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Mobile Payments for Visitor Parking

PLEASE NOTE: The current pay stations, and all other forms of visitor parking permits are still valid as of May 2026.

Caltech is currently in the process of transitioning to a new vendor for visitor parking: HonkMobile. Using HonkMobile (also known as HONK), visitors will no longer need to display a dashboard permit or hang-tag to park on campus. Instead of physical permits, visitors will enter their license plate when they pay for a parking session, and the license plate will be the permit.

When visitors park at Caltech, they will purchase their parking session at payment signs which will be installed in the campus lots. The signs will include payment instructions including scan-to-pay (QR code) and text-to-pay options. No download is required to pay for a visitor parking session.

Hourly, Daily, and Weekly parking sessions will be available.

The mobile payment platform will be implemented in phases over the coming weeks and months. Look for the following changes in the campus lots:

  • Visitor payment signs will be installed in the Caltech lots and structures
  • The existing pay stations will be phased out and decommissioned

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Will I need to download an app to park? Caltech visitors do not need to download the app to purchase hourly, daily, or weekly passes.

I'm a staff member and have an annual parking permit. Will I need to do anything different? No. Caltech personnel that have a monthly or annual parking pass may continue to their physical hang-tag to park in the campus lots.

Can I still pay at the pay stations? The pay stations are currently still in operation but will be decommissioned in the coming weeks/months.

I still have some of the scratch-off daily passes. Are those passes still valid? Yes, daily scratch-off parking hang-tags are still valid in the Caltech lots.

How does Parking & Transportation know I've paid? Do I need to leave anything on my dashboard? No. Nothing needs to be displayed in your vehicle. When you pay through HONK, your license plate number becomes your parking credential. Caltech's parking enforcement officers receive a real-time list of license plates that have paid for parking sessions.

What payment methods are accepted? HONK accepts Debit and All Major Credit Cards (including VISA, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover) and mobile wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PayPal).

Can my division purchase parking for our guests using HONK? Yes, there are various options for divisions/departments to purchase guest parking for their guests. No downloads will be required for your guests to park on campus. Please contact the Parking Office for additional information ([email protected]).

I'm on the telework program, can I use the app to get my discounted daily passes? Yes. Instructions will be provided separately to registered telecommuters on how to use the mobile app to purchase daily passes.

I'm a registered bike/walk/bus commuter, can I use the app to get my quarterly daily passes? Instructions will be provided separately to registered bike/walk/bus commuters on how to use the mobile app for daily parking.