Getting to the airport by car is extremely important to many travelers. You have too many bags and public transport is often scarce, especially if you have an early morning flight.
But getting to UK airports by car is becoming more and more complicated. The fees are so high that it seems more like a minefield of surcharges and penalties than a happy escape to a well-deserved vacation.
This year, UK airport drop-off costs have risen as fast as energy prices, potentially adding another bill to your holiday. Other airport parking rates are also increasing, so now more than ever it pays to compare current costs.
The table above compares the cost of different types of parking at UK airports
marketing costs
This new fee applies to simply stopping at the curb at the terminal to drop off passengers. Only Cardiff, Belfast City and London City have free drop-off zones.
Passenger disembarkation was free at Heathrow and Gatwick before the pandemic – now both cost £5. Stansted charges £7, plus a £25 fee if you stay longer than 15 minutes.
Airport bosses say they are trying to get a handle on a growing traffic problem outside the terminals. Keep in mind that hefty fines can be imposed if cameras see you trying to drop off passengers in other areas of the airport.
If you pay £7 return, that’s £14 for a return ticket. The RAC warns: “This can be almost as high as the air fare per minute”.
At many airports, there is a way to avoid the fee: drop passengers off for free at or near the long-stay parking lot, then take the free bus to the terminal.
The use of drop-off zones is not mandatory. So if you are familiar with the airport area, you may know of a great place to drop off passengers. But if you’re not sure, don’t assume you can find one that’s safe, legal, and within walking distance.
Short Term Parking
Short-term parking is for those who need to wait for someone or want to accompany passengers to the terminal to greet or help with luggage. It is located near the terminal but costs by the hour and can be very expensive. An hour in the multi-storey short stay at Gatwick South Terminal costs £21, while 60 minutes at Heathrow Terminal 3 Short Stay costs £73.30.
Long term parking
“In general, it’s worth booking a parking space at the airport as early as possible” (archive photo)
Longer stays are charged per day. Therefore, it is usually the cheapest way to park while flying to vacation.
There are still big differences between official parks within the airport perimeter and cheaper, independently managed parks that can be several kilometers away.
It is important to check the frequency and length of transfers to the terminal.
Price comparisons can be difficult as many of the costs change daily.
In general, it is worth booking as early as possible. For example, if you drive past and park at Manchester Airport’s multi-level T3 car park, you could pay up to £385 for a week’s parking. If you book in advance with a travel agent like Holiday Extras, this price can drop to just £57.99.
Similarly, at the time of writing, it costs £194 to use Heathrow’s off-peak long-stay official car park, but £48 if booked in advance.
meet and greet
A “meet and greet” shuttle service is an increasingly popular option – but due to the geographical location of the locations, it is much cheaper at some airports than others
An increasingly popular option, especially for those with a lot of luggage or elderly passengers, is a meet-and-greet service. Major airports offer a choice of meet-and-greet providers, which are typically about 10 to 50 percent more expensive than regular long-stay parking.
Usually you drive to a parking lot near the terminal and give your keys to a driver. You continue to check in while your car is taken to an off-airport car park for the duration of your trip.
When you come back, call them as soon as you finish collecting luggage. Your car will be brought to the terminal and will be waiting for you when you leave the arrival hall. Prices vary with demand and vary by season and between operators.
Due to the geography of the locations, Meet & Greet is significantly cheaper at some airports than others. A snapshot of the cost of a week-long meet and greet in November showed this price range: Cardiff £50.40, Gatwick £63.90, Stansted £85.50 and Heathrow £114.21.
Daily Mail readers get 20 per cent off mapleparking.co.uk, just enter code Mail20.
The Middle Man
It may be worth using an intermediary when booking a parking space at the airport. Holiday Extras is the UK’s largest airport parking broker, offering discounts from most car park operators and free cancellation of bookings, holidayextras.com.
Other options
The ultimate parking pleasure at the airport is the valet service, where your car is delivered sparkling clean in front of the terminal after a professional hand wash. It is available in Gatwick and Heathrow at mapleparking.co.uk/car-cleaning.
A night in an airport hotel with an included parking package can be surprisingly cheap and make an early flight less of an ordeal.
Check transfers to the terminal, many hotels charge extra for this. Visit holidayextras.com/airport-hotels for offers.
After all, only the bravest of bargain hunters would attempt to rent a parking space in a private driveway near an airport. Thousands of people live near airports and advertise in their driveways or lots on sites like justpark.com. However, there is little security or compensation if something goes wrong.
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Lloyd Grunewald is an author at “The Fashion Vibes”. He is a talented writer who focuses on bringing the latest entertainment-related news to his readers. With a deep understanding of the entertainment industry and a passion for writing, Lloyd delivers engaging articles that keep his readers informed and entertained.
