York City Centre Parking: Prices, Free Options & Map
York city centre parking can be expensive, especially on Fridays, Saturdays and event days. However, the best option depends on your parking time and destination. Therefore, this guide compares current prices, all-day options, evening charges and Park & Ride. In addition, it explains how to avoid common parking mistakes.
FROM 1 HOUR
Quick Answer: Where Should You Park in York?
First, decide how long you expect to stay. A central council car park can work well for a short visit. However, several hours in the city can become much more expensive.
For example, many major council car parks currently charge £5 for up to one hour Sunday to Thursday. Meanwhile, Friday, Saturday and event-day parking generally costs £5.50.
For a full day, selected long-stay car parks currently offer a £23.20 Sunday-to-Thursday tariff. By comparison, the Friday, Saturday and event-day price rises to £25.
Alternatively, York Park & Ride provides free car parking. Passengers then pay for the bus journey into the centre. Therefore, this option can work well for a longer daytime visit.
Choose by Length of Stay
1–2 Hours
For a quick trip, choose a central car park close to your destination.
£23.20 From
For longer visits, selected all-day council sites may offer simpler pricing.
Park & Ride
Alternatively, park outside the centre for free and pay the bus fare.
York City Centre Parking Prices in 2026
York uses different tariffs depending on the day. In general, Sunday to Thursday uses the lower tariff.
By contrast, Friday, Saturday and designated event days cost more. Therefore, the day of your visit can significantly affect the total.
One-Hour Parking
For example, up to one hour currently costs £5 on the lower tariff. However, Friday, Saturday and event-day parking costs £5.50.
Two-Hour Parking
Similarly, two hours costs £10 from Sunday to Thursday. Meanwhile, the higher tariff rises to £10.90.
Three-Hour Parking
A three-hour stay currently costs £11.50 on the lower tariff. In contrast, the higher tariff costs £13.90.
Four and Five Hours
Four hours currently costs £15.30 Sunday to Thursday and £18 on the higher tariff. Likewise, five hours costs £19.20 or £22.10.
2026 York Parking Price Table
For a quick comparison, use the table below. In particular, notice how the higher tariff changes the cost on Friday, Saturday and event days.
| Parking Time | Sun–Thu | Fri/Sat/Event | Useful For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 1 hour | £5.00 | £5.50 | For example, quick errands |
| Up to 2 hours | £10.00 | £10.90 | Meanwhile, shopping or lunch |
| Up to 3 hours | £11.50 | £13.90 | Similarly, sightseeing |
| Up to 4 hours | £15.30 | £18.00 | Therefore, useful for half a day |
| Up to 5 hours | £19.20 | £22.10 | However, compare all-day options |
| Selected all day | £23.20 | £25.00 | Finally, useful for a full-day visit |
Useful York City Centre Car Parks
Price is only one part of the decision. In addition, location can change how far you need to walk.
Therefore, choose a car park close to your main destination. As a result, you may avoid unnecessary driving through the centre.
Castle Car Park
Castle Car Park is on Tower Street, postcode YO1 9SA. It is open 24 hours. Meanwhile, normal parking charges apply from 8am until midnight.
For example, the location is useful for Clifford’s Tower and York Castle Museum. However, Castle does not use the same fixed all-day price as some long-stay sites.
Marygate Car Park
Marygate Car Park is on Frederic Street, postcode YO30 7DT. In particular, it is convenient for Museum Gardens and the north-west side of central York.
In addition, Marygate offers the current £23.20 all-day tariff Sunday to Thursday. By comparison, Friday, Saturday and event-day parking costs £25.
Monk Bar Car Park
Monk Bar is on St John’s Street, postcode YO31 7QR. Therefore, it can work well for York Minster and the north-east side of the historic centre.
Similarly, Monk Bar offers an all-day option. Moreover, the car park remains open 24 hours.
Nunnery Lane Car Park
Nunnery Lane is at YO23 1AA. Consequently, it can suit visitors approaching from the south-west.
Furthermore, it currently offers the same £23.20 Sunday-to-Thursday all-day rate and £25 higher tariff. In addition, Blue Badge and EV spaces are available.
Castle
For example, it is useful for Clifford’s Tower and the Castle Museum.
Marygate
In addition, it works well for Museum Gardens and nearby attractions.
Monk Bar
Meanwhile, this option suits the north-east side of the centre.
Nunnery Lane
Therefore, it can be practical for south-west approaches.
Union Terrace
Similarly, this council car park serves the northern side of York.
Foss Bank
However, check its current opening hours before planning a late return.
Which York Parking Option Fits Your Visit?
No single car park suits every journey. Therefore, start with the length of your stay and then consider where you want to walk.
One-Hour Visit
For a quick appointment, central parking may be the simplest choice. Although £5 is relatively expensive, it can save time.
Three-Hour Visit
For sightseeing, compare the lower £11.50 tariff with convenience. However, Friday and Saturday visitors should expect a higher price.
Full-Day Visit
For a full day, selected long-stay sites become easier to budget. Alternatively, Park & Ride can avoid a £23.20 or £25 central parking bill.
Evening Visit
If you arrive later, the evening tariff can reduce the total cost. Consequently, check whether your chosen car park offers the standard evening rate.
Free Parking in York City Centre: What Is Actually Free?
Completely free central parking is limited. However, there are useful ways to avoid or reduce the normal daytime parking charge.
The clearest option is York Park & Ride. Specifically, parking is free for service users, while passengers pay for the bus journey.
Free Parking After Midnight
At several 24-hour council car parks, normal charging ends at midnight. Therefore, parking after midnight can be free until charges restart at 8am.
However, an evening ticket may still be required if you arrive before midnight. Consequently, check your expiry time carefully.
York Free Parking Radar
& RIDE Free car parking First, park outside the centre for free. Then, pay the bus fare into York.
8AM Free overnight charging period At relevant 24-hour car parks, charges stop at midnight and restart at 8am.
BADGE Accessible parking concessions In addition, Blue Badge arrangements can provide free parking at several sites.
Street Parking Needs a Separate Check
On-street rules can differ from council car parks. Therefore, always read the sign beside the exact space.
In particular, resident zones and restricted streets can remain controlled. For this reason, never rely only on a nearby car park’s hours.
York Evening Parking Prices
Evening parking can be much cheaper than several daytime hours. At many council car parks, the evening period begins at 6pm.
Currently, the standard evening charge is £4 Sunday to Thursday. Meanwhile, Friday, Saturday and event days use a £4.80 tariff.
How the Evening Ticket Works
If you arrive before 6pm, your ticket must cover the remaining daytime period. In addition, it must cover the evening charge if you stay later.
By contrast, arriving after 6pm can make the flat evening tariff more useful. Moreover, qualifying evening tickets may remain valid until 8am the next morning.
York Park & Ride: Free Car Parking
Park & Ride is one of the easiest ways to avoid expensive central parking. First, drive to a site on your side of York.
Next, leave your car in the free car park and pay for the bus into the centre. Currently, the adult day-return fare is £4.
York Park & Ride Sites
The network includes Askham Bar, Designer Outlet, Grimston Bar, Monks Cross, Poppleton Bar and Rawcliffe Bar.
Therefore, you can usually choose a site that matches your approach route. As a result, you may avoid driving through busy central roads.
Askham Bar
For example, this site suits western approaches and station trips.
Designer Outlet
In addition, this site works well when approaching from the south.
Grimston Bar
Meanwhile, this option serves drivers approaching from the east.
Monks Cross
Similarly, this site is useful for north-east routes.
Poppleton Bar
Therefore, it can reduce central driving from the north-west.
Rawcliffe Bar
Finally, this site is useful for northern approaches.
Can You Leave a Car Overnight?
Under the standard Park & Ride rules, overnight parking is not permitted. Therefore, do not use these sites for a normal overnight stay.
In addition, the car parks are intended for Park & Ride users. Consequently, they should not be treated as general free parking.
Blue Badge Parking in York City Centre
Several York council car parks provide dedicated Blue Badge spaces. In addition, some sites allow eligible Blue Badge holders to use standard bays without the normal parking charge.
Nunnery Lane
Nunnery Lane currently has 12 dedicated Blue Badge bays. Moreover, eligible Blue Badge holders can use suitable bays free of charge.
Monk Bar
Monk Bar currently provides 19 dedicated Blue Badge bays. Similarly, eligible Blue Badge parking is free under the current council rules.
Marygate Has Different Arrangements
Marygate uses a ticketless barrier system. Therefore, its accessible parking arrangement works differently.
Dedicated free Blue Badge spaces are positioned outside the main barrier area. Consequently, accessible visitors should check the site-specific guidance first.
How to Pay for York City Centre Parking
Payment methods vary by location. However, many council car parks support PayByPhone as well as payment machines.
PayByPhone
First, check the location code for your exact car park. For example, Nunnery Lane uses code 808753.
Meanwhile, Monk Bar uses 808752, while Castle uses 808748. Therefore, never assume that the same code works everywhere.
Ticketless ANPR Parking
Marygate and Coppergate currently use ticketless ANPR parking. First, a camera records the registration as you enter.
Later, enter the registration at the payment machine before leaving. As a result, the system can match your payment with the correct vehicle.
Check the Registration Carefully
A simple registration mistake can cause payment problems. Consequently, review every letter and number before confirming.
Driving Into York City Centre
York’s historic centre includes restricted vehicle areas. Therefore, a navigation app should not be treated as permission to enter every street.
Footstreet Restrictions
Vehicle access is restricted in parts of the city centre during the day. Currently, controlled access operates between 10:30am and 5pm in relevant areas.
Consequently, visitors should navigate directly to a public car park. Instead, avoid trying to drive through pedestrian streets.
Follow Current Road Signs
Temporary events and roadworks can also change routes. For this reason, current road signs should take priority over an old saved route.
How to Make Driving Into York Easier
A little planning can save time in a busy historic centre. Therefore, choose your preferred car park before reaching York.
York City Centre Parking Checklist
A few simple checks can prevent most parking problems. Therefore, use this list before and after you park.
Before You Drive
Plan the Visit
Before You Walk Away
York City Centre Parking Map
The map below gives you a useful starting point for central parking. However, York has car parks on several different sides of the historic centre.
Therefore, choose the location that best matches your approach route. Afterwards, navigate directly to that car park.
Map Search Tip
Search for the exact car park name and postcode. As a result, you can avoid unnecessary driving through restricted streets.
Compare central car parks before starting your final approach. Open Google Maps
Official York Parking Information
York parking prices and rules can change. Therefore, use the official council pages for a final check.
City of York Council Resources
York City Centre Parking FAQs
Finally, these answers cover the main parking questions visitors ask.