Park Smarter in Aberdeen City Centre
Planning a shopping trip, a train journey or an evening out? Aberdeen offers several central parking options. However, prices and access rules differ between car parks.
First, choose your destination. Next, check how long you need to park. Then compare the full price and any evening offers. This guide makes each step easier.
UP TO 1 HOUR
Quick Answer: Where Should You Park?
For a short city visit, check Denburn or Chapel Street. Denburn currently lists £1.50 for up to one hour. Meanwhile, council long-stay parking costs £3.05 for up to two hours.
Shopping near Union Street? Compare Trinity and Chapel Street. For Bon Accord, check Harriet Street or Loch Street. Both provide central shopping access.
For a full day, College Street currently charges £11. Bon Accord charges £12 for seven to 24 hours. Alternatively, Trinity offers a £6.50 advance daily T-Pass.
Evening visitors have separate options. For example, College Street has a £2.50 evening tariff. Union Square currently charges £3 during its qualifying evening period.
Aberdeen City Centre Parking Prices
Aberdeen has council, shopping-centre and private parking. Each operator sets its own rules. Therefore, prices depend on both location and stay length.
For example, College Street offers a flat daily price. In contrast, council car parks use several time bands. As a result, a short-stay price may not suit a full day.
Denburn: Up to 1 Hour
Need a quick stop? Denburn has a published one-hour tariff. Therefore, check it for short central visits.
Long Stay: Up to 2 Hours
Chapel Street and several other council car parks share this tariff. However, their locations and access rules differ.
College Street: Up to 24 Hours
College Street serves the railway station area. In addition, its daily tariff makes longer visits easier to plan.
Bon Accord: 7–24 Hours
Bon Accord has parking at Harriet Street and Loch Street. Both use ANPR and cashless payment.
Trinity Daily T-Pass
Trinity offers an advance daily T-Pass. However, you must book this product online before your visit.
Union Square: 7–24 Hours
This car park serves shopping and transport connections. Nevertheless, it costs more than College Street for a full standard day.
Aberdeen Council Parking Charges
Several council car parks share a long-stay tariff. These include Chapel Street and Denburn. However, maximum-stay rules can vary by location.
The council approved a freeze on off-street charges for 2026/27. Therefore, its existing published tariff provides a useful comparison. Still, read the entrance board before making payment.
| Stay Length | Published Charge |
|---|---|
| Up to 1 hour | £1.50 at Denburn |
| 1–2 hours | £3.05 |
| 2–3 hours | £4.30 |
| 3–4 hours | £5.80 |
| 4–5 hours | £7.25 |
| 5–6 hours | £8.60 |
| 6–10 hours | £14.20 |
| 10–14 hours | £17.35 |
Free Parking in Aberdeen City Centre
Free parking depends on the location and time of day. For example, several council car parks stop charging after 8pm.
Sunday hours are different. Charging generally runs from 1pm to 5pm at many central council locations. Therefore, some Sunday morning visits fall outside normal charging hours.
Free Parking Radar
8PM
AM
SIGNS
Can You Leave a Car Overnight?
Some car parks allow overnight parking. However, charging hours and vehicle access are separate matters.
First, check when the charging period ends. Next, confirm your planned return time. Finally, check how you will enter the building after normal hours.
Choose Parking for Your Aberdeen Visit
Your destination should guide your choice. For instance, College Street serves the railway station area. Meanwhile, Trinity is useful for Union Street shopping.
Main Aberdeen City Centre Car Parks
Aberdeen has several central parking locations. However, each serves different streets and attractions. Therefore, choosing the right entrance can save walking time.
Chapel Street and Denburn
Chapel Street serves the western side of the centre. Meanwhile, Denburn is useful for short central visits.
Both follow council parking rules. However, Denburn has a separate published one-hour tariff.
Frederick Street
Frederick Street serves destinations on the eastern side of central Aberdeen. Nevertheless, maximum-stay conditions can vary between floors.
Therefore, choose a suitable bay before paying. Also, check whether your intended stay is permitted.
Union Square
Union Square serves the shopping centre and nearby transport connections. Its published tariff starts at £4 for one hour.
A stay of seven to 24 hours costs £20.40. However, the qualifying evening rate is only £3.
Entry is ticketless. In addition, payment is by card or contactless. Cash is not accepted.
College Street
College Street is close to Aberdeen railway station. It currently charges £3.30 for one hour.
The daily tariff is £11 for up to 24 hours. In addition, an evening rate of £2.50 applies during qualifying hours.
The car park uses ANPR. Therefore, pay before exiting to avoid a parking charge notice.
Bon Accord
Bon Accord operates Harriet Street and Loch Street car parks. Together, they offer more than 1,400 spaces.
Both use number-plate recognition and cashless payment. However, opening hours differ.
Loch Street is listed as open 24 hours. Meanwhile, Harriet Street has specific opening and closing times.
Trinity Aberdeen
Trinity serves Union Street shopping. Its normal tariff starts at £2.50 for one hour.
A standard 24-hour stay costs £16. Alternatively, the advance daily T-Pass currently costs £6.50.
Therefore, check online booking before you travel. Also, confirm the car park’s opening times.
Compare Aberdeen Parking Options
Use this comparison to narrow your choice. Then check the price for your exact stay. Remember that evening offers have separate conditions.
| Parking | Published Price | Useful For | Important Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denburn | £1.50 / 1 hour | Short central visit | Council car park |
| Chapel Street | £3.05 / up to 2 hours | Western city centre | Long-stay tariff |
| College Street | £11 / up to 24 hours | Rail travel | Cashless ANPR |
| Bon Accord | £12 / 7–24 hours | Shopping | Two main car parks |
| Trinity | £16 / 24 hours | Union Street | Check £6.50 T-Pass |
| Union Square | £20.40 / 7–24 hours | Shopping and rail | £3 qualifying evening rate |
Sunday Parking in Aberdeen
Sunday has different charging hours at many council car parks. Normal charges generally apply from 1pm to 5pm.
Therefore, a Sunday morning visit may fall outside the normal charging period. However, always check the chosen car park.
Private operators have separate rules. For example, Union Square and Bon Accord use their own tariffs.
Evening Parking in Aberdeen City Centre
Evening parking can cost less than a daytime stay. However, special tariffs require specific entry and exit times.
Aberdeen Low Emission Zone
Aberdeen has a city-centre Low Emission Zone. Therefore, check your vehicle before planning a route through it.
Parking charges and LEZ requirements are separate. As a result, paying for a parking space does not provide an automatic exemption.
First, use the official Scottish vehicle checker. Next, review the zone map. Finally, follow the appropriate route to your chosen car park.
How to Pay for Aberdeen Parking
Payment methods differ between car parks. Therefore, check the operator before travelling.
Council locations support cashless options where indicated. Meanwhile, Union Square and College Street accept card or contactless payment.
Bon Accord uses ANPR at both main car parks. Trinity also offers online parking products. As a result, entering your registration correctly is important.
Blue Badge and Accessible Parking
Several central car parks offer accessible spaces. However, availability and charges vary by operator.
Bon Accord lists more than 40 accessible bays across its two car parks. Standard charges still apply.
Meanwhile, Union Square and College Street provide designated accessible parking. Therefore, check the appropriate entrance before your visit.
Also, confirm vehicle height restrictions if you use a taller accessible vehicle. This is especially important at multi-storey car parks.
Practical Parking Tips for Aberdeen
A little planning can make your visit easier. In particular, check the entrance, tariff and return time.
Aberdeen Parking Checklist
Before Leaving Home
Before Leaving the Vehicle
Aberdeen City Centre Parking Map
Use the map to understand central Aberdeen. Then choose the exact car park entrance before setting off.
Aberdeen, Scotland Open Google Maps
Official Aberdeen Parking Resources
Parking prices and access arrangements can change. Therefore, confirm the latest information before travelling.