St James Quarter has the biggest car park in the city centre, right under the shops at the east end of Princes Street. It’s the easy option for Christmas shopping, but it isn’t cheap. Here’s what it costs, how to get in, and when parking on the street nearby is cheaper or even free.
⏳ 14 days Got a ticket? It’s £100 — or £50 if you act within 14 days. My pay-or-appeal guide, incl. a free personal verdict on whether yours is worth fighting →St James Quarter car park at a glance
| Sat nav | EH1 3BP (St James’ Place) |
|---|---|
| Spaces | Around 1,600, under the shopping centre |
| Open | 24 hours, 7 days |
| Height limit | Reported as 2.1m. Check the sign if you have a van or roof box |
| Blue Badge | Around 70 accessible bays reported, plus parent and child bays |
| EV charging | Charging points on site (around 45 reported) |
| Run by | A private operator for Westfield, not the council |
How much does it cost?
| Up to 1 hour | £4.20 |
|---|---|
| Up to 2 hours | £7.30 |
| Up to 3 hours | £10.50 |
| Up to 4 hours | £15.20 |
| Up to 5 hours | £18.40 |
| Up to 6 hours | £21.70 |
| Up to 7 hours | £24.90 |
| 8 to 24 hours | £28.20 |
Prices as listed for pre-booking through Carepark, checked November 2026. The price at the barrier can differ and can change at busy times, so check the tariff board as you drive in.
Car park or street? The officer’s view
The streets around St James Quarter are central Zone 2, around £9 an hour with a maximum stay. So in the daytime the car park is actually cheaper than the street for anything over half an hour, and you won’t be watching the clock.
In the evening it flips. Central zones stop charging at 6:30pm every day, so St Andrew Square, York Place and the streets off Leith Walk are free in the bays after 6:30pm. On Sundays they’re free until 12:30pm. Arrive at 6:30pm for late-night Christmas shopping and you can save the whole car park fee.
Getting in and out
Put EH1 3BP in the sat nav and follow the signs for St James Quarter parking. On Saturdays in December the queue to get in can back up onto the surrounding roads, and getting out after 5pm is slow. Arrive before 10am or after 6pm for the easiest run.
Low Emission Zone: St James Quarter sits right on the edge of the city-centre LEZ. If your car isn’t compliant, check your exact route on the LEZ map before you set off, because the fine is £60 just for driving in.
Cheaper ways to shop at St James
- Ingliston Park & Ride: free parking and the tram goes to St Andrew Square, a two-minute walk from the centre. Best for a full day.
- Evenings: free on-street bays after 6:30pm (see above).
- Other car parks: Castle Terrace at the west end, or Waverley by the station.
Quick answers
How much is parking at St James Quarter?
Roughly £4.20 for an hour, £7.30 for two hours, £10.50 for three and £28.20 for 8 to 24 hours, based on pre-booking prices in November 2026. Check the tariff board as you drive in.
Is St James Quarter car park open 24 hours?
Yes, it’s open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, even when the shops are shut.
What is the postcode for St James Quarter car park?
Use EH1 3BP (St James’ Place).
Is there free parking near St James Quarter?
Not in the daytime: the streets around it are Zone 2 at about £9 an hour. But the bays are free after 6:30pm every day and before 12:30pm on Sundays. Double yellows and Leith Street are never free.
Is St James Quarter in the Low Emission Zone?
It’s right on the edge of the LEZ. If your car isn’t compliant, check your route on the LEZ map first, because entering the zone costs a £60 fine.
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