Parking might not be the first thing on your mind when you think of Whitby, but it can significantly impact your visit. The town’s narrow, winding streets, especially in the historic centre, can pose a challenge for finding a parking spot. Failing to plan ahead could mean circling the streets endlessly or facing unexpected parking restrictions.
Whitby is a smaller seaside town when compared to the likes of Scarborough, so there are fewer places to park, especially if you want something close to the town centre. Not only that, Whitby is more difficult to navigate due to the tight streets, cobbled roads and narrow passes.
Also, not to mention the fact that Whitby is quite hilly, so if mobility is an issue for you, finding a car park that is level with the town might be more of a requirement than a ‘nice to have’.
Whitby boasts a unique parking scenario with its mix of on-street parking, public car parks, and innovative park and ride services. Understanding the options available and the quirks of each can make or break your visit. Whether you’re planning a leisurely exploration of the historic Whitby Abbey or looking forward to indulging in the freshest seafood along the harbour, knowing where to park can save you time and stress.
Council Car Parks in Whitby
Most people out there looking to park in Whitby will want to find the most convenient council car park.
Because Whitby town centre and the beach are in close proximity, the car parks aren’t too far away.
Short stay car parks in Whitby (with pricing)
A short stay car park allows you to park for up to 6 hours, which might be plenty for some day visitors.
| Car Park | Address | Bays | Pricing (2026) |
| Cliff Street Car Park | Cliff Street, Whitby, YO21 3DD | 37 | 1 hour: £2.20 2 hours: £3.90 3 hours: £5.30 4 hours: £6.70 6 hours: £7.40 |
Long stay car parks in Whitby (with pricing)
Long stay car parks offer parking for up to 24 hours, so better suited to those visiting Whitby overnight.
| Car Park | Address | Bays | Pricing (2026) |
| Marina Front Car Park | Langbourne Road, Whitby, YO21 1YN | 96 | 1 hours: £2.90 2 hours: £4.40 6 hours: £9.20 24 hours: £11.90 |
| Abbey Headland Car Park | Abbey Lane, Whitby, YO22 4JT | 415 | 1 hours: £2.90 2 hours: £4.40 6 hours: £9.20 24 hours: £11.90 |
| Church Street Car Park | Church Street, Whitby, YO22 4AS | 92 | 1 hours: £2.90 2 hours: £4.40 6 hours: £9.20 24 hours: £11.90 |
| Endeavour Wharf Car Park | Langbourne Road, Whitby, YO21 1YW | 250 | 1 hours: £2.90 2 hours: £4.40 6 hours: £9.20 24 hours: £11.90 |
| Marina Back Car Park | Langbourne Road, Whitby, YO21 1YN | 350 | 1 hours: £2.90 2 hours: £4.40 6 hours: £9.20 24 hours: £11.90 |
| Pavilion Drive Car Park | North Terrace, Whitby, YO21 3EN | 68 | 1 hours: £2.90 2 hours: £4.40 6 hours: £9.20 24 hours: £11.90 |
| Pavilion Top Car Park | North Terrace, Whitby, YO21 3EN | 63 | 1 hours: £2.90 2 hours: £4.40 6 hours: £9.20 24 hours: £11.90 |
| St Hilda’s Terrace Car Park | Back St Hilda’s Terrace, Whitby, YO21 3AE | 20 | 1 hours: £2.20 2 hours: £3.90 3 hours: £5.30 4 hours: £6.70 6 hours: £7.40 24 hours: £10.60 |
| West Cliff Car Park | Pavilion Drive, Whitby, YO21 3EG | 424 | 1 hours: £2.90 2 hours: £4.40 6 hours: £9.20 24 hours: £11.90 |
Cheapest Overnight Parking in Whitby
If you are staying in Whitby overnight at a hotel or B&B, most accommodations don’t have on-site parking. You will likely want to have your car close by so you can jump in and head off to explore the Yorkshire coast.
If you’re looking for long stay car parks, we found that St Hilda’s Terrace car park to be the cheapest place to park your car, costing £10.60 to park for 24 hours
Cheapest Parking in Whitby
If you are looking for the cheapest place to park in Whitby, you can park for 8 hours for just £2.49 at Sainsbury’s supermarket, although these spaces must be pre-booked through Your Parking Space. This location a short walk to the town centre and you can usually pre-book on the day, so you don’t need to plan your day too far ahead.
| Location | Price (9am – 5pm) | |
| Sainsbury’s Whitby | £2.49 | Book |
Parking near Whitby Beach
There are three car parks close to Whitby beach, so you have multiple options available. Pavilion Drive car park is the best suited to those with pushchairs or wheelchairs as there is a ramp down to the beach.
Slightly further along you have Pavilion Top car park, which is also accessible using the ramp down to the beach.
If these two are full, we recommend using West Cliff car park, which is across the road, but only a 3 minute walk down to the beach.
Parking near Whitby Abbey
Abbey Headland Car Park (Abbey Lane, Whitby, YO22 4JT) is the closest car park to Whitby Abbey and is just a 2 minute walk to the visitor centre.
The car park is easily accessible from the A171, so you don’t need to go into the busy town centre.
If you are heading to Whitby during the off-peak season (March to October), you can park for free at Abbey Headland car park, but charges do apply in the peak season.
Whilst this car park is close to Whitby Abbey, but you can walk down to Whitby town from there, which should take around 10 minutes.
Whitby Park and Ride
Whitby Park and Ride is a well-thought-out transportation service designed to alleviate parking congestion in the heart of Whitby, making it a convenient and stress-free option for visitors coming for the day.
The Whitby Park and Ride service operates A171/A174 intersection, just west of Whitby, so it is easy to access from whichever direction you travel from.
Whitby Park and Ride operates a regular and efficient shuttle service, ensuring minimal waiting times for passengers. Visitors can park their vehicles at the designated parking areas and hop onto the bus, which will take them directly into the heart of Whitby in less than 15 minutes.
The Park and Ride service is often more cost-effective than on-street parking or using public car parks in the town centre. Visitors pay a flat fee for parking their vehicle and riding the shuttle, making it an economical choice for families and individuals.
I have written a dedicated guide on Whitby park and ride which has more information available including pricing and opening times.
Free parking in Whitby
If you’re quite happy with a bit of a walk and you are more concerned about saving money than finding a parking space close to the amenities, there’s a few places you can park for free in Whitby so you can avoid hefty car parking charges.
There are no parking restrictions on the following streets in Whitby, so you can park for free for as long as you need:
- Valley Road
- Larpool Lane
- Mulgrave Road
- Mulgrave Crescent
- Parson’s Close
Free parking after 6pm in Whitby
If you decide to visit Whitby in the evening or you are staying in one of the local hotels or B&Bs, parking is free in all council run car parks after 6pm. If you’re visiting during the day, you only need to pay for parking up until 6pm, even if you plan on staying later, so you take advantage of the free parking scheme.