Parking in Brighton & Hove — A Local Guide
Where to park, how much it costs, and where to avoid — a complete guide to parking in Brighton & Hove, from council car parks to the Park & Ride and the Controlled Parking Zones.
Parking in Brighton & Hove is expensive and difficult, but it is navigable once you understand the options. The good news: the city has several large council-run car parks with 24-hour access and reasonable rates. The better news: there are excellent alternatives that save money and hassle. Here is what you need to know.
Council-Run Car Parks
Brighton & Hove City Council operates several large car parks across the city, all with clear signage and online payment options.
Regency Square (BN1 2FG). The largest council car park in the city, with 507 spaces and 8 disabled bays. Open 24/7. Height limit 2.13m, and there is no lift — it is an open-air, multi-storey structure. Rates are £5.50 for 1 hour, £10.00 for 2 hours, £17.50 for 4 hours, and £34.50 for 24 hours. Season passes range from £70 per week to £1,920.60 per year (correct at time of writing, July 2026 — always check the council's site for current rates).
Trafalgar Street (entrances at Blackman Street BN1 4DY and Whitecross Street BN1 4DZ). The second-largest option, with 275 spaces and a 2m height limit. Open 24/7 and holds a Park Mark award for safety and management. Rates are £4.00 for 1 hour, £10.50 for 2 hours, £16.00 for 4 hours, and £26.00 for 24 hours. Evening (6pm to midnight) and night (midnight to 8am) parking is a flat rate of £7.50. Season passes are also available.
Other Council Sites. Black Rock (seafront, east Brighton), London Road, Norton Road, and The Lanes car park are smaller council car parks, though details on spaces and rates vary. The Lanes car park offers season passes. Rottingdean (Marine Cliffs/West Street) is at the outer edge of the city. All council car parks accept the standard payment methods.
Private Car Parks
NCP Church Street ("Theatre"), Brighton (BN1 1US). The main private car park in the city, operated by NCP. It has 587 spaces, a 2m height limit, and is open 24 hours. It sits just two minutes' walk from the Theatre Royal Brighton. For current pricing, check NCP's own site — rates change regularly and vary by duration.
Controlled Parking Zones (CPZ)
Brighton & Hove has ten Controlled Parking Zones (lettered A, C, E, F, G, H, I, K, M, Y, and Z, plus some numbered zones). These exist primarily to prevent all-day commuter parking in residential streets. Importantly, the parking restrictions vary by zone. For example, Zone H (around Kemp Town and the hospital area) allows a maximum 4-hour stay between 9am and 8pm Monday to Saturday, but other zones have different limits. Do not assume one rule applies across the city.
The council provides an interactive map on its website showing zone boundaries and exact restrictions. Always check the street signs before you park — this is the council's own standard advice and it is sound. Residents can purchase visitor permits (scratch-card or virtual) for up to 50 visitor permits per 12 months.
Park & Ride
University of Sussex Park & Ride, Falmer (BN1 9RQ). A seasonal option that is returning this week, from Saturday 18 July 2026. It operates from the University of Sussex campus and runs a bus service into the city centre approximately every 12 minutes at peak times. Cost is £6.50 per vehicle (up to 5 occupants). Hours are 9am to 9pm on selected summer weekends and bank holidays, running through 31 August 2026.
Practical Alternatives to Driving
Train. Brighton station has direct trains to London Victoria (about 50 minutes), Gatwick (30 minutes), and across the south coast. Parking at the station is limited, but the train itself is often faster and cheaper than driving into the city centre and paying for parking.
Bus. The city's bus network is comprehensive and reaches all major areas and attractions. Much cheaper than parking, and you avoid the stress of finding a space.
On Foot. Central Brighton and Hove are genuinely walkable. A rule of thumb: avoid driving into North Laine or The Lanes. These are narrow historic streets with almost no useful parking. The council's own advice is to park outside the centre and walk or take the bus in. It works.
Blue Badge and EV Charging
Blue Badge holders park free and unrestricted in pay-and-display bays across the city. EV charging points are available at several locations, with free charging for up to 3 hours at some sites.
The Bottom Line
For a one-off visit, Trafalgar Street is good value for short stays (the hourly rate is lower), and Regency Square offers solid 24-hour rates if you are staying longer. For regular use, season passes make sense. For day visitors, the train from London Victoria is often faster and cheaper than paying £35+ for parking.