Best Time to Book Airport Parking
Airport parking is big business - often making more revenue for airport operators than handling the flights themselves.
Indeed, as many holidaymakers have discovered, it's possible to pay more for a week's parking than for a return flight - underlining how lucrative parking is.
With this in mind, it’s worth investing a little time to hunt down a good deal.
And when you book could be as important as which service you choose.
That said, you could save even more by choosing an alternative to 'on-site' airport parking - such as a third-party car park, a private parking spot, or even using public transport and leaving your car at home.
In this article we'll look at the best time to book your parking, and how to save money while balancing the need to keep your vehicle safe for the duration of your trip.
When is the best time to book airport parking?
Aim to book your airport parking at least one month ahead of your departure. You may get an even better deal if you book further in advance.
And booking just a few days ahead could, in some cases, save you hundreds of pounds compared to the walk-up rate.
Even if you leave it until the last minute, it’s worth booking before you depart. If you simply arrive at the airport car park without booking, you’ll be paying the highest price.
Booking ahead is likely to save you money whether you choose on-site parking, off-site parking, a hotel parking package, someone’s private driveway, or a special council-run car park. These options are explained in more detail below.
Top tip: Look for flexible deals
As events in recent years have shown, various external forces can result in cancelled or delayed flights. Strikes, bad weather and pandemics are some of the events that could force you to re-arrange your parking needs.
As such, it's important to look for flexible parking services - whereby you can cancel with short notice and crucially without penalty.
Will my insurer cover airport parking?
In some instances your travel insurance provider will not cover airport parking, since it's considered an 'extra'. However, check the terms and conditions before you take out any policy.
For Start Travel policies, within our cancellation cover unused non-refundable pre-booked airport parking would be covered.
In the case of cancellations due to government policy - e.g., when coronavirus resulted in airlines being grounded - travel insurers are unlikely to pay out.
Use price comparison sites
Price comparison sites offer an easy way to compare prices and services for parking. They are also cheaper than booking directly with the parking operator.
It’s worth doing a few searches over a period of time, since prices can fluctuate, and different deals can appear.
Having checked these prices, compare them to other options - like special council-run car parks, private driveways, and hotel parking packages.
Essential airport parking tips
1. Consider public transport
The easiest way to save money could be to use public transport from your home to the airport.
However, this will depend on how far from the airport you live, whether transport is running at the right time for your flight, and how much it costs (a train journey for a family of four could quickly add up).
Coaches
Coaches can be the cheapest, but they are also likely to take longer than any other modes of transport.
If you book many weeks in advance, you'll almost certainly bag a very cheap ticket.
Pre-booked taxi
Your local taxi firm is a good option for you airport transfer if you have heavy luggage, or are travelling with young children.
Ask if you can book a return journey, too - since they will be cheaper than airport-approved taxi firms (which essentially have a monopoly on on-the-day cab trips out of the airport).
Regular train services
These are cheaper than specialist airport links such as the Gatwick Express or the Heathrow Express. However, they will probably stop at more stations, making the trip longer.
For Heathrow, consider the Tube
It costs £6.70 one-way for adults at time of publication.
By contrast, Heathrow Express costs from around £37 per person, although you can save money by booking in advance.
2. Book airport parking early
As such a key money-saving tip, it’s worth mentioning again.
As with so many travel-related services, booking early can save you a lot of money.
The highest fees are charged to those who simply turn up at the airport and park.
Even booking online on the day of your flight will be cheaper than turning up without booking.
3. Know the different types of airport car park
On-site car parks
These are operated by the airport.
They are usually the most expensive, but offer excellent security with patrols and CCTV.
Off-site car parks
Off-site airport car parks are operated by third parties.
They are cheaper, but may be located further away from your terminal, and may not boast the same level of security as on-site parking.
Meet-and-greet parking
Similar to valet parking, with airport meet and greet parking a driver meets you at the terminal, picks up your keys and parks your car. Another driver will return your car when you get back.
Meet and Greet is a costly but very convenient option.
NB: in the unlikely event your vehicle is damaged while being manoeuvred by meet-and-greet, the provider may offer little or no compensation. Check the terms and conditions.
Private parking spaces/areas
These services are offered by private households or businesses near the airport.
They make a little extra cash by renting out their spare driveways or land for parking.
Usually much cheaper than the above options, they have the drawback of poorer security.
For peace of mind when you're on holiday, it may be better to pay a little more for parking with good security (among which on-site parking is likely to be the best option).
4. Search for hotel parking deals
Many hotels in and around airports offer free parking for the period you are away (when you book an overnight stay).
In most cases, you would arrive at the hotel with your car, stay one night, then take your flight the next day - leaving your vehicle in the care of the hotel.
This could be a good option if you have a flight early in the morning, or if public transport services mean you would otherwise be camping out in the airport for several hours before your flight.
It's possible that a hotel parking package could be cheaper than booking on-site parking - plus you get to rest in a hotel room before your flight.
However, check that the parking area has good security, and read reviews by previous guests.
You'll also need to factor in any transport costs associated with reaching the terminal from the hotel (you can often book transfer tickets when booking your room).
5. Read reviews
If you're going with a lesser-known parking firm for your holiday airport parking, check their reputation by finding reviews online.
You can also check they are registered with Companies House and have a registered address.
Read the terms and conditions to find out what coverage you have (if any) should your vehicle be damaged during the period it's parked.
Should the company go bust and you paid with a debit or credit card, you may be able to use the 'chargeback' system to get a refund up to £100.
For purchases over £100 paid on credit card, you may be covered under the Consumer Credit Act Section 75).
6. Check transfer times and cancellations
Before you book your airport parking, ensure you can reach the terminal in a timely fashion - especially if your flight is very early or very late.
Check shuttles or night buses are operating at times that coincide with your departure. Also ensure there are services running when you return.
Double check the cancellation policy. for peace of mind, you may add a 'cancellation waiver' meaning you can get a refund if you need to cancel.
This often only costs a few extra pounds but will give you more peace of mind.
Note that some providers will charge a fee for early or late pick up.
7. Leaving your car in your normal parking space
You may decide to leave your car at home and take public transport instead.
If so, check that your parking bay is not due to be suspended (perhaps due to roadworks), since councils are unlikely to accept "I was on holiday" as an excuse!
Note that some councils run special car parks for £5-10 per day. These are really aimed at people who wish to avoid parking penalties that might arise if they leave their car in their usual parking spot while they are away. However, they may be cheaper than airport parking and should have patrols and CCTV in operation.
8. Get dropped off by a friend or relative
Another option is to get dropped off at the airport by someone you know. However, many airports started charging for drop-offs during Covid, and have kept these fees in place.
Heathrow Airport, for example, charges £5 to drop someone off. However, you can avoid this by being dropped off at the airport’s Long Stay car park, which is free if you stay for 29 minutes or less. You can then use the free airport shuttle to reach your terminal.
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