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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 July 2026.

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

Caltech visitors can purchase their parking session at payment signs located in highly visible locations at the stairwells in all of the campus parking structures. No download is required to purchase a visitor parking session. Hourly, Daily, and Weekly parking sessions are available.

To purchase a visitor parking session, please take the following steps:

  1. At the visitor payment sign, select the scan or text to pay option (no download required)
  2. On the Honk screen, follow the prompts and select if you want an hourly, daily, or weekly parking session
  3. Select your payment to complete the transaction

Visitors may park in unreserved stalls in any campus lot or structure during the duration of their parking session.

The existing pay stations will be phased out and decommissioned during the summer of 2026

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.