University Place Garage

This parking lot is a rip-​off. Not only do they round up and charge extra, but they do not offer motorcycle and scooter parking rate, so I had to pay the same as a car, even though my bike only took up less than half space as a small car would have. Boston needs to step up it’s game for motorcycle and scooter parking.

The location of this garage is convenient when shopping or dining in the Harvard area. The prices are a bit high for non-​Boston, but sometimes there is no street parking available.

This is my go-​to parking lot in Harvard Square when I have a need for one. I used to work part-​time retail in the square, and I used this lot often. Out of the hundreds of times I have parked here, they have never been completely full. I have never had any security issues, and the staff has always been helpful.
Many local businesses and stores validate for this lot; if you’re not sure just ask. The store I worked in validated all the time — no purchase required.
Checking out their website it seems as if they have extended their evening rates to start at 4:00 instead of 5:00. ($ 12 without validation, $ 8 with) This is also their weekend rate — all day. All of the above earns this place a respectable 3 stars.
Monthly coupons on the parking company’s website, with even better deals, earn the fourth star.

All in all, I’ll circle the square once or maybe twice looking for a street spot, but when that fails this is a safe, convenient spot to leave my car. I think that $ 8.00 is a fair price for parking in this area, especially compared to risking a $ 30 ticket.

Imagine the need to find a parking spot in the general Harvard Square vicinity on a Saturday mid-​afternoon for several (more than 2) hours. Sounds easy, huh, since it isn’t a meal time? Nope.
I drove around for a good half hour (because it is slow going around those parts), noticing that the parking meter spots are mostly marked 1 hour limit or 2 hour limit (never mind the 30 min limit and less spots), which were absolutely no help in my situation. Sure, most of the limits were till 8pm and not in effect at all on Sundays, but that wasn’t going to help me either.
Fortunately, before I headed out, I did some research online and discovered University Place Garage. On weekends they offer a flat fee of $ 8 with validation and $ 12 without validation… not that I can figure which businesses validate… but that’s okay, because I also found an internet coupon at
which shaved the price for me by another buck!
The entrance to this garage is located at 45 University Road even though the legal address is 124 Mount Auburn Street. This is the same way you will want to enter (yes, on foot) to get back to your car afterwards since the doors to the building that the elevators took you to are locked on weekends. Yes, not particularly safe, so be careful.
The turns are a bit narrow, and I found the path through the garage a bit confusing, but at least it is an option.
If you come with a coupon like I did, just give it to the guy at the gate along with the timed ticket, and pay your fee with a credit card.
*** ¹⁄₂₀₁₃ ***
Well, coupon prices seem to have been inching up a dollar a year at a time… the logic of my review would set the coupon for weekend parking at $ 7 back in ²⁄₂₀₁₁.
I’m heading into Harvard Square later this week, so I printed a new coupon that expires at the end of the month for $ 8 on ½/​2013, but a quick peek at the same coupon on the website today (1÷5÷2013) prices weekend parking at $ 9.
*** ⁵⁄₂₀₁₃ ***
I printed another parking coupon for $ 9 weekend parking and found a site listing their normal garage prices, which confirms $ 9 as the current price for parking on weekends (and weeknights) with validation, $ 13 without validation —
*** ⁷⁄₂₀₁₃ ***
The coupon is no longer available, so there seems to no longer be a Harvard Square garage parking option for under $ 10 on a weekend day. Bummer.
But at $ 13 unvalidated, it may yet be the best option for the weekend day, but for evenings after 5pm, it is beat out by $ 7 at Charles Square Garage WITH coupon —

For relatively safe parking away from the elements University Place Garage is pretty good. It’s in the middle of Cambridge, near Harvard and Harvard Square, and isn’t too expensive, although I think the $ 4 rate just to drive in is a bit much. That said, the place is crammed with more cars than should be allowed and there isn’t enough valet staff on the floor to service patrons as fast as necessary. Finding the place can be a bit difficult too, as it’s down a side street in the vicinity of hotels and offices and isn’t at all easy to find.
Daily rates are $ 23 for 2+ hours of parking and $ 12 on nights and weekends. There’s also a $ 315 monthly rate and validation for patrons of a number of Harvard Square businesses.
It’s convenient and safe for long-​term parkers but those staying for only a short time should try their luck at a meter first… it’s cheaper and there’s less hassle involved.