As a short-term car leasing company based in York, UK, we know just how stressful parking can be in our home city.
If you’re not paying astronomical amounts, then you’re trying to thread the eye of a needle by fitting your beloved Land Rover into a minuscule space. And on top of that, you’ve got to walk miles once you are parked.
But the thought of parking shouldn’t stop you from exploring this beautiful city and all it has to offer. In fact, with a little local knowledge, you can find the perfect parking spot for your day out. That’s why, to make your life easier, we’ve put together our top parking spots in York.
Whether you’re looking to explore the Shambles or do a spot of Christmas shopping, we’ve got you covered.
Want more help finding parking in York city centre? Why not try out our interactive map here.
The trick with parking in York
As any visitor to our city will notice, there is almost no on-street parking in York. Its narrow, cobbled streets – barely big enough for a small car – and pedestrianised zones mean almost all drivers are forced to park in designated car parks. But, much like parking in most cities, there’s a compromise to be made.
Park further away from key sites or the city centre and you’ll often pay less. However, you could find yourself on a hefty walk back to the car, laden with shopping bags. On the other hand, you could park closer to the city centre but have to cope with smaller spaces and a higher price per hour.
We’ve taken this into account to gather our favourite parking spots in York city centre that we think will serve you well.
The best parking in York
Remember, while we’ve included prices and times, please do check the exact details at the car park to avoid fines or being locked in.
Union Terrace car park
- Location: Union Terrace, Clarence Street, York, YO31 7ES
- Opening times: 24 hours
- Cost: Charges vary from £4.85 per hour to £22.50 for a full day
- Perfect for: Easy access to York St John University campus, York Theatre Royal and the City Walls
- Details: An open-air car park with just 145 spaces and 13 disabled bays. Get there early to get a spot
Castle car park
- Location: Tower Street, York, YO1 9SA
- Opening times: 24 hours
- Cost: Charges range from £4.85 per hour to £3.70 per hour if you park for more than 5 hours
- Perfect for: Quick access to York Castle and Museum, river walks, Coppergate Shopping Centre and nearby hotels
- Details: Spaces are tight and not ideal for large SUVs or vans, but evening parking is just £4.00
Foss Bank car park
- Location: Jewbury, York, YO31 7PL
- Opening times: 08:00–20:00 – overnight parking allowed, but no access after 20:00
- Cost: Charges vary from the standard £4.85 per hour to £22.50 for a full day
- Perfect for: Just east of the city centre, with great access to the City Walls, museums and the iconic Shambles
- Details: This car park boasts some of the most spaces on our list, with 316 available. As such, it proves popular on busy weekends and bank holidays, so get there early
Marygate car park
- Location: Frederic Street, York, YO30 7DT
- Opening times: 24 hours
- Cost: From the standard £4.85 per hour to £22.50 per day, or £4.00 for evening parking
- Perfect for: Excellent access to York’s train station and just a few minutes’ walk from the Minster and central shops
- Details: With 392 spaces, 11 Blue Badge bays and no maximum stay, this is one of the most accessible and flexible car parks in York
Monk Bar car park
- Location: St John’s Street, York, YO31 7QR
- Opening times: 24 hours
- Cost: Charges range from £4.85 per hour (Sunday to Thursday) to £22.50 for all-day parking
- Perfect for: Easy access to York city centre shops, the Minster and other attractions
- Details: The tight entry and small spaces aren’t ideal for large cars or people carriers, but its central location makes up for this
Electric vehicle charging and parking in York
With the rise in popularity of electric vehicles, demand for charging points – especially in car parks – has increased significantly. While there’s still a need for more facilities, there are currently several EV charging points available in York city centre:
- Marygate Car Park: 16 EV fast charging sockets
- Nunnery Lane Car Park: 13 sockets in total, including one rapid charger
- Bootham Row Car Park: 6 charging points
- Lowfield Green Car Park: 4 fast charging sockets
- Q-Park Shambles: 2 charging spots
- Q-Park Barbican: 4 chargers
- York Designer Outlet: at least 16 charging ports
Park and ride in York
If you’re visiting York for a shopping trip or taking the family for a day out at one of the city’s many historic sites, Park & Ride could be a great option for you.
Six sites just outside the city offer the perfect place to park and use the frequent buses to access everything York has to offer. Plus, parking is free. Large spaces make for stress-free parking whether you’re driving a small car or a premium SUV. Check out some of the options below:
- Askham Bar: located south-west of the city; buses stop near the train station
- Designer Outlet: great location with access to the Jorvik Centre and Clifford’s Tower
- Grimston Bar: located to the east of York; excellent for Foss Island and city centre shops
- Monks Cross: 750 spaces to the north-east of York with frequent buses
- Poppleton Bar: north-west of York with easy access to the National Railway Museum
- Rawcliffe Bar: located to the north-west of York with just a 15-minute ride into the city
Park better in York city centre
Hopefully, you now have everything you need to find the perfect parking space in York – whether you’re Christmas shopping, taking in the history, or simply enjoying one of the many incredible restaurants the city has to offer.
At Flexed, we’re proud to call York our home, but we truly pride ourselves on providing simple, flexible short-term car leasing and car subscriptions to people across the UK. Whether you’re in between cars or looking to drive newer models more often, our short-term leasing options are exactly what you need.
Ready to drive a car you love? Browse our huge range of brand-new vehicles available for lease from just one month. Can’t find what you’re looking for? We’d love to help – just get in touch today.
