Portsmouth Parking

On-street parking in Portsmouth can be especially complicated. This is because there are more than 30 residents’ parking zones in operation across the city. These parking restrictions are convenient for local residents but add an extra challenge for visitors and non-permit holders.

Whether visitors and non-permit holders can park in residents’ parking areas varies from zone to zone. On some streets, you are allowed to park without a permit for up to two hours free of charge, while in other streets this is limited to one hour. In other areas, there are no free parking provisions at all.

The hours of operation of residents’ parking restrictions also vary from road to road. In some areas, the parking schemes operate at all times, while in others the restrictions are lifted after a certain hour.

Even if you manage to avoid the residents’ parking zones and find an available space, central Portsmouth parking charges can be pricey, with spots in prime on-street locations costing as much as £1 per 20 minutes.

Portsmouth had its own airport from 1932 until 1973. Nowadays, the former airport site houses residential buildings, industrial sites and a school, and Portsmouth’s nearest airport is Southampton Airport.

Southampton Airport has its own car park, but especially if you’re planning on staying for a while, it can get a bit pricey. YourParkingSpace has plenty of spots available near the airport, at prices that won’t break the bank.

There is lots to do in Portsmouth, from shopping at the Gunwharf Quays retail park to soaking up some history at the Charles Dickens Birthplace Museum. In the Southsea area, you can find a Tudor castle with its own small museum, the Blue Reef Aquarium, and the Cumberland House Natural History Museum. In the southern end of the island is also a beloved seaside resort, complete with a pier and an amusement park. There’s something for all the family.

 Many of Portsmouth’s landmarks are related to the city’s rich naval history. Among the most popular attractions is The D-Day Story, which tells the tale of Operation Overlord during the Normandy D-Day landings and has the Overlord Embroidery on permanent display. The city is also home to several famous ships. HMS Victory, Horatio Nelson’s flagship, is open to visitors as a museum ship and attracts around 350,000 visitors per year.

You can find convenient and cheap parking in Portsmouth city centre close to all these unmissable spots, as well as other popular destinations, including:

• Parking in Portsmouth near Guildhall
• Parking in Portsmouth harbour
• Parking in Portsmouth University
• Parking in Portsmouth for the ferry

Car

Although you might expect Portsmouth’s island location to make it isolated, it enjoys excellent connections by road to the rest of the country. London is only an hour and a half away via the A3, while visitors from Southampton, Bournemouth and the West can reach Portsmouth on the M27.

If you don’t want to take your car into the city centre, Portsmouth has a Park and Ride service on the M275, from which buses depart every 10, 15 or 30 minutes depending on the day and the area of the city you are going to.

Train

There are regular direct trains from Portsmouth’s two main stations, Portsmouth and Southsea Station and Portsmouth Harbour Station, to Southampton, Cardiff, Brighton, London Waterloo and London Victoria.

Portsmouth Harbour Station is also an important transport terminal, with a bus interchange and ferry services to Gosport and the Isle of Wight.

There are eight electric car charging points in Portsmouth, including convenient locations like:

• Portsmouth High Street
• Clarence Pier Car Park
• Seafront The Esplanade Car Park

For a map of all the electric vehicle charging points in Portsmouth and beyond, check the government’s Go Ultra Low website.

Disabled parking permits, also known as Blue Badges, provide a national scheme of parking concessions for disabled people with severe mobility problems. Blue Badge holders are allowed to park in designated disabled parking bays, helping them to find a convenient space close to their destination.

Disabled parking bays are identifiable by a sign reading ‘Disabled badge holders only’. You must display a valid Blue Badge while parked in a disabled parking bay. If you park without displaying a Blue Badge, you may receive a Portsmouth parking ticket, and these can be expensive.

If you would like to apply for a Blue Badge, you can check your eligibility on the government website.

In some of the Portsmouth parking permit zones, restrictions are lifted overnight. However, this is not the case in all Portsmouth parking zones, so be sure to read the signs before you park.

If you leave plans to the last minute, there’s no need to worry. You can reserve a driveway, parking space or garage to rent in Portsmouth at any time of the day or night - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can even book on the move by downloading our free app for Android and Apple, making overnight parking in Portsmouth even easier.

If you own an unused driveway, underground parking space, or even a lock-up garage in Portsmouth, you could be using it to make some extra cash. List it on YourParkingSpace, set your price, and watch the bookings roll in - car parking in Portsmouth is in high demand so you could score a simple second income in no time.

How much is parking in Portsmouth?

A resident of Portsmouth parking permit for one vehicle costs £30 per year, while prices for on-street parking in Portsmouth vary depending on the area, ranging from 90p per hour in Cosham and Fratton to £1.80 per hour on the seafront and £1 per 20 minutes in prime areas.

How much is parking at Portsmouth Train Station?

There are two main stations in Portsmouth: Portsmouth and Southsea, and Portsmouth Harbour. Portsmouth and Southsea Station has 26 parking spaces at a daily rate of £8.90, while Portsmouth Harbour Station doesn’t have its own car park.

Find short or long term parking near both the stations at competitive prices on YourParkingSpace.

Is there overnight parking in Portsmouth?

Overnight parking is available in most off-street car parks in Portsmouth and is generally affordable. 

What time is free parking in Portsmouth?

Charges for street parking in Portsmouth, and when these charges apply, differ depending on the area. On some streets, charges apply at all times, and in others, parking is free after 6pm and before 8am. Charges usually apply seven days a week, making it difficult to find free parking in Portsmouth on Sundays.

Check the signs for the exact Portsmouth parking charges and their hours of operation.

How much is parking in Portsmouth city centre?

Parking in the Isambard Brunel multi-storey car park in the city centre costs £1.60 per hour. On-street parking in Portsmouth city centre also costs £1.60 per hour, although some of the busiest areas are designated ‘Prime’ parking zones. In these ‘Prime’ areas, parking costs £1 per 20 minutes.