Find parking in Reading
Information about parking in Reading
Reading is very accessible, situated just off the M4 which can be easily reached via Greater London’s M25 a short drive away – or via the A33, which comes directly from the Southampton-to-London M3.
Reading has a lack of on-street spaces, with very few pay-and-display options and a number of permit-restricted zones, but the town centre does have many high capacity off-street car parks to choose from.
There are 3 park and ride locations serving Reading, for which parking is included in any bus ticket that you buy.
JustPark provides information on lots of parking options across Reading – both on-street and off-street, from driveways to car parks – to help you find the most suitable space.
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Additional Information
Some additional information about parking in reading, to cater to all your parking needs
On-street parking
On-street parking in Reading town centre is somewhat difficult, with only around 250 pay-and-display spaces available throughout the town. Most parking spaces are permit-only restricted and operate primarily for residents. On-street parking is therefore not recommended in the town centre, especially with the amount of off-street parking that is available.
To find information about on-street parking in Reading and see what’s available, you can use our online parking map.
Location Operator Price Max Stay The Forbury/Reading Reading Borough Council £0.60 / 20 minutes 2 hours Valpy Street/Reading Reading Borough Council £0.60 / 20 minutes 2 hours Garrard Street/Reading Reading Borough Council £0.60 / 20 minutes 2 hours Kings Road/Reading Reading Borough Council £0.60 / 20 minutes 2 hours St Mary's Butts/Reading Reading Borough Council £0.60 / 20 minutes 2 hours Off-street parking
There is a great selection of off-street parking options in Reading with several car parks and a huge amount of spaces to choose from throughout the town centre.
With over 900 spaces and in close proximity to Reading train station, one of the most convenient off-street car parks is Reading Garrard Street car park (Garrard Street, Reading, RG1 1NR). Much of Reading’s transport links depart from just outside the station, so onward travel to the town centre and the surrounding area is made far easier. This car park is open 24 hours a day, Monday-Sunday, but does charge a relatively expensive hourly rate.
The largest and cheapest car park in central Reading serves as an option for the south of the town centre. It is connected to The Oracle Shopping Centre – a vibrant shopping location at the heart of the town by the River Kennet. The Riverside car park (Mill Lane, Reading, RG1 2AG) is open 24 hours a day, Monday-Sunday, and holds over 1500 spaces – with a very affordable hourly rate for the town centre.
There are also 3 park & rides connected to Reading, all located within 20 minutes of the town centre: Winnersh Triangle park & ride site (RG41 5RD), The Madejski Stadium park & ride site (RG2 0FL) and The Mereoak park & ride site (RG7 1PB). At all locations, you need only buy a bus ticket and your parking comes included with the cost. You must hold onto your ticket, as the barcode on it is used to exit the car park when you leave. JustPark offers a wide choice of off-street parking in Reading – in both council and commercially-run car parks, as well as at hotels, offices and on private driveways. You can browse these options and book a guaranteed space via our website or app.
Location Operator Price Max Stay Reading Garrard Street National Car Parks £3.50 / hour Reading Station MSCP Reading Council £4.00 / hour Oracle Riverside Reading Council £4.00 / 2 hours Civic B Reading Council £1.40 / hour Queens Road Reading Council £2.20 / hour Public transport
Reading train station is located to the north of the town, and is well connected to the rest of the country and to London – primarily via CrossCountry trains and the Waterloo-Reading line respectively. You also have access to a comprehensive network of bus routes providing travel across the Reading urban area, just a short walk from the train station.
Disabled parking
There a number of accessible spaces for disabled drivers, with most off-street car parks providing sufficient facilities and spaces.
Disabled drivers displaying their Blue Badge can park for free in on-street pay-and-display spaces throughout the town – unless stated otherwise – and on single or double yellow lines for up to 3 hours (again, unless stated otherwise).
You can also filter when searching on JustPark to show all our parking spaces with disabled access in Reading (select this option by clicking on ‘Filters’ on the search results page).
Parking restrictions & event days
As well as on-street pay-and-display restrictions in the town centre, there are some areas of the town where further restrictions are in place. The streets surrounding Royal Berkshire Hospital to the southeast of the town are now either pay-and-display or resident permit restricted. A full list of all the streets in Reading that are permit restricted can be found on the Reading Borough Council website.
On the JustPark map, we’ll only show you spaces which are not restricted at the times you require – so you know you’ll be legally parked.
Overnight, weekends & bank holidays
Parking charges do not apply in some off-street car parks and on-street pay-and-display spaces on Bank Holidays and weekends, but some spaces will cost you the same fare 7 days a week. Always ensure you read signposts on location carefully so that you don’t park illegally.
Overnight parking is not permitted at any of Reading’s park and ride facilities, but is available in the majority of secure off-street car parks throughout the town.
Enter the dates and times you need parking via the search form above to see what’s available overnight.
Nearby attractions
The River Thames and the equally important River Kennet run through the lovely Southern town of Reading. The town’s main shopping centre (The Oracle) is reasonably large, providing any visitor with a great helping of retail therapy. If that’s not what you’re into, why not visit the Reading Abbey ruins – a medieval wonder just east of this sprawling urban centre. Park your car and have a wander.