Where to Find Affordable Parking Before Your Birmingham Commute

Commuting in Birmingham in 2026

For many people across Birmingham and the wider West Midlands, the daily commute is starting to look more like it did pre-pandemic. 

Office attendance is increasing, peak travel times are busier again, and congestion is becoming a familiar frustration, particularly for those driving into the city or combining car journeys with public transport.

While major investment in rail, tram and bus networks is underway across the region, many commuters still rely on their cars for at least part of the journey. That makes parking an increasingly important, and often overlooked, part of keeping commuting costs under control.

Why Parking Is Back in Focus in Birmingham

As employers bring staff back into offices more frequently, average commute times around Birmingham are rising. Roads into the city centre and key employment areas are busier, while city-centre parking remains limited and expensive.

For drivers, this often means:

• Higher daily parking charges in central locations

• Increased competition for station and workplace parking

• Added pressure from congestion and Clean Air Zone charges

• Less flexibility when commuting patterns change week to week

Rethinking the Birmingham Daily Drive 

Rather than driving all the way into the city centre, many Birmingham commuters are opting for a park-and-ride approach: driving part of the way, then finishing the journey by train, tram or bus.

Popular options include parking near:

• Park in Sutton Coldfield for rail services into New Street

• Reserve Parking Near Selly Oak for south-west routes

• Find a Space Near Smethwick stations on key rail corridors

Parking slightly further out can reduce both stress and cost, particularly when combined with reliable public transport links.

Parking in Birmingham City Centre

Despite the rise in park-and-ride, many commuters still drive directly into Birmingham city centre, particularly those working long or irregular hours. Areas around New Street and Snow Hill remain popular for weekday parking.

City-centre spaces can be more expensive and fill up quickly, so booking ahead or choosing locations just outside the core can help reduce costs while staying within walking distance of offices and transport hubs.

Why Monthly Parking Makes Sense

With more consistent office attendance, commuters are increasingly looking beyond daily pay-and-display parking. 

Monthly parking, often on residential driveways or smaller private sites, can work out significantly cheaper per day and removes the uncertainty of finding a space during peak hours.

Longer-term parking options offer:

• Predictable monthly costs

• Less time spent searching or circling

• Flexibility for hybrid or part-week commuting

As Birmingham’s transport network evolves, this kind of stability can make a noticeable difference to the daily routine, whether you’re parking and riding, or parking directly in the centre.

For Birmingham Residents: Make Use of Your Driveway

Rising commuter demand isn’t only affecting drivers, it’s also creating new opportunities for homeowners. In neighbourhoods close to busy stations, Metro stops, and major bus corridors, off-street parking is increasingly sought after by regular commuters looking for a reliable alternative to city-centre car parks.

For Birmingham residents with a driveway or unused parking space, renting out your driveway on a longer-term basis can provide a steady source of income, particularly as office attendance becomes more consistent again. 

Why homeowners are choosing to rent out their space:

• Consistent, long-term bookings from regular commuters

• A simple way to earn passive monthly income

• Full control over when the space is available

Birmingham: A Changing City, A Changing Commute

Major projects across the West Midlands, from rail improvements and Metro extensions to cleaner buses and smart road technology, are reshaping how people move around the region.

But during this transition, commuters still need solutions that work now and JustPark is what helps drivers find, book and manage parking with confidence, even as the network evolves.