An expert has explained how to avoid paying 20 per cent more every time you park
Millions of drivers are unknowingly overpaying for their parking because of the rise of app payments, an expert says. William Fletcher, CEO of Car.co.uk, said pay-to-park apps could add up to 20% extra to a typical hourly stay. “While these fees might not sound like much for a single trip, if you park five days a week for a year, you could be spending over £150 more than necessary,” he said.
Mr Fletcher said: “As more car parks move towards app-based payments, being aware of the extra charges and understanding the differences between apps can help you make smarter choices. It is worth checking if your local car parks still offer pay-at-meter options, especially if you regularly park in the same areas.
“Alternatively, downloading several parking apps and comparing fees for your regular routes can help you pick the most cost-effective option. If possible, consider finding a parking spot with a friend or carpooling to reduce the number of spaces you need.
“In short, paying via an app is easy, but being mindful of fees, even when they seem insignificant, is worth it. A few pence here and there may not seem like a lot, but over time, these costs can quietly add up to a substantial sum.”
Apps like JustPark, PayByPhone, and RingGo have made it simpler than ever to pay for parking without rummaging for coins or queueing in the rain at ticket machines. You can find a space, pay instantly, and extend your parking time without needing to return to your car.
However, despite all the convenience, these apps can quietly increase what you pay each time you park, thanks to a combination of fees and optional extras.
Some of the extra costs include:
- Service Or Convenience Fees: RingGo, for example, applies a convenience fee that can vary depending on the location, often around 10–30p per session. PayByPhone’s fees are determined by local parking operators and usually stay under 35p per transaction, though this can add up if you park frequently. JustPark charges a transaction fee to cover platform operation and customer support, which ranges from £0.69 for small bookings to a maximum of £1.99 per reservation.
- Optional Reminder Texts: Apps often offer SMS alerts to remind you when your parking is about to expire. Each text usually costs 10–20p, depending on the service. Drivers who rely on these reminders several times a week could see these charges add up to an extra £20 or more a year.
- Transaction Fees: Private operators sometimes tack on a small transaction fee, generally 5p–15p per booking. This covers payment processing and overheads.
Altogether, these additional charges can increase the cost of a typical hourly stay by around 20%. To put this in context, if your standard hourly parking costs £2, using an app with fees could raise it to £2.40. For someone parking five days a week, this amounts to around £1 extra per week, which is more than £150 a year, purely due to the payment method.
Checking whether a car park still has traditional payment meters or paying in cash when possible can reduce costs significantly. If you don’t have these options, consider checking with multiple apps to compare fees in your area before committing to use one app in particular.
“Think carefully about whether you really need to use optional features,” Mr Fletcher said. “SMS reminders are convenient, but you can always set a timer on your phone instead, allowing you to avoid an extra charge each time.”
Being aware of event-day pricing is also important, as some locations increase fees during concerts, sports matches, or festivals. Remember: convenience is valuable, but small fees can add up faster than you expect.