Parking in Ghent

Parking in Ghent can be a challenge, especially with the different zones, rates and the Low Emission Zone (LEZ). It's helpful to know your options beforehand. Read all the parking options here so you can visit Ghent carefree by car.

Parking in the center or outside?

Depending on the reason and length of your visit, you can choose whether or not to park in the center. For example, if you stay in Ghent for several days and do not need your car, the costs can quickly add up and it is better to park in a peripheral car park. You can often park for free at the peripheral car parks and easily get to the city center by public transport.

Going shopping for an afternoon? Then a paid parking garage in the center may be more recommended. This way, you can get to the shops quickly and you don't have to drag around with the purchases. But know that these car parks are not free of charge.

Ghent has a low emission zone

Like many other major cities, Ghent also has a Low Emission Zone (LEZ) to improve air quality. Contaminated vehicles that do not meet the conditions are not allowed to drive in this zone.

Check in advance whether your car is allowed in the LEZ and avoid the risk of being fined up to €500.

For more information about the rules and to check, visit the website of the city of Ghent.

Paid parking in Ghent

Most of Ghent is paid parking, with the exception of assigned peripheral car parks. Parking costs can quickly add up, so you can save many euros by comparing in advance.

Street parking in Ghent (+ parking fees)

Street parking in Ghent may be chargeable, the hours and the rate depend on the zone in which you park. You can pay via the parking meter; you no longer have to put a ticket behind your window. It is sufficient to enter your number plate when paying. Another option is to pay on mobile, via text message or an app. This is possible in Ghent with the following parties:

• 4411
• EasyPark
• Indigo Neo
• Yellowbrick
• ParkD

Always pay attention to resident zones, visitors are not allowed to park here and you risk a fine here.

You always have the option to park for 20 minutes for free in the paid zone twice a day, but you always need to register on the parking meter. This way, you can temporarily load and unload.

Different street parking rates

You can view the various parking zones at the map of the City of Ghent. Ghent has 5 different zones for street parking:

• Red Zone
  Paying from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. (€ 3/hour)
  Up to 3 hours of parking (9-19 hours)
  Free between 11pm and 9am and on Sundays and bank holidays
• Orange Zone
  Paying from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. (€ 1.80/hour)
  Up to 5 hours of parking (9-19 hours)
  Free between 11pm and 9am and on Sundays and bank holidays
• Yellow Zone
  Paying from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. (€ 1.80/hour)
  Up to 5 hours of parking (9-19 hours)
  Free between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., and on Sundays and bank holidays
• Green Zone
  Paying from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. (€1.00/hour)
  Free between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., and on Sundays and bank holidays
• Blue Zone
  No paying parking
  Up to 2 hours of parking with parking disc (9-18 hours)
  Unlimited parking between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., and on Sundays and bank holidays

The various car parks in Ghent at a glance

Ghent has 19 car parks, 13 of which are managed by the City of Ghent. These are all chargeable, the rate depends on the location. The ones in the city center are often more expensive.

Paid car parks in the city center:

• Saint Michael
• Windows
• Savanstraat
• Couter
• Center parking
• Friday market
• Bar
• Ghent South
• Saint Peter's Square

Please note that only Ghent South is outside the low emission zone; all other car parks are in the LEZ.

Paid car parks outside the city center:

• Tollhouse
• Ledeberg
• The Loom
• Ghent-Dampoort
• Ghent-Saint-Pieters
• North Dock
• The Loop

You can check the availability of underground car parks in advance on the Ghent website.

Pre-book your parking space with SparkSpot

If you want to be sure of your parking space and want to be able to park in Ghent without stress, you also have the option to reserve a parking space in advance. Especially during events or busy periods, this is not an unnecessary luxury.

Via SparkSpot you can easily find and reserve all available car parks. This way, you can be sure that your car is parked safely and that you have a spot upon arrival.

Free parking in Ghent

The best option to park for free in Ghent is to use the free park & ride options on the outskirts of the city. During holidays and on Sundays, you can also park on the street for free.

Park and ride (P+R)

There are several P+R areas on the outskirts of the city that offer an alternative to avoid the hustle and bustle and high costs. The center is often less accessible to mobile homes, trucks or trailers. P+R facilities offer a safe and affordable alternative to larger vehicles.

These areas offer good connections to the center by shuttle buses or public transport, so you can park your car without worries.

Tip: bring a (folding) bike to cycle from the P+R to the center. Ghent is a real cycling city and you can quickly get to the center via the many bicycle bridges. There are bike parking spaces everywhere.

All P+R locations are easily accessible by bus and tram. The average travel time to the center is between 10 and 20 minutes.

Free park & ride options in Ghent:

• P+R Water Sports Track
• P+R Burgundy
• P+R The Loop Expo
• P+R Gentbrugge Arsenal
• P+R Moscow
• P+R Mariakerke Post
• P+R Muide
• P+R Maaltebrugge Park
• P+R Lübeck Street

Paid park & ride options in Ghent:

P+R Ledeberg: €1/hour, max. €8/24 hours. City center 5 minutes away by tram.

P+R Galveston: €2 for 24 hours, bus connection to the center.

P+R St Peter's Station: Approx. €26 for 24 hours, less recommended.

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