Six simple ways to save money on airport car parking

How you book can make a big difference both to cost and the convenience of parking your car at the airport. Here are six key things to consider to make sure are leaving your car in the safest hands at the best possible price:

1. Book in advance

If you arrive at Heathrow’s long stay carpark (for Terminals 2 and 3) without booking, a week’s stay in August could cost you over £200 (£31.40 for the first day and £24.80 for each subsequent 24 hour period). By booking ahead (heathrow.com), you can reduce that bill to under £85. At Gatwick the long-stay drive-up price (North Terminal) is £125 compared to the pre-booked price of £89 (gatwickairport.com/parking) - note prices can fluctuate. 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. 

2. Look at both the airport and price-comparison websites

Start by checking prices for “official” on-airport parking through the airport’s own website to get a benchmark price. I found parking rates quoted on gatwickparking.com matched the rates for official carparks quoted by online agents such as Holiday Extras (holidayextras.co.uk) and BCP (parkbcp.co.uk).  This was also the case for other price comparison sites including Parking4less.com, Gosimply.com and Travelsupermarket.com. However, these sites offered cheaper rates at alternative off-site carparks.

3. Book a hotel and parking 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. I was quoted £94 for an overnight stay and eight days parking for an August week through APH (aph.com) at the Sandman Signature hotel near Gatwick (compared to £89 for a “park and fly” package including private taxi transfer if booked directly with the hotel and £147 for the same hotel and parking if booked separately through the hotel and the official longstay carpark). These prices exclude breakfast. Park and fly packages also available through Holiday Extras (holidayextras.co.uk), BCP (parkbcp.co.uk), and Superbreak (superbreak.com). Bear in mind you may also have to pay extra for the “hotel hoppa” (typically around £4.50 per person, one way). Look at how regularly the transfer runs and the time it takes to do the journey - some will stop at several hotels on route to the airport terminal.

4. Check short stay car park deals

Your best chance of a finding a good deal for leaving your car 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 convenient walking distance of the terminal. At peak times however, such deals are hard to come by.

5. Check car park standards

If you are booking car park or valet parking deal which isn’t based at one of the airports official car parks, do double check where your car will be parked. A “Park Mark” award scheme (parkmark.co.uk) is a useful indication of proper security and quality standards.

6. Look for price guarantees and booking incentives

Holiday Extras (holidayextras.co.uk) allows you to claim your money back and park free if you find it cheaper elsewhere, subject to conditions. Also, some agents including BCP (parkbcp.co.uk) will send you discount e-coupons by email if you register for offers.