Airport parking prices have been pegged in many cases and are even falling with many remaining closed following the pandemic.
The cost of leaving a vehicle in a safe and secure location for a seven or 14-night break can rival that of a holiday itself.
There have also been widespread tales of unscrupulous operators leaving vehicles in fields or even residential streets whilst their owners were soaking up the sun.
Non-flying revenues have never been more important for airports, and car parking, whether on open land or in constructed multi-storey parks, has become a growing part of this package.
Some airports are reported to make as much as 25 per cent of revenue from premium and valet parking.
Car parking is continuing to provide essential income for airports with many passengers choosing to drive to the airport rather than use any form of public transport.
Top tips for airport car parking:
Book in advance
Reserving a space ahead of travel can save pounds. But make sure you book far enough in advance.
Depending on the airport you need book at least 24 or 48 hours before arrival or you’ll end up paying the drive-up rate.
Try a hotel deal
Combining a stay at an airport hotel with parking for eight- or 15-day periods usually works out cheaper than booking each component separately.
Park and fly packages also available through Holiday Extras ( holidayextras.com ), BCP ( parkbcp.co.uk ), and Superbreak ( superbreak.com ). However, there may be an extra charge for the hotel transfer. Check how regularly the transfer operates and the time it takes to the airport terminal.
Short stay or long stay?
The best time to discover a deal for leaving the vehicle in a short stay car park or with valet parking is within two or three weeks of departure. It will be no cheaper than long stay, but for a small extra cost you’ll be within easy walking distance of the terminal. Lengthy walks laden with luggage are not the best way to start and end a break.
Take care if booking a car park or valet parking deal that isn't situated at an airport official car park. A “Park Mark” award scheme ( parkmark.co.uk ) is a useful indication of proper security and quality standards.
This is a review of average airport car park prices through HolidayExtras
| |
Per day |
Per week |
Landing page |
Edinburgh |
2.84 |
22.75 |
https://www.holidayextras.com/edinburgh-airport-parking.html |
Birmingham |
3.75 |
29.99 |
https://www.holidayextras.com/birmingham-airport-parking.html |
Glasgow |
3.75 |
29.99 |
|
Luton |
4.62 |
36.99 |
|
Heathrow airport |
5.37 |
42.95 |
|
Manchester |
8.13 |
65 |
https://www.holidayextras.com/manchester-airport-parking.html |
Liverpool |
5 |
40 |
https://www.holidayextras.com/liverpool-airport-parking.html |
Newcastle |
5.75 |
45.99 |
https://www.holidayextras.com/newcastle-airport-parking.html |
Bristol |
6.12 |
48.99 |
|
Gatwick airport |
7 |
55.99 |
|
Cardiff |
8.13 |
65 |
|
Stansted |
9.75 |
77.99 |
