Super Bowl 2012 Parking Tips

Finding a parking space in downtown Indianapolis during the Super Bowl week will be a tough task both for local residents and out-of-town visitors. Many garages and lots will be set aside for use by the NFL and corporate sponsors. Most meters will be closed. Other spaces will be replaced with tents for parties or other events. Traffic restrictions surrounding Lucas Oil Stadium and the Indiana Convention Center could make it difficult to access the remaining lots.

The Super Bowl Host Committee has designed a comprehensive transportation plan, including a map showing recommended travel routes. Additional road closures are planned from Feb. 3 through Feb. 5. Stay tuned to IndyParking.com for updates on road restrictions and recommended travel routes. Meantime, here are a few tips for those making parking plans for downtown during the Super Bowl festivities: 

Reserve your 2012 Super Bowl game day spot in advance
Several parking garages and lots allow you to make a parking reservation (book now) before you head downtown on gameday. Booking early means you can plan your route into the city and know exactly how close you'll be to Lucas Oil Stadium for the big game, or the Indiana Convention Center for the NFL Experience. It won't come as a surprise that parking spaces closest to the action are most expensive, up to $495, but that allows you to set up a tailgate and stick around for several days. If you do plan to tailgate, make sure the lot where you're booking allows it.

Need parking for NFL Experience/Super Bowl Village? Reserve a spot

Book with the NFL
The league has agreements in place reserving hundreds of spaces around downtown for use by game attendees. The spots are available for $60 per space plus the cost of Fedex shipping and will only be sold to verified and approved ticket holders. The NFL-controlled spaces in some cases are several blocks from the stadium and are pricier than some privately managed lots, so depending on availability it could be a better bet to opt for a private lot. Reservations are recommended (See above). More information on permits for NFL-controlled spaces is here.

Hoping for a metered spot? Wear comfortable shoes
Downtown has hundreds of metered street parking spaces that typically are the best option for visitors. But all of the spots within several blocks of Lucas Oil Stadium and the Indiana Convention Center will be closed during Super Bowl activities due to traffic restrictions and reserved parking. Plan to arrive very early and willing to walk if you want to park using a meter. Meters are free on Sunday.

Parking for non-game Super Bowl festivities
Your best bet now that park-and-ride is sold out is to reserve a spot in advance for one of downtown's numerous parking garages. Another option is Circle Centre mall, which plans to charge a $20 event rate for up to 8 hours of parking, starting Jan. 27. If you opt for Circle Centre, make sure to have a back-up plan since the garages tend to fill up fast.

Park and ride to the NFL Experience, Super Bowl Village - SOLD OUT!!
The Super Bowl Host Committee has arranged a special park-and-ride option for downtown visitors. Shuttles will run from Friday, Jan. 27, to Saturday, Feb. 4, picking up at the parking garage at 327 N. Illinois St., the old airport's long-term parking lot at 2155 S. High School Road, and the Market District Garage at 101 N. New Jersey St. The $2 park-and-ride spaces are sold out.

Story updated Jan. 28, 2012. Stay tuned to IndyParking.com for constant updates.

Crossroads Classic Parking: IU v. Notre Dame, Purdue v. Butler

One of the hottest tickets in Indianapolis this weekend is the Crossroads Classic, a sold-out college basketball doubleheader at Conseco Fieldhouse Dec. 17. Butler will play Purdue at 2 p.m., and the red-hot IU Hoosiers will play Notre Dame at 4:30 p.m. Here are a few tips for parking near Conseco Fieldhouse:

• The most convenience place to park is the Virginia Avenue Parking Garage, a 2,200-space garage that connects to the stadium via a walkway over Delaware Street. Prices vary, and some spaces are reserved. If you want a deal, ask for the roof rate.
• Your most frugal bet is to find an empty meter space a few blocks from Conseco Fieldhouse, and walk a few blocks. Most meters cost $1 per hour until 9 p.m. on Saturdays.
• For the plan-ahead crowd, you can reserve a spot in advance and remove the hassle of hunting for parking. A handful of garages and lot owners allow you to make a parking reservation before you head downtown.
• Privately owned lots and garages near the stadium generally charge between $10 and $15 for special events.

Big Ten Football Championship Parking

Visitors to Indianapolis for the inaugural Big Ten Football championship between Michigan State and Wisconsin have several options for downtown parking during the big weekend. The game is Dec. 3, 2011, at Lucas Oil Stadium, which sits within easy walking distance of thousands of garage, surface and street parking spaces. Here are a few of your best options for parking:

• Book a spot in advance. Several local parking garages and lot owners allow you to make a parking reservation before you head downtown. The upside is you can plan ahead exactly where you're going and how close you'll be to Lucas Oil Stadium.
• Choose a metered spot. The spots fill up fast, so plan to arrive early to get within walking distance of the stadium. How much will you have to pay? Check out our Parking Meter Fee Schedule.
• Park at Circle Centre mall. The mall typically charges a $20 event rate, but if you spend $20 at a mall merchant, you get the regular rates. Check out the details at our Circle Centre Mall Parking page.

Indianapolis Colts Parking Tips for Game Days

Whether you're going to the game or just visiting downtown, finding parking can be a challenge on Indianapolis Colts game days. There are dozens of options, ranging from pay lots next door to Lucas Oil Stadium to metered spots several blocks away. A few tips:

• A metered spot could make the most sense, particularly for Sunday games, when the spots are free. Not a Sunday game? Check out our Parking Meter Fee Schedule. The spots fill up fast, so plan to arrive early to get within walking distance of the stadium.
• Park at Circle Centre mall. The mall typically charges a $20 event rate on Colts game days, but if you spend $20 at a mall merchant (including the Colts Pro Shop), you get the regular rates. Check out the details at our Circle Centre Mall Parking page.
• Book a spot in advance. Several local parking garages and lot owners allow you to make a parking reservation before you head downtown. The upside is you can plan ahead exactly where you're going and how close you'll be to Lucas Oil Stadium.
• Surface lots near the stadium provide convenient access, but prices can be steep depending on game-day demand. Some lots including the Indy Blue Crew lot offer season parking passes and a festive environment for tailgating. If you park close, plan to grab a beer or a bite after the game and let the traffic dissipate.
• Several nearby garages also are a good option for parking on game days. Many of the city's more than 72,000 parking spaces are in covered garages. Make sure to check for event rates and find out what time your garage closes. The garages that sit farther from the stadium and are not attached to hotels tend to have the lowest rates. Check out our full list of Indianapolis Parking Garages and Lots.
• Wherever you choose to park, check out our Downtown Parking Tips before you go. Go Colts!

Indianapolis Parking Meter Rates

New digital parking meters have arrived in some parts of Indianapolis, and they're scheduled for installation all over the city by Fall 2011. Rates are rising and hours of operation are expanding in areas that have the new meters.*

Generally speaking, for areas with new parking meters:

• You must feed the meters between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
• Rates are $1 per hour for up to two hours.
• Coins, credit and debit cards are accepted.
• Your credit card statement will show a charge from San Diego, Calif. for a "ParkIndy Meter Fee".

For areas with older meters:

• You must feed the meters between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Parking is free on weekends.
• Rates are 75 cents per hour for up to two hours.
• Only coins are accepted. 

*Rates and restrictions on meters may vary. Take note of specific instructions on each meter and on posted signs.

Indy Express Bus Routes from Carmel and Fishers to Indianapolis

The Central Indiana Regional Transportation Authority and Miller Trailways have partnered to offer two weekday commuter bus routes between Fishers and downtown Indianapolis, and between Carmel and Indianapolis. The cost is $5 each way and includes Wi-Fi during the trip. Here are the details:

** Super Bowl changes: The stop at Pennsylvania and Ohio streets will be relocated to Pennsylvania and New York streets. Eliminated stops: Pennsylvania and Washington streets, Pennsylvania and Henry streets, and Illinois and Market streets.

Fishers route

• Departs from the northeast corner of 106th Street and Lantern Road at Prairie View at Crosspoint (west side of Interstate 69).
• Departure times from Fishers: 6:30 a.m.; 7:10 a.m.; 7:45 a.m.
• Departure times from downtown Indianapolis at the corner of Pennsylvania and Ohio streets: 4:05 p.m.; 5:10 p.m.; 6:05 p.m.

Carmel route

• Departs from Meijer at Pennsylvania Street and West Carmel Drive.
• Departure times from Carmel: 6:30 a.m.; 7:10 a.m.; 7:45 a.m.; 6 p.m.
• Departure times from downtown Indianapolis at the corner of Pennsylvania and Ohio streets: 6:50 a.m.; 4 p.m.; 5:05 p.m.; 6 p.m.

 More information is here.

Free Parking in Downtown Indianapolis

Parking for the most part is affordable and abundant in downtown Indianapolis when no major event is underway. However, you can do better than affordable if you play your cards right. Here are a few tips to snag free parking downtown:

• Street spaces in areas with new digital meters are free after 9 p.m. and on Sundays and holidays. Spaces with old meters are free after 6 p.m. on weekdays and on weekends. Make sure to look for signs and read instructions on your meter for exceptions. *
• Parking at Circle Centre Mall? Catch a flick at the United Artists Theater or buy a gift card there, and you can get up to four hours of free parking. Remember to bring your parking ticket to the box office for validation.
• Some downtown retailers and banks offer parking validation for customers. Check in advance to see if such an offer applies to your visit.
• A limited number of free street parking spaces are available if you're willing to park on the edges of downtown and walk. Make sure to check for no-parking signs.

* Updated May 2011 for installation of new parking meters.