There are a plethora of options when it comes to parking your car in the Sydney CBD, but many are super expensive or too far away. Cheap parking in Sydney CBD is in high demand and not so easily found when you most need it, making parking your car in the city one of the most frustrating excursions you can embark on with or without the kids!
Car Parking in Sydney has never been cheaper, with many Car Parks reducing their hourly and daily fee – do your research to ensure you snag bargain car parking!
Heading to the city regularly for both work and pleasure, we have a number of favourite spots we head to for cheap parking in the Sydney CBD and even the Sydney airport that save us a few dollars and time. We’ve tried to pull these together in an easy to follow reference guide to Car Parking in Sydney CBD that will help you on your next excursion into the city.
At the end of the day, cheap parking in Sydney is at its cheapest if you grab an early bird deal, park after 5.00 pm or hit the city on the weekend. Street parking is almost non-existent and the city has tried to push workers to reduce congestion and take public transport with inflated fees. But there are a few cheap parking sites in Sydney that you can find if you do your research. Lucky we’ve done it for you!
Cheap Parking in Sydney CBD : Car Parking Tips
Table of Contents
Public Transport
Our first car parking tip for Sydney is to avoid it if you can! Sydney has a good public transport system with trains, light rails, ferries and buses moving around the Sydney CBD and outer suburbs at all hours of the day. It’s relatively cheap, efficient, has stops almost everywhere and provides options to get to Sydney attractions quickly without worrying about finding cheap parking in Sydney CBD.
Of course, there may be times when you need the car and suitable Sydney CBD parking. This resource should help you find where you need to go.
Please note: prices were correct at time of publication. Please check with each parking offer to see if the pricing is still correct.
All Day Parking – The Cheapest option
If early-bird entry/exit times don’t work for you or you just need to park for a few hours, car park rates can become hefty very quickly. Off-peak parking rates can be as much as $40/hour depending on where you park.
The most affordable option is to book all-day parking and we’ve discovered a service that can help you do this in advance pretty easily. Introducing Share with Oscar.
Share with Oscar is a platform where you can book to parking online for the hours you need it. The platform has the best parking deals and you can park for as little as $15/day in the heart of the CBD without worrying about entry and exit time limits. I’ve included some of their best city parking rates below.
Pitt St Mall – $29/day | World Square – $25/day | Pyrmont $14/day
For further details, head over to the Share with Oscar website here
The Early Bird Option (Under $25.00 a day)
If you are heading into the city during the week, seeking out Early Bird options will save you a quid. The small print? You will need to enter and leave at certain times to take advantage of these offers.
Sydney CBD Early Bird Parking
Goulburn Street Car Park (near Central Station)
101 Goulburn Street, Sydney | Enter via Goulburn Street | Corner of Goulburn and Elizabeth Street
Early Bird Parking: Enter between 06:00am – 09:30am and exit between 03:00pm – 07:00pm | $19.00 | Proceed to roof top and validate your ticket at the validator machine located at entry to roof top. Rooftop Parking ends at 7pm. If you require your car after this time, please see onsite staff.
Evening Parking: Enter after 05:00pm | Exit before 06:00am | Flat rate of $10.00
Weekend Parking: $14.00 flat rate
Booking Site: Via Secure Parking
Darling Harbour Early Bird Parking
Darling Quarter Car Park
1 Dixon St, Sydney
Early Bird Parking: Available Monday – Friday |Enter between 7am – 9.30am, Exit between 3.30pm – 7pm | $15.00
Night Booking Deals: Available Monday – Friday | Enter after 5pm, exit before 6am the next day | $12.00
Weekend Parking: Flat rate (payable per entry per day) | $25.00
Booking Site: Wilson Parking for bookings.
Sydney Opera House Early Bird Parking
Sydney Opera House Car Park
2A Macquarie St, Sydney
Daily Parking: $9.00 per hour | Maximum $59.00
Early Bird Parking: Entry between 6am and 9.30am, exit between 3pm and 7:30pm | Not valid Public Holidays | $23.00 online ($25.00 drive up)
Weekend price: Day Rate: Entry after 6am, exit before 5pm | Night Rate: If exiting after 5pm Night Rate applies, even if enter was during day | $15.00 ($18.00 drive up)
Booking Site: Click here for full details on booking early bird Sydney Opera House parking
City of Sydney Parking
Recently the City of Sydney contracted Secure Parking to manage their car parks. This has changed what is available around Sydney for those looking for cheap parking.
Darling Harbour Parking
Gets you close to….Madame Tussauds, SEALIFE Aquarium, WILD LIFE Sydney Aquarium, Darling Quarter, Monkey Baa Theatre, ICC,
Make sure to check out the Merlin parking discounts if you are visiting Madame Tussauds, SEALIFE Aquarium or WILD LIFE Sydney Aquarium. Check out the deals here.
Parking options
Darling Quarter Car Park
1 Dixon St, Sydney
Early Bird Parking: Available Monday – Friday |Enter between 7am – 9.30am, Exit between 3.30pm – 7pm | $15.00
Night Booking Deals: Available Monday – Friday | Enter after 5pm, exit before 6am the next day | $12.00
Weekend Parking: Flat rate (payable per entry per day) | $25.00
Booking Site: Wilson Parking for bookings.
Harbourside Carpark – 100 Murray Street
Book a spot in the secure Harbourside Carpark, entrance 100 Murray Street, Pyrmont NSW 2009. It is open everyday and all night! Harbourside and the carpark are linked by a covered footbridge.
Nightly Cost: Entry after 6pm, exit before 4am | Mon – Thurs $16.00 online ($17.00 drive up) | Friday $27.00 | Saturday $25.00 online ($27.00 drive up) | Sunday $16.00 online ($17.00 drive up) | Casual rates apply if conditions are not met
Early Bird Parking: $14.00 online / $17.00 drive up | Entry between 5am and 9:30am, exit between 3pm and 7pm. Validate ticket in machine on Level 2 in morning, proceed to Level 1 or 2 for parking
Booking Site: Click here for full details on Darling Harbour cheap parking at Harbourside Carpark.
$14.00 when pre-booked online only. Discount code: MERLIN. See Aquarium parking for details.
2 Market Street Car Park (formerly Allianz Centre Car Park)
186 Sussex Street, Sydney CBD. Open 24 hours Monday – Sunday. This car park has drastically cut their parking feeds. Book online to save a few dollars.
Daily Cost: Maximum cost $83.00 drive-up or $80.00 if you book online.
Early Bird Parking: Available Weekdays | Enter between 06:00am – 09:30am | Exit between 03:30pm – 07:00pm| $24.00 online / $25.00 drive up
Weekend Cost: Available Weekend and Public holidays | Enter after 06:00 am | Exit before 05:00 pm. $20.00 drive-up or $17.00 online.
Nightly Cost: Available Weekdays | Enter after 05:00pm | Exit before 06:00am the next day| $17.00 ($15.00 online)
Booking Site: Click to read more about 2 Market Street Car Park (formerly Allianz Centre Car Park)
King Street Wharf Car Park
1 Shelley Street, Sydney. Enter Via Shelley Street. This car park is between the aquarium and Barangaroo so a good park if visiting that side of Darling Harbour. Personally, I think it is a little priced and I would only consider it for a night park if we were visiting something nearby. Online bookings will save you a whole lot!
Daily Cost: Up to $94.00
Early Bird Parking: $42.00 (online from $41.00) Available Weekdays | Enter between 07:00am – 09:30am | Exit between 04:00pm – 07:00pm |
Weekend Cost: Flat rate $55.00| Available Weekend and Public holidays | Enter after 06:00am | Exit before 05:00pm
Nightly Cost: Drive up $51.00 | Online $49.00 | Available Monday to Wednesday | Enter after 05:00pm | Exit before 06:00am the next day
Booking Site: King Street Wharf Car park booking site
Darling Park Car Park
201 Sussex Street, Sydney
Daily Cost: Flat Rate per exit, per day from 6am. Rate applies all days, Monday to Sunday $20.00 online / $24.00 driveup
Weekend Cost: Flat Rate per exit, per day $20.00 online / $24.00 driveup
$12 all day weekends – when pre-booked online | Discount code: MERLIN
Nightly Cost: Entry after 5pm, exit before 6am the next day | $18.00 online / $24.00 drive up
Early Bird: Flexi Saver Rate is only available online and includes booking fee | $20.00
Booking Site: Click for more information on Darling Park Car Park
383 Kent Street Car Park
Entry via 383 Kent Street or 168 Sussex Street
Daily Cost: up to $85.00
$21.00 all day weekdays – when pre-booked online or validated | Discount code: MERLIN
Early Bird Parking: Entry between 6am and 9:30am, exit between 3:30pm and 7pm | Validate ticket on level 4 and park on Level 5 or Level 6 | $28.00 online / $32.00 driveup
Evening Parking: Entry after 5pm & exit before 6am the next day | Casual rates apply if conditions are not met | $16.00 online / $20.00 driveup
Weekend Parking: $24.00 online / $25.00 offline | flat rate
$12.00 all day weekends – when pre-booked online | Discount code: MERLIN
Booking Site: via Wilson Parking
321 Kent Street Car Park
Entry via 86 Sussex Street
Daily Cost: up to $89.00
$21.00 all day weekdays – when pre-booked online or validated | Discount code: MERLIN
Early Bird Parking: Entry between 6am and 9:30am, exit between 3:30pm and 7pm | $42.00 drive up / $37.00 online
Evening Parking: Entry after 5pm, exit before car park close (12am)n| $25.00 online / $30.00 driveup
Weekend Parking: Day Rate Applies when parking before 5pm | Night Rate Applies when parking after 5pm | $32.00 online / $35.00 drive up
$12.00 all day weekends – when pre-booked online | Discount code: MERLIN
Booking Site: via Wilson Parking
Sydney Olympic Park Parking
Gets you close to….Accor Stadium, Homebush Aquatic Centre, Sydney Royal Easter Show, Qudos Bank Arena
Parking options
Sydney Olympic Park parking is open 24 hours per day. There are varying parking options in the sites official parking parks: P2, P4, P5 and P6 Car Parks. Each provide easy access to different parts of the park, check this map to ensure you are at the parking option at Sydney Oympic Park that best meets your needs.
There are free, time-limited on-street parking spaces within Sydney Olympic Park precinct however, these they may be unavailable during major* events.
P8 Parking: P8 Carpark $6 after 6pm | Enjoy a $6 flat parking fee from 6pm – 10pm at the P8 Carpark (entry via Herb Elliott Avenue) on non-major event nights.
Daily Cost: Casual parking is available for $6.00 an hour or $30.00 a day
Event Parking: During major events, casual parking is replaced by a $30.00 per day flat rate.
Booking Site: Parking in the Sydney Olympic Park precinct can be prebooked. Head to the pre-booked parking page for full details. On most of our trips, I have arrived early and secured parking without much issue HOWEVER big events often sell out.
Sydney Opera House Parking
Gets you close to…. Sydney Opera House, Circular Quay, Australian Botanic Gardens
Parking options
Wilson Parking owns and operates the Sydney Opera House Car Park. he car park is located at 2 Macquarie Street (Northern end), with vehicular access adjacent to the Sydney Opera House Forecourt. The Sydney Opera House car park is open Monday to Sunday 24 hrs (including Public Holidays)
Daily Parking: $9.00 per hour | Maximum $59.00
Early Bird Parking: Entry between 6am and 9.30am, exit between 3pm and 7:30pm | Not valid Public Holidays | $23.00 online ($25.00 drive up)
Weekend price: Day Rate: Entry after 6am, exit before 5pm | Night Rate: If exiting after 5pm Night Rate applies, even if enter was during day | $15.00 ($18.00 drive up)
Booking Site: Click here for full details on booking early bird Sydney Opera House parking
Sydney Fish Market Parking
Gets you close to….Sydney Fish Market, The Star, Sydney Lyric Theatre, Pyrmont restaurants
Sydney Fish Market car park is open 24 hours. Whilst the first 15 minutes parking is FREE, parking at the Sydney Fish Market for a long period of times can be pricey with a maximum charge of $64.00
During exceptionally busy periods at Sydney Fish Market (such as special event days), Sydney Fish Market may be required to raise entry/exit boom gates and implement a $5 flat-rate parking fee rather than utilising the ticketed parking system. This enables a faster flow of traffic, reducing waiting times for the public. This system will be implemented at the discretion of the operational staff at Sydney Fish Market.
Booking Site: Head to the Sydney Fish Market parking webpage for full details.
The Star
80 Pyrmont Street, Pyrmont. The Star car park is accessible from Edward Street and Pirrama Road.
This secure underground car park is designed with the latest directional parking technology so you can easily find a space.
Parking rates per 6-hour period (or part thereof) are as follows:
Monday to Thursday: Arrive after 11.00pm $20.00 | Arrive after 5.00pm $25.00
Friday to Sunday, and Public Holidays: Arrive after 11.00pm $30.00 | Arrive after 5.00pm $35.00
Daily Maximum: $85.00
*After your 6-hour period expires, an additional 6-hour period will be charged. In the event of a lost ticket, a maximum daily rate of $85 per 24 hours period will apply.
Access to the carpark is no longer free to all. However, Bronze & Silver Members are able to enjoy free parking by earning five tier points during a visit.*
Booking Site: Head to the Star parking webpage for full details.
Parking Circular Quay
Gets you close to…. The Rocks, Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Circular Quay, Sydney Opera House, Circular Quay Terminal
Parking options – Cheap Parking Circular Quay
155 George St Car Park
Daily Cost: Maximum $75.00 per day
Weekend Cost: Flat rate per exit, per day | $29.00 online / $30.00 drive up
Nightly Cost: Entry after 5pm and exit before close |Casual rates apply if conditions are not met | $18.00 online / $20.00 drive up
Booking Site: Click for full details on booking this Circular Quay parking option.
Gateway Car Park
25 Reiby Pl, Sydney
Daily Cost: Maximum of $89.00
Weekend Cost: Flat Rate entry from 6am exit before 12am | $32.00 online / $40.00 driveup
Nightly Cost: Entry after 5pm, exit before 6am following day | $25.00 online / $35.00 driveup
Booking Site: Click for full details about this Circular Quay parking option.
Clocktower Car Park
55 Harrington Street, The Rocks
Daily Cost: Maximum $69.00
Weekend Cost: $33.00 online / $35.00 Saturday and Sunday | Flat Rate: per exit, per day
Nightly Cost: $25.00 online / $30.00 drive up | Monday – Friday | Entry after 5pm, exit before car park closes
Booking Site: Click for Circular Quay parking details.
Parking the Rocks Sydney
Gets you close to….The Rocks, The Rocks Market, Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb, Barangaroo, Finders Keepers Market
Parking options
Barangaroo Reserve Car Park
5 Towns Pl, Barangaroo NSW 2000, Australia
Daily Cost: Maximum $55.00
Weekend Cost: $11.00 Saturday and Sunday. Flat Rate: per exit, per day
Early Bird Parking: Entry between 6am and 9.30am, exit between 3pm and 7pm | Monday to Friday Only | $24.00 online / $26.00 drive up
Nightly Cost: $10.00 Monday – Friday. Entry after 5.00 pm, exit before 12.00 am
Booking Site: Click for Barangaroo Reserve Car Park details
Clocktower Car Park
55 Harrington Street, The Rocks
Daily Cost: Maximum $69.00
Weekend Cost: $33.00 online / $35.00 Saturday and Sunday | Flat Rate: per exit, per day
Nightly Cost: $25.00 online / $30.00 drive up | Monday – Friday | Entry after 5pm, exit before car park closes
Booking Site: Click for Circular Quay parking details.
Luna Park Sydney Parking
Gets you close to….Luna Park, North Sydney Olympic Pool, Wendy’s Secret Garden
Parking options
Luna Park Parking
Luna Park has on site car parking facilities for guests with 380 car spaces. The car park operates 7 days a week and is open from 7am until 3am. Entry is via Paul Street. Hours of operation are 7am to 3am (No vehicle entry after midnight – exit only between midnight & 3am).
Daily Cost: first hour is $10.00 with a maximum of $49.00
Booking Site: Luna Park parking website
State Theatre Sydney Parking
Gets you close to….State Theatre Sydney, QVB, Pitt Street Mall, Sydney Tower Eye, Westfields Sydney, Hyde Park
Parking options
Queen Victoria Building Car Park
This is the preferred car parking area for the State Theatre. The entry to the car park is via York Street, with the option to self-park or utilize the valet parking service.
Daily Cost: $9.00 for first 30 minutes, maximum $75.00 ($49.00 online)
Weekend Cost: from $8.00 | Maximum $27.00 / $22.00 online. Per exit, per day
Nightly Cost: $12.00 online / $15.00 drive up | Entry after 5pm, exit before 6am the following day
Booking Site: QVB car parking webpage.
George Street Event Cinemas
Gets you close to….George Street Cinemas | Town Hall | Regent Place | The Galeries
Cinema Centre Car Park
521 Kent Street, Sydney NSW 2000. This car park is directly behind George Street Event Cinemas Sydney. This is our preferred car park when we visit the CBD as it is rarely full and is always cheap (plus we love eating at Regent Place!)
Daily Cost: $5.00 for first 30 minutes. $55.00 maximum
Early Bird: $16.00 | Monday to Friday Entry 5:00 am-10:00 am | Exit 2:00 pm-8:00 pm | *Upon entry, validate your ticket on L7A, and park on L7 or above. Standard parking rate will apply if conditions are not met or quota is full.
Weekend Cost: $13.00 Saturday and Sunday. Entry after 5.00 am. Exit before 5.00 am next day
Nightly Cost: $13.00 Monday to Thursday Evening Entry after 3.00 pm Exit before 5.00 am next day | $5.00 – $25.00 Friday & Saturday Evening Entry after 3.00 pm Exit before 5.00 am next day
Booking Site: Head to the Sydney Cinema Parking website for full details.
Cheap Parking in Haymarket
Gets you close to….Capitol Theatre, China Town, Haymarket
Parking options
Goulburn Street Car Park
101 Goulburn Street, Sydney | Enter via Goulburn StreetCorner of Goulburn and Elizabeth Street
Daily Cost: Weekdays Enter after 06:00am Exit before 05:00pm. $5.00 for first 30 minutes. Maximum $49.00
Weekend Cost: $14.00 | Enter after 06:00am Exit before 06:00am the next day
Nightly Cost: $10.00 Weekdays Enter after 05:00pm Exit before 06:00am | Must Exit Before 6am The Next day Otherwise The All Day Rate Will Incur.
Booking Site: Head to the Goulburn Street Car Park website
Darling Square Car Park
Zollner Circuit, Haymarket
Daily Cost: Flat rate $16.00 | Monday to Friday | Entry between 4:00am and 4:00pm, exit before 4:00am the following day | Pay per exit | Charges recommence at 4:00am daily.
Weekend Cost: $16.00 flat rate | Sat, Sun and Public Holidays
Nightly Cost: $12.00 | Mon-Fri | Entry after 4:00pm and exit before 4:00am the following day. Pay per exit.
Booking Site: Head to the Darling Square Car Park for further details.
Register for Express and save 20% off all casual rates
Market City Car Park
2 Quay Street, Haymarket
Daily Cost: $9.00 for first 30 minutes. Up to $44.00
Night Cost: $12.00 online / $13.00 drive up | Entry after 5pm, exit before 5am | Park on level B2 or B3 only | Casual rates apply if conditions are not met
Weekend: $14.00 This weekend rate is only available by booking online
Booking Site: Market City Car Park details
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This would be a great activity to do on our next family getaway. I’m not sure if my daughter will be scared but we will see 🙂
Getaway to a car park? I guess it would be scary
Have you booked the Sydney Opera House Parking lot Early Bird special without booking it online? I’m curious to know what the price difference is online vs. just going to that parking lot. Thanks!
I’ve only done it online as I haven’t wanted to miss out! Sometimes you can find a discount code on Sydney Opera House event listings – but not recently