Simple cysts of the kidney represent a common abnormality. They may be single or multiple and usually are asymptomatic. However, occasionally they may cause pain and hematuria. Open surgical unroofing eliminates the cyst but may incur postoperative complications and prolonged hospitalization. Laparoscopic unroofing of symptomatic renal cysts has recently been described, but only a few cases have been reported. We present a 24-year-old man with a giant, painful, renal cyst successfully unroofed via transperitoneal laparoscopy.