Plymouth is a playground for those who love to be out on the water but there’s also plenty to do in the city, including shopping and exploring the local attractions, so if you are looking for free parking in Plymouth without restrictions, you’ve come to the right place.
10 places to park for free in Plymouth (2026)
You can park for free in Plymouth on the following streets near to the city centre:
North of Plymouth
West of Plymouth
East of Plymouth
You should always check for any newly installed restriction signs before leaving your car.
What to know about parking free in Plymouth
When parking, please be considerate of others:
- Ensure you don’t block any driveways
- Tuck your car as close to the kerb as possible.
- Don’t double park as you may be parked on a bus route
Cheapest all-day parking in Plymouth
We found the cheapest car park in Plymouth to be McCauleys Health & Sport car park, which you can book even if you are not a customer – but it must be pre-booked.
You book this car park all day (9am – 5pm) for just £5, so it’s a great option for commuters or those visiting Plymouth for the full day.
Cheapest monthly parking in Plymouth
We found the cheapest car park for monthly parking in Plymouth to be McCauleys Health & Sport car park, which costs £100 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, although this must be pre-booked.
Free parking near Plymouth Aquarium
Plymouth Aquarium is the perfect day out for families looking for something that is suitable for all ages. Located just by the harbour, Plymouth Aquarium allows you to get up close and personal with aquarium life from all corners of the world.
For free parking near to Plymouth Aquarium, use the following locations:
- South View Terrace
- Kinross Avenue
- Kelvin Avenue
There will be a short 10-15 minute walk to your free parking spot, but the route doesn’t go off the beaten track, so you can follow the major roads down to the harbour.
Free car parks in Plymouth
You can take advantage of 2 hours of free parking at Napier Terrace car park between 8am and 8pm (you must obtain a ticket from the machine).
You can also park for free in Plymouth between 10pm and 8am at the following car parks:
- Plymouth City Market Car Park
- Guildhall Square Car Park
- Western Approach Car Park
- Napier Street Car Park
| Car Park | Address | Spaces | Free Parking Times |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guildhall Square | Guildhall Square, PL1 2AD | 42 | 10pm – 8am |
| Western Approach | Western Approach, PL1 1AJ | 881 | 10pm – 8am |
| Plymouth City Market | Cornwall Street, Plymouth, PL1 1PS | 65 | 10pm – 8am |
| Napier Street | Napier Terrace, PL4 6ER | 299 | 2 hours free and between 8pm – 8am |
Free street parking in Plymouth
If you’d rather park in an on-street parking bay instead of a secure car park, parking is no longer free, but you can park at the following locations which are close to the town centre for just £2.20 overnight (between 9pm and 9am):
| Street | Address | Cheap Parking |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 1, 2, 3, 4 | PL1 1NF | 9pm – 9am |
Plymouth Park & Ride sites
Plymouth is home to three park and ride sites, all accessible from different locations around the city.
Buses are run by Stagecoach and run every 15 minutes daily, taking only 10 minutes to get into the centre of Plymouth.
Parking is free so it’s a really affordable way to access Plymouth.
| Park and Ride Site | Address | Spaces |
|---|---|---|
| Coypool Park and Ride | Marsh Mills Roundabout off the A38 (PL7 4TB). | 462 |
| George Park and Ride | Tavistock Road (PL6 7HB). | 726 |
| Milehouse Park and Ride | Plymouth Argyle Football Club on Outland Road (PL2 3DE). | 557 |
Plymouth Park & Ride Prices
Parking is free at all park and ride sites around Plymouth, but you will be required to purchase a bus ticket to get into the city centre. It is one of the most affordable ways to travel to Plymouth.
| Park and Ride Site | Ticket Type | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Coypool Park and Ride | Adult Single | £2.00 |
| Adult Return | £5.20 | |
| George Park and Ride | Adult Single | £2.00 |
| Adult Return | £5.20 | |
| Milehouse Park and Ride | Adult Single | £2.00 |
| Adult Return | £5.20 |
Free overnight parking in Plymouth
You can use the following car parks to park for free overnight in Plymouth between the hours or 10pm and 8am:
| Car Park | Address | Spaces | Free Parking Times |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guildhall Square | Guildhall Square, PL1 2AD | 42 | 10pm – 8am |
| Western Approach | Western Approach, PL1 1AJ | 881 | 10pm – 8am |
| Plymouth City Market | Cornwall Street, Plymouth, PL1 1PS | 65 | 10pm – 8am |
| Napier Street | Napier Terrace, PL4 6ER | 299 | 2 hours free and between 8pm – 8am |
You can also use one of our recommended free parking spots in and around Plymouth.
Motorhome parking in Plymouth
Motorhomes are expected to use Milehouse Park and Ride, which is located at Plymouth Argyle Football Club on Outland Road (PL2 3DE).
This car park is open 24 hours a day and offers free parking providing you use the bus service to access the city centre.
Buses run every 15 minutes between Monday and Sunday and takes only 10 minutes to get to the centre of Plymouth.
Coach parking in Plymouth
There’s a few options for coach parking in and around Plymouth, all with easy access to the city centre:
| Location | Information | Pricing |
|---|---|---|
| Stagecoach South West, The Ride, Plymouth PL9 7JT | Hi-vis must be worn and coach keys given to Stagecoach Control Staff | Up to 12 hours – £25 Over 24 hours – £40 |
If you are just looking to drop off passengers, coaches have a few options when it comes to dropping passengers off near to the centre of Plymouth:
| Location | Restrictions |
|---|---|
| Derry’s Cross Roundabout, PL1 1EU | 15 Minutes Maximum, 2 Coach Bays |
| The Barbican, PL1 2LR | 15 Minutes |
| Plymouth Coach Station, PL1 1HZ | Pre-booking essential (01752 225635) |
Motorcycle parking in Plymouth
Motorcycles are free to use any of the off-street car parks in Plymouth free of charge:
- Elphinstone Road Car Park, PL1 2NU
- Guildhall Square Car Park, PL1 2AD
- Courtenay Street Car Park, PL1 1EP
- Colin Campbell Court Car Park, PL1 1PZ
- Mayflower Street Car Park, PL1 1QU
You should park in a dedicated motorcycle parking spot or if you find they are all full, you can use a car parking space instead.
Disabled parking in Plymouth
Blue Badge holders have a few options when it comes to parking in Plymouth.
You to park for an additional hour in the following car parks:
- Elphinstone Road Car Park, PL1 2NU
- Guildhall Square Car Park, PL1 2AD
- St Andrew Street/Whimple Street Car Park, PL1 2AH
If you would rather park on-street, you can benefit from free parking at the following locations:
| Location | Restrictions |
|---|---|
| Single Yellow Lines | 3 Hours |
| Residents Bays | 3 Hours |
| Disabled Bays | Unlimited (unless road sign says differently) |
| Pay and Display Bays | Unlimited |
Residents permit parking in Plymouth
If you live in Plymouth where permit parking is enforced, you can purchase an annual permit for a cost of just £45. You will be required to show proof of residence and ownership of vehicle when you apply.
You can also purchase visitor parking permits in the form of books or annual permits, depending on your zone.
About Plymouth, UK
Plymouth is a city that is steeped in culture and a haven for those who enjoy being out on the water.
You are just a stones throw away from the Devon coastline if you are more suited to stepping our in the walking boots and looking to enjoy some stunning coastal views.
Whether you are local or visiting for a short break, Dartmoor National Park is a place where you can get out of the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy some stunning landscapes.
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 Plymouth:
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 January 10th, 2024