Park Outside the Centre, Then Let the Bus Do the Driving
Plymouth has three Park & Ride sites: Coypool, George and Milehouse. Parking is currently free at all three sites, while you pay the applicable bus fare for the journey. However, the routes, opening arrangements, journey times and facilities differ. Therefore, it helps to choose the right site before you start driving.
CHARGE
Quick Answer: Which Plymouth Park and Ride Should You Use?
If you are approaching Plymouth from the east on the A38, Coypool is the obvious site to check first. It is near Marsh Mills Roundabout, and Service 200 takes about 20 minutes to reach the city centre. In addition, the service normally runs every 20 minutes from Monday to Saturday.
If you are coming from the north or heading toward Derriford, George can be more convenient. Stagecoach 1/1A and Plymouth Citybus 42C serve the site. However, journey times are longer than at Milehouse because the routes also serve areas such as Derriford Hospital.
Meanwhile, Milehouse is useful when you are approaching from the north or west and want a relatively quick city-centre bus journey. Service 61 takes about 14 minutes and normally runs every 30 minutes during the day from Monday to Saturday.
Most importantly, parking is currently free at all three Plymouth Park & Ride sites. Nevertheless, you still need to pay the bus fare. Therefore, include the cost of the bus when comparing Park & Ride with a city-centre car park.
Plymouth Park and Ride Comparison
All three sites let you avoid driving directly into the city centre. However, they work differently. Coypool has restricted overnight access, while George and Milehouse are currently open 24 hours a day. In addition, each site is served by different bus routes.
| Site | Parking | Main Bus | Typical Journey | Key Point |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coypool | Free | 200 | About 20 mins | Locked overnight 10pm–6am |
| George | Free in 2026 | 1/1A, 42C | 1/1A about 30 mins | Open 24/7 |
| Milehouse | Free | 61, plus 34 | 61 about 14 mins | Open 24/7 |
The Three Plymouth Park and Ride Sites
Start with the site that fits your driving direction. Then, compare the bus frequency, opening arrangements and return journey.
Coypool Park & Ride
Coypool sits near Marsh Mills Roundabout. Therefore, it is particularly useful for drivers reaching Plymouth from the eastern side of the city. Service 200 provides the main city-centre link.
George Park & Ride
George is on Tavistock Road and currently has 708 standard spaces. In addition, several bus services connect the site with the city centre and Derriford corridor.
Milehouse Park & Ride
Milehouse is beside Home Park on Outland Road. Moreover, Service 61 reaches the city centre in about 14 minutes, which makes it one of the quicker Park & Ride journeys.
Plymouth Park and Ride Routes and Times
Park & Ride is only useful if the bus works with your schedule. Therefore, look at both the outward and return journey before you leave the car.
Coypool Park and Ride: Best for Many A38 Arrivals
Coypool is on Coypool Road, PL7 4TB, close to Marsh Mills Roundabout. Therefore, it is easy to compare when your journey brings you into Plymouth from the east.
Service 200 is the main Park & Ride bus from the site. The Council currently says the journey to the city centre takes about 20 minutes. In addition, the service runs every 20 minutes from Monday to Saturday.
The site currently has 267 spaces. These include 11 disabled bays and 16 EV spaces. Moreover, four of those EV bays are rapid charging spaces. Public toilets and CCTV are also listed.
Coypool Opening and Overnight Rules
Coypool differs from George and Milehouse because it is not a 24-hour car park. The Council states that the site is locked from 10pm until 6am. Consequently, overnight parking is not allowed.
Therefore, check the time of your last return bus before leaving the car. A free parking space is not useful if the gates are locked when you return.
Coypool Height Restriction
A 2.1-metre height restriction applies. As a result, taller vans, campervans, roof-box vehicles and modified vehicles should check their total height before entering.
The Council specifically points drivers of vehicles over 2.1 metres toward Milehouse instead. Therefore, Milehouse may be the simpler choice if vehicle height is a concern.
Milehouse Park and Ride: A Fast Route from Outland Road
Milehouse is on Outland Road, PL2 3DA, beside Home Park. Therefore, it is well placed for drivers arriving from the north or west who want to avoid continuing into the central shopping streets.
The main city-centre option is Service 61. It takes about 14 minutes and normally runs every 30 minutes during the day from Monday to Saturday. On Sundays and bank holidays, however, the service operates hourly.
Last Service 61 Buses
The Council currently lists the last Service 61 departure from Milehouse toward the city centre at 10:18pm Monday to Friday and 10:18pm on Saturday. On Sunday, the last listed departure is 6:34pm.
For the return trip, the last bus from the city centre is currently 10:30pm Monday to Friday and 10:38pm on Saturday. Meanwhile, the Sunday return is listed at 6:45pm. The city-centre stop is A14 on Royal Parade.
Nevertheless, bus timetables can change. Therefore, use the latest Plymouth Citybus timetable on the day you travel, especially for an evening journey.
Milehouse Parking and Match Days
Parking is currently free, and the car park is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Council lists 457 white spaces, 88 green spaces, 20 EV spaces, 33 disabled spaces and one motorcycle space.
However, the green spaces are reserved for Plymouth Argyle FC on match days. In addition, bus stopping arrangements change when Argyle are playing. Therefore, football fixtures are worth checking before a busy Saturday visit.
George Park and Ride: North Plymouth and Derriford
George Park & Ride is on Tavistock Road, PL6 7HB. It is opposite the George Hotel and serves the northern side of Plymouth. Therefore, it can be particularly useful for drivers arriving via the A386 or travelling around Derriford.
Stagecoach services 1 and 1A connect the site with the city centre via Derriford Hospital. The Council says the journey takes about 30 minutes and runs Monday to Saturday.
In addition, Plymouth Citybus 42C connects George with the city centre via Mutley Plain, Derriford Hospital and the University of St Mark & St John.
George Parking and Facilities
The site currently has 708 standard parking spaces, 14 disabled spaces, six parent-and-child spaces and four EV spaces. Moreover, the car park is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
A 2.1-metre height restriction applies. Therefore, drivers of taller vehicles should check clearance before entering.
The terminal building includes toilets, showers and cycle lockers. However, its staffed opening hours are more limited than the car park itself.
Will George Park and Ride Stay Free?
This is the most important 2026 update. Plymouth City Council approved future weekday long-stay charges for vehicles parked at George for six hours or more.
However, those charges are not currently active. In September 2026, the Council said implementation would wait until Phase 3 of the Woolwell to George transport improvements had been completed. The Council expected that point around June 2027.
Therefore, George remains free under the current 2026 arrangement. Nevertheless, do not assume the same rule will still apply if you read this guide in the future.
How Much Does Plymouth Park and Ride Cost?
Parking is currently free at all three sites. However, the bus journey is not free for most passengers. Therefore, your actual Park & Ride cost is the applicable bus fare for everyone travelling with you.
The Council currently lists single fares of up to £3 for the Park & Ride services shown on its site pages. Nevertheless, the exact fare can depend on the route, passenger type and available ticket products.
For this reason, check Plymouth Citybus or Stagecoach before travelling if price is important. Day tickets, group products, concessions and app-based tickets may change the best-value option.
Which Site Should You Choose by Driving Direction?
The easiest Park & Ride is often the one that avoids crossing the city unnecessarily. Therefore, start with the direction you are arriving from rather than choosing only by bus journey time.
Where Do the Buses Stop in Plymouth City Centre?
Royal Parade is one of the key city-centre bus areas. Therefore, knowing your return stop can save time when you are ready to head back to the car.
Current Council information lists Service 200 to Coypool from Royal Parade stop A17. Service 61 uses Royal Parade for Milehouse journeys, while the current Milehouse page identifies A14 for the last return Service 61.
However, stops can change during roadworks, events or timetable revisions. Consequently, check the live operator timetable or stop display before boarding your return bus.
Disabled Bays, EV Charging and Site Facilities
Each site provides disabled parking, although the number of bays differs. Coypool currently lists 11 disabled bays, George lists 14, and Milehouse lists 33.
In addition, EV charging is available across the network. Coypool lists 16 EV spaces, including four rapid charging bays. George currently lists four EV spaces, while Milehouse lists 20.
Nevertheless, EV charging availability can change independently of the parking rules. Therefore, check the charging provider and live availability if charging is essential to your trip.
| Site | Disabled Bays | EV Spaces | Opening | Height |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coypool | 11 | 16 | Not overnight | 2.1m |
| George | 14 | 4 | 24/7 | 2.1m |
| Milehouse | 33 | 20 | 24/7 | Check current site signs |
How to Use Plymouth Park and Ride
Using Park & Ride is straightforward. However, planning the return bus before leaving the car makes the day much easier.
Common Park and Ride Mistakes to Avoid
Before You Leave Home: Park and Ride Checklist
Plan the outward journey
Plan the return journey
Park and Ride or Drive Into Plymouth City Centre?
Park & Ride can work especially well when you want to avoid city-centre traffic and parking charges. In addition, it removes the need to search for a central parking space during busy periods.
However, a city-centre car park can still make more sense for a very short visit, a late evening return or a group where several bus fares cost more than parking directly.
Therefore, compare the whole journey. Consider the parking charge, bus fare, travel time, return schedule and the location of your final destination.
Plymouth Park and Ride Map
Use the map to understand where the three sites sit around Plymouth. However, once you choose a site, navigate directly to that Park & Ride rather than using a general Plymouth city-centre destination.
This is particularly useful at Coypool because the site sits near Marsh Mills rather than in the centre itself.
Coypool • George • Milehouse Open Google Maps
Official Plymouth Park and Ride Information
This guide is designed to make the three sites easier to compare. However, bus timetables, fares, parking arrangements and site facilities can change. Therefore, use the official sources below for the final check before an important journey.
Plymouth City Council Park and Ride
Start with the Council’s Park & Ride pages when you need current parking rules, site facilities, disabled bays, EV spaces or opening arrangements.
Live Bus Timetables
Plymouth Citybus and Stagecoach operate the relevant bus services. Therefore, use the operator timetable rather than relying on a saved screenshot when your return time is important.