London Parking Guide 2026
Find the cheapest parking, the best apps, and avoid getting a PCN. Everything drivers need to know.
London is one of the most expensive cities in the world for parking. Costs vary enormously depending on location, time of day, and whether you're using a car park, NCP, hotel car park or on-street bay.
| Location | Typical daily rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Central London NCP / Q-Park | £25–£55/day | Pre-book for much better rates |
| Inner London car parks | £12–£30/day | Varies by borough |
| On-street pay & display (central) | £2–£6/hour | Limited to 2–4 hours max in most zones |
| Park & Ride (outer zones) | £3–£8/day | Plus Tube/train fare into centre |
| RingGo / app-paid street bays | £1.50–£5/hour | Often cheaper in outer boroughs |
| Pre-booked via JustPark / YourParkingSpace | £5–£20/day | Best value in central London |
Pre-booking through a parking app can save you 40–70% versus turning up and paying at a car park machine. The savings are particularly dramatic at NCP car parks in central London where a walk-up rate might be £50/day but a pre-booked space through an app could be £12–15.
These apps can help you find and pre-book parking at significant savings. Some also offer affiliate programmes — marked below.
Book private driveways and car parks. Often the cheapest option for central London. Huge range of locations near major attractions.
Find parking →Marketplace for parking spaces. Good for daily, weekly or monthly options. Very competitive on price for central areas.
Compare spaces →Pay for on-street parking via your phone. Used by many London boroughs — no need to find a pay machine or return to add time.
Download app →Pre-book NCP and APCOA car parks at a big discount versus walk-up rates. Good for airports and central London.
Pre-book NCP →Compare prices across all nearby car parks. Good for finding the cheapest option near a specific destination. Free to use.
Compare prices →Similar to RingGo — used by several London boroughs for on-street parking payment. App or website, no coins needed.
Get the app →* Some links above may be affiliate links. JamCams.co.uk may earn a small commission if you book through these links, at no extra cost to you. This does not influence our recommendations.
If you're travelling into central London, parking at an outer Tube station and taking the Underground in is often the most practical and affordable option. The Tube journey into central London costs no more whether you travel from Zone 2 or Zone 6, so driving to an outer Zone 4–6 station can dramatically cut your parking cost.
Good options for Park & Ride into London:
Most of inner London's streets are covered by Controlled Parking Zones (CPZs) — areas where parking restrictions apply during defined hours. Signs on each street tell you the hours and the type of bay (resident permit holders, pay & display, loading only etc.).
Key rules to know:
Sunday is often free for on-street parking across many London boroughs — but not all. Always check the signs on the specific street.
Parking charges and restrictions vary by borough and change frequently. Always check signage on the specific street. For official parking information, contact your local London borough council.