Parking in W1: Where to Park in Mayfair, Soho and Marylebone

Parking in central London around Mayfair, Soho and Marylebone is doable, but it needs a plan. The whole of the W1 postcode sits inside the Congestion Charge zone and the London-wide ULEZ, and on-street bays here are among the priciest in the country, so the charges you pay before you even stop can outweigh the parking itself. This guide sets out what you pay to drive in, how Westminster's on-street parking works, and the best car parks for a longer or more relaxed visit.

A car parked in a marked bay on a Mayfair street in W1, central London

A car parked in a marked bay on a Mayfair street in W1. Photo: Loco Steve (CC BY-SA 2.0), via Wikimedia Commons.

The charges you pay before you park

Two daily charges apply across W1. The Congestion Charge is 18 pounds a day when you pay in advance or on the same day, rising to 21 pounds if you pay in the three days after. It runs from 7am to 6pm on weekdays and from noon to 6pm at weekends and on bank holidays. On top of that, the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) charges 12.50 pounds a day for vehicles that do not meet the emissions standards, and it covers all of Greater London around the clock. A non-compliant older car can therefore run up more than 30 pounds a day in charges alone, on top of parking.

On-street parking in Westminster

W1 falls within the City of Westminster, whose on-street parking is cashless. The council has removed its pay-and-display machines, so you pay through the PayByPhone app or by phone, quoting the bay's location code. Expect high hourly rates in the West End and short maximum stays, often a couple of hours, designed to keep spaces turning over. Bays are marked for different uses, pay parking, resident permit holders, disabled badge holders and loading, so read the sign carefully before you leave the car; getting it wrong means a penalty charge notice.

Controlled hours vary street by street. In much of Westminster paid parking applies Monday to Saturday during the day, but in the busiest parts of Soho and the West End it can run into the evening and on Sundays. The app shows the exact hours for each bay, which is the only reliable way to know when, and whether, you must pay.

The best car parks in W1

For anything longer than a quick errand, an off-street car park is usually simpler and often cheaper if booked ahead. Well-placed options in and around W1 include:

  • Q-Park Chinatown, near Leicester Square and the south of Soho.
  • NCP and Q-Park car parks around Brewer Street and Soho, handy for the West End and theatres.
  • Q-Park Cavendish Square, an underground car park in Marylebone just north of Oxford Street.
  • Q-Park Marble Arch, at the western end of Oxford Street for shopping and Mayfair.

Booking a space online in advance almost always beats the drive-in tariff, and it guarantees you a spot on a busy day. Many of these car parks also have electric-vehicle charging.

Practical tips

Consider whether you need to drive at all: W1 is one of the best-connected parts of London, with the Elizabeth line at Bond Street and Tottenham Court Road and Underground stations ringing the district. If you do bring a car, weigh the combined cost of the Congestion Charge, ULEZ and parking against a taxi or the Tube. Blue Badge holders have some concessions in Westminster but should check the specific rules, as central London has its own arrangements. Keep an eye on loading and permit-only bays, which are enforced strictly.

Planning a wider trip? See our guides to living in W1 and where to eat in W1, or start at the W1 London homepage. For the official charges and to pay, use Transport for London and check on-street rules with Westminster City Council.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to drive into W1?

Before you park, W1 sits inside the Congestion Charge zone, which costs 18 pounds a day if you pay in advance or on the day (7am to 6pm Monday to Friday, and 12pm to 6pm at weekends and on bank holidays). Older, non-compliant vehicles also pay the 12.50 pounds ULEZ charge, which applies across all of London.

Can you park on the street in Mayfair and Soho?

Yes, in marked pay-by-phone bays, but it is among the most expensive on-street parking in the country and busy bays fill quickly. Westminster City Council has removed pay-and-display machines, so you pay through the PayByPhone app or by phone. Always read the sign for the bay's hours, maximum stay and any resident-only restrictions.

Where are the best car parks in W1?

For a longer or more secure stay, a car park is usually easier than the street. Options include Q-Park Chinatown near Leicester Square, NCP and Q-Park sites around Soho and Brewer Street, the underground Q-Park Cavendish Square in Marylebone, and Q-Park Marble Arch at the west end of Oxford Street. Booking a space online in advance is normally cheaper than driving in.

Is parking free in W1 in the evenings or on Sundays?

In much of Westminster, on-street charges apply Monday to Saturday during the day, but in the busiest West End streets they can run into the evening and on Sundays too. Never assume it is free; check the sign on the bay or the PayByPhone app for the exact controlled hours before you leave the car.

Do electric cars pay to park in W1?

Electric vehicles are exempt from the ULEZ charge and, from January 2026, pay a discounted Congestion Charge when registered for Auto Pay, but they are not automatically free to park. On-street and car-park tariffs still apply, although Westminster offers some electric-vehicle and charging bays, so check locally.