Parking at Alton Towers can add significant extra costs to your stay. This guide shows you the parking costs as of July 2025.
Car Parking Overview at Alton Towers
Alton Towers charges £12 for Standard Parking per car for day visitors. You can pay on arrival at ticket machines, guest services or the box office.
Guests who hold Gold, Platinum or Premium Merlin Passes get free Standard Parking. They simply scan their pass when exiting.
Express Parking: Pay Extra for Convenience
Express Parking costs £20 for day guests, according to the official website. This must be booked online in advance, because spaces are limited.
Merlin Passholders can pre‑book Express Parking for £10. CBeebies Land Hotel guests receive free Express Parking when staying onsite.
Express Parking is situated just a 1–3‑minute walk from the Theme Park entrance.
Why book the 1-day Alton Towers Resort admission ticket?
- 🎢 Access to world-class roller coasters and thrill rides
- 🌳 Explore beautifully landscaped gardens and themed zones
- 🎠 Family-friendly attractions and live entertainment included
- 🧙♂️ Entry to CBeebies Land for younger kids
- 🎫 Convenient mobile ticket with flexible date options
Blue Badge Accessible Parking
Blue Badge spaces are available at the standard £12 rate. On‑site hotel guests and Merlin Passholders park for free if they show a valid badge.
Spaces are allocated first come, first served, so arriving early is advisable. Only one vehicle per badge holder is permitted.
How to Pay and Pre‑Book
You don’t need to pre‑book Standard Parking. Just arrive and pay at self‑service machines or resort guest desks. Barriers will prevent exit without a valid ticket.
To secure Express Parking, you must book online. These spaces often sell out, especially during holidays. Booking early is recommended.
5 great things to do near Birmingham 🏙️
- 🧢 Discover the sites from the gang stories – on a Peaky Blinders walking tour.
- 🌙 Take an after-dark walking tour – and learn Stratford’s ghost stories.
- 🔒 Experience life behind bars – on a tour of Shrewsbury Prison.
- 🎢 Head to Alton Towers – Britain’s biggest theme park.
- ⚔️ Watch jousting and trebuchets – at Warwick Castle.
Free parking for Alton Towers hotel guests
Visitors staying at on‑site hotels (such as Alton Towers Hotel, Splash Landings Hotel, Enchanted Village or CBeebies Land Hotel) enjoy free parking for the duration of their stay. This includes Express Parking for CBeebies Land Hotel guests.
Guests can park before check‑in and leave after check‑out. On‑site parking is accessible and included automatically.
Additional facilities: Electric vehicle charging and monorail
Alton Towers has 26 EV charging points for day visitors and hotel guests. They are located on Car Park 1, Splash Landings Hotel and the Alton Towers Hotel. It’s best not to rely on them being available
The Alton Towers Monorail runs from the main car park to the theme park plaza. It operates from park opening until one hour after ride closing.
Compare the Alton Towers parking options
| Option | Price | Walk Time to Park Entrance | Booking Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Parking (day tickets) | £12 | ~15–25 min (or monorail) | No |
| Express Parking (day tickets) | £20 | ~1–3 min | Yes (online) |
| Passholder Express Parking | £10 | ~1–3 min | Yes (online) |
| Blue Badge | £12 | Close | No |
| On‑site Hotel Guest Parking | Free | Varies (on‑site) | No |
Tips to save on parking
Car share. Splitting the £12 Standard Parking cost between friends or family makes sense.
Don’t bother with Express if you don’t mind walking – or are happy to take the monorail to the park entrance. The Standard slots are lower cost and don’t require booking. The monorail is part of the fun, anyway.
If you already have a Merlin Gold, Platinum or Premium Pass, take advantage of free Standard Parking. Book Express for half price at £10 if you must.
Alton Towers parking costs, summarised
In summary, standard car parking costs £12 per day, while Express costs £20, or £10 for passholders, if booked in advance. Hotel guests park for free, including Express at CBeebies Land Hotel.
Plan ahead, book online if needed, and look out for free or discounted parking perks if you stay on‑site or hold a Merlin Pass. It’s also worth looking out for special deals on parking that may be released during quieter periods.
More West Midlands travel
Other West Midlands travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Guide to parking at the Black Country Living Museum.
- Guide to parking at Cadbury World in Birmingham.
- Is there free parking at Warwick Castle?
- How to do Alton Towers with an 8-year-old.
- Alton Towers weather: When is the best time to go?
