Exeter is a small city based in Devon, with the stunning Exeter Cathedral at the centre. If you enjoy heritage, why not find a free parking spot in Exeter and start exploring.
5 places to park for free in Exeter (2026)
You can park for free in Exeter on the following streets near to the town centre:
What to know about parking free in Exeter
When parking, please take into consideration:
- Be considerate – most free parking is on residential streets, so do not block driveways or exit routes
- Ensure there is enough space for larger vehicles to pass, especially if you park in a residential area
Cheapest Car Parks in Exeter
The cheapest car park in Exeter we found was St Thomas Cowick Street, which you can book even if you are not staying at the hotel, but it must be pre-booked, you cannot just turn up.
You can book this car park all day (9am – 5pm) for just £7.50, so it’s a great option for those visiting Exeter for the full day.
If you’re looking for monthly parking, you can park at St Thomas Cowick Street for as little as £100 per month, making it ideal for commuters, although you must pre-book.
Free car parks in Exeter
You can park for free in car parks across Exeter from 6pm onwards at the following council run car parks in the city centre:
| Car Park | Address | Spaces | Free Parking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cathedral & Quay Car Park (locked at 11pm) | EX1 1DX | 355 | 6pm – 8am |
Haven Banks Car Park – One | EX2 8DP | 75 | 6pm – 8am |
Haven Banks Car Park – Two | EX2 8DP | 84 | 6pm – 8am |
Exeter Park & Ride Sites
Exeter has three park and ride sites that offer free parking and access to the city centre when you use the local Stagecoach bus service, without having to battle through traffic. Buses run every 12 minutes 7 days a week.
It is designed to provide an alternative to driving into the city center, helping to reduce traffic congestion and parking issues.
The service operates from several park and ride sites located on the outskirts of Exeter, with regular buses running into the city center. Each park and ride site has ample car parking spaces, and the buses are frequent, reliable and easy to use.
In terms of fares, Exeter Park and Ride offers a simple and affordable pricing structure, with discounts available for families, students, and other groups. There are also a range of season tickets and other ticket options available, allowing passengers to make the most of the service.
Exeter Park and Ride is designed to be as user-friendly as possible, with well-lit, secure car parks and easy-to-use bus stops. There is also an extensive network of pedestrian and cycle paths connecting the park and ride sites to the city centre, making it easy for cyclists and walkers to access the service.
| Park and Ride Site | Address | Bus Service |
|---|---|---|
| Honiton Road Park & Ride | EX2 7NL | Every 12 minutes |
| Sowton Park & Ride | EX2 5GL | Every 12 minutes |
| Matford Park & Ride | EX2 8FD | Every 12 minutes |
The prices for Exeter Park and Ride vary depending on a few factors, such as the park and ride site you use, your age, and whether you are travelling as an individual or as part of a group. The 2026 prices for Exeter Park and Ride are as follows:
- Adult day ticket: £5.00
- Child day ticket (ages 5-15): £3.90
- Group day ticket (up to 5 travellers): £10.00
It’s worth noting that these prices may be subject to change, so it’s a good idea to check the official Stagecoach website or contact their customer service team for up-to-date pricing information.
Free overnight parking in Exeter
You can park for free in Exeter overnight after 6pm at the following car parks.
Be aware that some car parks do close during the night so if you need to access your car before 8am, we recommend using Magdalen Street Car Park or Smythen Street Car Park.
| Car Park | Address | Spaces | Free Parking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smythen Street Car Park | EX1 1BN | 49 | 6pm – 8am |
| Cathedral & Quay Car Park (locked at 11pm) | EX1 1DX | 355 | 6pm – 8am |
Magdalen Street Car Park | EX2 4HZ | 100 | 6pm – 8am |
Haven Banks Car Park – One | EX2 8DP | 75 | 6pm – 8am |
Harlequins Car Park (locked at 11pm) | EX4 3TT | 91 | 6pm – 8am |
Princesshay 3 Car Park | EX1 1TS | 138 | 6pm – 8am |
Haven Banks Car Park – Two | EX2 8DP | 84 | 6pm – 8am |
Coach parking in Exeter
You can drop off coach passengers at South Street in Exeter and then park up at Haven Banks Coach Park (EX2 8DP). This car park costs around £6 for 24 hours parking.
Free Motorcycle parking in Exeter
If you are visiting Exeter by motorcycle, you can park free of charge at Princesshay 2 Car Park on deck F where you will find dedicated motorcycle bays.
Alternatively, the following car parks allow free motorcycle parking in allocated bays:
- Bampfylde Street Car Park
- Harlequins Car Park
- Leighton Terrace Car Park
- Smythen Street Car Park
Free disabled parking in Exeter
If you are a Blue Badge holder, you are permitted to park for free in Exeter at the following car parks:
| Car Park | Address | Spaces |
|---|---|---|
| Smythen Street Car Park | EX1 1BN | 49 |
| Cathedral & Quay Car Park | EX1 1DX | 355 |
Magdalen Street Car Park | EX2 4HZ | 100 |
Haven Banks Car Park – One | EX2 8DP | 75 |
Harlequins Shopping Centre Car Park | EX4 3TT | 91 |
Princesshay 3 Car Park | EX1 1TS | 138 |
Haven Banks Car Park – Two | EX2 8DP | 84 |
Free motorhome parking in Exeter
Motorhomes should park on wider streets when looking for free parking in Exeter. We recommend using Marsh Green Road North as there’s plenty of room for oversized vehicles.
Alternatively, you can park in a secure car park with no height restrictions, but parking charges will apply if parking between 8am and 6pm. These car parks include:
| Car Park | Address | Spaces | Free Parking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bampfylde Street Car Park | EX1 2AR | 88 | 6pm – 8am |
| Magdalen Road Car Park | EX2 4SU | 213 | 6pm – 8am |
| Matthews Hall Car Park | EX3 0HF | 32 | 5pm – 9am |
Residents permit parking in Exeter
If you live in an area of Exeter that has permit parking restrictions, you can apply for a residents permit at a cost of around £35 per year. You will be required to produce proof of vehicle ownership as well as proof of address when you apply.
You can also purchase visitor passes which cost around £30 for a book of 30 passes.
About Exeter
Exeter is a small city based in Devon that offers plenty of heritage to explore. Despite it being a small city, Exeter has a multitude of activities and attractions to keep you busy.
One of the main focal points of the city is the cathedral, which sits proudly in the centre, which is surrounded by museums and plenty of history to discover.
If you’re visiting to meet friends, there’s plenty of places to eat and drink as well as shop until you drop.
If you want to get out and relax in the open spaces, there’s Northernhay Gardens and Rougemont Gardens just a short walk from each other and you can also explore the cities valley parks when you walk the Green Circle Walk.
Other towns and cities nearby
If you’re visiting the area for a short trip or just looking for things to do nearby, you can explore these towns and cities that are near to Exeter:
About the Author
Hi, my name is Amber and I’m here to help find you suitable free parking in towns and cities across the UK.
When I visit new towns and cities, I always take note of where you can (legally) park for free, whether this be on-street parking bays or council run car parks, which offer free parking during certain hours of the day.
Although I take every effort to ensure this information is up to date and correct, if you notice an issue, please get in touch so I can rectify it for everyone.
Amber
Information was last updated on February 20th, 2025