Parking in Carlton

Find The Best Carlton Parking Near You

Looking for affordable and convenient parking in Carlton? Drivers in this popular inner-city Melbourne suburb often find it hard to find parking due to short time limits, high parking costs, and a lack of spaces. Pre-book with Parkhound to secure a space before you arrive. Just browse, book, and park! 

Carlton sits just 2 kilometres north of Melbourne’s CBD, bordered by Fitzroy, North Melbourne, and Parkville. Known for its dining, shopping, culture, and educational institutions, it’s a daily destination for locals, students, and visitors. The area is home to major institutions such as the University of Melbourne, RMIT’s city campus, and the Royal Melbourne Hospital. Visitors also enjoy attractions like Lygon Street’s famous Italian restaurants, the Melbourne Museum, the Royal Exhibition Building, and the Carlton Gardens.

But finding parking is hard for both locals and visitors in Carlton. On-street parking in the suburb is mostly limited to 1–2 hours, with meters charging around $4 per hour. This makes all-day parking near busy spots like Lygon Street or the University of Melbourne difficult to find.

Across inner Melbourne, many on-street spaces have been removed or converted into bike lanes, wider footpaths, café seating, and green spaces, further reducing the already limited supply of parking.

Off-street parking is also expensive, with high-demand car parks such as Lygon Streetcharging $8 or more per hour. Many drivers also struggle with the lack of overnight parking in Carlton.

With Parkhound, you can secure a daily or monthly space in advance for less than casual parking rates. Avoid worrying about time limits, lack of spaces and where you’re parking overnight by reserving your space ahead of time. 

So whether you’re studying at College Square on Lygon Street, working in offices along Elgin Street, or living in an apartment near Drummond Street, Parkhound can help you find a parking space just steps from your destination.

You can also filter for the amenities you need, such as motorcycle parking, electric vehicle charging, 24/7 access, disabled parking, security features, and more.

How much is monthly parking in Carlton?

The average price for monthly parking in Carlton is around $300. Prices can vary widely depending on the exact location, whether the space is reserved or unreserved, nearby amenities, security features, and how popular the area is. 

Parkhound’s monthly rates are significantly cheaper than daily parking, which can reach up to $60 per day with council-run or commercial car parks. Parkhound’s listings are often up to 30% cheaper than traditional operators, especially if you’re booking long-term parking.

Where is the cheapest monthly parking in Carlton?

The cheapest monthly parking space in Carlton is a lock-up garage onRathdowne Street listed at $260 per month — that’s around $9 per day!

Renting a monthly space is a smart way to save on parking costs, since it works out to a lower permanent parking rate throughout the month compared to fluctuating daily prices. Most commercial car parks only offer discounted rates if you enter and exit within strict time windows (e.g. early bird rates). Just a late exit and you’re paying expensive casual parking rates. 

You can also choose from various car parking options, including driveways, lockup garages, covered parking spaces, sheltered areas, and other off-street parking spots offered by local hosts!

*Prices may vary daily, and availability is limited.

Where is the cheapest daily parking space in Carlton?

The cheapest daily parking space in Carlton is an outdoor parking spot in Rathdowne Street, listed at around $9 per day. 

You can rent cheap parking spaces like this on Parkhound, including private options such as garages, driveways, and undercover spots offered by local hosts across the suburb.

*Prices may vary upon booking, and availability is limited.

Carlton parking rates

Carlton monthly parking

Looking for affordable and convenient long-term parking in Carlton? Parkhound offers the cheapest parking options near work, home, or errands. With hundreds of parking locations across Carlton, it’s easy to book a reserved parking space near your favourite destinations! Choose from hundreds of parking options across Carlton, such as Queensberry Street, Swanston Street, Carlton Baths, and more!

Use our interactive map to find spaces with handy features. Filter for disabled-accessible parking spaces, electric vehicle charging stations, secure parking, and more. With flat rate parking for the entire month, you avoid fluctuating daily prices and the hassle of timing early bird parking promos. You also don’t have to worry about entry time or exit time if you choose a space that’s 24/7 accessible.

Parkhound’s monthly parking options offer convenience, security, great value, and the ease of cashless payments, whether you're working or living in Carlton’s busiest areas.

Have questions about your monthly parking options in Carlton? We’d love to help! Give us a call at 1300 55 63 55.

Popular tourist attractions

• Royal Exhibition Building (formerly Exhibition Building)
• Carlton Gardens
• Melbourne Museum (includes Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre and IMAX Melbourne)
• University of Melbourne

Popular sports venues

• Princes Park (Ikon Park)
• Melbourne University Sports Precinct
• Carlton Baths
• Carlton Gardens Tennis Courts

Popular shopping centres

• Lygon Street Italian Precinct
• Readings Bookstore

Popular entertainment venues

• La Mama Theatre
• Cinema Nova
• The John Curtin Hotel (formerly The Lygon Hotel)

Popular business districts 

• Lygon Street precinct

Popular hotels

• Crowne Plaza Melbourne Carlton (formerly Rydges on Swanston) 

University of Melbourne parking

The University of Melbourne, founded in 1853, is Australia’s second-oldest university and consistently ranked among the world’s top institutions. Its Parkville campus is located in Carlton and attracts tens of thousands of students, staff, and visitors each day.

The main on-campus parking at the University of Melbourne is provided through commercial car parks on Royal Parade and Bouverie Street, with rates averaging $10–$15 per hour and daily caps of around $35. Staff and student permits are available but heavily limited, with priority given to staff.

For visitors, nearby off-street options include the Lygon Court (Clocktower) car park and the Melbourne Museum car park on Nicholson Street, both within walking distance of campus.

Street parking in Carlton is also hard to find. It’s typically limited to 1P–2P metered bays costing $5–$7 per hour, with strict enforcement throughout the week.

Those needing long-term or guaranteed parking close to the university often turn to private listings in Carlton. Platforms such as Parkhound connect drivers with residents and businesses renting unused spaces, usually priced between $250 and $400 per month, which can be more affordable than drive-in commercial rates.

Carlton event parking

Carlton itself is better known for its cultural institutions and community events than for hosting large-scale festivals under its own name. Most major happenings in Melbourne, such as the Moomba Festival, Melbourne International Comedy Festival, or White Night, are centred in the nearby CBD and along the Yarra. Within Carlton, smaller events, exhibitions, and performances often take place at venues like the Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne Museum, and La Mama Theatre.

Planning to attend an event nearby? Parkhound has parking spaces close to Carlton Gardens, Melbourne Museum, and the University of Melbourne, so you can leave your car securely and walk or take a tram the rest of the way. Booking in advance lets you choose the location, lock in the price, and avoid last-minute stress.

While Carlton doesn’t have a major stadium, it is only a short tram or bus ride from some of Melbourne’s biggest venues. The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Rod Laver Arena, and Marvel Stadium are all within 10–15 minutes of Carlton. Local grounds like Princes Park (Ikon Park) also host AFLW matches and community sport.

If you are heading to a major event, parking in Carlton and then taking a short tram or train ride can save both time and money. With Parkhound, you can reserve a space in advance and avoid traffic congestion around stadium precincts.

Common questions about parking near Carlton