If you’re visiting Folkestone on the Kent coast and want to find free parking without restrictions, we’ll show you exactly where to park.
7 places to park for free in Folkestone (2026)
You can park for free in Folkestone on the following streets near to the town centre:
What to know about parking free in Folkestone
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 all-day parking in Folkestone
We found the cheapest car park in Folkestone to be Sainsbury’s car park, which can be pre-booked via Your Parking Space, even if you are not a customer.
You book this car park all day (9am – 5pm) for just £4.70, so it’s a great option for commuters or those visiting Folkestone for the full day.
Cheapest monthly parking in Folkestone
We found the cheapest car park for monthly parking in Folkestone to be Sainsbury’s car park which costs £65 per month, making it ideal for commuters.
You can use this car park 7 days a week, including overnight, and leave and re-enter the car park as many times as you need to.
Free car parks in Folkestone
Whilst there are no car parks in Folkestone offering free daytime parking, you can park for free in Folkestone between 6pm and 8am daily at the following car parks:
| Car Park | Address | Spaces | Free Parking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sandgate Road Car Park (locked from 9pm) | CT20 2EE | 176 | 6pm – 8am |
| The Coastal Park Car Park | CT20 1PS | 28 | 6pm – 8am |
| Harbourside Car Park | CT20 1QJ | 10 | 6pm – 8am |
| Tram Road Car Park | CT20 1QN | 66 | 6pm – 8am |
| Lower Sandgate Road West Car Park | CT20 2JP | 70 | 6pm – 8am |
| Castle Road Car Park | CT20 2AQ | 40 | 6pm – 8am |
Folkestone Park & Ride Sites
Folkestone has a pilot park and ride scheme that allows you to park for just £5 per day (up to 6 people) and use the free shuttle bus to get into Folkestone town centre (up to 6 people).
The park and ride site is located at Motis Business Centre in Cheriton (CT19 4 QJ).
| Park and Ride Site | Address | Bus Service |
|---|---|---|
| Motis Business Centre in Cheriton | CT19 4QJ | Every 30 minutes until 5.30pm (site closes as 6.30pm) |
Free overnight parking in Folkestone
You can park free of charge overnight (between 6pm and 8am) in Folkestone at most council run car parks, including:
| Car Park | Address | Spaces | Free Parking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sandgate Road Car Park (locked from 9pm) | CT20 2EE | 176 | 6pm – 8am |
| The Coastal Park Car Park | CT20 1PS | 28 | 6pm – 8am |
| Harbourside Car Park | CT20 1QJ | 10 | 6pm – 8am |
| Tram Road Car Park | CT20 1QN | 66 | 6pm – 8am |
| Lower Sandgate Road West Car Park | CT20 2JP | 70 | 6pm – 8am |
| Castle Road Car Park | CT20 2AQ | 40 | 6pm – 8am |
Free coach parking in Folkestone
If you are travelling to Folkestone by coach and need somewhere to park once you drop your passengers off, you can park for free at Dymchurch Central, Orgarswick Avenue, TN29 0PP.
This car park is around 9.5 miles outside of Folkestone and there’s public toilets over the road for convenience.
Free motorcycle parking in Folkestone
Motorcycles and mopeds are permitted to park in pay and display parking spots in either car parks or on-street parking bays free of charge and without time limits. Car parks with dedicated motorcycle bays include:
- Shellons Street Car Park in Folkestone
- The Paddocks and Mount Street Car Park in Hythe
- Dymchurch Central Car Park
Free motorhome parking in Folkestone
Motorhomes are permitted to park in any car park in and around Folkestone, so we recommend parking in the following car parks that have no height restrictions:
- Pavillion Car Park
- Playdell Gardens Car Park
- Sandgate Road Car Park
Parking is free in these car parks between 6pm and 8am. At other times, standard charges apply, but if you take up multiple spaces, you must buy multiple tickets.
Permit parking in Folkestone
If you are a resident of a restricted parking zone in Folkestone, you can apply for a residents parking permit, which allows you to park your car on any street in that zone.
Residents permits cost around £38.20 for 12 months. In order to apply for a permit, you will need proof of residence and proof of vehicle.
About Folkestone
Folkestone is a seaside town on the Kent coast that offers families and locals a wide range of things to enjoy, from parks and gardens to traditional seaside gift shops.
If you enjoy getting out and about in the fresh air, the beach is the perfect place to take a stroll and explore the Kent coastline.
For a seaside town, Folkestone has a number of heritage sites to discover, at Romney Marsh Visitor Centre and Ossuary at Hythe St Leonards Church.
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 Folkestone:
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 March 27th, 2024