Parking in a big city can be difficult and Cardiff is no exception.
You might find yourself driving around the streets for hours looking for a spot - and even if you do manage to find a space in one of the big car parks , they can end up costing quite a bit if you're planning a full day of shopping and eating out.
However, while some of the big multi-storeys could cost you a hefty amount, there are a few car parks around Cardiff that aren't quite as pricey as some of the others - and are very convenient if you want to stay for four or five hours without breaking the bank.
Read more: Huge multi-storey car park planned for Cardiff Bay alongside new indoor arena
Here are some of the cheapest places to park in Cardiff city centre and Cardiff Bay.
St David's Dewi Sant car park
The popular shopping centre's car park is open 24/7 and has over 2,000 spaces available over six storeys. A second car park of 550 spaces can also be found nearby, underneath John Lewis.
Parking in the St David's car park will set you back £5 for up to four hours, and £6 for up to five, while those wanting to stay for up to 24 hours will have to fork out £25.
Evening parking - from 5pm to 9pm - costs £2, while night parking - 5pm to 6am - costs £4.
Postcode: CF10 2EQ
Details: St David's
Sophia Gardens car park
This car park, close to the National Express coach station and the cricket ground, is also open 24-hours a day and offers 284 spaces.
Four hours parking costs £5.10, while you'll have to pay £6.10 to stay there for five hours. Longer stays are available and a stay between 12 and 24 hours will cost £17.60.
Season passes, which can be applied for online, are also available and cost £110 for a month and £1,025 for an entire year.
Postcode: CF11 9LJ
Details : Sophia Gardens
Castle Mews car park
This council-run car park, located outside Cardiff Lawn Tennis Club on North Road, is open 24 hours a day, with parking charges enforced between 8am and 8pm from Monday to Saturday and from 10am to 5pm on Sundays.
A four-hour stay will cost you £5.10, while it’s £6.10 for five hours.
Postcode: CF10 3ER
Details: Castle Mews
North Road car park
Located slightly further up North Road, opposite Blackweir Fields, this car park has 189 spaces and is open Monday to Sunday from 8am until 6pm.
Like Castle Mews, parking here for four hours will cost you £5.10, while a full day (which is until midnight of that day) costs £8.80.
Postcode: CF10 3DU
Details: North Road
Havannah Street car park
This 238-space car park in Cardiff Bay is open 24/7 and is a five-minute walk to Mermaid Quay.
Again, four hours parking will cost you £5.10, while its £6.10 for five hours. If you stay for 24 hours, however, it'll cost £24.
Postcode: CF10 5SG
Details: Havannah Street
The Barrage car park
The Cardiff Bay barrage - which this year celebrated its 20th year - has its own 24/7 car park, which has 119 spaces.
If you wanted to explore the Bay for four hours, parking here will cost you £5.50, while it's £7.20 if you wanted to stay for five hours.
Those wishing to park on the barrage for eight hours will have to cough up £13.20
Postcode: CF64 1LQ
Details: The Barrage
Red Dragon Centre car park
Parking is free for up to six hours for customers of The Red Dragon Centre in Cardiff Bay, so long as they spend over £6 at the indoor entertainment complex, which offers a cinema, bowling, restaurants and bars.
If customers exceed the six hour free period, however, tariffs will apply, with drivers having to pay £6.50 if they exceed it by up to four hours, or £10 for between four and nine hours.
However, the car park - which is a four minute walk from the Wales Millennium Centre - is also accessible for non-customers, who can get 25 minutes parking for free, up to three hours for £5 or £6.50 for up to four hours.
Postcode: CF10 4JY
Details: Red Dragon Centre
NCP Greyfriars car park
This car park, located on Greyfriars Road in the heart of the city centre has over 200 spaces and is just a short walk from Cardiff Castle, Bute Park and City Hall. However, all this doesn't come cheap.
Open from 6am until midnight from Monday through to Sunday, parking here costs £4.50 for just one hour, or £9 for between one and two hours.
Staying between four and five hours costs a whopping £22, while over five hours is £28. However, Early Bird tickets - for those parking between 6am and 9am Monday-Friday and leaving before midnight the same day - are available for £8.60, while season tickets are also on offer from as little as £4.58 per day.
Postcode: CF10 3AD
Details: NCP Greyfriars
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