🚗 Free Tool · 2026
🅿️ UK Car Parking Cost Calculator
Estimate parking costs in 13 major UK cities. Compare 🅿️ street, 🏢 multi-storey, 🅿️ NCP and 📱 parking app prices — per hour, per day and per week.
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📊 Rough estimates based on typical 2026 prices. Always check the specific car park's website or a parking app for live rates.
How the Calculator Works
🏙️ Pick Your City & Area
Choose from 13 UK cities and select central, inner or outer area. Prices fall as you move out.
🅿️ Choose Parking Type
Compare street parking, multi-storey, NCP, and parking apps like JustPark side by side.
💰 Get Your Estimate
See costs per hour, day and week, plus money-saving alternatives highlighted for your trip.
UK Car Parking Costs in 2026
Parking in the UK varies enormously — from a few pounds for a couple of hours in a suburban street, to over £60 for a full day in central London. The three biggest factors are which city 🏙️, which area within the city 📍, and which type of car park 🅿️ you use.
🚗 London is by far the most expensive
Central London parking costs roughly 2-3 times what you'd pay in Manchester, Liverpool or Newcastle. A full day in central London is £30-£60, while a full day in central Manchester is £10-£18.
📱 Parking apps save 20-40%
The cheapest way to park in most UK cities is to book in advance through an app like JustPark, YourParkingSpace, or RingGo. Booking online typically saves 20-40% compared to the drive-up rate at the same car park.
🆓 Free parking exists — but with rules
Many residential streets offer free parking, but restrictions usually apply (max stay, permit-only hours, or time of day). Some supermarkets offer 2-3 hours of free parking if you shop there. Smaller towns and rural areas often have completely free car parks.
🚌 Park & Ride is often the best value
Most UK cities have Park & Ride services — you park on the outskirts and take a bus into the centre. This is usually far cheaper than city centre parking and avoids congestion charges in London and (from 2026) other cities.
🚗💨 Compare all your transport options
Before deciding to drive, compare the total cost of driving (fuel + parking) against train, coach or flying. Use our Journey Cost Estimator to see all options side by side, or our Train Ticket Price Calculator to compare train fares for the same route.
📊 Example: Parking Costs by City 2026
Central area, multi-storey car park, 3 hours on a weekday.
| City | 🅿️ Street (per hour) | 🏢 Multi-storey (per hour) | ⏰ 3 hours | 📅 Full day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🚗 London (Central) | £4-£6 | £6-£9 | £18-£27 | £40-£60 |
| 🚗 London (Outer) | £2-£3 | £4-£6 | £12-£18 | £20-£30 |
| 🏴 Edinburgh | £2-£4 | £3-£5 | £9-£15 | £15-£25 |
| 🐝 Manchester | £1.50-£3 | £3-£5 | £9-£15 | £10-£18 |
| ⚔️ York | £1.80-£3.50 | £3-£6 | £9-£18 | £12-£20 |
| 🛁 Bath | £1.80-£3.50 | £3-£6 | £9-£18 | £12-£20 |
| 🎓 Oxford | £2-£4 | £4-£6 | £12-£18 | £15-£25 |
| 🌉 Bristol | £1.50-£3 | £3-£5 | £9-£15 | £10-£18 |
| 🎸 Liverpool | £1.20-£2 | £2-£4 | £6-£12 | £8-£15 |
| 🌊 Newcastle | £1-£2 | £2-£3.50 | £6-£10.50 | £7-£12 |
Frequently Asked Questions
🅿️ How much does parking cost in London?
In central London, street parking costs around £4-£6 per hour, multi-storey car parks £6-£9 per hour, and NCP car parks £5-£8 per hour. A full day in central London typically costs £30-£60. Prices are much lower in outer London boroughs.
📅 Is parking cheaper on weekends in the UK?
It depends on the city. In business cities like London, Manchester and Birmingham, weekend parking is often cheaper than weekdays. In tourist cities like Bath, York and Edinburgh, weekend parking is usually more expensive or the same as weekdays.
💰 What is the cheapest way to park in a UK city?
The cheapest options are usually: (1) Book in advance through apps like JustPark or YourParkingSpace (save 20-40%), (2) Use park-and-ride services on the outskirts, (3) Park in residential areas with pay-and-display bays, (4) Use supermarket car parks with validated parking.
🐝 How much does parking cost in Manchester?
Manchester city centre parking costs around £1.50-£3 per hour for street parking, £3-£5 per hour for multi-storey, and £4-£6 per hour for NCP. A full day in central Manchester is typically £10-£18.
🆓 Is street parking free anywhere in the UK?
Yes. Many residential streets in UK cities offer free parking, though restrictions usually apply (max stay, time of day, permit holders only). Some small towns and rural areas have completely free parking. Always check signs before leaving your car.
📱 What is the best parking app in the UK?
The main UK parking apps are JustPark (best for pre-booking driveways and spaces), RingGo (most widely used for council parking), NCP (own car parks), and YourParkingSpace (driveways and spaces). JustPark and YourParkingSpace usually offer the biggest savings on advance bookings.
🔴 How much is NCP parking?
NCP car parks typically charge £4-£8 per hour in major city centres, with daily rates of £15-£30. Prices are highest in London (up to £10/hour in the West End) and lowest in smaller cities like Newcastle or Cardiff.
🛒 Can I park for free at UK supermarkets?
Many UK supermarkets (Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda, Morrisons) offer 2-3 hours of free parking when you shop there. Some require you to validate your ticket at the checkout. Check signage carefully — overstaying usually results in a fine of £40-£100.
🏴 How much does it cost to park in Edinburgh?
Edinburgh city centre parking costs around £2-£4 per hour for street parking, £3-£5 per hour for multi-storey, and £4-£6 per hour for NCP. A full day in central Edinburgh is typically £15-£25.
🌍 Is parking in the UK expensive compared to Europe?
UK parking is generally more expensive than most of continental Europe, similar to Paris and Amsterdam. London is one of the most expensive cities in Europe for parking, alongside Amsterdam and Zurich.
🚌 Is Park & Ride cheaper than city centre parking?
Yes — almost always. Park & Ride services typically cost £3-£6 per car including the bus into the city centre, compared with £10-£30 for a full day of city centre parking. Most UK cities have a Park & Ride network, especially York, Oxford, Cambridge and Bath.
☀️ Do I need to pay for parking on Sundays in the UK?
It varies. Many council car parks and on-street bays are free on Sundays, but some cities (especially London and tourist cities) still charge. Always check signage. Private car parks like NCP usually charge 7 days a week.