The Fast Answer
If you want the short version: take the CTA Red Line to Addison. It's a 2-minute walk to the gate, costs $2.50 each way, and you skip all the parking stress. The rest of this guide is for people who need to drive.
On game days and major events, the LV2 permit zone activates from 5 PM to 10 PM. Residential street parking inside the zone requires a permit. Check lv2park.com before you go.
All Parking Options Compared
| Option | Day game | Night game | Walk to gate | Book ahead? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CTA Red Line | $5 round trip | $5 round trip | 2 min | No |
| Free Cubs Shuttle | Free | Free | ~15 min shuttle | No |
| SpotHero garages | $15–25 | $25–45 | 5–15 min | Yes |
| Camry Lot (Cubs) | $40–65 | $40–65 | 5 min | No |
| Walk-up lots | $30–60 | $30–60 | 5–15 min | No |
| Street parking (outside LV2) | Free | Free | 15–25 min | No |
Garages and Lots Near Wrigley Field
One of the closest garages to Wrigley. Fills up fast on popular games. Pre-book through SpotHero to guarantee your spot and usually get a better rate than walk-up.
The Cubs-operated lot on Clark Street. Closest lot to the field. Also the most expensive and least convenient to exit after the game. Walk-up only, no pre-booking. The price is high because of the location, not the quality of the parking.
The Camry name comes from a Toyota sponsorship. It's the same lot it's always been, renamed.
A bit farther from the stadium but usually cheaper. Book ahead on SpotHero. The walk is easy and you avoid the worst post-game traffic cluster on Clark and Addison.
The best value if you don't mind the walk. Lots around Montrose and north Irving Park are significantly cheaper than closer options and usually have availability on weekday games.
The CTA Red Line: Why It's the Best Option
The Addison station on the Red Line is two blocks east of the main gate. On game days, the CTA adds trains. You'll be inside the park in under 5 minutes from the platform.
- Get on at: Howard, Belmont, Fullerton, or any north Red Line stop
- Get off at: Addison (the stop is literally named for the street the park is on)
- Cost: $2.50 each way with a Ventra card. $3.25 cash fare.
- After the game: Trains come every 5–8 minutes. The platform gets crowded but moves fast.
The Free Cubs Shuttle
If driving is non-negotiable, the free Cubs shuttle is your best option. It picks up at Clarendon Park at 4650 N Clarendon Ave, about a mile east of the park. Street parking around Clarendon is easier to find.
The shuttle starts running 2 hours before first pitch and continues after the game. See the full details at the shuttle guide.
Tips for Arriving Early
- For a 1:20 PM day game, arrive by 10:30 AM if you want street parking. The blocks outside the LV2 zone fill by 11:30 AM.
- For a 7:05 PM night game, street parking outside the zone fills by 4:30–5 PM.
- SpotHero pre-bookings don't require early arrival -- your spot is held.
- The CTA is time-independent. Take it 30 minutes before first pitch and you'll be fine.
Post-Game Traffic
The Clark/Addison intersection is gridlocked for 45–60 minutes after the final out. If you drove, the fastest exit routes are north on Halsted or west on Waveland to avoid the Clark/Addison jam. Patience beats any "shortcut" through the neighborhood.
The fastest post-game move: walk to the Addison Red Line platform. The platform clears faster than the street does. You'll be on the train before the parking lot traffic even starts moving.