Many of us love heading into the city. It can be for many different reasons. Maybe you work in the city so commute into it every day, or a few times a week with flexi-working. Perhaps you are a sports fan and spend most weekends at inner-city stadiums. It could even be that you love going to concerts and there are some amazing venues in the city for gigs. Whatever the reason, we all need to get there. Public transport is expensive these days, with train fares skyrocketing. Even with the price of petrol going up, if you have a car, it seems easier and more affordable to drive yourself. You can leave when you want and stick to your own timetable rather than one stuck to a bus stop. The only issue is parking. Where do you park in the city without breaking the bank? Let’s have a look at options for cheap parking in city centre.
Multi Storey Car Parks
Lots of cities make use of space for parking by having multi storey car parks. You know the ones where you drive up and up and up the ramps and eventually you find a tiny space to try and squeeze into. These are often run by NCP or Q-Park, amongst other names. Whilst they can be quite expensive, they are convenient. However there are ways to cut the cost to get cheap parking in city centre.
If you are using one of these car parks often, you might be better off getting a season pass. This can help you work towards cheap parking in Birmingham city centre. For example, with a NCP Season Ticket you could save up to 70% on your parking costs. Another idea is personalised offers. Be sure to sign up to newsletters and parking websites as you might be sent discounts.
I regularly check my Santander customer offers on my banking app. Q-Park is pretty much always on there with an offer to get cashback. Another great way to lower your parking in Newcastle or parking Cardiff city centre costs.
Join The Halfords Motoring Club & Get Rewarded
Park Out Of The City & Walk In
Something I do a lot if I have the time, is to park outside of the city and walk in. This isn’t appealing to many people as they like to be as close as possible to where they are going. However is can be a great way to get cheap parking in Liverpool city centre (or just outside) and free car parking in York city centre.
Use Google maps and streetview to find a spot where you can leave you car and then safely walk to where you need to be. We did this when we went to a gig in Manchester and parking was £10 or £15 for a car. I spotted a road to leave the vehicle and then we walked less than a mile to the venue. At one point we were actually walk quicker than the traffic was moving.
I much prefer this as you can get cheap parking in city centre or even free! Plus you don’t have to queue to get out a multi storey car park for anywhere between 20minutes and a couple of hours. This slashes the price of parking in York city centre and can even get you on your way home quicker.
Rent A Space
Did you know that you can rent a space on a website or app before you even head off on your travels? There are great sites like JustPark and Your Parking Space where you can book spaces where you want them, when you want them. You can also get 2.4% cashback via Quidco when you book a space with Your Parking Space. This is available for all bookings and should pay out within 8-12 weeks. Further reducing your parking expenses.
Some people who live in the city and have driveways but no cars often rent their parking spaces out. Take a look on local Facebook groups or simply keep your eyes peeled when you are driving through the city. There was recently a report of a man turning his driveway into a full car park as there was demand for it due to him living near a hospital. Charging £5 for all day parking undercut the prices elsewhere. It also gave him a profit whilst helping people with cheap parking in Birmingham city centre.
Whether you are looking for parking in Bristol or cheap parking in Sheffield, there are plenty of ways to cut the cost of parking your vehicle. Leaving you to enjoy the reason you were heading into the city in the first place.
