Airport Car Parking – Why Pay More???

A Which? Survey today found that many people are getting stung for parking their vehicles at the airport car parks; some providers of this service are charging ridiculous amounts of money for leaving your vehicle at the airport. Please read on for some helpful advice and tips on how to avoid this.

When leaving your car at the airport, charges are to be expected. But when the cost of your car parking, surpasses that of the cost of your flights, it begins to get rather preposterous.

Parking at Heathrow Airport can cost around £60 to £70 for the week if booked in advance however if you turn up on the day this price can more than double and be in the region of £120 upwards. That is an increase of nearly 100%.

By booking your parking at Gatwick Airport in advance you can expect to pay around £41, but if you do not pre-book then you could be looking at around £91.00. The same applies at other airports too. At Manchester you can book early for around £36.00 but if you are not prepared and pay on the day then you could be looking at around £100.

A few top tips when arranging your car parking at Airports in the UK:

Always check around for prices – Check locally based suppliers like for example, Airparks who are based approximately 4 miles from Glasgow Airport. Often you can find that the off airport suppliers are much cheaper than the ones based on site.
Book In Advance – It seems like with many things the earlier you book, the better deal you get. Always arrange your car parking in advance. You do not want to get charged more than 100% extra for your car parking on the day. In every possible instance please book as early as possible to avoid disappointment and price hikes.
Check with Hotels – If you are staying at a hotel at the airport it is worthwhile checking with them as they sometimes have deals for car parking with the room packages.
Check Transfer Times for Shuttle Buses – If you are travelling at unsociable hours then it is best to check that the buses stay regular throughout the night.
Balance Price against Security – Most of the Car Park companies have CCTV installed as well as guarded patrols, local services may be less secure, so always check first and make sure that your vehicle will be secure as generally if there is a problem then it is your responsibility not theirs.

So follow these steps and you can be sure that your car parking will not only be at a reasonable cost, but also you will be safe in the knowledge that your vehicle is secure.

Having worked in the car rental industry for over 15 years, he really knows his stuff. Rob heads up our marketing department and as a keen traveller, always has a new location to talk about. Particularly if there is a golf course nearby.