces. You enter the zone number from the sign, select your duration and pay with a stored bank card. Enforcement officers simply check your number plate on their handheld devices instead of looking for a paper ticket.
Do you still need cash for meters?
In most central districts you do not need to carry a pile of quarters just to park your hire car. Many multi space meters and garage pay stations now accept credit and debit cards, as well as app payment. Guidance from local parking authorities and recent travel guides confirms that metered spaces commonly accept coins or cards, with apps increasingly the default choice for regular drivers.
That said, cash is not completely gone. Some older single space meters and smaller private lots still rely on coins or cash notes, and even modern machines can occasionally refuse a card. Having a small stash of change in the glovebox is still useful, even if the bulk of your parking is done by phone.
Apps versus cards for visitors
For a short stay, using a card at the machine feels familiar and avoids creating yet another account on your phone. The downside is that you must return to the meter every time you want to extend your stay, and in busy nightlife areas that may mean queuing behind other drivers.
Apps avoid that shuffle. Once you have registered, you can start and extend parking remotely, check remaining time and receive alerts if your session is about to expire. Miami’s parking sites emphasise that the same apps work across several nearby municipalities, so you can move between neighbourhoods without learning a new system each time.
Practical tips when you collect your Miami rental
When you pick up your car rental in Downtown Miami or at the airport, it is worth taking five minutes to set up your chosen parking app while you still have good Wi Fi. Save your hire car number plate in the app so that you are ready to start a session as soon as you reach your hotel, a restaurant in Brickell or a mural wall in Wynwood.
Keep at least one physical payment card handy for garages and for any street meters that have not yet moved fully to app payment. If you prefer to pay at a machine, look for modern kiosk style meters that accept contactless or chip cards before you start digging for coins.
Hola Car Rentals customers often choose to base themselves near the bay using Miami Airport locations for easy arrivals, then use the vehicle to hop between neighbourhoods. Others favour shorter urban hires from airport desks for the start of a longer Florida road trip, switching later to coastal towns where parking is easier. Families who plan to spend long days at malls or attractions may appreciate extra boot space in a people carrier from the Downtown Miami minivan fleet.
How much cash is sensible to carry?
You rarely need large sums solely for parking in Miami. Keeping a small roll of dollar bills and a few quarters covers the occasional old meter or a basic surface lot with a cash box. Anything more bulky invites hassle and is unnecessary when most city facilities accept cards and apps.
As always, avoid leaving loose notes or coins visible in the cabin of the car. Lock valuables out of sight and use well lit, official lots where possible. One benefit of digital parking is that you no longer need to display paper tickets that might tempt thieves to look for cash in the vehicle.
FAQs
Are parking apps mandatory in Miami?
No. Apps are strongly encouraged and very convenient, but many meters and garages still accept cards and often coins. Always check the signs at each location to see which methods are available.
Can I use the same app in Miami Beach and other nearby cities?
In much of the area, PayByPhone and ParkMobile are accepted across several municipalities. Check the logo and zone number on the meter; if it shows your app’s branding, you can usually pay through the app instead of at the machine.
Will my foreign bank card work at Miami parking meters?
Most modern meters accept international Visa and Mastercard debit or credit cards, especially in tourist districts. A small percentage of very old machines may still be cash only, which is where a little emergency cash is useful.
Do I need coins if I only park in garages?
Probably not. Public and private garages almost always take cards, and many allow you to pay at an exit barrier by tapping a card on the reader. Coins are mainly useful for older curbside meters.
By mixing digital tools with a small backup float of cash, you can enjoy Miami in a Hola Car Rentals vehicle without worrying about hunting for change every time you stop.
