Let’s first talk about Cambridge and then, we will explore the best parking spots there, both free and paid.
Cambridge is located approximately 55 miles north of London. The city, which sits on the River Cam, is best known for its university, which was founded in the 13th century. It has recently become a technological pioneer, producing the AstraZeneca vaccine for Covid-19. Cambridge is located in the heart of the so-called ‘Silicon Fen,’ which is home to a number of high-tech companies. There is also a thriving arts scene, with numerous festivals taking place throughout the year. Cambridge, with its almost year-round student population, is a smaller city of around 150,000 people.
Cambridge, like many other popular cities, can be difficult to find parking in. Because of the city’s age and the listed status of many buildings, many of the streets in central Cambridge are very narrow and offer few parking options nearby. Paid parking can quickly become expensive, and there is a lot of competition for spaces.
On this page, we’ve found the best free parking options in Cambridge, as close to the city center as possible. So, if you’re wondering where to park in Cambridge, check out the map below for a quick breakdown and continue reading for more information on free and cheap parking 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.
UKFreeParking.com accepts no responsibility for any fines or tickets received as a result of using our website.
Please ensure that you park your vehicle safely and responsibly every time, making sure to adhere to local parking rules, signs, and regulations.
Free and Paid Parking in Cambridge
Free Residential Streetside Parking
Parking on residential streets can be a good option in cities. This can be difficult and time-consuming if you are unfamiliar with a location, so we’ve compiled a list of the best streets in Cambridge to find free parking. In descending order of distance from the city center:
- Eltisley Avenue CB3 9JQ, 1.2 miles – Walking from here will take you through beautiful green spaces such as Lammas Land and Coe Fen. The route also passes by the Mathematical Bridge and Pembroke College, as well as numerous museums before reaching the city center.
- CB1 3SX, 2.1 miles – Chalmers Road is a short distance from Cambridge City Airport. On your way into town, you can walk past Cambridge train station and the Botanic Gardens.
- CB1 3LH, 2.2 miles – Similar to the previous street, this street leads south-west to the city center and follows Mill Road. This lively street is teeming with eateries serving cuisine from around the world, as well as world food shops. You can also walk around Parker’s Piece.
- Ward Road CB1 2SY, 2.2 miles – A similar south-westerly street to Norman Way.
- Rosemary Lane CB1 3LQ, 2.3 miles – Another street close to Cambridge City Airport. Again, walking into the city center from the west would take you past many shops, museums, and university buildings.
The main advantage of parking on a residential street (aside from the fact that it is free!) is that you have essentially 24-hour parking and can return to the car whenever you want rather than being restricted to a time limit as you would in a conventional car park.
When parking on residential streets, be considerate of the people who live and work there. Don’t park on double-yellow lines or over driveways, keep noise to a minimum (especially in the evening and at night), and double-check for any signage displaying parking rules, if applicable. You park outside of a secure car park at your own risk.
Free parking can come at a cost in terms of time and effort. It may take longer to locate and park, and there is no guarantee that you will be able to do so. For disabled people, the elderly, and families with small children, walking from the street to the city center can be difficult.
As you can see, there aren’t a lot of free parking options in Cambridge, so we’ve also compiled a list of the cheapest parking we could find in the city for your convenience.
Free after 6:30pm/Overnight Streetside Parking
If you’re looking for something closer to town in the evenings or overnight, these on-street pay-and-display bays might be a good option. While many of these bays have a maximum stay of one hour during the day, they are free to use after 6:30 p.m. and overnight.
- Jesus Lane CB5 8BW – 0.3 miles
- Manor Street 1LQ – 0.3 miles
- King Street CB1 1LN – 0.2 miles
- Free School Lane CB2 1RG – 0.3 miles
- Tennis Court Road CB2 1QJ – 0.5 miles
- Regent Street CB2 1DP – 0.3 miles
- Trumpington Street CB2 1QZ – 0.5 miles
- Park Terrace CB1 1JH – 0.3 miles
- Parkside CB1 1PN – 0.4 miles
Free Overnight Car Parks in Cambridge
- Gwydir Street CB1 2LW – free from 5pm-8am every night
- Sun Street CB5 8DZ – free from 5pm-8:30am every night
- Adam and Eve Street CB1 1DX – free from 7pm-9am every night
- Castle Hill Car Park CB3 0AR – free from 7pm-9am every night
- Lammas Land Parking CB3 9PA – free from 4pm-9pm every night during off-season (Nov 1-March 31)
Cheapest Paid Car Parks in Cambridge
If you are concerned about security and do not want to leave your car on the side of the road, consider these parking lots. They were the cheapest we could find in Cambridge.
- Castle Court Car Park BT1 1EH – £2.80 for 2 hours
- Castle Hill Car Park CB3 0AR – £2.80 for 2 hours
- Adam and Eve Street Car Park CB1 1DX – £4.80 for 2 hours
- 54 Coronation St Car Park CB2 1HJ – £2.95 for 2 hours (booking only)
- Queen Anne Terrace Car Park CB1 1ND – £3.50 for 2 hours
- Riverside Car Park CB5 8HQ – £2.80 for 2 hours (8h max stay)
- Cambridge Leisure Park Car Park CB1 7GX – £3.00 for 2 hours
- Lammas Land Car Park CB3 9PA – £2 for 2 hours
- Cambridge North Station Car Park CB4 1UN – £2.00 for 2 hours
Cambridge Park & Ride Services
The Park & Rides that serve the Cambridge center are a final option to consider. Parking your car is free, but you must pay for the bus. This is frequently much cheaper than using a central parking garage. Other benefits of the Park & Ride include plenty of parking spaces, buses that run frequently (on average every 15 minutes), and the ability to avoid the stress of driving in congested traffic.
You can park for up to 18 hours at a time (any longer incurs a fee), making it an ideal option if you need a longer stay, and car parks are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Air conditioning, free customer Wi-Fi, and USB charging ports are standard on Park & Ride buses. See the table below for information on Park & Rides and bus fares:
- Milton Road: 792 free parking spaces – This bus route comes into the city via the Science Park, over the River Cam and past Jesus College. The route also passes several green spaces including Midsummer Common and Christ’s Pieces.
- Newmarket Road: 873 free parking spaces – This is the most convenient route to access Cambridge City Airport and Cambridge United FC at Abbey Stadium. There are also stops right next to the Grafton Shopping Centre.
- Madingley Road: 930 free parking spaces – Coming in from the west of the city, this bus route offers a good view of a lot of university colleges including Trinity, St. John’s, and Magdalene. Other stops are near historical sites like Castle Hill and Newton’s Apple Tree.
- Trumpington: 1340 free parking spaces – This Park & Ride sits to the south of the city. On the way to the centre, the bus stops off at parks like Lammas Land and the Cambridge University Botanical Gardens, and passes a large majority of the many museums Cambridge has to offer.
- Babraham Road: 1458 free parking spaces – Another southerly car park, most convenient for getting to Royal Papworth and Rosie hospitals. The route also passes by Homerton and Downing Colleges, Cambridge Junction, Cambridge train station, and Parker’s Piece.
The prices for all Cambridge Park & Ride sites are:
- Adult Short Hop £3.00
- Adult Day Rider (including up to 3 children) £3.50
- Group Ticket (for up to 5 people) £10.50
Even though there are fewer options than in many other cities, it is still possible to find free or discounted parking in Cambridge city centre. We hope that by arming yourself with this knowledge, you will be able to save money on parking and fully enjoy your time in Cambridge.
Free & Paid Parking Near Popular Cambridge Locations
You can use the maps below to find both free and paid parking near some of Cambridge’s most popular locations and attractions. The yellow pins on the maps represent free parking, while the P symbol in an orange circle represents nearby paid parking.
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