Hotels in York with free parking
Hotels in York with free parking are like gold dust.
Due to the city’s historic architecture and medieval layout, space inside York city walls (or even close by) is at a premium.
Plus, one of the interesting facts about York is that buildings inside the city walls cannot be taller than York Minster so there aren’t any high rise car parks in the city centre. As a result, there are very few hotels in York city centre with free parking.
However, as a York local, I know of a few York hotels with free parking. Unfortunately, the downside of saving money on parking fees is that you may have to stay further away from the city centre to find the free car parking you want.
Thankfully, York is a small city so once you have parked your car, getting around York on foot is easy. You won’t need to use your car unless you plan to take day trips from York.
In this article, I’ve listed the best hotels in York with free car parking in order of distance from the city centre. If the hotel is outside York city centre, I’ve also included public transport information.
This means you can decide whether the extra effort or transport costs involved outweighs the benefit of staying in hotels in York with free car parking.
This post contains affiliate links; I earn from qualifying purchases (at no extra cost to you) which helps to meet the cost of running this website. Opinions of the following hotels are purely my own.
Hotels in York with free parking
The Minster Hotel
📍58 – 60 Bootham (YO30 7 BZ)
This Victorian era hotel offers free parking on a first come, first served basis so unfortunately, free parking at this hotel is not guaranteed unless you plan on arriving early.
Parking is only free if you book directly with the hotel so make sure you check their cancellation policy carefully.
However, if you want the reassurance of free cancellation that booking with Booking.com provides, you can choose to pay for parking instead. On-site parking at The Minster Hotel is one of the cheapest in York at only £7 per day.
Location | 300 metres from Bootham Bar (one of York’s four medieval gateways). It’s 10 minutes on foot to York Minster and there are pubs, restaurants, cafes and a small supermarket within a 5 minute walk. If you’re visiting to go shopping at the Christmas Markets in York, this is the closest hotel in this list to the market.
Facilities | The Minster Hotel has a bar, free WiFi and a full English breakfast is included in the room rate.
Rooms | There are 42 homely, individually decorated rooms sleeping between 2 and 4 people in double and single beds. Each room has a desk, tv, kettle and radio. Some ensuites have a bathtub with an over shower whilst others offer a walk-in shower and a freestanding bathtub.
I think these rooms have more charm and character than similarly priced chain hotels. Plus, if you’re on a romantic getaway in York, this hotel also offers four poster beds.
Click here to check latest prices and availability.
Wheatlands Lodge Hotel
📍75 – 85 Scarcroft Road (YO24 1DB).
This family run hotel 2 star hotel is highly rated for its customer service and boasts a convenient location. It’s one of the best cheap York hotels with parking included.
There are pubs, restaurants, takeaways and a small supermarket within a 10 minute walk. If you are visiting York with kids, there is a park and playground 5 minutes away on foot.
Location | It’s a 10 minute walk to Micklegate Bar, one of the four medieval entrances to York city centre. Alternatively, walk for 5 minutes to Blossom Street to catch the 5A bus which will drop you closer to York city centre.
Facilities | Wheatlands Lodge has a 24 hour front desk, a tv lounge, a bar and a restaurant. Breakfast is included in the room rate.
Rooms | Compact but comfortable rooms offer double and single beds, soft chairs, a tv, kettle and WiFi. There is a shower in the ensuite.
Click here to check latest prices and availability.
Holiday Inn York
📍Tadcaster Road (YO24 1QF)
This hotel boasts one of the largest free car parks closest to York city centre. There are 130 spaces in total. It’s one of the best hotels in York with free parking for families as kids under 17 can stay and eat for free.
There are pubs and restaurants within a 10 minute walk and a large supermarket is 15 minutes on foot. The hotel backs onto the Knavesmire, one of the largest accessible green spaces in York.
Location | The hotel is 1.4 miles / 2.2 km from Micklegate Bar which will take 30 minutes to walk.
Alternatively, there are four different buses you can catch from outside the hotel which will bring you to the city centre so you should never have to wait a long time for a bus. The buses are No.12, 13, 840 and 843.
Facilities | Holiday Inn York features a restaurant, a bar, free WiFi, a terrace and a 24 hour front desk. If you are travelling with children, kids under 17 stay for free and up to two kids under 12 eat for free with each paying adult.
Rooms | Classic style, carpeted rooms sleep between 2-4 people in single and double beds. Each room has a desk, tv, soft chair and a kettle. The ensuite has a bathtub with an over shower.
We’ve stayed in several Holiday Inns as a family and cannot fault them. The rooms in this York Holiday Inn are a good size for families and groups.
Click here to check latest prices and availability.
Stableside by York Racecourse
📍 Off Tadcaster Road next to York Racecourse (YO24 1QG)
This newly renovated 4 star hostel is not like any hostel I’ve ever stayed in! It offers small but good quality rooms in a great location for a low price. I think the term hostel is misleading – and you will too.
There are pubs and restaurants within a 10 minute walk and you are close to one of the largest green spaces in York, The Knavesmire.
Location | It’s a 30 minute walk to Micklegate Bar (1.5 miles / 2.5 km away). Alternatively, catch the No 9 bus from Tadcaster Road which runs approximately every 10 minutes and takes 9 minutes to reach the city centre.
Facilities | Stableside at York Racecourse offers free WiFi, 24 hour staffing, a recreation lounge and cycle storage. There is a restaurant serving three meals a day plus brunch and a packed lunch option is available.
Rooms | Single, double or triple ensuite rooms are compact but comfortable and feature a tv and a kettle. You can also book a studio which has a separate living room with sofas, a fireplace and a tv.
Rooms are available on a full, half board or bed and breakfast basis and are excellent value for money. With free parking, Stableside is a perfect choice if you are visiting York on a budget.
Click here to check latest prices and availability.
Hotels near York with free parking
Middlethorpe Hotel and Spa
📍Middlethorpe Court, Bishopthorpe Road (YO23 2GB)
If you don’t mind staying a little further out of York city centre, the National Trust owned Middlethorpe Hall & Spa is something special, especially for history fans. I think it’s one of York’s hidden gems.
The 18th-century country house hotel is surrounded by 20 acres of landscaped gardens. The 29 rooms are packed with old-world charm and you are guaranteed a quiet, cosy stay with a high level of customer service.
If you’re looking for luxury hotels in York with free parking, this is your best option.
Location | The hotel is in Bishopthorpe village, 2 miles / 3 km from the city centre. You can catch the No.11 bus from the main road outside the hotel into York.
The bus runs once every hour and will take around 30 minutes. You can check the timetable here.
Facilities | Middlethorpe Hotel & Spa features a pool, sauna, steam room and a jacuzzi plus beauty and aromatherapy treatments are available. There is an award winning restaurant offering a la carte and tasting menus plus a highly rated afternoon tea.
Rooms | The spacious rooms are decorated in a classic, country style. Some of the main house bedrooms offer a romantic four-poster bed which is perfect if you’re looking for romantic hotels in York.
Click here to check latest prices and availability.
Holiday Inn Express York
📍Malton Road (YO32 9TE)
This is another great option for families and groups. Plus, if you like shopping, this hotel is close to Monks Cross and Vangarde shopping parks, York City football stadium, a cinema and a bowling alley.
It’s a 4 minute drive to the restaurants at Vangarde or there is a Toby Carvery adjacent to the hotel.
Location | The hotel is 2.5 miles / 4 km northeast of the city centre. It’s a 25 minute walk or a 4 minute drive to Monks Cross Park and Ride from where you can catch a No.9 bus to the city centre.
Buses run approximately every 10 minutes from 7 am – 10 pm Monday to Saturday and from 9.30 am – 7 pm on Sundays. It takes around 15 minutes to reach York city centre.
Alternatively, walk for 15 minutes to Stockton Lane to catch the 843 Coastliner bus into York. However, this bus runs only once per hour.
Facilities – In addition to 150 free parking space, the hotel has EV charging facilities, free WiFi and family / interconnecting rooms. A hot buffet breakfast is included in the room price. Children under 17 stay for free whilst children under 12 eat for free with a paying adult.
Rooms – Compact, classic style rooms offer double, twin and sofa beds, black out blinds, free WiFi, a kettle and a tv. There is a shower and bathtub in the ensuite.
Click here to check latest prices and availability.
Mercure York Fairfield Manor
📍Shipton Road (YO30 1XW)
This 4 star hotel is housed in an 18th century Georgian manor house. It has 89 rooms and is set in 6 acres of gardens.
Location | – The hotel is 2.9 miles / 4.5 km north of York city centre. You can catch the 19, 30, 30x or 29 Reliance bus from outside the hotel into York city centre. Check timetables here.
Alternatively, walk for 20 minutes to the Rawcliffe Park and Ride and catch the No 2 bus. The Park and Ride is your best option if you plan on returning to the hotel later in the evening.
Another option on a sunny day, is to walk along the riverside path which runs all the way into York. It will take around 1.5 hours to walk.
Facilities – The Mercure Hotel York features free WiFi, a bar, a brasserie restaurant and a garden lounge. Guests have complimentary access to Roko health club (six minutes away by car) which has a pool, sauna, steam room and a gym.
Breakfast can be included in the room rate or purchased separately.
Rooms – Classic style rooms sleep 2 – 3 people in double and single beds. Each room has a table and chairs, a desk, tv, and a kettle. There is a bathtub with an over shower in the ensuite.
The rooms are a little dated but are exceptionally good value for money for a quality hotel on the outskirts of York.
Click here to check latest prices and availability.
Travelodge and Premier Inn
Want cheap hotels in York with free parking? The Travelodge and Premier Inn chain is a good option.
However, you will need to stay outside of the city centre as all the central York Travelodge and Premier Inn locations charge for parking.
The closest Travelodge hotel in York with free parking is the new York Central Layerthorpe (YO31 7RE) which is just 0.4 miles / 600 metres from Monk Bar.
The closest Premier Inn with free parking in York is the Premier Inn York North (YO30 5PA) which is 1.5 miles / 2.4 km from Bootham Bar.
Free parking in York – FAQ’s
Is it worth staying further away from York city centre in order to get free parking?
If you stay at a hotel in York with free parking, you will save money by avoiding parking fees charged by other city centre hotels. These can be as high as £25 per car per night; a cost which quickly adds up over a few days.
However, unless you can walk from your hotel to York city centre, you will need to factor in local bus or taxi fares. If you choose to drive into York city centre from your hotel, you will pay hefty parking fees.
If you stay further away from the city, you will also use up precious time in your trip travelling to and from the city centre.
In summary, I think if you are in York for a short period of time it’s worth staying as close as you can to the city centre – if you can afford to do so.
Additionally, if you are travelling with children, you may find the extra time, cost and hassle involved in staying somewhere further out of York isn’t worth the free parking.
How much are bus fares in York?
If you’re worried about the cost of getting around York, don’t worry. The city centre is small and compact so once you have travelled into the city, you won’t need to take any other buses or public transport.
Park and Ride York buses offer the best value for money for groups and families.
The bus costs £3.60 return per adult but up to three children under 16 can travel for free with each paying adult. When you see the cost of parking in York city centre, this works out as good value for money! Check out my full guide to using York Park and Ride here.
Other York buses currently charge £2 per adult per journey or £1 per journey for children under 16.
How much does York city centre parking cost?
The short answer is a lot! The cost of parking in York is a constant source of complaint amongst us Yorkies.
York has several, conveniently located short and long stay car parks but they aren’t cheap. For example, Castle Car park adjacent to Clifford’s Tower and York Castle Museum charges £3.10 per hour. So, a five hour sightseeing trip in the city centre will cost you £15.50 just to park.
However, I think it’s worth using the car parks if you are visiting York at night. Parking costs a flat rate of £4 between 6 pm and 8 am which will work out cheaper than the bus.
NCP long stay car parks in York are a little cheaper than council run car parks. A 2 hour stay in the NCP Coppergate car park near Jorvik Viking Centre costs £4.95. A 24 hour stay costs £11.95.
I hope this guide to York hotels with free parking has helped you decided where to stay on your upcoming trip to York.
If you eventually decide to ditch your car and travel to York by train, read my articles on the best hotels near York rail station.
