Will be in Seattle next week w/car rental, hotel is by airport. We really do not want to spend $30.00 a day to park downtown....any other options Seattle residents could relay?

There are a number of Impark lots north and east of the Nordstrom area (along 7th and 8th Ave. north of Olive). These generally have an "earlybird" rate of $10 for all day (10 hours) if you arrive before 9 am. After that it's $12. After 6 pm find a spot on the street (in the same area) and park for free.

The lot I use most often is on 8th immediately north of Olive, on the right side of the street. This is fairly convenient to the main shoopping area and it's all downhill to the Pike Place Market. You can take a free bus ride back up Pike Street (or maybe it is Pine) if you don't care to walk.

Same thing around my office (Belltown, which is the north part of downtown Seattle, just north of the Pike Place Market).

Most lots have an Early Bird Special for $10 all day/10 hours, you have to be in before 9:00 or 9:30am for that rate. After that $12-15 for the day.

The ones I use are at 2nd & Lenora NE corner, and on 1st Ave either side of Blanchard. I think these are all "U-Park" lots. You pay at a machine and put a ticket in your car.

Another idea to park for free... you could drop the car in a neighborhood. There's always street parking along Volunteer Park's east side on Capitol Hill, for example. And the #10 Metro bus stops right there. $2.00-$2.25 and a 20 mins. ride to downtown from there.

There is also free parking along Alaska Way south of the ferry terminal, but it takes a bit of luck to get a spot!

Thank you for the advice. Truly looking forward to another trip to Seattle!

Tip #1: You have little chance of being spared pain if you overstay the time you paid for.

HTTY