Airport parking can easily cost you a small fortune if you’re not careful. Parking prices for Gatwick Airport surpassed an average of £10 per day last month, according to analysis by Holiday Extras.
So how can you avoid getting ripped off? Independent Airport Parking Association (IAPA) Chairman Nick Caunter has the top tips you need to make sure you get the cheapest airport parking this year and steer clear of trouble.
The most common cost that catches people out is the kiss and fly charge, where airports charge friends and family for making a drop off.
“We would urge people to beware prices that look too good to be true – they probably are!” Nick told Express.co.uk. “One way dubious companies can attract business is to offer very low base-prices and then add on extras such as booking fees, airport access and transfers.
“Always check what is included with your booking and ask for a breakdown of any additional charges so you can calculate the real price.”
Parking at the airport itself might seem like the easiest option, but, as Nick explained, “onsite airport parking is often more expensive than local police-approved park and ride options, which often offer considerable savings and have similar transfer times to airport’s own long-stay car parks.”
Always shop around to compare prices, though. “Don’t leave booking to the last minute – you’ll pay more and have the least choice,” advised Nick.
Another perk of a good park-and-ride operator is the added security. “When you park onsite at an airport, your car is left at your own risk,” said Nick. “So if another driver bumps it when you’re away, there’s very little you can do if they don’t leave their details.
“But if you park with a reputable park-and-ride or meet-and-greet operator, they’ll take responsibility for your car as soon as you hand it over, and will make good any damage that’s caused by them, or will have CCTV in place to record damage caused by other drivers.
“Most operators will take high definition pictures of your car as you arrive, so it’s very easy to know what bumps and dents were there before you used their service.”
An absolute no-no is parking on streets to avoid costly airport charges. “Never be tempted to park on local streets,” Nick cautioned. “Cars that are left for days can become a target of thieves, and we see stories every summer of fed up residents taking their anger out on unprotected cars.
“The most important thing you can do for airport parking peace of mind is to find a car park that is secure, and the easiest way to do this is to check that the operator displays the blue Park Mark logo.
“This means their parking facility has been police assessed and is recognised to be well managed with appropriate levels of security and surveillance, such as fencing, CCTV and staff on site 24/7. For further reassurance, check out their facility on Google Maps.”
It’s also important to not leave anything valuable or eye-catching on show in your unattended vehicle.
Make sure you get the timings of your airport journey right to avoid last-minute angst.
“For most people, arriving at the airport with plenty of time to spare lowers the stress levels considerably,” said Nick, “we would recommend aiming for 30-mins to one hour before your check-in opens.
“Parking your car should be a fairly painless process, but check in advance for the walking or transfer time if you are parking at the airport; the transfer time and frequency of courtesy buses if you are using a park-and-ride service, and the expected handover time if you are using a meet-and-greet company.
“It only takes a few minutes to check these details and factor them into your planning, and this preparation can save a lot of worry on the day you travel.”
And lastly, what if you forget where you’ve parked your car when you fly back to the UK after your break?
“Most airport park-and-ride or meet-and-greet services will bring your car to you,” Nick explained, “but if you do self park the best thing you can do is take a photo on your phone of a memorable landmark or signpost.”
