Sydney City Guide
Parking in Sydney
Without Paying CBD Rates
Where to find affordable private parking across Sydney, from CBD fringe to park-and-ride suburbs.
Sydney's parking problem
Sydney CBD has some of the most expensive commercial parking in Australia. Wilson Parking and Secure Parking dominate the market with rates of $45–80 per day. Monthly rates in a CBD carpark run $350–500. For anyone parking four or more days a week, that is $4,200–6,000 per year, after tax.
The alternative is a 10–15 minute walk. The CBD fringe suburbs, Pyrmont, Surry Hills, Redfern, have residential driveways and private lots at a third of the price. For most workers, a 12-minute walk from Pyrmont to Darling Harbour or from Redfern to Central is perfectly reasonable.
Where to look by area
CBD Fringe
PyrmontUltimoSurry HillsRedfern
Daily
$8–18
Monthly
$120–200
10–15 minute walk to most CBD office towers. Monthly rates typically $120–200, versus $300–400 in the CBD itself.
North Sydney / Milsons Point
McMahons PointKirribilliCammeray
Daily
$10–20
Monthly
$150–250
For workers on the northern side of the Harbour Bridge. Close to St Leonards and Crows Nest via bus.
Inner West
GlebeCamperdownNewtownErskineville
Daily
$7–15
Monthly
$100–180
Suits USYD students and staff, hospital workers, and Creative quarter employees. Good access to City Road.
Eastern Suburbs
PaddingtonWoollahraRandwick
Daily
$8–16
Monthly
$110–200
For UNSW and Prince of Wales Hospital workers. Limited street parking in these suburbs makes private spots valuable.
South of the CBD
AlexandriaWaterlooZetland
Daily
$7–14
Monthly
$100–170
Close to Green Square station and the rapidly growing tech precinct. Strong demand from young professionals.
Near train stations (park and ride)
HornsbyPenrithLiverpoolParramatta
Daily
$4–8
Monthly
$50–100
Leave the car near a station and train it in. Monthly rates as low as $60–80 in outer suburbs. 30–60 min train to the CBD.
Airport (Kingsford Smith)
MascotWolli CreekTempeSt Peters
Daily
$12–22
Monthly
N/A (short-term)
1–5 km from terminals. Walk or short Uber. See our airport parking guide for more.
Price benchmarks: Sydney
| Option | Daily rate | Monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Wilson/Secure Parking CBD | $45–80 | $350–500 |
| Council metres (2hr limit) | N/A | N/A |
| Private parking, CBD fringe | $8–18 | $120–200 |
| Private parking, inner west | $7–15 | $100–180 |
| Private parking, outer suburbs | $4–8 | $50–100 |
Indicative benchmarks. Actual rates vary by specific location and listing.
Park and ride from outer suburbs
If you live along the Western, Northern, or Illawarra lines, parking near a station in an outer suburb and catching the train in can save $200–300 per month. Hornsby, Penrith, Liverpool, and Parramatta have private parking near their stations at $50–100 per month.
The train trip adds 30–60 minutes to the commute, but the savings over a year are significant, and you avoid the frustration of CBD traffic.
Find parking in Sydney
Search by suburb and filter by monthly availability, cover, and access type.