Granville Island Parking Without the Guesswork
Visiting Granville Island for the first time? A little parking preparation can save you from circling busy streets while everyone else heads for the Public Market. First, choose a lot near your main destination. Then, check the rate for your arrival time. This guide explains where to park, how much to pay, and what to do when the closest spaces are full.
Published hourly rates vary by season and time of day.
Quick Answer: Where Should First-Time Visitors Park?
For your first visit, start with the area closest to what you actually want to see. If the Public Market is your main destination, look for a legal visitor space in the Public Market Outdoor Lot. However, if you want covered parking or expect to stay overnight, consider the Old Bridge Street Indoor Lot.
Meanwhile, visitors heading to the Net Loft, galleries, or nearby shops can check the central lots. Arriving before 11 AM is also worth considering because the published morning parking rate is lower than the midday rate.
Six Granville Island Parking Spots Worth Knowing
Granville Island has several official visitor parking areas. Nevertheless, the closest lot is not always the easiest one to use. Instead, match your parking choice to your first stop and keep another lot in mind if spaces are unavailable.
1. Public Market Outdoor Lot
This lot sits at the western end of Johnston Street, between the Public Market and Bridges. Therefore, it is a natural starting point if you plan to buy produce, browse food stalls, or enjoy lunch near the market.
However, the surrounding area attracts many visitors. If you cannot find a legal space, move to your backup lot rather than repeatedly circling the same block.
2. Old Bridge Street Indoor Lot
The large indoor parkade is located off Old Bridge Street, near Granville Island Broom Company. In addition to offering shelter from the weather, it is the only official Granville Island parking facility that permits overnight parking, subject to registration.
3. Old Bridge Street Outdoor Lot
This central outdoor parking area is another useful option when you want to explore several parts of the island. From here, you can walk toward the shops, galleries, and waterfront.
Before paying, check your stall’s signs and confirm the applicable parking period.
4. Duranleau Street Outdoor Lot
Located toward the western end of Duranleau Street, this lot sits between Bridges and the Big Red Barn. As a result, it can be convenient for visitors exploring that side of Granville Island.
5. Net Loft Outdoor Lot
The Net Loft Outdoor Lot is centrally located south of the Net Loft. Therefore, it is worth checking if the Net Loft shops are your first destination. You can then continue your visit on foot.
6. Cartwright Street Outdoor Lot
This large outdoor lot is east of Arts Umbrella. In particular, it is worth knowing about if you are exploring the southern side of the island. However, check for special vehicle restrictions and loading areas before parking.
Granville Island Parking Rates in 2026
Granville Island uses seasonal and time-based parking rates. Consequently, a weekday morning visit can cost considerably less than a summer weekend afternoon. The following rates are the official published hourly prices for the regular visitor parking system.
| Parking period | Summer | Winter |
|---|---|---|
| Weekday, 9–11 AM | $1/hr | $1/hr |
| Weekday, 11 AM–6 PM | $3/hr | $2/hr |
| Weekday, 6–10 PM | $1/hr | $1/hr |
| Weekend, 9–11 AM | $1/hr | $1/hr |
| Weekend, 11 AM–6 PM | $6/hr | $4/hr |
| Weekend, 6–10 PM | $1/hr | $1/hr |
Summer: May 1 to September 30. Winter: October 1 to April 30. All amounts are in Canadian dollars. App service charges may apply.
Is There Free Parking on Granville Island?
Regular visitor parking is paid from 9 AM until 10 PM every day. However, parking purchased through 10 PM remains valid until 9 AM the following day. This does not mean you can leave your vehicle overnight in any lot.
Instead, overnight parking is permitted only in the multi-level parkade off Old Bridge Street. You must also register your vehicle and licence plate using the official instructions.
Free Parking for Eligible Licence Plates
Since March 2025, vehicles displaying eligible Veteran or Memorial Cross licence plates can park without purchasing parking time in regular Granville Island vehicle lots and on-street spaces. Nevertheless, time limits, overnight restrictions, and stall-specific rules still apply.
What About Free Parking Nearby?
Do not assume that a nearby residential street offers unrestricted free parking. Instead, check every sign for permit requirements, time limits, and other restrictions. If you prefer not to pay for island parking, consider public transportation or arriving on foot.
How to Pay for Granville Island Parking
Payment is straightforward once you know the correct parking code. First, find a legal visitor stall and read the nearby signs. Next, select your parking duration and complete payment at a pay station or through a supported app.
Check the stall
Make sure the space is available to visitors. In addition, look for any time or vehicle restrictions.
Choose a payment method
Use a parking pay station, PayByPhone, or hangTag. Then enter the required parking details.
Use lot code 1670
For supported app payments, use the official visitor lot code. Also, double-check your licence plate before confirming.
Allow enough time
You can purchase 15-minute, 30-minute, or hourly increments. Finally, keep your confirmation until you leave.
For example, a quick market stop may need less parking time than a meal followed by gallery shopping. Therefore, include walking, queues, and the return to your car when choosing your duration.
Estimate Your Parking Cost
Use this calculator to estimate regular visitor parking. It applies the published hourly rates for your selected season, day type, and arrival time. For a visit that crosses a rate window, it calculates each hour separately.
CA$2.00
Estimate excludes app fees and special restrictions.
Overnight Parking at Granville Island
If your plans involve leaving a car overnight, use the multi-level parkade accessed from Old Bridge Street. Importantly, other island parking areas do not permit overnight parking under the regular rules.
Before leaving the vehicle, register your licence plate. For assistance, call Granville Island reception at 604-666-6655 on weekdays. Alternatively, contact security at 604-315-3003 on weekends.
Even when you pay through 10 PM, you must still follow the parkade’s overnight registration requirements. Therefore, confirm the arrangements before relying on overnight parking.
How to Drive to Granville Island for the First Time
Granville Island is reached from Vancouver’s Fairview area. First, head toward West 4th Avenue and Fir Street. Then travel north on Fir Street and follow the appropriate approach toward Anderson Street.
As you enter the island, watch for the Granville Island sign beneath the bridge. Most importantly, remember that the streets become one-way around Cartwright Street. Therefore, follow the signs rather than trying to turn around unexpectedly.
Pedestrian activity is also high around the market and shops. As a result, drive slowly, watch for children, and give yourself extra time to reach your parking area.
A Simple First-Time Visitor Parking Plan
A good first visit does not need a complicated itinerary. Instead, choose one main attraction and explore the nearby area on foot. This approach also reduces the temptation to move your vehicle between short stops.
Arrive and park
Morning parking is published at $1 per hour. Therefore, an early arrival can reduce parking costs.
Explore the Public Market
Browse the food stalls and shops. In addition, bring a reusable bag if you expect to buy groceries or gifts.
Walk toward the galleries
Continue toward the Net Loft or other nearby attractions. Meanwhile, keep track of your paid parking time.
Return without rushing
Allow time to walk back to your car. Finally, follow the one-way exit signs when leaving the island.
Accessible Parking and Electric Vehicle Charging
Granville Island’s official accessibility information lists 28 designated accessible parking stalls. However, their locations vary. Therefore, check the official accessibility map before selecting your destination.
HandyDART pickup and drop-off is located at Johnston Street and Anderson Street, east of the Public Market. In addition, individual venues can provide information about their accessible entrances.
Electric Vehicle Charging
The Old Bridge Street Indoor Lot has six Level II 30A charging stations on its main level. The published charging fee is $2 per hour in addition to regular parking charges.
However, charging spaces have additional restrictions. Vehicles parked for more than three hours or left in a charging stall without charging may receive a violation. Therefore, read the current station rules before leaving your vehicle.
What If Granville Island Parking Is Full?
Granville Island has limited parking, especially when many visitors arrive at the same time. Consequently, it helps to choose a backup before entering the busiest streets.
First, consider another official visitor lot. If parking remains difficult, you can also explore nearby off-island parking. However, check the price, restrictions, and walking route before leaving your vehicle.
Alternatively, Vancouver’s buses and False Creek ferries provide ways to visit without driving onto the island. For example, a ferry ride can turn the journey into part of your waterfront experience.
For more details about nearby parking choices, read our Parking Near Granville Island guide.
Granville Island Parking Map
Use the map to locate Granville Island and plan your approach. Then, check the official parking map for the exact visitor lot entrances, pedestrian routes, and accessible spaces.
Parking Checklist Before You Go
Finally, a short checklist can make your first visit much easier. In particular, prepare for the island’s one-way streets and changing hourly rates.
Choose your preferred lot and one backup before leaving home.
Check the season, day, and arrival time to estimate your parking cost.
Read the stall signs and confirm that visitor parking is permitted.
Use the correct payment code and double-check your licence plate.
Allow time for market queues, meals, and walking back to the car.
Save your parking location and follow the one-way signs when leaving.
Official Resources for Your Visit
Parking prices and restrictions can change. Therefore, use these official resources to confirm details before your trip.
- Granville Island Parking Information — current published visitor rates, payment methods, and overnight rules.
- Official Parking Lot Directory — locations of the named visitor parking areas.
- Directions and Parking — driving directions and transportation options.
- Accessibility Information — accessible parking and passenger access details.
- Official Granville Island Map (PDF) — parking locations and walking routes.