How to use the ParkFlag Kiosks

Ready to master the parking kiosk like a pro? Whether you're visiting downtown Flagstaff or navigating pay-by-plate systems for the first time, this guide will walk you through each step with ease.

Follow the instructions below to become an instant expert on how to pay for parking using a kiosk, no stress, no guesswork, just smooth parking every time.

How to Use the Kiosks

Ever parked in downtown Flagstaff and found yourself staring at a parking kiosk, unsure what to do next? You’re not alone, and we’ve got you covered. This guide walks you through how to use our pay-by-plate parking kiosks like a seasoned local. We’ll even share a few tips about free parking. So take a deep breath of that fresh mountain air and let’s make parking the easiest part of your downtown adventure.

Find the Nearest Kiosk

Once you’ve parked in one of our pay-by-plate spaces or lots, look around, you’ll spot one of our kiosks nearby. With over 100 linked kiosks throughout downtown, you can pay at any one of them, and your payment will instantly sync with our system. No need to leave a receipt on your dash or rush back to your car. Just pay and go.

Pro Tip: You’re paying for time, not a specific space. So if you move your car to another spot within the ParkFlag downtown zones, you don’t need to pay again until your time expires.

Start Your Session

When the kiosk powers up, you’ll see the welcome screen. To begin, press the button labeled “1” inside the PARKING box.

Pro Tip: Keep your payment card handy. You won’t need it right away, but once prompted, you’ll be ready to insert it without fumbling.

Enter Your License Plate

Your license plate is your parking ID, it’s how we verify active sessions and permits. Make sure you enter it correctly.

Pro Tip: Save a photo of your plate on your phone. You can store it in your notes app, favorite it in your gallery, create a “Car Info” album, or keep it secure in a password manager. That way, it’s always easy to find.

Enter Your Payment

Next, insert your debit card, Visa, or Mastercard when prompted. Follow the on-screen instructions to know exactly when to insert and remove your card.

Traveling from out of state or abroad? Be sure your card issuer knows you’re on the road—otherwise, your payment might not go through.

Pro Tip: All kiosks accept card payments—quick, easy, and secure. Prefer to pay with cash? We’ve got a few centrally located kiosks that accept it:

Leroux Street & Aspen Avenue (southeast corner) Google Maps
Aspen Avenue & San Francisco Street (northwest corner) Google Maps
5 South San Francisco Street, near The Lumberyard Google Maps
County Courthouse, 200 N. San Francisco Street (mid-block) Google Maps
Visitor Center at 1 East Route 66 Google Maps

Select Your Parking Duration

Use the plus (+) and minus (–) buttons to adjust your parking time in one-hour increments. If you’re parking for the day, press the MAX button to pay for the full enforcement period.

🚨 Free Parking Alert:
Our pay-by-plate program is only enforced during posted hours:

Sunday – Thursday: 9 AM to 5 PM
Friday – Saturday: 9 AM to 8 PM

That means parking is free in the evenings and early mornings. So go ahead, enjoy happy hour or grab your morning coffee without feeding the meter.

Need a Receipt?

No paper ticket is required. Receipts are optional, great for personal records or as a quirky addition to your vacation scrapbook. You don’t need to display anything on your dashboard unless the kiosk specifically prompts you to, which may happen occasionally due to a connection issue.