Best Free Parking in Glasgow, UK – Helpful 2023 Guide

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Glasgow Free Parking in Glasgow

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Glasgow is a wonderful place to visit and it has all that you can want in abundance. Whether you are visiting for a day of shopping or here for the weekend or more there are lots here to discover and enjoy. Cause you can’t start enjoying the culture and rich heritage till you can get out of your car, and do that you need to have found somewhere to park that doesn’t make you feel like they saw you coming.

Free Parking in Glasgow City, UK

Where is there FREE Parking in Glasgow? Here are roads in Glasgow city centre where you can park your vehicle for free from 6 pm to 8 am, seven days a week:

  • St Vincent Place
  • West George Street
  • Bath Street
  • West Regent Street
  • Lister Street
  • Cochrane Street
  • Oswald Street
  • West Campbell Street
  • Wellington Street
  • St James Road

Parking in Glasgow can be expensive, and no one likes the sour flavour that paying high parking fees puts in your mouth when visiting a new town or city. That is why I have done the groundwork for you and visited, researched and created this helpful post, as well as a super convenient Google map of all the Best free parking spots in Glasgow.

Free Parking in Glasgow – What to Know

At the end of the day what everyone wants is for you to have a great experience when visiting Glasgow. Being navigated straight to the Best Free Parking Spots with our map is a great start, but there are a few simple tips to keep in mind when parking up.

A lot of our recommendations are residential roads and so extra care of common courtesy should be used here. Here are a few tips for a great parking experience in Glasgow.

  • Check the parking signs before leaving your vehicle
  • Avoid parking in front of driveways
  • Park close to the kerb, to avoid a ticket for double parking
  • Make sure your vehicle is locked

Central Glasgow Streets with Free Parking

The boundaries of Glasgow city centre are generally defined by the M8 motorway to the North and West. The River Clyde to its South and the roads, Saltmarket, High Street and Castle Street to it East. Within these boundaries lays the Glasgow Central Train Station, Glasgow Caledonian University, University of Strathclyde campus and Glasgow School of Art.

As well as some of the city’s most loved shopping centres, like St. Enoch, Princes Square and Buchanan Galleries Shopping Centres. It also has a real gallery, this being the Gallery of Modern Art and Public Library and much more. So you are not surprised to hear that parking your car within Glasgow city centre is heavily restricted. yes, it is, but it’s not completely impossible.

Free Parking in Central Glasgow When you can Park Free of Charge
St Vincent Place6 pm to 8 am Mon to Sun
West George Street6 pm to 8 am Mon to Sun
Bath Street6 pm to 8 am Mon to Sun
West Regent Street6 pm to 8 am Mon to Sun
Lister Street6 pm to 8 am Mon to Sun
Cochrane Street6 pm to 8 am Mon to Sun
Oswald Street6 pm to 8 am Mon to Sun
West Campbell Street6 pm to 8 am Mon to Sun
Wellington Street6 pm to 8 am Mon to Sun
St James Road6 pm to 8 am Mon to Sun
free parking on West George Street glasgow close to glasgow city centre

Free Un-Restricted Parking in Glasgow

If you are looking for completely unrestricted parking in Glasgow, you can park all day and all night. The following roads are closely surrounding Glasgow Central and do allow for 24 hours a day, seven days a week free parking:

  • Watt Street
  • Cedar Street
  • Pinkston Road
  • Rhymer Street
  • Cumberland Street
  • Ballater Street
  • Admiral Street
  • Grovepark Street
  • Royston Road

To be simply navigated to the above & more great free parking options in, and around Glasgow, Download the Free Parking Spots in Glasgow map

Free Parking Near the Universities in Glasgow

There are five universities in Glasgow and if you are a student need to find the nearest roads where you can park for a few days while you study, without paying! Keep reading.

University of Glasgow

The nearest Free roads to the University of Glasgow with unrestricted parking can be found on:

  • Kelvinside Terrace South
  • Wilton Street
  • Kelvinside Gardens
  • Fergus Drive
  • Kelvin Drive
  • Grovepark Street
  • Cedar Street
  • Kirklee Circus
  • Kirklee Road
Free parking on Fergus Dr, Glasgow

For the easiest experience, Download our map of the Best Free Parking in Glasgow

So, there are opportunities when you can park for free within the most central part of Glasgow city. The above road names are helpful, but if you would like to have them already on a Google map, so you can visually see where they are and have navigation just one click away. Buy our bespoke Google map of The Best Free Parking spots in Glasgow

University of Strathclyde

Here are the nearest unrestricted parking spots to the University of Strathclyde:

  • Rhymer Street
  • Claythorn Avenue
  • Dunchattan Street
  • Broompark Drive
  • Onslow Drive
  • Saint James Road – 6 pm to 8 am Mon to Sun only
  • Ingram Street – 6 pm to 8 am Mon to Sun only
  • Cochrane Street – 6 pm to 8 am Mon to Sun only
  • Wilson Street – 6 pm to 8 am Mon to Sun only

For the easiest experience, Download our map of the Best Free Parking in Glasgow

Glasgow Caledonian University

Here are the streets with FREE parking nearest to Glasgow Caledonian University

  • Pinkston Road
  • Fountainwell Drive
  • Huntingdon Road
  • Fountainwell Road
  • Rhymer Street
  • Gadshill Street
  • Lister Street – 6 pm to 8 am Mon to Sun only
  • Renfield Street – 6 pm to 8 am Mon to Sun only
  • Saint James Road – 6 pm to 8 am Mon to Sun only

For the easiest experience, Download our map of the Best Free Parking in Glasgow

Glasgow School of Art

Here are the nearest unrestricted parking opportunities to the Glasgow School of Art

  • Cedar Street
  • Grovepark Street
  • Edington St
  • Barr St
  • Grove Park Gardens

For the easiest experience, Download our map of the Best Free Parking in Glasgow

Royal Conservatoire of Scotland

Here are the streets you can park for FREE nearest to the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Glasgow:

  • Cedar Street
  • Barr St
  • Grovepark Street
  • Grove Park Gardens
  • Edington St
  • Rose Street – 6 pm to 8 am Mon to Sun only
  • Renfield Street – 6 pm to 8 am Mon to Sun only
  • West Regent Street – 6 pm to 8 am Mon to Sun only

For the easiest experience, Download our map of the Best Free Parking in Glasgow

Free Parking on the North Side of Glasgow

If you are arriving on the north side of Glasgow the following roads have unrestricted parking and are free of charge to park on. The best streets on the Northside of Glasgow with FREE Parking are:

  • Pinkston Road
  • Barr Street
  • Edington Street
  • Keppochhill Road
  • Grove Park Gardens
  • Huntingdon Road
  • Kelvinside Gardens
  • Wilton Street
  • Springburn Way

For the free parking streets & more, Download our map of the Best Free Parking in Glasgow

Nearby free parking in Glasgow

Free Parking on the East Side of Glasgow

If you are arriving in Glasgow from the east side of the city, you may wish to take advantage of the roads with free parking, just before you enter the city centre. These are great roads to use if you are planning to visit Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow Cathedral, the University of Strathclyde campus, the Gallery of Modern art of just shop till you drop at St Enoch Shopping Centre

The nearest roads with unrestricted FREE parking on the East side of Glasgow city centre are:

  • Stevenson Street
  • Claythorn Avenue
  • Millroad Street
  • Dunchattan Street
  • Cardross Street
  • Forbes Street
  • Sword Street
  • Reidvale Street
  • Onslow Drive

For the free parking streets & more, Download our map of the Best Free Parking in Glasgow

Free Parking to the South Side of Glasgow

So, you are coming up for a visit. Parking on the south side of the River Clyde, and the south boundary to Glasgow city centre has its advantages. Especially if you are coming to visit Quay Shopping Centre, St. Enoch Centre, Princes Square Shopping Centre, Buchanan Quarter, Savoy Market or even the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital or the city main Glasgow Central Train Station.

Parking for free on the southside of Glasgow is possible on the following roads:

  • Bedford Street
  • Waterside Place
  • Watt Street
  • Craigiehall Place
  • Langlands Avenue
  • Arklet Road
  • Admiral Street
  • Coburg Street
  • Norfolk Court

For the free parking streets & more, Download our map of the Best Free Parking in Glasgow

Free Parking on Bedford Street glasgow, close  to glasgow city centre

Free Parking on the West Side of Glasgow

There are many amenities on the Westside you may need to visit Glasgow for, such as Glasgow University, the stunning Glasgow Botanic Gardens, Gartnavel General Hospital and main Queen Elizabeth University Hospital. Plus the cities greatly loved Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum and further south of Glasgow, there is also the Royal Alexander Hospital and Glasgow Airport.

The best and nearest streets with Free on-street parking to the south side of Glasgow are:

  • Fairlie Park Drive
  • Arnwood Drive
  • Beechwood Drive
  • Kirklee Terrace
  • Greenloan Avenue
  • Poplar Avenue
  • Kildonan Drive
  • Renfrew Road
  • Hatfield Drive

For the free parking streets & more, Download our map of the Best Free Parking in Glasgow

Glasgow International Airport

Also on the Southside of Glasgow city is the main Glasgow International Airport. The nearest roads with un-restricted FREE parking to Glasgow International Airport are:

  • Abbotsinch Road
  • Marchburn Drive
  • Marchfield Avenue
  • Osprey Crescent
  • Mosslands Road
  • New Inchinnan Road
  • Shortroods Road
  • Springbank Road

For the free parking streets & more, Download our map of the Best Free Parking in Glasgow

Free Car Park in Glasgow City, Scotland

Free Car Parks in GlasgowRestricted TimesFree
The Quarys
Customers Only
6 am to 1 pm
Mon to Sun
Up to 4 hours free only
1 pm to 6 am
Mon to Sun
Free
Tesco plc
St Rollox Business Park

Customers Only
8 am to 10 pm – Mon to Sat
8 pm to 10 pm – Sun
Up to 2 hours free only
CHECK SIGNS
BEFORE LEAVING
YOUR VEHICLE
The Forge Retail Park
Customers Only
8 am to 8 pm
Mon to Sun
Up to 4 hours free only

Up to 2 hours free only on Matchdays & Events days

Please check the signs before leaving your vehicle outside these times
Newton Station Park & RideMon to Sun
Up to 2 hours free only
Please check the signs before leaving your vehicle outside these times
Neilston Park & RideMon to Sun
Up to 2 hours free only
Please check the signs before leaving your vehicle outside these times
Tesco Car Park
Kelburn Street
7 am to 10 pm Mon to Sat
8 am to 10 pm Sun
Up to 2 hours free only
Please check the signs before leaving your vehicle outside these times
Cochrane Street Mon to Sun
Up to 2 hours free only
Please check the signs before leaving your vehicle outside these times

Cheapest Car Parks in Glasgow City Centre

If free on-street parking isn’t for you and you prefer to pay a little for official private run Car Parks.

These are the cheapest and most central car parks in Glasgow city centre:

  • Smart Parking Ltd – G3 8AZ – £6.00
  • NCP King Street – £6.50
  • St. Enoch Shopping Centre – £7.00
  • Q-Park – £7.00
  • Buchanan Galleries – £7.50
  • City Parking LLP – £8.00
  • Smart Parking Ltd – G3 8AZ – £8.00
  • LLP Cathedral Car Park 1 – £8.80
  • LLP Cathedral Car Park 2 – £8.80
  • LLP Cathedral Car Park 4 – £8.80

For the above car parks & free parking spots, buy our map of the Best Free Parking in Glasgow

Cheapest Car Parks in Glasgow City Centre Based on a 4-hour stay
Smart Parking Ltd Car Park£6.00
NCP King Street Car Park£6.50
St. Enoch Shopping Centre Car Park£7.00
Q-Park Car Park£7.00
Buchanan Galleries Car Park£7.50
City Parking LLP Car Park£8.00
Smart Parking Car Park£8.00
LLP Cathedral Car Parks 1, 2 & 4£8.80
Nearby free parking in Glasgow

Cheapest Car Parks in Glasgow

If you are happy to not be directly in the city centre of Glasgow. There are additional savings to be made when using a car park just on the outskirts of the centre. Based on a 4-hour stay, the cheapest car parks in Glasgow are

  • Elliot Street Car Park
  • C.G. Car Park
  • SPT Subway Car Park on Bridget Street
  • SPT Subway Car Park on Shields Road
  • SPT Subway Car Park on Kelvinbridge
  • Smart Parking Car Park
  • Newton Street Car Park
  • Science Centre Car Park
  • City Parking LLP Car Park
Cheapest Car Parks in Glasgow
Based on a 4-hour stay
Elliot Street£2.00
Glasgow Central Mosque
Visitors Only
£3.00
C.G.£4.00
Bridge Street SPT Subway£5.40
Shields Road SPT Subway£5.40
Kelvinbridge SPT Subway£5.40
Smart Parking Ltd£6.00
Newton Street£6.00
Science Centre£6.00
City Parking LLP£6.40

About Glasgow

Glasgow beautiful architectural blend of the modern and the traditional matches its buzzing trendy culture juxtaposed with its old heritage and traditions. Glaswegians are said to be the world’s friendliest people who speak what is nicknamed as Glasgow patter. This is the Glaswegian form of Scots.

Pub, Bars & the Glasgow Nightlife

There are many great pubs and bars worth visiting when in Glasgow and the main area to find them will be on Bath Street, Bath Street Queen Street and George Square in the old city centre.

Glasgow is famous for its whiskey, and there is no better establishment in the city to tickle the pallet than the Potsill on Hope Street. Here you can enjoy a quality dram or two. In fact, there are over 800 whiskies from all around the world at the Potsill alone to choose from.

In Gaelic, the word ‘Glasgow’ means the ‘Dear Green Place,’ So it’s not surprising that the city has over 90 public parks and gardens to enjoy. The finest of these has to be the Glasgow Botanic Gardens to the northwest of the city. The Glasgow Botanic Gardens houses Britons largest standing glasshouse, called the Kibble Palace and is home to trees and plants from five continents and much more.

Glaswegian Dining

Though the Scottish national dish is of course the haggis, Scotch pies and Scottish Salmon. You may be surprised to know that the Scots are very keen on curry. In fact, haggis and curry are simply the culinary demonstrations of how old and new traditions happily co-exist in Glasgow.

The family-run Mother India is the most popular Indian restaurant in Glasgow and pulls in raving reviews from the locals.

Other dishes enjoyed in Glasgow by the locals are Black pudding, Cranachan, Cullen Skink, Macaroni Pie and Chips and the beloved heart attack on a plate, The Scottish Breakfast.

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