Passengers clobbered by parking and currency exchange fees

THE most expensive airport in the UK for changing money and leaving your car is – Bristol.

Flying from there can add £221 to the cost of a break before lift-off.

Heathrow came in second, walloping travellers for £206.56 before they even get on the plane.

Next come Leeds Bradford at £189.99 and Gatwick at £189.71.

At the other end of the scale, Belfast was the cheapest airport, charging £101.74 for a week’s parking and currency exchange, followed by Doncaster on £114.76.

Bristol charged £147 for a week’s parking but the same service cost £130.48 at Heathrow when prices were averaged out across its five terminals.

Stansted was the most expensive airport for changing sterling to euros, with an exchange rate more than 20 per cent lower than the market rate, according to currency providers Fairfx.

It means holidaymakers stand to lose £104.83 worth of euros for every £500 they exchange there.

In contrast, Luton’s exchange rate was five per cent lower than the market rate – a difference of £25 for every £500 swapped.

And when Fairfx checked the cost of executive lounges available for people who are not in flight clubs, Heathrow’s Terminal 5 topped the list with a £34.99 entrance fee for a family of four.

Fairfx boss Ian Strafford-taylor said: “Many holidaymakers will opt for the most comfortable and carefree experience at the PRICIEST AIRPORTS 1 Bristol ........................... £221.08 2 Heathrow (average) ...... £206.56 3 Leeds Bradford ............. £189.99 4 Gatwick (average) ........ £189.71 5 East Midlands ............... £188.99 6 Stansted ....................... £186.83 7 Birmingham ................. £180.89 8 Manchester .................. £177.98 9 Liverpool ...................... £176.47 10 Cardiff ........................ £166.03 CHEAPEST AIRPORTS 1 Belfast .......................... £101.74 2 Doncaster ..................... . £114.76 3 Newcastle ..................... £128.69 4 Luton ............................. £130.78 5 Edinburgh ...................... £151.08 Based on changing £500 into euros and a week’s meet and greet parking airport. But when you have little control over the terminal and even which airport you fly from, it doesn’t seem fair that the price difference for enjoying the experience is so wildly different.

“When it comes to exchange rates offered at bureau de change desks in airports, we’ve found time and time again holidaymakers are being ripped off by scandalous rates.

“This means they end up with a lot less holiday money than they could get elsewhere – and it’s a big price to pay for the convenience of doing so.”

“The best way to enjoy your airport experience is to plan ahead and cost up your options before you go.

“That way you won’t be stung by any expensive surprises while waiting for your flight and you are free to start holiday mode as soon as you’re at the airport.”