The temptation to grab the first possible parking space nearest to a hotel or station when on a city break is something many motorists will have experienced, but with the Easter getaway approaching, the need to avoid the eye-watering charges in short-stay car parks in some of the UK’s most popular cities has never been more important.
Short stay train station car parks in two of the UK’s most popular city break locations – Leeds and Liverpool – underline the need to plan ahead, fully research the long-term options and resist the temptation to simply grab a city centre spot.
Liverpool welcomed more than 42.19m tourists in 2021, while Leeds is now becoming ever more attractive to visitors. But their short stay train station car parks are among the most expensive in the country, both charging a brutal £135 for just eight hours.
The third most expensive owned car park for the same eight-hour period is in London’s Knightsbridge, but even when factoring in any additional Congestion Charge and ULEZ costs, this still works out £47.50 cheaper than Liverpool and Leeds.
Highest rates to park your vehicle for eight hours**:
- Liverpool – £135
- Leeds – £135
- London – £60
- Manchester – £45
- Edinburgh – £35.95
- Birmingham – £33.95
- Oxford – £31.50
- York – £30
- Cardiff – £29.95
- Bristol – £26.95
Lee Puffett, Managing Director of Start Rescue, said: “We will be ready to support customers throughout the traditionally busy Easter period, but just as it’s important to ensure your car is fully prepared for a trip so you don’t need Start Rescue’s help at the roadside, it is also essential to do some parking research, especially if you’re planning to take the car into any popular city centre.
“Some of these charges are hefty even by short-term standards and are not going to make anyone’s holiday. Additionally, many car parks are now cashless, so it’s advisable to download the app and ensure payment instructions are understood in advance if you can.
“Long stay car parks and some of the excellent ‘park and ride’ options are always considerably cheaper even if they are not right next to the gallery, restaurant or museums you are planning to visit.”
Start Rescue has a 4.5-star rating on Trust Pilot, a five-star Defaqto* rating and recently achieved Which? Recommended Provider status for the fourth year running. Start Rescue also has a 97% recommendation rate from customers helped at the roadside.
Launched in 2009, Start Rescue is an integral part of the nation’s fourth largest breakdown and recovery service, Call Assist, which now has more than two million UK customers.
