Last Updated on 16 May 2024 by Colette
The Opera House Theatre in Manchester is within easy walking distance of the nearest tram stops – St Peter’s Square or Deansgate and accessible via major bus routes, however Manchester Opera House does not have it’s own car park. If you’re driving into Manchester and looking for somewhere to park near the Opera House, then these are closest car parks to the Opera House Manchester.
Obviously when it comes to deciding which is the best car park for the Manchester Opera House, it does depend on which side of town you’re coming from and whether you have plans to go for food or drinks before the show. I’ve listed the car parks according to distance but it might be that you’re happier to walk a little further if it means you pay a little less. Typically if I’m going to the Opera House to watch a show, I’m with the kids so I want the closest car park so that I can get back to the car and home again quickly – however closer car parks often have longer queues on exit as they will be the most popular car parks!
Here’s seven of the nearest car parks to the Manchester Opera House:
NCP Spinningfields, Spinningfields, New Quay Street, Manchester, M3 3BE
NCP Spinningfields is my car park of choice when it comes to parking for Manchester Opera House – it’s on the right side of town for me, it’s a pretty direct route to the theatre taking about 4 minutes to walk. It’s a large multi story car park with 680 parking spaces including 35 disabled bays. The Manchester Great Northern Warehouse NCP is open 24 hours a day.
Parking at NCP Spinningfields car park is pre-bookable and is cheaper if you pay through the app. Pay on the day prices for the Spinningfields NCP are from £4.35 for one hour up to £34.95 for over six hours – this is definitely not the cheapest car park however, they do offer a reduced rate for evening parking priced at £11.95 for parking from 5pm to midnight which works well for theatre goers! There is also the option to purchase a season ticket (offering unlimited parking at your chosen car park) which might prove to be good value if you are parking here regularly.
NCP Manchester Great Northern Warehouse, Gt Northern Warehouse 1, Watson Street, Manchester, M3 4EE
Just a 5 minute walk from the Opera House is the Manchester Great Northern NCP. This is a large multi story car park with 527 parking spaces including 25 disabled bays. The Manchester Great Northern Warehouse NCP is open 24 hours a day.
Parking at the Manchester Great Northern Warehouse car park is pre-bookable at a slightly discounted parking rate. Pay on the day prices for the Great Northern Warehouse NCP are from £3.95 for one hour up to £23.70 for over five hours. If you pay through the app, there is a special evening rate of £7.95 from 6pm to midnight which is great value and a good few quid cheaper than my usual car park – in fact I think it’s the cheapest parking for the Manchester Opera House that I’ve found. There is also the option to purchase a season ticket (offering unlimited parking at your chosen car park) which might prove to be good value if you are parking here regularly.
Bridge Street Car Park, Bridge Street, M3 5AH
Bridge Street Car Park is 0.3 miles from Manchester Opera House and about a 5 minute walk. There are a number of disabled bays which are reserved for Blue Badge holders and are free of charge. Parking at this car park is outside and all on one level. The Bridge Street car park is open 23 hours a day.
Charges for this Manchester City Council run car park are £4.50 for up to 1 hour, £6.50 for up to 2 hours and £9.50 for up to four hours. Payment is made on arrival either by the PayByPhone, Ringgo, APCOA connect app, Just Park or at the ticket machine – all payments are now cashless.
Stone Street Car Park, Stone Street, M3 4NE
Stone Street is a very small car park with space for about 12 cars – as such if you’re planning to park here for the theatre, I would recommend having a back up plan in place. The Manchester City Council website claims the car park is open from Monday to Saturday from 7am to 7pm – yet it has charges listed for up to 24 hours parking and, with the car park essentially being spaces at the side of the road, I don’y really see how it can be closed – if you’re familiar with this car park and know otherwise, please let me know so I can update his information!
Charges for this Manchester City Council run car park are from £4.00 for up to 1 hour up to £10.50 for 24 hours. Payment is made on arrival either by the PayByPhone, Ringgo, APCOA connect app, Just Park or at the ticket machine – all payments are now cashless.
NCP Salford Stanley Street, Stanley St, Salford, M3 5EX
NCP Salford Stanley Street is 0.4 miles from Manchester Opera House and should take you about seven minutes to walk. This is a large multi story car park with 635 parking spaces including 20 disabled bays and a number of electrical charging points. The Salford Stanley Street NCP is open 24 hours a day.
Parking at the Salford Stanley Street car park is pre-bookable at a slightly discounted parking rate and is cheaper if you pay for it via the NCP app. Pay on the day prices for the Salford Stanley Street NCP are from £3.95 for one hour up to £23.95 for over five hours. There is also the option to purchase a season ticket (offering unlimited parking at your chosen car park) which might prove to be good value if you are parking here regularly.
Q-Park Piazza, St James St, Manchester M1 4LX
Q-Park Piazza is a secure underground car park located in the centre of the Manchester Chinatown and about a ten minute walk from Manchester Opera House.
Open 24 hours a day, the Q-Park Piazza has 225 car parking spaces including 2 disabled spaces and 4 electric charging points for your electric vehicle (as far as I can see, these are the closest charging points to the Palace Theatre but if you know otherwise do let me know!).
Parking at the Q-Park Piazza car park is pre-bookable. Pay on the day prices for the Q-Park Piazza depend on your arrival time, with entry from 6pm being priced at £2.80 an hour. The maximum charge for any 24 hour period is £30. Payment is made by contactless as you enter and leave the car park so do have your bank card or phone to hand.
NCP Manchester Central, Lower Mosley Street, Manchester, M2 3GX
A good ten to fifteen minute walk from the Opera House is NCP Manchester Central – if you’re only going to the theatre, this probably isn’t the best car park as it’s further away and also more expensive than some of the car parks I’ve already mentioned, but if you’re looking to be in the middle of town for a bit of shopping / food before a show, you might find it works well for you.
This is a large multi story car park with 643 parking spaces including 15 disabled bays and a number of electrical charging points. The Manchester Central NCP is open 24 hours a day.
Parking at the Manchester Central NCP is pre-bookable at a slightly discounted parking rate and is cheaper if you pay for it via the NCP app. Pay on the day prices for the Manchester Central NCP are from £4.55 for one hour up to an eyewatering £29.95 for over six hours. If you pay via the app, there is a discounted evening rate £7.95 from 6pm to midnight. There is also the option to purchase a season ticket (offering unlimited parking at your chosen car park) which might prove to be good value if you are parking here regularly.
What about street parking near the Manchester Opera House?
Street parking near the Manchester Opera isn’t really an option as the theatre is so centrally located however it is worth checking Your Parking Space to see if you can pick up a good deal on a private parking spot. I hope this list will help you find the right car park and that you enjoy your visit to the Opera House!
Please note that the information in this post is correct to the best of my knowledge at the time of publishing however, parking availability and pricing may vary depending on the time of the week so do check with individual car parks for the most up to date information.
Have a look at these posts next:
If you’re looking for the best places to park near the Palace Theatre, these car parks will all be fine however there are closer parks and you’ll find the best car parks for the Palace Theatre here!
Our guide to theatre in Manchester
What’s on at the theatre in Manchester this Christmas?
Ten of the best restaurants within walking distance of Manchester Opera House
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