Parking may be tight, but not impossible. Expect to pay
to park in Center City. Metered parking is $1 an hour for 3 hour clips.
Some, if not all, meters accept quarters and silver dollars. And, beginning
this year (2003) they have introduced 'smart' cards in select areas.
A standard Philadelphia parking sign looks like this: 
Don’t bring a car and plan to park on the street unless you’re comfortable with 15-point turns. People will box your car in and make bumper-rubbing inevitable. New car? No problem. Some denizen hates seeing other people’s shinny new possessions and will be sure to let you know how impressed they are by leaving a long scratch along the side panels with their keys. If they’re really impressed, they will be sure to relieve you of your aerial as well. My car window was smashed behind Philly's largest Irish bar.
Parking garages & lots, Private lots have $8 early bird specials and $15 a day. Long term, I have seen as low as $60 a month unsupervised up to $200 a month valet parking with attendants. A friend of mine who keeps his in a $200 a month lot tips the valet $1 each time he takes his car out. $1 each time her returns. Hospitals all have parking garages. Many garages offer validation discounts or waivers. Get your parking chit validated at an area business and you receive a reduced rate or waiver of fees.
Don't expect the personnel at a parking garage to speak English or be of any assistance. The fact that they wear a uniform or have a security patch is meaningless.
List of 1 public and 3 private: http://www.philapark.org/parkinglocator/parking_locator.aspx
List of 60 pay parking lots with map links: http://www.parkwaycorp.com/find/index.asp#philadelphia
Comprehensive
map of above lots: http://www.parkwaycorp.com/find/Parkway_Philadelphia_Locations_Map.pdf
Interactive Parking map in the heart of Center City: http://www.paconvention.com/parking/park.asp?navid=99
A progressive group has begun a car sharing program: Philly
Car Share. They have a web site. It is not for visitors – unless
they frequently have business in town, nor undergraduates. They do have
a sister in San Francisco. So if you’re a member of one, you can
utilize the other. www.PhillyCarShare.org
Auto rental agencies have locations throughout the city. Some run $9.99 a day weekend specials.
Live here? Pennsylvania Car Pool Center: http://www.erideshare.com/carpool.php?dstate=PA
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