This page was last updated in October 2023
Free and Paid Parking in Manchester
Table of Contents
While ParkingScout takes every step to ensure that the parking information provided is accurate at the time of writing, parking prices and availability change with time. ParkingScout accepts no responsibility for any fines or tickets, or loss of or damage to property as a result of using our website.
Happy parking!
Free, Unrestricted Residential Streetside Parking
One of the best ways to find free parking is to use residential streets around the city. This isn’t usually an option if you don’t know a city very well. We’ve compiled a list below, arranged into directions from the city centre and including walking distances to Manchester City Centre on Gould Street.
North Manchester
There are lots of options in the north of the city that aren’t too much of a distance from the centre. On a walk from this direction you can stop along the way to see things like the Museum of Transport, the Irish World Heritage Museum, and several large parks and green spaces. The streets further away from the centre are particularly convenient for the North Manchester General Hospital.
- Rome Road M40 7RL – 0,6 miles
- St Chads Street M8 8QA – 0,7 miles
- Knowsley Street M8 8GF – 0,8 miles
- Fern Street M8 8GW – 0,8 miles
- Empire Street M3 1JB – 0,8 miles
- Bent Street M8 8NF – 0,9 miles
- Camberwell Street M8 8HG – 0,9 miles
- Stocks Street M8 8GG – 0,9 miles
- Blacklock Street M8 8HX – 1,1 mile
- Barker Street M3 1FF – 1,1 mile
- Hoyle Street M12 6HG – 1,1 miles
- Woolley Street M8 8WE – 1,1 miles
- Sherborne Street M3 1JS – 1,1 miles
- Cheetwood Road M8 8AQ – 1,4 miles
- Nolan Street M9 5UH – 2,2 miles
- Beeston Street M9 5UL – 2,2 miles
- Ventnor Street M9 5UN – 2,2 miles
- Towton Street M9 4JA – 2,3 miles
- Caversham Drive M9 4JH – 2,3 miles
- Hallworth Road M8 5UW – 2,4 miles
- Enver Road M8 5UN – 2,4 miles
- Hillier Street North M9 4JB – 2,5 miles
- Duchess Road M8 5UP – 2,5 miles
- Whiston Road M8 5AU – 2,5 miles
- Peakdale Avenue M8 5QB – 2,6 miles
- Cobden Street M9 4DY – 2,7 miles
- Melbourne Street M9 4EH – 2,7 miles
- Willow Hill Road M8 5SG – 2,7 miles
- Sherdley Road M8 4GP – 2,8 miles
- Bank Road M8 4QE – 2,8 miles
- Saxon Avenue M8 4QH – 2,9 miles
- Quilter Grove M9 8DE – 3,1 miles
Parking on the eastern side of the city is probably the most convenient for getting into the centre of Manchester. Walking in from this direction can take you by both Etihad and Manchester City stadiums. Entertainment venues like Hope Mill Theatre and The Warehouse Project are also on the way, with several museums and galleries just a short way off-piste.
- Rodney Street M4 6JJ – 0,6 miles
- Bothwell Road M40 7NY – 0,6 miles
- Garforth Avenue M4 6LA – 0,7 miles
- Heyrod Street M1 2WW – 0,7 miles
- Adair Street M1 2NQ – 0,7 miles
- Wadeford Close M4 6LP – 0,7 miles
- Woodward Street M4 7JW – 0,8 miles
- Longham Close M11 3WA – 1,5 miles
- Isca Street M11 3RN – 1,6 miles
- Townley Street M11 3RQ – 1,7 miles
- Cyclone Street M11 3RG – 1,7 miles
- Siam Street M11 3RH – 1,7 miles
- Metcombe Way M11 3BY – 1,9 miles
- Stockholm Street M11 4FQ – 2,3 miles
- Langness Street M11 4SN – 2,4 miles
- Beede Street M11 2AT – 2,2 miles
- Eccleshall Street M11 4SH – 2.6 miles
South Manchester
Coming from a southerly direction will mean you get to the city centre via the Gay Village and the Northern Quarter. There are a lot of museums, galleries, and shops dotted around these areas of Manchester. Some of the streets listed are of the closest distance to the centre.
• St Andrews Square M1 2NS – 0.8 miles
• Temperance Street M12 6HR – 1 mile
• Helmet Street M1 2NT – 1 mile
• Chapelfield Road M12 6JL – 1.1 miles
• Hulme Street M1 5GL – 1.1 miles
• Higher Ardwick M12 6BZ – 1.3 miles
• Pittbrook Street M12 6JX – 1.4 miles
• Rockdove Avenue M15 5EH – 1.4 miles
• Hunmanby Avenue M15 5FE – 1.5 miles
• Humberstone Avenue M15 5FD – 1.5 miles
• Beattock Street M15 4JA – 1.7 miles
• Angela Street M15 4HY – 1.7 miles
• Hyde Grove M13 9LQ – 1.9 miles
• Cecil Street M15 6GD – 2 miles
• Hyde Place M13 9LG – 2 miles
• Radnor Street M15 5RD – 2.1 miles
• Denmark Road M15 6GQ – 2.1 miles
• Hathersage Road M13 0JQ – 2.2 miles
• Moss Lane M14 4LA – 2.2 miles
The next group of streets are slightly further out from the city centre, but are more convenient for other places including Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester University, Manchester Museum, The Whitworth, Manchester Academy, and the Victoria Baths.
• Olney Street M13 0EN – 2.3 miles
• Rusholme Place M14 5TE – 2.3 miles
• Banff Road M14 5TA – 2.3 miles
• Westwood Street M14 4SW – 2.3 miles
• Naburn Street M13 0FL – 2.3 miles
• Oxford Place M14 5RR – 2.4 miles
• Heald Place M14 4HX – 2.4 miles
• Upper Park Road M14 5RU – 2.4 miles
• Deramore Street M14 4DT – 2.4 miles
• Maine Road M14 4FS – 2.5 miles
• Acomb Street M14 4DZ – 2.5 miles
• Daisy Bank Road M14 5QD – 2.6 miles
• Conyngham Road M14 5EA – 2.6 miles
This final group of southern streets are a lot further out from the centre of Manchester, so are probably less convenient for that area. However, we’ve included them because they are all around the Old Trafford area. Parking here puts you close to the Trafford Centre, Old Trafford Stadium and Cricket Ground, o2 Victoria Warehouse, The Quays, and the Coronation Street Tour. There are also several museums here including the IWM North, Ordsall Hall, and the Manchester United museum.
• Leighton Road M16 9WU – 2.9 miles
• Morland Road M16 9PA – 2.9 miles
• Headingley Drive M16 0JP – 3.5 miles
• Great Stone Road M32 0XA – 3.6 miles
• Milton Road M32 0TQ – 3.8 miles
• Radnor Street M32 8LE – 4.3 miles
• Cyprus Street M32 8BD – 4.3 miles
• Lester Street M32 8BS – 4.3 miles
• Howard Street M32 8BW – 4.3 miles
• Henshaw Street M32 8BT – 4.4 miles
• Bennett Street M32 8SG – 4.6 miles
• Lacy Street M32 8LX – 4.6 miles
• Brunswick Street M32 8NJ – 4.7 miles
• Highfield Road M32 8NQ – 4.8 miles
• Ryecroft Road M32 9BU – 4.8 miles
• Cherry Tree Walk M32 9AT – 4.9 miles
West Manchester
There are less options for free residential parking in the west of the city. On the way into the centre, you can pass Peel Park, People’s History Museum, Science & Industry Museum, several live music venues including the Opera House and The Bridgewater Hall, and the Manchester Central Convention Complex.
• Tudbury Way M3 6TW – 1.3 miles
• St Simon Street M3 7ES – 1.3 miles
• Burton Walk M3 6FG – 1.4 miles
• Barnett Drive M3 6WH – 1.4 miles
• Cannon Street M3 7EU – 1.4 miles
• Duncan Street M5 3SQ – 1.9 miles
• Parsonage Close M5 3GS – 2 miles
• Asgard Grove M5 3TR – 2 miles
• St Bartholomews Drive M5 3GT – 2.1 miles
• Chancel Avenue M5 3SJ – 2.1 miles
• Fairbrother Street M5 3EN – 2.2 miles
• Steeple Drive M5 4SB – 2.8 miles
• Montford Street M50 2XD – 2.9 miles
• Olympic Court M50 2QP – 3 miles
• Michigan Avenue M50 2GY – 3.2 miles
• Dakota Avenue M50 2PU – 3.3 miles
• Waterside M17 1WD – 3.4 miles
• Elevator Road M17 1BR – 3.7 miles
• Circle South M17 1NF – 3.8 miles
When parking in a residential street, bear in mind the rules for street parking. Do not park on double-yellow lines or over driveways and entrances. Keep noise to a minimum, particularly in the evenings. Be sure to check for any parking restriction signage before leaving your vehicle, and remember that you park there at your own risk.
These free parking options still come at some kind of a cost – time and effort. Some of the streets are a fair distance from the centre of Manchester and require walking, which can be difficult for several groups of people including disabled people, the elderly, and young children.
Flying out of Manchester Airport soon?
If you’d prefer the convenience and security of using a paid parking service at or close by the airport, Cheap Airport Parking offers a range of Manchester airport parking options.
Free Parking after 8pm/Overnight
Manchester’s controlled parking zones operate between 8am and 8pm. This means that you may park in any pay-and-display bay overnight without incurring any fines. Please remember to park safely when leaving your car on the street overnight, and be sure to remove any valuables from sight. The distances provided are to Manchester Art Gallery, located right in the heart of the controlled parking zone.
- Saint James’s Square M2 6DN – 0.3 miles
- Fountain Street – 0.2 miles
- Great Jackson Street M15 4NP – 0.8 miles
- King Street West M3 2PW – 0.4 miles
- York Street M1 7DE – 0.1 miles
- Dantzig Street M4 4BF – 0.6 miles
- Lloyd Street M2 5LE – 0.3 miles
- Princess Street M1 4HT – 0.1 miles
- Deansgate M1 4HT – 0.4 miles
- Hilton Street M1 2EF – 0.5 miles
Manchester Park and Ride
A great way to save on parking is to make use of Park and Ride services. While this often requires leaving your car in a secure parking lot a few miles from your destination, Manchester Park and Ride service providers offer free parking provided you buy a transport ticket. Even with the price of the ticket included, this option will typically end up saving you both money and time spent stuck in traffic.
- Crumpsall Metrolink M8 4ED
- Stretford Metrolink Park and Ride M32 8HW
- Ladywell Metrolink Park & Ride M5 5AT
- Heaton Park Metrolink Park and Ride M25 1SS
- Sale Water Park Park and Ride M33 2LX
- Prestwich Metrolink Park and Ride M25 1BP
Free Car Parks in Manchester
- Harpurhey Centre Car Park M9 4BP – maximum 3 hours
- Stretford Mall Car Park M32 9BD – maximum 3 hours
- Trafford Centre Car Park M17 8AP
Looking for long or short-term parking near Manchester Airport?
ParkingScout has you covered with our detailed guide to parking options near Manchester Airport.
Cheapest Parking Options in Manchester
If you’d rather have the convenience and security of a paid car park, there are many options – but it can get steep very quickly. We’ve compiled the cheapest car parks here, including postcodes:
- 220 Granby Row M1 7AJ – £3 for 2 hours
- New Wakefield Street M1 5NR – £3 for 2 hours
- Port Street Central M1 2EQ – £3 for 2 hours
- 10 Dantzic St M4 2AD – £3.50 for 2 hours
- The Parking Space M60 0TL – £4 for 2 hours
As in any city, Manchester can be difficult to find reasonably-priced parking in. Armed with the information on this page, we hope that you’re able to save a lot of time and money and simply enjoy your visit to this busy, interesting city.
Free and Paid Parking Near Popular Manchester Locations
Free Parking Near Old Trafford Stadium & The Trafford Centre
Free Parking Near Arndale Shopping Centre
Free Parking Near Manchester Piccadilly Station
Free Parking Near Manchester Airport
If you’d prefer the convenience and security of using a paid parking service at or close by the airport, Cheap Airport Parking offers a range of manchester airport parking options.
Free Parking Near Manchester AO Arena
Free Parking Near Etihad Stadium
Visiting Manchester
Manchester is a large city of over half a million inhabitants in north-west England. Home to the world’s first inter-city passenger railway station and the place where Rutherford split the atom in 1917, Manchester has a long and rich history including being an important port and industrial city. There is also a thriving arts scene with bands like Oasis and Take That hailing from Manchester. There are an abundance of live music venues and festivals throughout the year, many museums and galleries, and bustling nightlife. Manchester is also known for its Gay Village, an LGBT+ friendly area that attracts 20,000 visitors every weekend.
One of Manchester’s biggest draws is sport, with both Manchester United and Manchester City being hugely popular football teams. The city has several impressive venues for football, cycling and rugby. Almost a million people travel to Manchester every year for football alone, making sport a profitable and important part of the city’s culture.
