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Neighbourhood guide

Parking in the New Town: Zone 1A

👮 Written by an experienced enforcement officer in Edinburgh· 2026 edition

The New Town — George Street's shops and bars, Charlotte Square, the elegant Georgian grid north of Princes Street. It's central Zone 1A, which means the most expensive on-street parking in Edinburgh, charged six days a week and on Sunday afternoons.

💷 The short answerThe New Town is Zone 1A — about £9 an hour, the city's top rate. Charged Monday–Saturday 8:30am–6:30pm and Sunday 12:30pm–6:30pm, with maximum stays. It's only free after 6:30pm and before 12:30pm on Sundays — so for anything more than a quick stop, a car park is usually better value.

On-street parking in the New Town

George Street, Charlotte Square, Hanover Street, Frederick Street, Heriot Row and Dundas Street all sit in Zone 1A. Pay at the machine or on the RingGo app, or display a valid Zone 1A residents' permit. As a central zone it's charged Monday to Saturday and on Sunday afternoons, and most bays have a maximum stay, so you can't feed the meter all day.

When is parking free in the New Town?

Outside those windows you're paying the top rate, and the double yellow lines throughout the New Town apply at all times.

✅ Longer stay? Use a car parkAt £9 an hour with a max stay, on-street rarely makes sense for more than a short visit. Castle Terrace and the St James Quarter and Greenside (Omni) car parks are better value for a day in town, or leave the car at a Park & Ride.

Heads up: the New Town is inside the LEZ

The whole New Town sits within Edinburgh's Low Emission Zone. If your vehicle doesn't meet the emission standards, you'll be fined for driving in — separately from any parking charge.

Quick recap

Check a New Town street

Look up any address to see its exact zone, charges and hours — and whether you can park there right now.

Check your street →

Edinburgh Parking Guide · Written first-hand by an experienced enforcement officer in Edinburgh
Rules, dates and charges can change — always check the sign on the street and official sources. Back to the full guide