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Parking In Manchester City Centre: The Cheapest & Best Parking Spots

Key Summary

Whether you’re going for a shopping trip, meeting friends for some lunch, or even visiting Manchester’s famous museums, sometimes it’s easier to drive into the city centre instead of having to put up with public transport.

But with a maze of one-way systems, bus lanes to avoid and a million car parks to choose from, it can be really tricky trying to work out where to park. Once you do pick somewhere, how do you know if you’re actually getting a good deal? Is it worth paying a few extra pounds to park somewhere closer to where you’re going?

Well don't worry, Marsh Finance has taken a look at car parks across the city to work out where the cheapest places are to park near where you want to go.

Victoria Station / NOMA Parking

Parking near Victoria Station is probably the cheapest option available in Manchester City Centre. So if you’re happy to walk to your final destination, we definitely recommend parking here!

Best Parking Spots For The Printworks, Manchester Cathedral, National Football Museum, Selfridges, Harvey Nichols, St Ann’s Square, Marks & Spencer, Manchester Arndale, Shudehill, Chetham's School of Music and Royal Exchange Theatre.

  • RED BANK (M4 4HF): This massive car park has 420 spaces and a flat rate of £3 per day, no matter how long you stay. Perfect for a long day of shopping or exploring the city.

  • DANTZIC STREET (M4 2AE): This tiny gem has only 17 spaces, so it's a bit of a gamble, but it's in a great location. Parking starts at £2.30, and you can stay for 12 hours for £5.80.

  • PARK PLACE (M4 4EY): Need a quick parking spot? Park Place offers 12 hours of parking for £3 on weekdays and just £2 on weekends.

  • TOTAL CAR PARKS, 87 ROCHDALE ROAD (M4 4HY): This affordable option starts at £1 and offers 24-hour parking for just £4.

  • RCP PARKING LTD, HANOVER STREET (M4 4BB): Perfect for events at the Manchester Arena, this car park offers 4-hour parking for £8 and all-day parking for £12. It also has disabled spaces and online booking available (book parking in advance online).

Castlefield / Deansgate Parking

Best Parking Spots For: Midland Hotel, Radisson Hotel, Hilton Deansgate, Cloud 23, Banyan Tree, Barca, Dukes 92, The Wharf, Albert’s Shed, Castlefield Gallery, Castlefield Bowl, Akbars, Indian Tiffin Roof, Dmitris, Evuna, MOSI (Museum of Science & Industry), HOME, Bridgewater Hall, Everyman Cinema, Royal Exchange Theatre, Junkyard Golf, Manchester Central Convention Complex.

  • GREAT JACKSON STREET (M14 4PA): This city council-run car park offers great rates for shorter stays. Park for up to 3 hours for just £2.50, or grab a full day pass for £7.50. Even better, parking is free on bank holidays!

  • SIP GREAT JACKSON STREET (M15 4PA): This socially conscious car park (SIP stands for Simple Intelligent Parking) offers reasonable rates. Park for 3 hours for £4.50, 10 hours for £7, 12 hours for £8, or 24 hours for £10.

  • SIP DUKE STREET (M3 4JL): Located near MOSI, the Hilton, Everyman Cinema, Castlefield Bowl, and the Odeon, this car park is perfect for exploring Deansgate. Park for 4 hours for £4, 8 hours for £5, 12 hours for £7, or 24 hours for £8.

  • SIP COLLIER STREET (M3 4NA): This centrally located car park offers flexible parking options. Park for 2 hours for £2, 4 hours for £4.50, 8 hours for £6, 12 hours for £7, or 24 hours for £12.

Spinningfields Parking

The best parking spots for The Oast House, San Carlo, People's History Museum, The Ivy, John Rylands Library, Rudy's, Fazenda, Manchester Crown Court, Boujee, Great Northern, Manchester Opera House, House of Fraser, Hawksmoor, 20 Stories, and Dishroom.

  • NCP Spinningfields: This popular car park offers discounted rates if you pay with the NCP app. Parking for 5-6 hours costs £29.70, but you can save some money by using the app.

  • King Street West: This Manchester City Council car park offers 4-hour parking for £20.20 and 24-hour parking for £32.50.

  • NCP Stanley Street and New Bailey: Located across the River Irwell, these NCP car parks offer similar rates, with 4-hour parking for around £20 and 24-hour parking for around £25.

  • SIP BOOTLE STREET (M2 5GU): This small car park has 17 spaces and offers flexible parking rates. Park for 4 hours for £6, 10 hours for £12, or 24 hours for £17. Please note that parking is not available on Saturdays from 8am to 2pm.

  • BRIDGE STREET CAR PARK (M3 5AH): This 24-hour car park is operated by Manchester City Council and is located near the River Irwell. It's cashless parking only and offers 1-hour parking for £4.50 and a maximum stay of 4 hours for £12.

Northern Quarter & Ancoats Parking

Best Parking Spots For: Pollen Bakery, The Jane Eyre, Malmaison, TNQ - The Northern Quarter Restaurant & Bar, Seven Bro7ers, Hope Mill Theatre, Band on the Wall, Fred Aldous, Mackie Mayor, Companio Bakery, Yard and Coop, Elnecot, Frog and Bucket, Rudy’s, Pull Up Bar and Café, The Butcher’s Quarter, Ducie Street Warehouse, Double Tree Hilton, The Hip Hop Chip Shop, Takk, Dakota Grill and Hotel, Bundobust, Twenty Twenty Two, The Abel Heywood Pub & Boutique Hotel, Halle St Peter’s, and Piccadilly Station.

  • Dantzic Street (Total Car Parks): This small car park offers parking for just £18 per day.

  • Edge Hill Street (SIP): Another budget-friendly option, with rates starting at £16 per day.

  • MCC Northern Quarter Carpark (Tib Street): This centrally located car park offers parking for around £6 per day.

  • CitiPark (Tariff Street): Park here for £15 per day.

  • SIP Pigeon Street and Ducie Street: These car parks are both located near the Northern Quarter and offer parking for £6 per day.

  • Printworks Multi-Storey (with 777 spaces): This large car park offers 24-hour parking for £22 on Saturdays.

Again, availability and prices may vary, and so it is best to check the websites or contact the facilities for the most up-to-date information.

Parking Near Oxford Road

Best Parking Spots For: Manchester Academy, The Whitworth, KroBar, St Mary's, Manchester School of Art, RNCM, Manchester Museum, Gorilla, Big Hands, Sandbar, Manchester University, HOME, Hatch, Kimpton Hotel, MMU, Contact Theatre, Wood, The Deaf Institute, Holiday Inn Express, and MRI.

  • University Campus Parking: Many car parks on campus are operated by Apcoa and offer rates around £15 per day. You can find parking on Upper Brook Street and Higher Cambridge Street sides.

  • Charles Street, Aquatics / Booth Street East, Booth Street West, and Cecil Street: These university-run car parks are convenient options for students and staff.

  • On-Street Parking: There are plenty of on-street parking bays around the back of MMU, towards Hulme and Moss Side. Some are pay-and-display, while others are free. You might be able to snag a free spot after 8pm 😉.

Parking Near Canal Street, Chinatown, Sackville Street

Best Parking Spots For The Richmond Tea Rooms, Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre, Manchester Art Gallery, Gay Village, Manchester Chorlton Street Coach Station, Hotel Brooklyn, Palace Theatre, and Manchester Piccadilly.

  • BLOOM STREET (M1 3HH): Park for 4 hours for £9.50 or 9 hours for £13.50. If you park overnight (after 5pm and before 6am), it's only £7.50.

  • NCP SACKVILLE STREET (M1 3LY): This award-winning car park offers safe parking, but it's not the cheapest. Park for 3-4 hours for £19.80 or 24 hours for £32.95. Save some money by paying with the NCP app.

  • Q-PARK PIAZZA, ST JAMES STREET (M1 4LX): This underground car park has 225 spaces, including disabled parking. Prices start at £2.70 per hour and go up to £32 per day. You can book your parking space online in advance.

  • MANCHESTER UNIVERSITY MULTI-STOREY, CHARLES STREET (M1 3BB): This massive car park has 808 spaces, so you'll likely find a spot. It offers disabled parking and costs £7.70 for 5 hours or £16.50 for 24 hours.

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