I love Edinburgh so much. I wish I lived here, the city is buzzing with history while buzzing with culture, and the people are so bubby with kind enthusiasm. But with just under 3.7 million visitors a year, parking your car here is no fun at all. You can pay a smacking £27.50 to park here if you’re not careful.
But we are here to help and have visited Edinburgh with the sole purpose of finding the best spots to park, not only cheaply, but where to park your car in Edinburgh for free. So read on
Free Parking in Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
There is a good choice of free parking spots in Edinburgh, from free parking and rides, free on-street parking, and even superstore car parks that are free to park for only a limited time. Here are public roads with free parking in Edinburgh:
- St Margaret’s Loch 2 hr limit
- Meadowbank Shopping Park – 4 hr limit
- Waitrose Comely Bank – 2 hr limit
- Regent Place – on street
- Sauchiebank – on street
- Iona Street – on street
- Hermiston – Park & Ride
- Newcraighall – Park & Ride
- Sheriffhall Park – & Ride
Read on as we share with you many tips and hidden locations that will all save you money.
Free Parking in Edinburgh City Centre
Is there free parking in Edingburgh city centre? Between superstore car parks and on-street parking, there are great opportunities to park in, or very near to Edinburgh city centre for, we recommend:
- Dryden Street
- Redbraes Place
- St Margaret’s Loch 2 hr limit
- Meadowbank Shopping Park – 4 hr limit
- Waitrose Comely Bank – 2 hr limit
- Regent Place – on street
You can also download our bespoke Google map of all the Best Free Parking Spots in Edinburgh, including Free Parking near Newkirkgate Shopping Centre, and Ocean Terminal in Edinburgh City Centre.
Free on Street Parking Edinburgh
At first, it seemed impossible, but I looked very hard for you and found some absolute gems of where to park in Edinburgh for FREE. Here are some great on-street parking in Edinburgh that I found, where you can park for free:
- Bangholm Place
- Rosebank Road
- Salmond Place
- Waverley Park
- Priestfield Road
- Macdowall Road
- Midmar Gardens
- Ashley Drive
- Craigleith Crescent
Free Parking near Edinburgh Waverly Station and Old Town
The following roads are between a 15 and 25-minute walk from Edinburgh Old Town, Lawnmarket, and Edinburgh Waverly train station:
- Tytler Gardens
- Milton Street
- Waverley Park
- Lyne Street
- Abbey Street
- Lady Menzies Place
- Maryfield Place
- Regent Place
- Waverley Place
Other amenities in the Old town near these free roads are St Margaret’s Well, Regen Road park, Montgomery Street park, and Carlton hill
Free Parking in Edinburgh New Town
The roads listed below are between 15 and 25 minute walk to Edinburgh New Town
- Murano Place
- Albert Street
- Spey Street Lane
- Spey Terrace
- Dryden Street
- Dryden Gait
- Arthur Street
- Waverley Place
- Lady Menzies Place
Other amenities in the New town near these free roads are Multrees Walk, Waverley Mall, Craigleith Retail Park, and Drylaw Shopping centre.
Free Parking near Edinburgh Botanical Gardens
Here are roads near the Edinburgh Botanical Gardens where you can park absolutely free of charge:
- East Fettes Avenue
- Ferry Road
- Arboretum Road – North End Only
- Wardie Avenue
- Wardie Road
- Clark Road
- Warriston Road
- Bangholm Grove
- Bangholm Road
If you want a Map of the Best Free Parking in Edinburgh, Click Here
Free Parking near Royal Edinburgh Hospital
Here are roads near to the Royal Edinburgh Hospital where you can park absolutely free of charge
- Bruce Street – Little road
- Balcarres Street
- Belhaven Terrace
- Craighouse Gardens
- Craighouse Avenue
- Plewlands Avenue
- Saint Ninian’s Terrace
- Craighouse Terrace
- Craighouse Road
Free Parking near Western General Hospital, Edinburgh
Here are roads near Western General Hospital where you can park absolutely free of charge
- Davidson Road
- Davidson Park
- Grigor Avenue
- Grigor Drive
- Kimmerghame Place
- Telford Drive
- Easter Drylaw View
- Easter Drylaw Bank
- Easter Drylaw Avenue
Free Parking near the University of Edinburgh
Here are the best roads near Western General Hospital where you can park for free
- Tytler Gardens
- Waverley Park
- Milton Street
- Abbey Lane
- Marchhall Crescent
- Marchhall Road
- Kirkhill Gardens
- Kirkhill Terrace
- Priestfield Road
If you want a Map of the Best Free Parking in Edinburgh, Click Here
Free Parking near the University of Edinburgh – Kings Buildings
These are the best roads near the University of Edinburgh, Kings Buildings where you can park for free:
- Observatory Road
- Ladysmith Road
- Blackford Hill Rise
- Rankin Drive
- Langton Road
- Rankin Avenue
- Lussielaw Road
- Lygon Road
- Savile Place
If you want a Map of the Best Free Parking in Edinburgh, Click Here
Free Parking in Edinburgh after 6 pm and on Sundays
Free Parking in central Edinburgh can be had in many locations after 6 pm and often all day on Sundays. Please remember to check the sign before leaving your vehicle in the restricted parking zones in Edinburgh.
Here are just some roads in central Edinburgh where you can park free on Sunday and after 6 pm:
| Free Parking in Edinburgh after 6 pm | Free to Park | Days |
| Albany Street | 6.30 pm to 8.30 am 6.30 pm to 12.30 pm | Monday to Saturday Sunday |
| Forth Street | 6.30 pm to 8.30 am All-day | Monday to Saturday Sunday |
| Gayfield Street | 5.30 pm to 8.30 am All-day | Monday to Friday Saturday and Sunday |
| East London Street | 5.30 pm to 8.30 am All-day | Monday to Friday Saturday and Sunday |
| Great King Street | 5.30 pm to 8.30 am All-day | Monday to Friday Saturday and Sunday |
| Chester Street | 6.30 pm to 8.30 am All-day | Monday to Saturday Sunday |
| Merchiston Park | 5.30 pm to 8.30 am All-day | Monday to Friday Saturday and Sunday |
| Maxwell Street | 5.30 pm to 8.30 am All-day | Monday to Friday Saturday and Sunday |
| Henderson Place Lane | 5.30 pm to 8.30 am All-day | Monday to Friday Saturday and Sunday |
Free Disabled Parking in Edinburgh City Centre
Below are 9 free disabled bays in Edingburgh city centre:
- George St, Westbound
- Charlotte Square
- King’s Stables Road
- Johnston Terrace
- India Place
- West Register Street
- Waterloo Place
- St. Giles Street
- Glenogle Road
Free Motorcycle Parking in Edinburgh City Centre
Where can you park your motorbike in central Edinburgh for free? Here are roads in Central Edinburgh with free motorcycle parking bays:
- Roseberry Crescent
- Rothesay Terrace
- Westhall Gardens
- Walker Street
- Castle Street
- Young Street
- St Ninian’s Row
- Simon Square
- South College Street
For a full list of all council provided Motorcycle bays in Edinburgh
Free Parking Close to Edinburgh Airport
Is there free parking near Edinburgh Airport? I am delighted to tell you that over a thousand free parking spaces are available just a 15-minute walk from Edinburgh Airport at Ingliston Park And Ride. Just park your car and walk up Eastfield Road onto Jubilee road to the airport entrance
Free Overnight Parking near Edinburgh
Where is there Free Overnight Parking near Edinburgh? Both on-street parking and park and rides near Edinburgh, where you can park overnight free of charge. These are:
- Merchiston Grove
- Lyne Street
- Arboretum Road – North End Only
- Ravelston Dykes
- Dalmeny Street
- Hermiston Park And Ride
- Ferrytoll Park & Ride
- Ingliston Park And Ride
- Sheriffhall Park And Ride
Cheap and Low-Cost Car Parks in Edinburgh
Here are the cheapest 1, 2, 4, 8 and 24-hour car parking locations in Edinburgh city
| Cheap Car Parks in Edinburgh | Car Park | Price |
| 1 hour | 27A Nicolson Square | £2.40 |
| 2 hour | Edinburgh Quay | £3.00 |
| 4 hour | Fountain Park | £3.90 |
| 8 hour | Fountain Park | £10.00 |
| 24 hour | Newcraighall Park & Ride | £0.50 |
| 24 hour | Calton Road | £15.00 |
I had to wade through many free car parks to find these car parks that cost the least. So please note what you have above are more central Car parks than if you chose a free car park option instead.
Edinburgh Park & Ride Schemes
There are 7 parks and ride services that are all within a 35-minute bus or train ride into Edinburgh’s city centre. The Park & Rides near Edinburgh are:
- Newcraighall – East Side
- Wallyford – East Side
- Sheriffhall – South East Side
- Straiton – South Side
- Hermiston – South West Side
- Ingliston – West Side
- Ferrytoll – North East Side
These Edingburgh Park and rides are great to use when you are needing to ditch the car for a couple of days in Edinburgh or going on a short trip and need the nearby Airport, or even just coming to enjoy Edinburgh’s great annual festivals like the Fringe, Film, Jazz or Pride Festival.
Please note: Dogs are allowed on Edinburgh Park and ride transportation coming into Edinburgh. But, there may be a restriction on only one dog allowed at a time in one area of the bus by the driver.
I hope this post has answered all the questions you had about finding free car parking in and by Edinburgh city. To help, we have listed them above, but the easiest way to save money, time, and fuss is by downloading our map that has well over 200 locations where you can avoid paying up to £27.50 a day, which is extortionate parking fees.
For you southerners out there, Like me, why not add a few more days on your trip and go visit the buzzing city of Aberdeen while you are in Scotland, we have the Best free parking spots in Aberdeen already researched for you. Or even a night in Newcastle on the way up. Either way, we wish you a safe drive, happy parking, and an amazing visit to Edinburgh city, Scotland.
