Life in Orlando is getting more expensive

Ervin Shkulaku/DUANEWS

Living, working and spending time in Orlando is becoming more expensive, and as of October 1, drivers have another higher cost to add to the list: parking.

New parking rates officially took effect Wednesday in downtown Orlando, with some on-street rates nearly doubling.

Under the new pricing system, drivers will pay $2 per hour for each of the first two hours, compared with the previous $1 hourly rate. The price then increases the longer a vehicle remains parked: $3 for the third hour, $4 for the fourth, $5 for the fifth and $6 for the sixth hour.

That means a six-hour stay in an on-street parking space can now cost $22.

Parking garages are becoming more expensive as well. City-operated garages now charge $2 per hour for the first four hours and $3 per hour afterward, with the maximum daily charge increasing from $15 to $20. Event parking prices can vary depending on how close a garage or lot is to the event.

No more coins at the meter

The price increase isn’t the only major change.

Orlando is also moving to a cashless parking system, removing traditional parking meters from downtown streets. Drivers can pay for on-street parking through the ParkMobile app, by text or by phone.

The change has already caused some confusion among drivers, particularly people accustomed to paying cash or coins at a meter.

Paid parking hours are also being extended. Enforcement will run from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Parking remains free overnight from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m., as well as on Sundays and city-observed holidays.

Another expense for Orlando residents and visitors

The higher parking fees arrive at a time when affordability remains an important concern for many Central Florida households. For people who regularly drive downtown for work, restaurants, entertainment or appointments, even a few extra dollars per visit can add up over time.

Some downtown business owners have also expressed concern that more expensive parking could discourage customers from visiting the area.

City officials, however, say Orlando’s previous parking rates were outdated compared with similar cities. The city says the broader modernization program is designed to improve parking turnover, curb access and the overall efficiency of downtown parking. The rate increase is projected to generate approximately $5.5 million in additional revenue annually.

For Orlando drivers, the bottom line is simple: parking downtown now costs more — another expense in a city where everyday life is already feeling increasingly expensive.