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Short answer: One city lot, entrance on Kapahulu Avenue, $1.50 an hour with a four-hour maximum. It is small and fills on busy days, so arrive early.
Honolulu Zoo parking is simple on paper: one city-run lot, a posted hourly rate, and a time limit. The catch is that the lot is small and sits at the edge of Waikiki, so it fills on busy days.
How much is Honolulu Zoo parking?
The city’s zoo page says the lot entrance is on Kapahulu Avenue and parking costs $1.50 an hour with a four-hour maximum at one time. The machines take credit cards, bills and coins, but coins must be exact change. The city says the parking is administered by ProPark, Inc.
Does the four-hour limit work for a zoo visit?
For most visits, yes. The zoo is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., with the grounds closing at 4:00 p.m., and it is closed on Christmas Day. Check the clock on the machine, especially if you plan to add a meal in Waikiki before you move the car. The zoo sells tickets at the entrance only, with no advance tickets. General admission is $21 for adults 13 and older and $13 for children 3 to 12, and kama‘aina and military rates are lower with ID.
If the lot is full
Guides and a Honolulu Police notice shared on Reddit describe busy days when both the zoo lot and street parking on Paki Avenue are full. Some guides also point to a free lot across the street on Monsarrat Avenue, near the Waikiki Shell, but they note that availability depends on events. That lot is not run by the zoo, so read the signs and any posted event rules before you leave your car.
Do you need to drive at all?
The zoo sits at the corner of Kapahulu and Kalakaua Avenues, between the slopes of Diamond Head and Waikiki. If you are staying in Waikiki, you may not need a car for this stop. See what Waikiki parking costs for the bigger picture, and whether you need a rental car on Oahu.
If you do drive, Diamond Head is next door and has its own reservations; see the Diamond Head reservations guide. A ticket or tow in a rental is a headache, so see what happens if you get a parking ticket in your rental. Starting at the airport? The Honolulu Airport rental car guide covers pickup.
Official details: City and County of Honolulu, Honolulu Zoo.
If you’re staying in central Waikiki, see International Market Place parking. The garage entrance is on Kuhio Avenue, not Kalakaua.
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Photo: Jess Loiterton on Pexels.
Researched and written by Neo Pecorro. Facts on this page were checked against the City and County of Honolulu, plus the other sources linked above. Hawaii rules change often, so confirm on the official page before you go.
Last updated: October 7, 2026.