For a day in Cambridge, Park & Ride is the cheapest option: the operator lists parking as free for up to 18 hours at all five sites, with an adult bus return at £4.50. In the centre, Cambridge City Council's 2026/27 parking order sets Grand Arcade and Park Street at £3.70 for an hour on weekdays, and Queen Anne Terrace at £2.60, with evenings there free from 6pm.
Where should I park in Cambridge?
Free parking for up to 18 hours at five sites. Adult bus return £4.50, up to three children free.
£2.60 for an hour on weekdays, £24 for over 6 hours, and free from 6pm to 8am.
951 spaces, 1.98m height limit, open 24 hours. £3.70 for an hour on weekdays, £1.80 an hour in the evening.
Key takeaways
- Park & Ride parking is free for up to 18 hours. A stay over 18 hours costs £10, £20 or £30 depending on length, up to 72 hours.
- Queen Anne Terrace is free from 6pm to 8am and the cheapest multi-storey by day, at £2.60 for an hour on weekdays.
- Grand Arcade and Park Street cost £3.70 for an hour on weekdays, £4.70 at weekends, and £33.50 or £36.50 for over 5 hours.
- Grand Arcade has a 1.98m height limit and no EV charging yet. Park Street has EV charging bays.
- Castle Hill, Gwydir Street and Riverside surface car parks are free in the evenings and overnight.
Where are the car parks in Cambridge?
Tap a pin for prices, the address and directions. Teal pins are council car parks and purple pins are Park & Ride sites.
Pin positions are approximate. Use the address or the directions link to find the entrance. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
How much do Cambridge's council car parks cost?
These are the charges in Cambridge City Council's Off-Street Parking Places (Amendment No. 5) Order 2026, operative from 1 April 2026. The daytime tariff applies to entries between 8am and 6pm (10am on Sundays), and the evening rate runs from 6pm to 8am.
| Car park | Up to 1 hour | Up to 2 hours | Up to 3 hours | Up to 4 hours | Up to 5 hours | Over 5 hours | Evenings, per hour |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Arcade (weekday) | £3.70 | £7.40 | £11.10 | £16.00 | £26.80 | £33.50 | £1.80 |
| Grand Arcade (weekend) | £4.70 | £9.40 | £14.10 | £19.20 | £29.70 | £36.50 | £1.80 |
| Park Street | Same as Grand Arcade | £1.80 | |||||
| Grafton East and West (weekday) | £3.10 | £6.20 | £9.30 | £14.40 | £23.50 | £30.60 | £1.30 |
| Grafton East and West (weekend) | £4.00 | £8.00 | £12.00 | £17.00 | £26.50 | £33.70 | £1.30 |
| Queen Anne Terrace (weekday) | £2.60 | £5.30 | £8.00 | £10.70 | £13.40 | 6 hours £18, over 6 hours £24 | Free |
| Queen Anne Terrace (weekend) | £3.30 | £6.60 | £9.90 | £13.00 | £15.60 | 6 hours £21, over 6 hours £26 | Free |
The council's Grand Arcade page states that a stay crossing two tariffs is charged as the sum of both, and that a lost ticket is charged from 8am on the day of entry.
What do the surface car parks cost?
From the same 2026/27 order, all free in the evenings and overnight:
| Car park | Hours charged | Price | Maximum stay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Castle Hill | Monday to Saturday 8am to 6pm, Sunday 10am to 6pm | Up to 2 hours £3.20, 2 to 4 hours £6.40, over 4 hours £10. Sunday all day £5 | None listed |
| Adam and Eve Street | Monday to Saturday 8am to 6pm, Sunday 10am to 6pm | £1.50 per 30 minutes (£3 an hour) | 4 hours |
| Gwydir Street | Monday to Saturday 8am to 6pm | £1.30 per 30 minutes (£2.60 an hour). Free Sundays | 4 hours |
| Riverside | Monday to Saturday 8am to 6pm | £1 per 30 minutes (£2 an hour). Free Sundays | 8 hours |
Is there a Park & Ride in Cambridge?
Yes, five sites: Trumpington, Madingley Road, Milton, Newmarket Road and Babraham Road. The operator lists parking as free for up to 18 hours, an adult return at £4.50, a small group ticket at £10 and a large group at £15, with up to three children under 16 travelling free with each fare-paying adult. Parking beyond 18 hours is allowed up to 72 hours at £10 for 18 to 24 hours, £20 for 24 to 48 and £30 for 48 to 72.
Which car parks fit a tall vehicle, and where can I charge?
| Car park | Address | Spaces | Max height | EV charging | Open |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Arcade | Corn Exchange Street, CB2 3QF | 951, including 34 Blue Badge bays | 1.98m | Not yet | 24 hours |
| Park Street | Park Street, CB5 8AS | 222 | Not listed by the council | Yes, EV bays | 24 hours |
| Queen Anne Terrace | Gonville Place, CB1 1ND | Not listed by the council | Not listed by the council | Not listed by the council | 24 hours |
The council states that coaches are not allowed at Grand Arcade, Park Street or Queen Anne Terrace, and sends them to Madingley Road Park & Ride.
Do Blue Badge holders pay to park in Cambridge?
In the council's multi-storeys, the first three hours have been free for Blue Badge holders who show the badge to a car park attendant at Grand Arcade, Park Street, Grafton East, Grafton West and Queen Anne Terrace, according to the council's car park charges report. The council's current car park pages refer to free hours before the standard tariff applies, and Grand Arcade has 34 Blue Badge bays.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest way to park in Cambridge?
Park & Ride. The operator lists parking as free for up to 18 hours at all five sites, with an adult bus return at £4.50 and up to three children under 16 free with each paying adult.
How much is Grand Arcade car park?
£3.70 for up to an hour on weekdays and £4.70 at weekends, rising to £33.50 and £36.50 for over 5 hours, under the council's 2026/27 parking order. Evenings and overnight are £1.80 an hour.
Which Cambridge car park is free in the evening?
Queen Anne Terrace. The council's 2026/27 order lists its evening and overnight rate from 6pm to 8am as £0.00. Castle Hill, Gwydir Street and Riverside are also free in the evenings.
Is there a height limit at Grand Arcade?
Yes, 1.98 metres (6 feet 6 inches), according to the council. Coaches aren't allowed in any of the multi-storeys and are sent to Madingley Road Park & Ride.
Do Blue Badge holders park free in Cambridge?
The council has given Blue Badge holders their first three hours free at Grand Arcade, Park Street, Grafton East, Grafton West and Queen Anne Terrace, on showing the badge to an attendant. The car park pages refer to free hours before the standard tariff applies.
Can I leave my car overnight at Park & Ride?
Yes, for up to 72 hours. The operator charges £10 for 18 to 24 hours, £20 for 24 to 48 and £30 for 48 to 72.
Related guides
Sources
- Cambridge City Council: Public Off-Street Parking Places (Amendment No. 5) Order 2026, charges 2026/27
- Cambridge City Council: Grand Arcade car park
- Cambridge City Council: Park Street car park
- Cambridge City Council: Queen Anne Terrace car park
- Cambridge Park & Ride: Pricing
- Cambridge City Council: Revised car park charges report (Blue Badge free hours)
Prices are taken from Cambridge City Council's 2026/27 parking order and the Park & Ride operator on the date shown above, and can change. Check the machine or sign before you pay.