Let’s first talk about Glasgow and then, we will explore the best parking spots there, both free and paid.
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland, with a population of approximately 630,000 people and a further million people living in the greater Glasgow area. Despite being Scotland’s largest city, Edinburgh is the country’s capital. Glasgow derives its name from the middle Celtic language Cumbric, which means ‘green valley.’
Glasgow is located on the River Clyde, the UK’s ninth longest river, and was once a vital trading port. With extensive trading routes to and from the Caribbean and North America, Glasgow became known as the ‘second city of the British Empire.’ Glasgow became a major port for shipbuilding, chemical imports, textiles, and marine engineering equipment beginning in the 18th century. As with all empires, Glasgow had a dark side, as it was a major player in the transatlantic slave trade.
Billy Connolly, the legendary comedian, grew up in Glasgow in the 1950s and worked as a welder in the shipping yards. He helped to put Glasgow on the cultural map, and he is one of the most well-known Glaswegians, beloved by millions across the country. He began as a folk singer with rock star Gerry Rafferty until the 1970s, when he launched a successful career as a banjo-picking comedian.
In 2014, Glasgow hosted the Commonwealth Games, which provided a significant boost to the city’s sports infrastructure. The historic rivalry between local football teams Rangers and Celtic is legendary: their football matches were frequently accompanied by massive riots, with intense hatred between Catholic Celtic fans and Protestant Rangers fans. Things have settled down, and Glasgow is now the fifth most popular tourist destination in the United Kingdom.
Glasgow has some breathtakingly beautiful countryside within walking distance of the city. The Kilpatrick Hills to the north provide spectacular views of the city, and there are also some great trails along the River Clyde for those seeking peace and quiet.
The University of Glasgow was founded in 1451, and the city now has four universities. The student population is thriving, and as a result, the nightlife is thriving, with LGBT-friendly events, techno raves, concerts every night, and a plethora of quirky bars and cafes. The city center is located on the northern bank of the River Clyde and is laid out in a grid system, making it very easy to navigate. Because of the abundance of retail stores and brand names, central Buchanan street has earned the moniker “style mile.” Buchanan Street is pedestrianized and has a great atmosphere, and George Square, named after George III, is a must-see. It’s also a fantastic photo opportunity.
Glasgow is home to the Mitchell Library, Europe’s largest public reference library. They have around 1,300,000 books to choose from, including the world’s largest collection of Robert Burns, Scotland’s national poet. You can relax in their cafe, take in the atmosphere, or use one of their many study spaces. It’s an impressive 1910 structure that’s well worth seeing.
The Glasgow Science Centre is full of amazing interactive exhibitions for those of us with inquisitive minds, and it can take up to 4 hours to see everything. The super futuristic building is worth seeing on its own! It is not expensive to enter, and it is ideal for a day trip with your children. You will undoubtedly leave feeling completely inspired.
It’s no secret that Glasgow has a lot to offer, with over 3,000,000 tourists visiting each year. Parking can be difficult, as you can imagine, so keep reading for all of the best free and paid parking options. We’ve also added more interesting attractions located throughout the city.
Important Note:
While UKFreeParking.com takes every step to ensure that the parking information provided is accurate at the time of writing, local ordinances, parking availability, parking prices, and parking regulations change with time.
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Please ensure that you park your vehicle safely and responsibly every time, making sure to adhere to local parking rules, signs, and regulations.
Free Parking in Glasgow
Free, unrestricted street parking
We’re all trying to save money these days, so why not eliminate paid parking entirely? We’ve discovered every single free residential street parking option in Glasgow, and there’s nothing wrong with it. You have the same right to park as the locals, and there are no time limits or parking inspectors to contend with. A mile or two is nothing for a fit and healthy person to walk, and it will provide you with a better understanding of the city’s layout. Stay fit while saving money!
It is all about respect and how you park your vehicle when using free street parking. Although we constantly update this site and check the parking locations, you should always be on the lookout for any new parking enforcements or signs left by your neighbors. Please remember to leave plenty of room for other vehicles and to stay clear of road bends and people’s driveways. You will have no problems if you make as little noise as possible. Last but not least, if you have anything extremely valuable in your car, you should think about secured paid parking. Parking on residential streets is at your own risk. The distances between the following locations are measured in relation to Glasgow Central Train Station.
North
If you are driving down from Loch Lomond, there are plenty of free parking options in Glasgow’s northwestern outskirts. We highly recommend that you walk down the Speirs Wharf canal on your way to the center and look at the narrowboats and small yachts. You can cross the canal via the Loch Bridge, but you will then have to cross the M8 motorway. You will come across the National Piping Centre, a bagpipe museum. When you are in Scotland! The city begins to look a lot nicer at that point, and there are plenty of shops and cafes to stop in if you need a break.
- Cedar Street G20 7NR – 1.4 miles
- Pinkston Road G4 0LP – 1.5 miles
- Grovepark Street G20 7LR – 1.3 miles
- Fountainwell Drive G21 1RR – 1.5 miles
- Huntingdon Road G21 1RS – 1.7 miles
- Edington Street G4 9RD – 1.1 miles
- Barr Street G20 7LR – 1.4 miles
East
Those driving in from the easterly directions of Cumbernauld or Edinburgh can use the following street parking locations, which are only a 30-minute walk from the centre. You can walk down Duke Street all the way to George Square. If you want to sit down, there’s the lovely Ramshorn Church, which has Glasgow’s oldest graveyard. It’s just down the hill from Rottenrow Gardens, a nice quiet green space among the epic grey stone buildings. You might be in need of a stiff drink and possibly a confrontation at this point, so why not check out Flight Club? Aside from that, it’s a fantastic and well-designed bar.
- Claythorn Avenue G40 2HX – 1.0 mile
- Dunchattan Street G31 2NH – 1.5 miles
- Broompark Drive G31 2DP – 1.5 miles
- Onslow Drive G31 2QA – 1.9 miles
- Gadshill Street G21 2NS – 1.6 miles
- Rhymer Street G21 2AB – 1.6 miles
South
There are some decent residential parking spots available here if you are coming up from Kilmarnock on the M77 or from England on the M74. You can cross the Clyde River via the Albert Bridge, with the Glasgow Green on your right. It would be a crime to miss out on this beautiful open space, and the botanical gardens are also worth seeing. Palm trees are uncommon in Scotland. The walk towards the center along Clyde Street is quite charming, and there’s also a lovely footbridge worth seeing.
- Watt Street G5 8RR – 1.0 mile
- Cumberland Street G5 0SH – 1.1 miles
- Ballater Street G5 0YP – 1.0 mile
- Admiral Street G4 1HU – 1.3 miles
- Old Rutherglen Road G5 0UU – 1.2 miles
Free after 6pm & Overnight Parking
The streets listed below are ideal for finding free parking in central Glasgow, but make sure you leave before the traffic wardens begin patrolling the next day to avoid penalties.
- St Vincent Place G2 5UB – 0.4 miles
- West George Street G2 2LW – 0.3 miles
- Bath Street G2 4TP – 0.5 miles
- West Regent Street G2 2SG – 0.4 miles
- Lister Street G4 0BZ – 1.1 miles
- Cochrane Street G1 1GW – 0.6 miles
- West Campbell Street G2 5NW – 0.2 miles
- Wellington Street G2 5SG – 0.2 miles
- St James Road G4 0NT – 1.0 mile
Free short-term parking (2h or less)
The addresses below are commercial centers where you can park for up to two hours. Because they have cameras, it is critical that you leave before your time is up to avoid penalties.
- The Quay G5 8NP
- Crown Street Retail Park G5 0TG
- 87 St John’s Quadrant G41 5SU
- Glasgow Green Football Centre G40 1HB
Park and Ride Services
- Shields Rd Park & Ride G5 8QF – south of Glasgow
- Kelvinbridge SPT Park and Ride G4 9HG – northwest of Glasgow
- Bridge St SPT Park & Ride G5 9NR – central Glasgow
Cheapest Paid Car Parks
If you aren’t looking to save money and prefer a more secure environment, you can use the following paid parking options.
- C.G.CarParkG37HS – £2.00 for 2 hours
- Q-Park Jamaica Street G1 4NL – £4.00 for 2 hours
- Q-Park St Enoch G1 4EQ – £3.80 for 2 hours
- Brown St Car Park G1 4RU – £4.00 for 2 hours
- 53 Washington St G3 8AZ – £4.00 for 2 hours
- Washington Street Car Park G3 8AZ – £3.00 for 2 hours
- Buchanan Galleries Car Park G1 2FF – £3.80 for 2 hours
- Bridge Street Underground Station G5 9NR – £2.70 for 2 hours
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