Park at Concordia Without Circling Montreal Blocks
Parking at Concordia University depends first on which campus you are visiting. Downtown, the Sir George Williams Campus has public indoor garages. Meanwhile, Loyola has outdoor campus lots with lower daily rates. Therefore, choosing the campus before choosing the parking option can save both time and money.
Quick Answer: Where Should You Park at Concordia?
If you are visiting the Sir George Williams Campus downtown, start with the LB or FB indoor garage. Both are open to the public. However, their locations and vehicle height limits are different. Therefore, choose the garage that best matches your destination and vehicle.
If you are visiting Loyola Campus, use one of the outdoor campus lots such as P2, P3a, P5, or P7. In addition, daily parking there costs considerably less than a long stay in the downtown garages.
Students who drive regularly should check Loyola permits. However, Concordia does not offer student parking permits for the downtown SGW campus. Instead, eligible students can buy a Loyola permit while spaces remain available.
Concordia University Parking Rates: SGW vs Loyola
Parking prices vary significantly between the two campuses. For example, SGW uses downtown indoor garages with time-based pricing. Loyola, on the other hand, uses outdoor lots with simpler daily rates.
Therefore, do not compare the prices without considering your destination. A cheaper lot is not useful if it leaves you at the wrong campus.
| Parking | Current Rate | Access | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| SGW LB Garage | $8.50 first hour | Indoor garage | Library and central SGW visits |
| SGW FB Garage | $8.50 first hour | Indoor garage | Guy Street and Faubourg |
| Loyola before 3 p.m. | $7.25 | Outdoor lots | Daytime campus visits |
| Loyola after 3 p.m. | $5.25 | Outdoor lots | Evening visits Monday–Thursday |
| Loyola Friday–Sunday | $7.25 flat fee | Outdoor lots | Weekend visits |
| Student Permit | $265 per term | Loyola only | Regular student parking |
Sir George Williams Campus Parking Downtown
Concordia operates two public indoor garages at the downtown SGW campus: the LB Garage and the FB Garage. Both use the same main rate structure. However, their entrances, nearby buildings, and height limits differ.
Consequently, your destination should influence the choice. For example, LB is particularly convenient for the J.W. McConnell Building and nearby Mackay Street destinations. Meanwhile, FB works well for the Faubourg Building, Guy Street, and the Guy-Concordia area.
LB Building Garage
The LB Garage entrance is at 1453 Mackay Street. Because it connects directly with the Library Building, it is a practical option for central SGW visits.
FB Building Garage
The FB Garage entrance is at 1230 Guy Street. In addition, it provides convenient access to the Faubourg Building and the underground route toward Guy-Concordia metro.
LB and FB Garage Prices
Both downtown garages currently use the same published price bands. Therefore, you can usually choose between them based on location and vehicle fit rather than price.
| Parking Period | Rate | When | Planning Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | $8.50 | Monday–Friday | Useful for a short downtown visit |
| 1–4 hours | $11.50 | Monday–Friday | Good for a class or meeting |
| After 5 p.m. | $12.99 | Monday–Friday | Evening entry rate |
| 4–10 hours | $19.99 | Monday–Friday | Longer daytime stay |
| 10–24 hours | $29.99 | Monday–Friday | Also applies to overnight parking |
| Weekend daily | $12.99 | Saturday–Sunday | Flat daily rate |
| Weekend 24 hours | $29.99 | Saturday–Sunday | 24-hour or overnight stay |
Check Your Vehicle Height Before Using a Downtown Garage
Vehicle height is easy to overlook. However, it matters at Concordia because the two downtown garages have different limits.
The LB Garage allows vehicles up to 2.1 metres. In comparison, the FB Garage has a lower maximum height of 1.8 metres.
Therefore, drivers with roof boxes, tall vans, racks, or oversized vehicles should measure the full vehicle height before arriving. Otherwise, you may reach the entrance and discover that your vehicle cannot enter safely.
Loyola Campus Parking
Loyola parking works differently from downtown SGW parking. Instead of indoor garages, visitors use outdoor campus lots. Moreover, the pricing is based on the day and entry time rather than hourly downtown bands.
Concordia currently lists four main visitor parking areas: Jesuit P2, Hingston Hall P3a, Terrebonne P5, and Sports Complex P7.
Monday to Thursday
Entry before 3 p.m. currently costs $7.25. However, entry after 3 p.m. drops to $5.25. Therefore, evening visitors should check their arrival time before paying.
Friday to Sunday
The current rate is a $7.25 daily flat fee. Consequently, weekend parking is simpler to calculate than downtown time-based parking.
Which Loyola Parking Lot Should You Use?
Jesuit Parking Lot
P2 is one of the main Loyola parking areas. In addition, it has four 240-volt Circuit Électrique charging stations. Therefore, EV drivers may want to check this lot first.
Hingston Hall Lot
P3a serves the Hingston Hall area. However, the closest lot on a map is not always the best choice for your building. Therefore, check your final walking route before parking.
Terrebonne Parking Lot
P5 is another regular Loyola parking option. In addition, a basic 120-volt EV outlet is listed here. Regular parking charges still apply.
Sports Complex Parking Lot
P7 is useful for Sports Complex and athletics visits. Moreover, basic 120-volt EV outlets are available. Nevertheless, parking fees still apply even when the outlet itself is free to use.
How to Pay for Loyola Parking
Loyola uses self-service payment options. Currently, Concordia lists MasterCard, Visa, and Interac as accepted payment methods. In addition, mobile payments can be made at the terminal.
Because parking is monitored by licence plate, enter your plate number carefully. For example, a typing mistake could make it harder to match your payment with the vehicle.
Therefore, take a moment to review the details before confirming payment. Also, keep the receipt or payment confirmation until your visit is over.
Concordia Student Parking Permits
Students can buy parking permits for Loyola Campus only. Therefore, a student permit does not give you permit parking at the downtown SGW campus.
The current price is $265 per term. However, permits are limited by lot and can sell out quickly. As a result, students who expect to drive regularly should check availability near the start of the term.
Where Can a Student Permit Be Used?
A regular Loyola student permit is currently valid in Jesuit P2, Terrebonne P5, and Sports Complex P7. Therefore, buying a permit does not mean that every campus parking space becomes available to you.
Residence student permits have different rules. Specifically, they are valid for Jesuit P2 or Hingston Hall P3 parking and are intended for eligible Residence Life students.
In addition, permits are subject to availability. If the lots are full, Concordia advises students to contact Parking Services.
Can Students Park at Loyola and Travel Downtown?
Yes. Concordia notes that students can park at Loyola and use the university shuttle to travel to the SGW campus when the service fits their schedule.
This approach can be useful because SGW does not offer student parking permits. However, the shuttle adds travel time. Therefore, check the current shuttle timetable before using Loyola parking as a downtown commuting strategy.
In addition, a valid Concordia student ID is required for the university shuttle. Consequently, this option is intended for eligible members of the Concordia community rather than general downtown visitors.
Overnight Parking at Concordia University
Overnight parking is allowed in the downtown LB and FB garages. However, Concordia limits normal overnight stays to a maximum of three days.
The applicable overnight rate is charged when you leave. Currently, the 10–24 hour or overnight rate is $29.99.
Long-term vehicle storage is not allowed. Therefore, do not use the campus garage as a general storage facility. If you need an exception, contact Parking Services before leaving the vehicle for an extended period.
Returning to an SGW Garage After Midnight
Both downtown garages stop normal vehicle entry at midnight. However, that does not necessarily mean your parked vehicle is inaccessible.
For LB, use the Mackay Street building entrance and follow the current after-hours access procedure. Meanwhile, FB users can enter through the main Guy Street building entrance and proceed toward the garage elevators.
In either case, you must pay before exiting. Therefore, keep track of where the payment terminal is located, especially if you expect to return late at night.
Accessible Parking at Concordia
Concordia provides reserved parking for people with reduced mobility who have the appropriate accessible parking permit or sticker.
However, the nearest parking space is not always the easiest route to your destination. Therefore, check the campus map before travel and identify the appropriate entrance, elevator, and accessible path.
For an event or conference, mention accessible parking requirements when arranging parking. That way, organizers can consider those needs while planning the event parking allocation.
Electric Vehicle Charging at Concordia
EV charging is available at both campuses. However, the charger type varies by location. Therefore, check the connector and charging speed before relying on a particular parking area.
Importantly, a free electrical outlet does not mean free parking. Regular parking fees still apply in EV spaces.
Is There Free Parking at Concordia University?
Do not plan a campus visit around the assumption that university parking will be free. Concordia’s parking guidance states that its parking facilities are payable.
In addition, free EV outlet use does not remove the normal parking fee. Therefore, an EV space with a free 120-volt outlet should not be described as free campus parking.
Street parking around either campus is controlled separately. As a result, always read the signs, time restrictions, permit rules, and payment instructions before leaving the vehicle.
Do Not Use the Garage Area as an Unofficial Drop-Off Zone
A quick stop may seem harmless. However, Concordia specifically warns drivers not to leave vehicles in unauthorized areas around its downtown parking facilities, even for a short time.
Therefore, switching on hazard lights does not turn an unauthorized space into a legal loading zone. Instead, use a permitted parking space, legal loading area, or another location where stopping is allowed.
This rule is particularly important around Mackay Street, where narrow access points can become congested quickly.
Parking for Concordia Events and Conferences
Larger events require more planning than an ordinary visitor trip. Therefore, Concordia asks event organizers to submit a special parking request at least 10 days before the event.
Parking spaces are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Moreover, prices can vary according to the date, time, and parking location.
Consequently, event organizers should not promise parking to attendees before receiving confirmation. If accessible parking is required, include that information in the request as well.
Choose Parking Based on Your Actual Visit
Short downtown visit
Compare LB and FB based on your destination. Since both use the same main rate bands, walking distance and vehicle height can be more important than price.
Evening Loyola visit
Monday through Thursday, entry after 3 p.m. currently costs $5.25. Therefore, check your arrival time before paying.
Regular student commute
Compare the $265 Loyola term permit with your expected number of driving days. However, remember that permits are limited.
Large or tall vehicle
Measure the vehicle before choosing a downtown garage. In particular, remember that FB has a lower 1.8-metre height limit.
Concordia Parking Checklist
Before you drive
After you park
Concordia University Parking Map
Because Concordia has two separate campuses, a single generic university map pin can be misleading. Therefore, confirm the campus address before you start driving.
Small Details That Can Save Time
First, downtown drivers should keep the parking ticket safe because it is needed for payment and may be useful when accessing the garage later.
Next, remember that once the downtown garage fee has been paid, Concordia provides a limited period to leave the facility. Therefore, load your belongings and prepare to exit before completing payment when practical.
Also, do not assume that a student permit guarantees your preferred space. Permits remain subject to parking availability.
Finally, check current construction and street restrictions before a downtown visit. Montreal road work can affect the easiest approach even when the garage itself remains open.