New App Reveals Vast Parking Price Discrepancies in Tel Aviv

A new free app called ParkWise aims to solve the frustrating problem of finding and affording parking in Israel, particularly in Tel Aviv, by providing real-time pricing and location data for hundreds of parking lots. Developed by software engineer Hadar Nir, the app currently lists 343 parking facilities across 24 cities.

In Tel Aviv, ParkWise highlights dramatic price variations even within the same neighborhood. For instance, in the Florentin area, the cost for a full workday (9 AM to 5 PM) can range from NIS 36 to NIS 192, a difference of NIS 156 solely based on the chosen lot. Similar disparities are observed in other Tel Aviv neighborhoods like Yarkon, HaBima, Dizengoff, Kikar Atarim, and Yad Eliyahu, though the latter shows minimal price differences.

These price fluctuations are influenced by factors such as the city's decision in August to raise prices at the "Achuzat Ha'hof" municipal lots to NIS 24 per hour for non-residents, and a "parking law" set to take effect in December 2025 that mandates per-minute calculations for the first hour. However, a proposal to cancel this law, due to concerns about price hikes, is awaiting full Knesset approval.

Beyond Tel Aviv, ParkWise data indicates Jerusalem has the highest median daily parking cost at NIS 105, followed by Tel Aviv (NIS 89) and Bnei Brak (NIS 80). Eilat, however, boasts the most expensive hourly rates at a median of NIS 32.5, with Bnei Brak and Ramat Gan close behind.

Nir, who was motivated to create the app after experiencing expensive parking charges himself, explained that ParkWise aggregates data from official price lists, direct synchronization with operators, open city data, and user-submitted photos. The app also notes electric charging availability and average occupancy rates, which tend to peak on Fridays around 1 PM and weekdays around 11 AM. Nir hopes the app's transparency will encourage parking operators to offer more competitive pricing.