Big changes to Cardiff parking are rolling out this week, and it’s got everyone talking! Starting December 1, 2025, say goodbye to the free two-hour parking in city car parks and hello to 30-minute complimentary stays instead. This tweak comes after Cardiff Council listened to locals and businesses, who had a lot to say in a recent consultation.
Initially, the plan was to axe free parking altogether, but a whopping 6,130 responses later, the council decided to keep the 30 free minutes. This move hopes to give you just enough time to nip into local shops and cafes without taking too much out of your wallet. Once your free 30 minutes are up, a nominal charge of just 50p for the first hour kicks in. Still cheaper than many other cities!
This shift mainly affects council-run car parks across Canton, Pontcanna, Heath, and Whitchurch. So, keep an eye out for those new parking notices!
As if that wasn’t enough, Cardiff Council also has plans to add a surcharge for larger vehicles like SUVs. No dates on that just yet, but we’ll keep you posted!
What do you think about these new parking rules? Will this change how you shop or visit the city? Let us know in the comments!