Airport Parking

Airport Parking Guide – A Simple Overview

A simple A-Z guide answering the frequently asked questions about Airport Parking. Hopefully it will provide answers to any questions you may have before you travel.

One thing is for certain, when you are flying from any airport in your home country, you will need to get to and from the airport itself! Although there are many transfer options available, which you choose is simply down to your own needs, requirements and budget. Some of the most common options are public transport, coaches or taxis. However, one of the more popular choices for many travellers is to simply take their own car. Driving to and from the airport themselves, offers many advantages. This is a popular choice for many passengers, especially when there are several people traveling in a group. As a result, it can work out much cheaper to share the cost, rather than pay individual fares on others forms of transport.

Choosing to drive to the airport in your own car has many advantages.

It allows you the traveller to plan your own journey
It enables you to set your own time schedule
It also eliminates waiting around at the airport on your arrival back in your home country.

Frequently Asked Questions:

If you are not too familiar with airport parking, it can be a little confusing, as to which type to use; As a result, there are many common questions that are frequently asked by people wanting to park at the airport. Below is a list of the most frequently asked questions about airport parking, along with a few helpful tips and things to consider.

Advance Booking
APH
Booking
Costs
Deals
Duration
Gatwick
Meet & Greet
Off-Site
On-Site
Pricing
Types Of Parking

Advanced Booking:

Is it cheaper to book airport parking in advance?

Yes, in general it is always cheaper to book airport parking in advance, rather than on the day of travel at the airport. Airport parking spaces are limited and therefore the price is based on a ‘supply and demand’ basis.
As a result, prices do fluctuate depending on the demand. Many airports and airport parking companies offer discounts to customers who book early. As a result, you can often save between 20% – 60% just by booking in advance.

Why Book Your Airport Parking in Advanced?

As with many things, booking your airport parking in advanced does have many advantages. Car parks only have a limited amount of spaces and can only accommodate a certain number of cars. Once these spaces have been filled, obviously, you will not be able to park your car!

Generally, the sooner you book your airport parking, the better deal you will receive. It really is on a supply and demand basis and there will only be a certain number of spaces at low prices. Once these spaces begin to fill, the price will increase.

There are two prices you can pay for airport parking and these prices are simply ‘Higher’ and ‘Lower’. If you book in advance you will receive better deals and as a result will pay much lower prices than if you just turn up on the day without a booking. If you turn up at the barrier without a reservation, you will be charge a much higher rate!

Also, booking in advanced guarantees you have a space. Turning up at the airport on the day without a reservation will not only cost you a lot more money but it could also see you struggling to find an available space and that is not a good situation to be in at the airport, especially if you are pushed for time!

APH:

What is APH airport parking?

APH is a UK based company that offers airport parking and hotels. The letters ‘APH’ simply stand for ‘Airport Parking & Hotels’. As well as providing airport parking, APH also offers a range of other travel extras such as airport lounges and car hire. The company itself was originally set up in 1980 and now has a number of its own car parks, as well as acting
as a booking platform for a number of independent parking providers throughout the UK. As well as airport parking, APH also offer parking at ferry ports such as Dover and Southampton.

Which airports have APH parking?

APH offer airport parking at most of the major International Airports throughout the UK. These include:

Aberdeen Airport
Birmingham Airport
Bristol Airport
Cardiff Airport
East Midlands Airport
Edinburgh Airport
Exeter Airport
Gatwick Airport
Glasgow Airport
Heathrow Airport
Leeds Bradford Airport
Liverpool John Lennon Airport
London Southend Airport
Luton Airport
Manchester Airport
Newcastle International Airport
Stansted Airport

Booking:

When to book airport parking?

The best time to book airport parking is as early in advance as possible. This is especially the case if you are planning to travel during peak times. In general, if you intend to park your cr at the airport during
peak periods such as school holidays or the Summer months, you should try to book2-8 weeks in advance. If you are travelling during one of the quieter months, then booking 1-2 weeks in advance should be
enough time to get a good deal.

Booking Process:

During the booking process, you are required to provide your flight details. This is generally so that the airport car parking companies know which flight you are travelling on. The parking company can then ensure your car is ready for collection upon your arrival. Also, it means that a courtesy bus will be waiting ready to pick you up from the airport on your return.

All airport parking facilities vary depending on which airport you are flying from but in general, most follow the same kind of procedures regarding booking and getting to and from the airport terminal.

Costs:

How much does airport parking cost?

Airport parking varies in costs depending on which airport in the world you are wanting to park. As well as the airport location, factors such as the length of your stay and type of parking
will increase the cost. The average cost of airport parking would be:

Short Stay: £5-£10 per hour
Long Stay: £10-£20 per day
Meet & Greet: £10-£20 per day
Park & Ride: £5-£10 per day

The cheapest option is general the ‘Park & Ride’, which are located offsite close to the airport itself.

Why is airport parking so expensive now?

The reason why airport parking is now more expensive is simply due to several different factors. These factors include:

Limited Spaces
Increased demand
Operating Costs
Dynamic Prices

If you book airport parking late or closer to the date of travel, you will general experience higher costs. Also, parking during peak periods such as school holidays, Christmas and Easter can increase costs dramatically.

Deals:

How and where to find the best deals on airport parking.

The Internet is full of websites offering airport parking but which ones do you choose and which ones are the best and cheapest?

Well, booking online is generally the cheapest way to purchase your airport parking as there are normally better deals to be found. However, trying to visit all the different websites individually can be a nightmare so it is recommended to use one of the airport parking comparison websites or agencies that search all the available companies and then provide the best deals at that current time.

To help this this process a little easier, we have provided a list of some of the best airport parking comparison websites that consistently provide the best deals on airport parking. Using the list below, will ensure you find the best deals to suit your requirements and budgets.

The bottom line is very simple, if you are taking your own car to the airport, you WILL NEED to pay for parking. If you know that you are taking your car, book your airport parking early in advance and save time, stress and money!

Duration:

Can we park a car at the airport for 3 days?

Yes, you can park at the airport for 3 days. Airport parking is designed to accommodate both short and long durations which means that 3 day parking at the airport is very common.

Gatwick:

How much is airport parking at Gatwick?

The cost for parking at Gatwick Airport fluctuates and is determined by many different factors. However, in general, the costs of the most popular ‘offsite’ parking at Gatwick airport are between
£4-£10 per day. The official onsite parking at Gatwick airport can be significantly more expensive, due to the convenience and demand.

Hotel & Parking:

This service is a popular service for many travellers who require a hotel for the night before they fly and who also require parking for their car for the duration of their trip. Booking airport parking and hotel is is especially popular with those passengers who may have a long drive to and from the airport and who do not wish to risk driving to the airport on the same day as they are travelling.

Is there parking at the airport and can you park at the airport:

The simple answer is yes, you can certainly park at the airport. The majority of major airports throughout the world offer facilities for visitors to park their vehicles. As a result, you can generally find a variety of options for parking at most airports, including:

Short Stay Parking
Long Stay Parking
Meet & Greet Parking
Valet Parking
Park and Ride Airport Parking
Airport Parking With Hotel

All the above types of airport parking options are either located within the airport grounds known as ‘On-Site Parking’ or very close to the airport. which is known as ‘Off-Site Parking’. Off-site parking usually includes a free courtesy bus transfer from the car park to the airport terminal. On your return, you will get the free courtesy bus transfer from the airport terminal back to the car park.

Meet And Greet Airport Parking:

The ‘Meet And Greet’ facility is probably the most convenient way to park your car but it is the most expensive. The process of the ‘Meet And Greet’ option is simple. Upon your arrival at the airport, you will be met by a chauffeur who will collect your car and then drive it to the secure parking facility. This leaves you free to just walk into the departures
area and check-In for your flight. On your return to the airport, the process is very simple. All you need to do is phone the chauffeur once you have landed and then they will drive your car to the airport terminal. The chauffeur will be waiting for you outside with your vehicle as you exit the arrivals terminal so you can drive from the airport terminal hassle free.

Offsite Airport Parking – Park and Ride:

Offsite airport parking or more commonly known as ‘Park & Ride’ is one of the most popular choices as it is the cheapest. These car parks are known as ‘Offsite’ because of their locations to the airport and normally require a transfer by courtesy bus to the airport terminals, hence the name ‘Park & Ride’. The journey to and from the airport is usually about 10-15 minutes and this is why they are usually the cheapest option.

‘Park & Ride’ usually requires you to check your car in to the reception on arrival and then hand your keys over to the car parking company. A member of staff will then park your car and will then ensure it is waiting for you on your return. In some locations you may be required to park your car yourself but you will be informed about this process in advance. You will then be transferred to and from the airport by courtesy bus provided by the car parking company.

‘Off Site’ parking is usually a little more of a distance away from the airport and usually requires a transfer to and from the airport to the car park. This transfer is normally provided by the car parking company itself and is free.

On-Site Parking:

What is On-Site parking?

‘Onsite’ parking is actually on the airport grounds and generally means it is within walking distance of the terminal buildings.

On-site parking is more expensive than the ‘Park & Ride’ option because of its close proximity to the airport terminal. Onsite Parking is usually located within the grounds of the airport itself, providing convenient access to the terminals and airport.

If you choose to use the ‘onsite’ parking at the airport, you will most likely have to find a space in the designated parking area and then either walk to the airport terminal or catch a courtesy bus to the airport terminal. Onsite parking does not usually require you to leave your keys and for some people, this is a much preferred choice.

If you are using the onsite airport parking facilities, you may be required to insert your bank card into the barrier upon arrival (this is usually the card you used to make the booking). This is simply so that your booking can be authorised before the barrier is raised. Once your card has been scanned and your booking recognised, the barrier will lift and you can then find an appropriate space to park your vehicle.

Pricing:

The price is generally higher for ‘Onsite’ parking, as you are paying a little more for the convenience of the close proximity to the airport. However, if you are not in a great rush, the ‘Offsite’ parking can usually be reached by courtesy bus in a few minutes. As a result, ‘Offsite’ parking is generally a cheaper option.

Types Of Parking:

How many types of parking are there?

There are several different types of airport parking but most major International airports offer between 4-6 types of parking. These options usually determine the final price you will pay on your selected duration of car parking. Passengers usually have the choice of ‘Onsite’ parking or ‘Off Site’ parking.

Types Of Parking Available At The Airport

Pick Up and Drop Off Parking
Short Stay Parking
Long Stay Parking
Park & Ride
Meet & Greet Parking
Valet Parking
Premium parking

Should I Park At The Airport?

Whether you should or shouldn’t park at the airport is simply down to your own needs and requirements and budget. As a result, these will all play a big part in helping you decide whether to park at the airport. As you can imagine, every individual’s circumstances are different when travelling. However, here are just a few Pros and Cons of airport parking:

Pros:

Convenience:

Convenience is one of the main pros of airport parking. Being able to drive to the airport in your own vehicle and park is a major plus point. Having your vehicle at the airport upon your return is also a big advantage, especially if you have early morning departures or a late night/early morning arrival.

Flexibility:

If you choose to pay a little more, you can often ensure that you have total flexibility on your airport parking booking. As a result, you will be allowed to change or cancel your reservation at any time up to the day of parking. If you have a delay, you will also be allowed to amend your pick up/exit time.

Security:

Using airport parking facilities will generally ensure that your vehicle is safe and secure. The majority of airport car parks have a range of security measures in place, which include CCTV cameras, Security patrols and security fencing around the perimeter of the car park. Not only that but they also have ticket systems or barriers at the entry and exit points.

Cons:

Cost:

The cost is obviously one of the major disadvantages of airport parking, especially if you are travelling alone. Turning up at the airport on the day of travel and paying at the airport will usually be more expensive. The longer you leave your vehicle at the airport, will obviously result in a high price. Pre-booking your airport parking in advance will generally be much cheaper.

Tip: Compare airport parking to ensure you find the best deals and prices for your airport parking.

Limited Spaces:

As you can imagine, spaces for parking at the airports are limited. As a result, these spaces are in high demand, especially during peak seasons. Once again, this is why booking in advance is definitely the best option.

Tips and Things To Consider:

Alternative Transport:

If you find that airport parking is going to be too expensive, then why not consider alternative options. Catching the train, coach or a taxi may work out to be a much more viable option. This generally tends to be the case, when travelling alone or for longer duration.

Find the best deals on airport parking at: