Parking in London Guide - Everything You Need to Know
Looking for a safe and secure place to store your car during a short visit to London? In need of cost-effective car storage for a longer-term stay, in a convenient central location? At Riverside West Car Park, we take pride in focusing on what matters most to real motorists – safety, convenience, and realistic prices. From our central Wandsworth facility, we offer affordable short-term and long-term parking to suit all requirements.
Our underground car park provides complete weather protection, and is safeguarded by 24/7 manned security. Whether planning ahead or looking to book a parking space in a hurry, we’d be delighted to hear from you anytime.
Contact a member of the team at Riverside West Car Park for more information, or with any questions you may have about parking in London.
How much does it cost to park a car in London?
Parking costs in London vary significantly from one location and service provider to the next. For example, a typical NCP car park in Covent Garden will charge most drivers £5 for each 30 minutes. Parking in China Town is provided by Westminster City Council, and is charged at £7 per hour.
On-street parking costs are more consistent across London, and generally apply Monday to Friday from 8.00 AM until 7.00 PM. Electric and hybrid vehicles are charged at £1.20 for every 15 minutes, or £4.80 per hour. Standard petrol and diesel vehicles are charged at a slightly higher £1.65 per 15 minutes or £6.60 per hour. Vehicles that fall within the “Other” category are charged at £2.25 per 15 minutes, or £9 per hour.
It can therefore be much more convenient and cost-effective to book your parking space in advance, using a private parking facility like Riverside West Car Park.
Where can I park my car in London?
Parking a car in London can be difficult from 8.30am to 6.30pm Monday to Saturday, as this is when restrictions apply across much of the city. But as there are variations from one borough and street to the next, it is important to check nearby signs for any additional restrictions that apply. Length of stay, for example, is strictly limited in various parking zones.
There are more than 120 privately operated car Parks around Central London, covering areas such as Oxford Street, Park Lane, Soho, Leicester Square, Trafalgar Square, Chinatown, Harley Street, Queensway, Victoria and Knightsbridge. Costs vary significantly (anything from £5 to more than £10 per hour), and in some car parks must be booked in advance.
Deciding where you plan to parki in London ahead of time is advisable, in order to avoid fixed rate parking fines of between £80 and £130. Also the same applies to Blue Badge holders, as there are some concessions across the capital for disabled drivers, extensive restrictions still apply in Central London.
Where can I park my car in London for free?
London has surprisingly flexible parking rules on weekends and bank holidays. Many (if not most) paid on-street parking spots in residential areas are free from 11am Saturday and all day Sunday. Most can also be used free of charge on bank holidays, depending on the borough and street in question.
It is also possible to park your car for free for a strictly limited period of time, by using the services of a connected facility or business. For example, many shopping centres in London offer free (or cheap) parking for paying customers, as do supermarkets, restaurants, hotels and so on.
But as free and paid parking rules differ significantly across the capital, it is important to ensure you know where you stand ahead of time. Otherwise, you run the risk of being handed a fixed penalty notice, or having your vehicle towed away.
We therefore strongly suggest booking a safe and secure off-street parking space for your vehicle for your trip to London, to avoid any difficulties on the day. Call or email the team at Riverside West Car Park anytime to book your space in our facility, or for more information on the services we provide.
Where can I park my car in London?
There are thousands of parking spaces available across London (paid and free), but demand has a tendency to outpace supply. This can make it difficult to find an available space on an ad-hoc basis, which is why booking in advance is usually recommended.
In addition, many paid parking services across London are notoriously expensive. Irrespective of whether you reserve a spot in advance or simply pay as you go, you could end up paying more than you bargained for. The average cost to park a car in London is approximately £11 per hour, but this varies greatly from one borough and street to the next.
To save time, stress and money when visiting the capital, it is strongly advised to book a parking space in advance with a reliable provider.
Can you park for free in London?
Parking for free is possible in London, but finding an available space can be practically impossible. Many of London’s residential zones are free to park in from 11am Saturday and all day Sunday. Most can also be used free of charge on bank holidays, depending on the borough and street in question.
Free parking is also offered by many businesses – particularly shopping complexes, cinemas, entertainment facilities, and so on. You may also qualify for free parking with some London hotels, but the vast majority of accommodation providers in Central London do not have their own on-site car parks.
Where free parking in London is available, it is often subject to restrictions on length of stay. Ensure you fully understand all terms and conditions of the free parking you take advantage of, in order to avoid receiving a fixed penalty notice.
Is parking in London safe?
Compared to the national average, London has one of the worst vehicle-related crime rates in the UK. Surprisingly, some of London’s most prestigious areas have the most elevated vehicle crime rates of all. According to a recent study, the three least safe places to park a car in London are Covent Garden, Mayfair, and Pavilion Road.
On-street parking in London therefore brings a fairly high risk of vehicle theft or damage, irrespective of location. Consequently, visitors to London (and those relocating to the capital) are strongly advised to seek secure parking from a reputable provider.
The only parking that is considered safe in London is that which is covered by 24/7 CCTV and manned patrols.
How does parking in London work?
Most on-street parking in London can be paid for in the normal way, by paying the required fee in a nearby meter. It may also be possible to pay to park in London using a mobile app, depending on where you intend to park, and for how long.
In order to park within a Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ), you will first need to apply for and receive a permit. Each CPZ permit issued can be used exclusively for one vehicle – even if the same resident owns multiple vehicles.
Appy Parking is one of most popular mobile applications available for parking in London, which provides information on available on and off-street parking bays, along with real-time space availability alerts, parking rules, and price comparisons.
If you would like to take the complications out of parking in London and store your vehicle securely for an affordable price, book your space at Riverside West Car Park today.
Can I take my car into Central London?
While it is possible for drivers to take their cars into Central London, it is not generally recommended. Central London is infamous for its complex and highly congested road system, couped with the near-impossibility of finding an available parking space during peak times.
In addition, the Congestion Charge applies to most vehicles driving into central London between 7am and 6pm Monday to Friday, and 12pm to 6pm on Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays. This is charged at a flat rate of £15 per day, and is payable irrespective of how much or little time you spend in Central London.
Drivers visiting London are therefore recommended to leave their cars outside the Congestion Zone, and to head into Central London via public transport. At Riverside West Car Park, our facility is located just outside the Congestion Zone, providing quick and easy connections to Central London with no need to pay the congestion charge to use our parking services.
Call or email anytime to book your space at Riverside West Car Park.
Do I have to pay to drive through London?
London’s Congestion Charge covers most of Central London, and it is clearly signposted when you are entering the Congestion Charge Zone with a large red letter “C”. The Congestion Charge congestion charge covers the following areas and districts:
- Barbican
- Bloomsbury
- Borough
- Charing Cross
- City of London
- Clerkenwell
- Covent Garden
- Euston
- Finsbury
- Fitzrovia
- Holborn
- London Bridge
- Mayfair
- Soho
- St James’s
- St Pancras
- Waterloo
- Areas of Marylebone, Lambeth, Southwark and Westminster
If you enter any of these locations – even for a short time – you will be liable for the full Congestion Charge.
Elsewhere, there are no specific charges to drive in outer-London and the surrounding region.
As Riverside West Car Park is located outside the Congestion Zone, it is not necessary to pay the Congestion Charge to park at our facility. This could save you money on the costs of driving into Central London during your trip to the Capital.
Does London have park and ride?
London does not have any specific park and ride services, given the broad availability of Tube services into Central London. The quickest and easiest way to commute into the city centre is to park your car at a London Underground station, and take the Tube. This can also help you avoid paying the Congestion Charge, as many of the Underground’s outer-London stations are not within the Congestion Charge Zone.
However, parking fees (and availability) vary significantly from one Tube station to the next. It is therefore important to ensure that the Tube station you intend to travel from has adequate and affordable parking nearby. The nearest Station to our facility (Wandsworth Town Overground Station) does not offer car parking, so we advise leaving your car at our facility as finding nearby on-street parking can be difficult.
Is it free to park in London on Sunday?
Most residential zones are free to park in from 11am Saturday and all day Sunday. These parking zones are also usually free of charge to use on bank holidays, depending on the borough and street in question.
Elsewhere, paid car parks (multi storey, underground etc.) charge fixed hourly (or half-hourly) rates throughout the week. Likewise, parking in London’s more congested central locations and tourist areas is payable at all times.
Free parking may be provided on weekends (and throughout the week) by some businesses and service providers. Examples of which include hotels, shopping centres, supermarkets, cinemas, leisure facilities, and so on.
Due to safety concerns, however, it is generally recommended to use off-street parking services when visiting London – weekdays and weekends included. At Riverside West Car Park, we combine total peace of mind with a convenient central location and competitive pricing. Call today to book your space.
When can you park on the street in London?
It depends on your exact location, and for how long you intend to leave your car. Parking restrictions across most of London apply from 8.30 AM to 6.30 PM Monday to Saturday. During these hours, you will need to pay to park, if you are entitled to do so without a permit (many parking areas are restricted to residents only).
In addition, there are often restrictions placed on how long a car can be left in a specific location. Some streets and districts impose a maximum stay of 4 hours, after which a fixed penalty notice will be issued. Even where parking is available free of charge, there may be limitations on how long you can leave your vehicle.
Always check nearby signage, along with the information presented on parking metres and machines. Parking on the road in Wandsworth is difficult at most times of the week, so we strongly advise booking your parking at Riverside West Car Park ahead of your trip to save time and money.
How much is the ULEZ charge?
If you drive within the Ultra Low Emission Zone in London, you will need to pay the ULEZ charge of £12.50 if your vehicle does not meet ULEZ emissions standards. This is a standard daily charge, which must be paid no later than midnight on the third day following entry to the Zone. Failure to pay on time will result in a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) being issued.
The Transport for London website offers a convenient vehicle checking facility, which will let you know whether or not your car meets the required ULEZ standard. If so, you will not be required to pay this daily £12.50 fee.
ULEZ charges can be paid online or by phone, with the option of registering for Auto Pay to automatically pay the fee when required.
Where is the cheapest parking in London?
Most of the cheapest car parks in London tend to be a fairly long distance from the city centre. Free on-street parking is available during evenings and weekends, but finding an available space in a suitable residential district is not easy.
The best way to find affordable parking in London is to set your sights just outside the centre, and to book your space in advance. For example, at Riverside West Car Park, we combine quick and easy access to Central London with competitive pricing.
Central London can be reached in a matter of minutes from our car park (by train, bus or taxi), and our prices are significantly lower than those of any city centre facility. All with the peace of mind that comes with 24/7 security and complete weather protection for your vehicle.
Call or e-mail the team at Riverside West Car Park anytime to learn more about our car storage services in London.