Let’s first talk about Cardiff and then, we will explore the best parking spots there, both free and paid.
Cardiff, located in south Wales, is only an hour’s drive west of Bristol via the Severn Bridge. It is the largest city in Wales, with a population of 360,000, and a population of nearly 500,000 in the surrounding area. Remember that Wales has a population of only 3 million people, with the largest population centers in the far north and south. The Taff, Ely, and Rhymney rivers all join the mighty Bristol Channel in Cardiff. When you cross the Welsh border, the first thing you’ll notice is that everything is written in Welsh and English, but in Cardiff, only about 30% of the locals speak Welsh, with English being the dominant language.
Cardiff was a pre-Roman settlement founded by the iron age Silures tribe that was conquered by the Romans in the AD 50s. They built a fortress there, which the Norman conquerors later rebuilt. There is very little information available about what happened in Wales after the Romans left the British Isles. Cardiff was heavily bombed during WWII due to its large port, and later as part of the Blitzkrieg campaign against civilians. Cardiff was granted city status in 1905 and was designated as the capital in 1955, displacing tiny Machynlleth. It grew rapidly in the nineteenth century due to its proximity to the sea, from which it exported coal during the industrial revolution and beyond. In the mid-1980s, Margaret Thatcher’s government ended the coal industry in Wales, laying off tens of thousands of miners.
Cardiff is extremely proud of its superstar singers, including Shirley Bassey and, most recently, Charlotte Church. Then there’s Roald Dahl, the world-famous children’s author who has inspired millions of children all over the world. His books have been translated into numerous languages and are still widely read today.
Cardiff is now a thriving metropolis with three universities and the renowned Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. The nightlife is accordingly spectacular, so you’ll be able to find whatever you’re looking for. It is completely LGBT+ friendly, and people can be themselves without fear of receiving strange looks.
Rugby is a big deal in Wales, even more so than football. The Millennium Stadium, also known as the Principality Stadium, is the home of the Welsh rugby team and a popular tourist destination for sporting events. You can see Cardiff City play football in Cardiff City Stadium, as well as the world-famous Cardiff Devils ice hockey team and the Glamorgan Cricket team. Cardiff is a sporting powerhouse.
Cardiff Castle is a popular tourist destination. It has a 2,000-year history and attracts nearly 400,000 paying visitors each year. If history isn’t your thing, you should visit the beautiful Cardiff Bay lake. It’s a freshwater lake with a beach, cafes, and restaurants, as well as a Norwegian church. It is well worth a visit.
If you have a creative mind or curious children, you must visit the Techniquest interactive science museum and prepare to have your mind blown!
With so many tourists visiting each year, finding good parking or free parking can be difficult. Fortunately, we’ve done all of the legwork for you. Scroll down to find every type of parking option imaginable, in convenient locations.
Now let’s explore, where we can find Free and Paid Parking Spaces in Cardiff!
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 Parking in Cardiff
Free, unrestricted residential street parking
Nowadays, everyone should think about saving money. Making use of free residential street parking is a great way to save money. No one will notice that you are not a local, and it is not illegal in any case. Many of you will have traveled a long distance to get to Cardiff, and it’s always a good idea to stretch your legs after a long drive. Scroll down to see some great free residential street parking spots in the city’s north, west, and south. We’ve also mentioned some interesting sights to see on your way to the center.
Please keep in mind that, while there is nothing wrong with parking in residential areas, you should be extra cautious about noise and how you park. We keep this site up to date, but you should also keep an eye out for any new parking regulations that have recently been implemented. Check for any notices left by locals and, of course, don’t block anyone’s driveway or park too close to someone else’s car. The distance between the following locations and Cardiff Central Station is given.
North
If you’re driving down from the north, there are some good street parking options only a half-hour walk from Cardiff Central Station. You can stop in the Woodville gastropub for some good grub and a quick half pint! We strongly advise you to cross the tracks and go to Bute Park. This will take you right past Cardiff Castle, or you could take a different route and visit the Museum of Cardiff. There is also the Cardiff Market, which has been in operation for 300 years. There are great gifts and food from all over the world to be found there.
- Harriet Street CF24 4BW – 1.5 miles
- Richards Street CF24 4DP – 1.5 miles
- Flora Street CF24 4EQ – 1.5 miles
- Fanny Street CF24 4EX – 1.6 miles
South
If you’ve just spent a wonderful day on Barry Island and plan to drive up from the south-west, there are a few good options very close to Cardiff’s center. Silurian Park is worth a visit, and Craiglee Drive Children’s Playground is another park with a great kids play area. You can also go a little further and see the lovely river Taff as it flows gently towards the Bristol Channel.
- Redlaver Street CF11 7LY – 0.7 miles
- Llanmaes Street CF11 7LR – 0.8 miles
- Letton Road CF10 4AB – 0.6 miles
- Loudoun Square (2h max) CF10 5JH – 0.7 miles
- Hannah Street (2h max) CF10 5LP – 0.8 miles
- Barquentine Place CF10 4NF – 0.7 miles
- Halliard Court CF10 4NJ – 0.9 miles
West
Do you intend to drive in from Pembrokeshire or Swansea? We’ve got you covered with the three options listed below. It’s well worth taking a peaceful stroll through Sanatorium Park before immersing yourself in the hectic city vibes. There are also several sports clubs in the area, including the Cardiff Central Stadium, so depending on whether or not there is a game, these parking options may be extremely crowded. The walk to town takes only 30 minutes, and the residential streets are very nice. You’ll also pass by Neighbourhood Kitchen & Cocktails on Tudor St in case you get hungry.
- Sudcroft Street CF11 8DF – 1.2 miles
- Leckwith Place CF11 6HR – 1.1 miles
- Broadhaven CF11 8DB – 1.3 miles
Free after 10pm/Overnight Parking
These are all excellent options for overnight parking, but make sure you leave before the traffic wardens begin patrolling in the morning to avoid parking tickets. Don’t forget to check the street signs for parking violations to avoid fines.
- Augusta Street CF24 0ER – 0.8 miles
- Beauchamp Street CF11 6AW – 0.4 miles
- Clare Street CF11 6BB – 0.5 miles
- Despenser Street CF11 6AG – 0.5 miles
- Gloucester Street CF11 6EL – 0.5 miles
- Dinas Street CF11 6QZ – 0.4 miles
- Clare Gardens CF11 6EN – 0.5 miles
- West Close CF10 5LD – 0.9 miles
Park and Ride Services
You can park for free at County Hall car park (except on major event days) and take the number 6 Cardiff Bus into Cardiff city centre from Hemmingway Road bus stop.
● County Hall Park & Rides CF10 4UW – southcentral Cardiff
● Park and Ride West CF11 8AE – west of Cardiff
● Cardiff East Park & Ride CF23 8HH – northeast of Cardiff
Cheapest Paid Car Parks
If money isn’t an issue and you just need to find a parking spot in a convenient location, here’s a comprehensive list of the cheapest car parks in Cardiff.
- NCP Pellett Street CF10 4FD – £2.90 for 2 hours
- John Lewis Car Park CF10 2EN – £3.00 for 2 hours
- St Davids Car Park CF10 2EN – £3.00 for 2 hours
- Car Park The Capitol Shopping Centre CF10 2HH – £3.00 for 2 hours
- Cardiff Barrage Car Park CF64 1TP – £3.30 for 2 hours
- Sophia Gardens Car Park C11 9SZ – £3.40 for 2 hours
- Havannah Street Car Park CF10 5SG – £3.40 for 2 hours
- Red Dragon Centre Car Park CF10 4JY – £3.50 for 2 hours
Free short-term parking (2h or less)
Take advantage of the free parking options available in commercial retail parks, including train stations. To avoid potential fines, make sure you leave before your two-hour time limit expires.
- ● IKEA Cardiff CF11 0XR
- ● Selco Builders Warehouse Glynstell Close CF11 8EY
- ● Cardiff Bay Retail Park CF11 0JR
- ● Asda Cardiff Bay CF11 0JR
- ● Tesco Extra CF14 3AT
- Dave Evans & Gerhard Dippenaar Parkingscout.co.uk Cardiff Version 1.0
- ● Sainsbury’s CF23 9XN
1 thought on “Free and Paid Parking in Cardiff in 2024 with Google Map Marking”