I’ve parked at UK airports greater than 100 instances and these are the methods I exploit to maintain airport parking prices as little as attainable. I’ve written out an entire guidelines so that you can observe under.
Paying for airport parking actually provides a couple of quid on the price of your vacation. You spend all that point trying to find low cost flights after which coughing up for the parking will be like taking one other particular person, one you don’t really wish to come.
After years of travelling from UK airports and consistently in search of methods to chop journey prices, I’ve realized that airport parking costs are much more versatile than most individuals realise. You simply have to dedicate a while to it, and know the websites to look on. That’s the place I are available.
Finest methods to economize on airport parking
Ebook as early as attainable
Examine a number of parking suppliers
Examine cashback websites
Examine official airport parking with unbiased operators
Take into account Park & Experience as an alternative of Meet & Greet
Journey midweek the place attainable
Search for resort and parking packages
Examine in case your journey insurance coverage consists of valet parking cowl
By no means assume official airport parking is the most affordable
Why airport parking prices differ a lot
If we study the why, we are able to study the methods. Airport parking works virtually precisely like airline tickets, costs are at all times altering relying on:
demand
college holidays
airport occupancy
occasions
time of reserving
arrival instances
cancellation flexibility
Meaning two folks parking in precisely the identical automobile park for precisely the identical variety of days pays utterly totally different costs. So, let’s see methods to get this airport parking as cheaply as attainable.
1. Ebook airport parking as early as attainable
That is the largest saving you’ll make with regards to cheaper airport parking. Many airport parking operators launch their most cost-effective costs months earlier than departure and as areas start to promote, costs normally improve.
3–6 months earlier than journey: finest costs
1–3 months: nonetheless good
2–4 weeks: costs begin climbing
Identical week: usually the most costly
If you guide your vacation, guide your parking on the identical day for the perfect deal.
2. Examine a number of airport parking web sites
By no means guide the primary value you see. I normally evaluate:
official airport parking
comparability web sites
unbiased parking firms
Generally the airport itself is most cost-effective. Different instances, an unbiased supplier can save £40–£80. Examine at the very least three suppliers earlier than reserving.
I might usually have a look at Vacation Extras, the official website, after which I’d Google ‘most cost-effective Gatwick parking’ for instance, and select one from there.
3. Examine official vs unbiased parking
Many travellers assume official airport parking is at all times safer. In actuality, many unbiased firms:
have glorious critiques
maintain recognised trade accreditations
provide safe compounds
present frequent shuttle buses
Generally you’re paying a premium just because the airport’s identify is connected.
4. Select Park & Experience as an alternative of Meet & Greet
Meet & Greet will be splendidly handy however it normally isn’t the most affordable. At the very least with Park & Experience you recognize the place your automobile is and the place it’s going to remain on your whole journey. I usually go for this selection when my flight instances are good – I can’t deal with the additional stress of the bus if it’s an early flight.
Ensure that to learn the critiques rigorously. I as soon as booked meet and greet airport parking with an organization who didn’t reply the telephone for all the half-hour I used to be calling them. Such a disturbing begin to the vacation and I needed to panic guide with another person. They apologised and refunded me, however it was not okay. I seemed on the critiques after and others had had the same expertise.
The most cost effective isn’t at all times the perfect. Search for reliability, customer support and switch instances – saving £10 isn’t price lacking your flight.
5. Examine the strolling distance in automobile parks
Some airports have a number of official automobile parks, together with Lengthy Keep, Mid Keep, Enterprise Parking and Premium Parking, however they’re not really that far aside.
I’m pondering of Bournemouth Airport, which is the second closest airport to me. They’ve a couple of automobile parks however it’s lower than a five-minute stroll between them, they usually’re all on website, so that you may as properly save a couple of kilos and go for the furthest away (nonetheless strolling distance).
6. Use cashback web sites
Earlier than paying, verify cashback web sites. I’ve written an article about the perfect UK journey cashback websites right here that may be price testing. I’m not a large lover or consumer of cashback websites as they usually look like extra problem than they’re price, however have a look as you can earn between 2% and 12% cashback relying on the supplier.
I’ve simply checked TopCashback (18th July 26) and you’ll at present get 20% cashback on airport parking by way of Vacation Extras, and upto 10.5% on London Gatwick Parking. Could possibly be price a glance to save lots of a few cents!
7. Use your pupil low cost code
I’ve pupil low cost with TOTUM which might save round 10%. I at all times verify this earlier than I guide airport parking to get it cheaper. You’ll find out methods to get a pupil card right here.
In the event you’re eligible for NHS reductions, charity employee reductions or army reductions, you may as well get monetary savings on airport parking.
Look, right here’s an instance of methods to get cheaper airport parking together with your pupil card. The highest picture is with no pupil card, vs the underside with a card. You would save £20+.
8. Keep in an airport resort the night time earlier than
That is one in all my favorite journey hacks. Many airport inns embrace:
in a single day lodging
7–15 days parking
airport transfers
And if you happen to discover a whole lot, the resort plus parking package deal can prices solely barely greater than parking alone, as you possibly can see from the screenshots above. It will possibly additionally imply a extra restful begin to your vacation, and additional assurance you recognize the place your automobile is when you’re away. You simply have to issue it in to your loved ones journey finances.
9. Keep away from peak departure days
Parking is commonly costliest on weekends, college holidays and Financial institution Holidays. Flying on Tuesday or Wednesday saves cash on flights, and may typically cut back parking prices too.
10. Examine totally different arrival instances
Altering your parking arrival by an hour or two can often produce totally different costs. Particularly if it modifications whether or not you’re there for a full 24 hour / 48 hour block or not. Value a verify!
11. Don’t routinely guide versatile parking
Versatile cancellation is beneficial, but when your vacation dates are mounted paying additional for flexibility might not be price it. You’d simply declare in your journey insurance coverage for all of it if something modified.
12. Be a part of loyalty schemes
Some parking suppliers reward repeat clients with members solely promotions like reductions, provides and factors, which might help.
I used to be signed as much as the Gatwick Airport parking electronic mail record for some time however I believe they despatched each Friday at about 5pm and it stored making me wish to guide a vacation so needed to unsubscribe. Could possibly be price it if you happen to journey quite a bit although!
13. Take into account public transport as an alternative
I do know you’re right here for affordable airport parking concepts, however go on, check out the costs. I really like going from Portsmouth to Gatwick, it’s simply really easy on the 90-minute prepare and typically they’ve tickets for lower than a tenner. Ben prefers to drive so once we’re going the three of us, we’ll drive but when it’s as much as me, I just like the prepare.
You would additionally have a look at the airport coaches too. Even, a taxi. It’s £160 to Gatwick in a taxi from me, so if you happen to had been going for per week you can get there by prepare for a tenner, and are available dwelling by taxi for £160, and that’d type of be your airport parking and also you don’t need to do any driving.
I took the Heathrow RailAir coach as soon as, from Woking. Positively advocate, and may’t consider that was the final time I went to Heathrow really!
14. Examine for Blue Badge reductions
Some airports present devoted areas, particular help and discounted parking for Blue Badge holders. Examine the airport’s accessibility web page earlier than reserving.
All the time guide on a bank card for additional safety. This gives extra client safety for eligible purchases and should embrace travel-related advantages, relying in your card.
15. Double verify the full value
Be careful for:
reserving charges
cancellation charges
late return fees
outsized automobile fees
key dealing with charges
All the time verify the ultimate value earlier than paying, and what ready time is included. Additionally, make a remark of what you must do whenever you get again to the airport. Generally you must telephone them when you will have your baggage, others you simply go to the counter.
16. Control costs after reserving
Some suppliers enable amendments or cancellations as much as a sure level earlier than your journey.
In the event you’ve booked a versatile fee and spot the identical parking has turn out to be cheaper, it could be price checking whether or not you possibly can rebook and nonetheless come out forward after any charges.
READ MORE: The best way to Save Cash at Gatwick Airport
17. Try Simply Park and YourParkingSpace
These web sites let ‘abnormal folks’ hire out their parking areas. Entrepreneurs who reside close to airports allow you to park on their drive in return for chilly, laborious money. You will get some fairly candy offers, after which simply Uber in that closing bit. I’ve finished this at Bournemouth Airport earlier than and saved about £60.
18. Park close to a public transport hub
Take into account leaving your automobile close to a prepare or bus station with a direct path to the airport as an alternative. Winner!
My cheaper airport parking technique
After years of travelling, that is the method I exploit each time:
✔ Ebook 3–6 months forward, whenever you guide your flights
✔ Examine at the very least three suppliers
✔ Examine cashback websites
✔ Learn current critiques
✔ Examine switch instances
✔ Examine cancellation phrases
✔ {Photograph} your mileage
✔ Take away valuables
✔ Save reserving affirmation
It will possibly take some time to make certain, however it’s saved me tons of of kilos through the years.
Largest airport parking errors (simply FYI!)
Forgetting your reserving affirmation
Reserving the flawed terminal
Turning up late
Selecting an unreviewed firm
Paying cancellation charges
Forgetting quantity plate accuracy
Airport parking FAQs
When is the most affordable time to guide airport parking?
Normally between three and 6 months earlier than you journey, though costs differ by airport and demand.
Is airport parking cheaper on-line?
Virtually at all times. Reserving on-line upfront is normally less expensive than turning up on the day.
Is Meet & Greet price it?
If comfort is your precedence, sure. In the event you’re making an attempt to economize, Park & Experience is commonly the higher worth.
Is official airport parking safer?
Not essentially. Many unbiased operators have glorious safety and buyer critiques. Examine for recognised accreditations and up to date suggestions earlier than reserving.
Can airport parking costs go down?
They’ll, however costs usually tend to rise as availability decreases. Reserving early is mostly the safer technique.
Can I exploit Tesco Clubcard or loyalty factors?
Some journey suppliers often help you earn or redeem loyalty rewards on airport parking, however availability modifications. It’s price checking earlier than on the Tesco Clubcard website earlier than you guide.