Where to Park in Brighton?

Parking. It’s the bane of every car owner’s existence. Whilst to some a good parking spot seems trivial and unimportant, the truth is it’s anything but. A good parking spot can make or break a day out.

With many a seaside visit from my childhood, I was marred by searching for a place to park for an hour. But, what if you had a simple guide, a cheat sheet even, of low-cost, efficient places to park? Saving you the hassle of searching all day, and having to spend half your fish-and-chip budget on a place to leave your vehicle. Read on to find out about free/cheap places to park in Brighton as well as some parking on offer depending on what area you choose to visit.

‘The cost of paid parking varies around the city. It is important to check the signs and lines when parking, to ensure you are parked in the correct bay and that you are not parking for longer than allowed‘ – Brighton and Hove City Council

Places To Park in brighton – 2024

Suggestions For public parking options in brighton by area

The Marina Car Park

The Marina provides a car park with room for 1500 cars. It is situated next to a veritable smorgasbord of restaurants, along the marina, and the undercliff, a lovely seaside strolling location, for some sea-side air and views.

Best of all though, it’s free to park for Marina visitors, for anytime under 4 hours. 4 hours is not enough and you’re on a tight budget? Well, you didn’t hear it from me, but the ASDA car park, not 30 seconds away, also offers free parking for 3 hours. Nothing is stopping you from taking advantage of both by having your lunch/early dinner at the marina and moving car parks afterwards.

As the marina is a little bit of a walk from Brighton’s centre, I would recommend parking here and enjoying the marina, then going somewhere else closer to where you want to be and paying for an hour or two. If you are spending the night, you could take advantage of the many parking zones that are free to stay between 8 pm-9 am. It is, however, the easiest and largest free parking in Brighton.

West Hove (zone l)

West Hove is essentially free parking daily, however, it has a quirk to stay mindful of. From midday to 6, and 7 pm to 11 am, you can park freely. The eagle-eyed readers will have picked up that for 2 hours every full day, you can’t park here. This is to stop people from leaving their cars overnight, or even longer.

Of course, you can still park here most of the day, and night; so long as you come back for your car at 11 am and 6 pm. The obvious inconvenience is if you’re parking for the day, having to move it for an hour. I used to work in West Hove, and it was a surreal sight seeing the whole workforce rush out to move their car at 11 sharp to avoid a ticket and re-park at 12.

However, West Hove is also a little out of the way, the combination of having to make sure you move your car for an hour and it is a good walk from Brighton Pier and the lanes does make it quite inconvenient. But, if you are desperate for free parking during your Brighton trip, West Hove is a potential solution. You’ll just have to pay with inconvenience, and some of your time, rather than money. Nothing is ever really free, is it?

Zone P (Hove Park), and Zone S (Elm Grove and Hanover) also operate using this free parking system to avoid non-residents leaving their cars in spaces permanently. Unfortunately, as far as free parking in Brighton goes, that’s all there is. However, there are plenty of cheap, and convenient alternatives.

Cheap Parking – Parking by zone

If you are willing to pay a little for some convenience, the following parking zones all cost; £1.40 for 1 hour, £2.80 for 2, £5.50 for 4 and £7.60 for 11 hours. They are also free from 8 pm to 9 am:

Zone A, Zone E (Preston Park Station, Preston Park North)

Zone C (Queens Park)

Zone F (Balfour Road)

Zone G (Hollingbury Road)

Zone H (Kemptown and Hospital)

Zone I (Craven Vale)

Zone J (Preston Circus)

Zone K (Preston Village)

Zone N (Central Hove)

Zone O (Goldsmid)

Zone Q (Prestonville)

Zone T (Hove Station)

Zone V (Hanover and Elm Grove, yeah it has two zones)

Zone W (Wish Road)

If you are trying to get near the seafront and stay relatively close to the Lanes and central Brighton, Queens Park would be the best option.

Further Parking Price and Zone Information: www.brighton-hove.gov.uk

park and ride options in Brighton

Withdean Sports Complex Park and Ride:

Escape the hassle of city traffic and parking by utilizing the Withdean Sports Complex Park and Ride, courtesy of Brighton & Hove Council. Located at Tongdean Lane (BN1 5JD), the free car park (not available for overnight parking) has a 2-meter height barrier and operates with a convenient bus service.

Opt for the Brighton & Hove Buses app to access the cheapest fares, including the £5 city saver ticket. The 27 bus, running from Tongdean Lane to key city locations, provides frequent services, offering a stress-free journey into Brighton.

Brighton and Hove Albion Park and Ride for match days:

For football enthusiasts, Brighton and Hove Albion offer two park-and-ride options: Mill Road and Brighton Racecourse. The Mill Road site, situated off the A23 dual carriageway, has 450 spaces and is advised for early arrivals.

If full, head to Brighton Racecourse with 700 parking spaces, accessible via A23/London Road. Both sites are served by wheelchair-accessible buses, ensuring convenience. Plan your match day travel carefully to avoid congestion, and enjoy a smooth journey to the stadium.

Parking apps and websites you can use

Just Park – Great Before Arrival

Just Park offers a hassle-free solution to parking, allowing you to guarantee a space before setting off to Brighton. With a vast network of bookable parking spaces, including private driveways, the website and app provide a seamless experience. You can easily find, book, and manage parking spaces, saving time and money.

The platform offers peace of mind, allowing users to see exact costs, extend their stay, and receive all essential information through their JustPark account. The service accommodates both short-term and long-term bookings, with monthly payments and an easy extension process through the user-friendly app.

Click here for safe, secure and affordable parking in Brighton – Just Park

PayByPhone – Great Upon Arrival

PayByPhone revolutionizes parking in Brighton with its convenient and accessible mobile payment system. Available for all parking bays across the city, users can pay without cash, and extend parking time remotely. The service offers flexibility, allowing registration online or through the app, with payment options including credit/debit cards, Google Pay, and Apple Pay. Additionally, the ability to extend parking sessions via the app adds a level of convenience, eliminating the need to rush back to the car.

Alternative Transportation Options

Renowned for its walkability, Brighton invites visitors and residents alike to explore on foot, immersing themselves in the city’s unique atmosphere. The Brighton train station is located in the heart of the city centre and is only a 10-minute walk from the seafront and most of the city centre.

Brighton also offers a great bus network, with regular buses running around town. Although the Brighton and Hove Buses may not always be reliable and may have slight delays, they can get you from one part of town to the other in less than 5 minutes granted there’s no traffic.

If the weather is warm or you generally enjoy cycling, you can find Beryl BTN Bikes around Brighton which are available to rent. The Beryl BTN Bikeshare scheme offers 780 bikes, featuring 60% e-bikes and 40% pedal-only bikes. With 82 hubs across the city, you can purchase 2-day, 7-day, and 30-day options, providing flexible pricing, and there’s even a pay-as-you-ride tariff option.

Frequently asked questions:

1. Is it difficult to park in Brighton?
   Yes, finding parking in Brighton can be difficult, especially during busy periods or in the heart of the city. On-street spaces are taken quickly, and paid parking facilities may be full. Make sure to arrive early to secure a spot.
2. Is there free parking in Brighton and what time is it free to park?
   Limited free street parking is available in some areas of Brighton. Free parking times vary, but generally, on-street parking may be free before 9 am and after 8 pm. Always check local signage for specific information and consider paid parking or park-and-ride options to guarantee a parking spot.
3. How does street parking work in Brighton?
   Street parking operates with pay-and-display machines; payment methods include coins or mobile apps. Be aware of time restrictions and permit zones.
4. Are there any overnight parking facilities in Brighton?
   Some car parks offer overnight parking. Check with specific providers for rates.
5. Can I reserve parking in advance in Brighton?
   Yes, some car parks allow you to reserve parking spots in advance. Please check their websites for more information.
6. Are there electric vehicle charging stations in Brighton parking areas?
   Yes, there are electric vehicle charging stations around Brighton even on on-street parking.
7. Does Brighton Beach have parking?
   Brighton Beach has limited parking. Spaces may be scarce during peak times, and you may want to consider paid parking in the nearby city centre.
8. Where to park in Brighton for a day trip?
   If you’re coming for a day trip, we recommend that you park at the Brighton Centre Car Park or the Churchill Square Car Park. Both are centrally located.