Parking in Sunderland

Sunderland is a melting pot of attractions, events, and places to eat and drink where you can bring the family together and discover unique experiences. With a rich history and industry grown from its location as a trading port for mainly coal and salt, Sunderland grew into a centre for science, technology and culture. Now it is home to plenty of buzzing restaurants, venues and galleries so there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Much of the on-street parking throughout the city is restricted to residents' parking zones. It’s quite tricky for commuters and visitors alike to find parking to suit their needs. Car parks in Sunderland tend to be pretty pricey, often making it unaffordable for those who have to drive to and from the city every day.

…this is where we come in.

YourParkingSpace is a great parking service, that offers many different off-street parking opportunities across Sunderland close to the city’s most popular attractions, including parking in Sunderland near the Stadium of Light, and parking in Sunderland town centre.

Both long term and short-term parking are available with our hourly and weekly booking options. YourParkingSpace is available 24 hours of the day, to make sure you can always find a space to park at any time of day or night.

Take care when parking in Sunderland, as parking charges on the street in Sunderland city centre are operational every day of the week, with charges also applying on certain days in areas outside the city centre. Charges apply between 8am and 6.30pm every day in the City Centre. Outside the city centre, these charges also apply between 8am and 6.30pm, Monday to Saturday.

Sunderland City Council operates 8 city centre multi-storey car parks and 47 surface car parks. When it comes to parking in Sunderland in the evening there’s great opportunity thanks to the Alive after Five scheme, which is in place to support the evening economy for businesses in the city centre. The scheme provides free parking in Sunderland in all council operated multi-storey car parks after 5pm from Monday to Saturday (with the exception of Stadium car park). This can mean that spaces get very busy so it can be helpful to book a space in advance with YourParkingSpace to ensure you can turn up to the shops smoothly!

You can also park for free in Sunderland city centre after 3pm on Thursdays all year round, in council car parks and on-street parking bays.

Other parking restrictions to look out for are:

• Pay and Display bays where you can stay for up to 2 hours
• Double yellow lines, where you can't park
• Single yellow lines, where you can only park at some times. Be sure to check the signs when parking on these
• Kerb flashes showing loading restrictions

In the rest of the Sunderland City Council Area, parking restrictions are mostly found on bus routes and main roads to keep the traffic moving in the busiest times. Restrictions in residential areas make schools, junctions and crossings safer.

No one wants to receive a Sunderland parking fine! On the YourParkingSpace map, we make sure that we only offer parking spaces with no restrictions so you won’t need a Sunderland parking permit and can rest assured you won’t get any fines.

Sunderland has plenty to offer on its doorstep, with award-winning outdoor spaces and stunning coastal scenery it has lots to offer for cycling, walking and seafront adventures. Roker beach is the end of the Coast to Coast route which begins in Whitehaven Cumbria and ends at Roker and is a fantastic route to check out, or you can go along to watch the race. While you’re in Roker you can take a peek inside St Andrew’s Church, where the inside has lots of exciting relics including William Morris carpets and Ernest Grimson Furniture. If you’re looking for more history, check out Hylon Castle, which has a highly decorative gatehouse-tower and was built by Sir William Hylton in the early 1400s. And Penshaw Monument won’t disappoint, with spectacular views from the 70-foot high monument at the top of Penshaw Hill.

Sunderland also has many museums and galleries nearby including the National Glass Centre and the North East Land Sea and Air Museum. Once inside the city centre, travelling by bike is easy thanks to the many parks and green spaces with traffic-free cycle paths, including Hetton Lyons Country Park and Herrington Country Park with pretty lakes and bobbing swans.

Head to the YourParkingSpace search map to find cheap and convenient parking spaces in short walking distances from these exciting activities.

Car

Sunderland is a short drive away from Newcastle, and can also easily be reached from Liverpool and Sheffield via the M1. Once you past Leeds take the A1(M) which also connects Sunderland to London.

There are Park and Ride services for specific events in Sunderland, including during the Festival of Light and the Sunderland Illuminations.

Train

Sunderland Train Station has regular trains to and from Newcastle Airport, with main services running between Nunthorpe and Middlesbrough to Newcastle and Metrocentre. There are also regular services between Sunderland and Newcastle to Hexham and Carlisle.

Many off-street car parks will offer spaces for disabled parking in Sunderland, but these may be limited and all car parks are different, so check the signs before parking.

Vehicles displaying a disabled blue badge may park free of charge where there would usually be Sunderland parking restrictions, and can park without time limit in any of the on and off-street parking bays except at the following:

• St Mary's Car Park (normal charges apply)
• Sunniside Multi Storey Car Park: (normal charges apply)
• Prince Street/South Street: private permit holders only

With a valid Blue Badge, you can park on:

• Any on-street pay and display space, no maximum stay and free of charge. This also applies to resident parking permit restricted areas
• Any on-street space labelled with the Blue Badge sign. Check signs as some spaces may be limited to 3 hours.
• Double and single yellow lines for up to three hours, unless there is a ban on loading or unloading. Again, check local signs for any additional local restrictions.
• Any on-street limited waiting bay, all day

Parking charges on the street in Sunderland city centre are operational every day of the week, with charges also applying on certain days in areas outside the city centre. Charges apply throughout the year, in some areas in the city centre they also apply on Bank Holidays, check local signs.

Whether you are parking in Sunderland for theatre or parking in Sunderland town, there are plenty of over-night off-street parking options to choose from. Simply enter the date and time you require into our search results page and you can find a space in time for a relaxed evening out.

Do you have access to an empty parking space in Sunderland? It takes only moments to register with YourParkingSpace and you could be earning an easy extra income in no time. Register your driveway, parking space or lock-up garage with us. It’s free to list and takes just two minutes. Sit back, relax and watch the bookings roll in.

How much is parking at Sunderland train station?

Parking at Sunderland train station varies depending on your hours of stay, and whether you want to park at peak time. Sunderland train station car park charges an off-peak flat rate of £7.50 a day Monday – Friday from 04:00 – 23:00 (In after 10:00. Out by 04:30). During peak hours the rate is £17.00 (in 04:30-10:00 Out by 04:30). On weekends the charge is a flat rate of £8 for 24h.

How much is parking in Sunderland?

On-Street parking charges in Sunderland city centre in most areas are part of the Free After 3 Scheme, meaning that you can park for free on a Thursday after 3pm. Restrictions are in place from 8am and 6.30pm every day in the City Centre, and the tariff varies depending on location. The charge is most commonly £1 for up to 30 minutes, with up to £4 for all day parking where the restriction allows.

What time is parking free in Sunderland?

The Alive after Five scheme which is in operation in 8 city centre multi-storey car parks and 47 surface car parks. Sunderland parking services provide free parking in Sunderland in all council operated multi-storey car parks after 5pm from Monday to Saturday (with the exception of Stadium car park). 

There is also free parking after 3pm on a Thursday in most on-street parking spaces in Sunderland City centre so you can make the most of what the city has to offer!

Outside of these hours, parking charges on the street in Sunderland city centre are operational every day of the week, with charges also applying on certain days in areas outside the city centre. Charges apply between 8am and 6.30pm every day in the City Centre, and you can park for free after 6.30pm. Outside of the city centre parking is free in most places on a Sunday.

How much is parking in Sunderland city centre?

On street parking in Sunderland city centre varies between 30p per hour and £1.30 per hour depending on the location. Much of the on-street parking restrictions are in place even on weekends. Parking charges on the street in Sunderland city centre are operational every day of the week, with charges also applying on certain days in areas outside the city centre. Charges apply between 8am and 6.30pm every day in the City Centre. Charges apply in most instances throughout the year, including Bank Holidays, with the exception of Christmas Day, 25 December.

Sunderland City Council operates 8 city centre multi-storey car parks and 47 surface car parks, and many of the car parks charge a £3 day rate for parking. If you’re parking in Sunderland on Sunday, most car parks are free of charge. The Alive after Five scheme is in place to support the evening economy for businesses in the city centre. The scheme provides free parking in Sunderland in all council operated multi-storey car parks after 5pm from Monday to Saturday (with the exception of Stadium car park).