Book your Easter airport parking now – and bring the bill back down to earth
HOLIDAYMAKERS jetting off for Easter can save £90 on airport parking if they book their space now. Although the spring break is still almost a month away, the best deals get snapped up early.
If you plan ahead it is possible to save 60 per cent on the cost of the parking space, according to the parking comparison website Airport Parking Shop.
Choose a ‘meet and greet’ option instead of booking an official airport car park and the savings can end up being even bigger.
A meet and greet service cuts out the hassle of trying to find a spot at the airport.
Instead, a driver meets you at the airport or an agreed location nearby. They take the car keys and drive the vehicle somewhere secure while you catch your flight.
When returning from holiday you call the meet and greet company after you have picked up your luggage – giving them enough time to come and meet you at, or near, the airport with your vehicle.
Understandably, some motorists are nervous about handing over their car keys to a complete stranger – especially as there have been rare but high-profile reports where bad practice has seen cars left parked on roadsides and even taken for a spin.
Nick Counter, managing director of car park service provider Airport Parking and Hotels, says: ‘It is vital that your vehicle is kept safe and secure – and fortunately there are a few steps you can take to avoid being stung by a rogue operator.’ Firstly, you can call your chosen airport and ask if it has a list of officially approved operators. In addition, it is worth checking whether they are signed up to a police approved safer parking scheme which grants a ‘park mark’ – complete with a tick sign logo – to operators which meet a required standard of security.
Take heed of reviews, but be aware that some firms will add their own glowing reports.
Counter adds: ‘You should save money by pre-booking your airport parking for the Easter break now. By taking your time you can study all the options, security approvals and customer ratings to avoid making a costly mistake.’
Comparison websites such as Airport Parking Shop as well as Airport Parking and Hotels trawl the market looking at hundreds of private car parks serving three dozen airports nationwide.
Options not only include meet and greet but ‘park and ride’ and ‘on airport’ parking. Meet and greet is economical and convenient but park and ride can be even cheaper. But be aware that it might mean dropping off a vehicle 15 minutes or so away from the airport and catching an official bus into the terminal.
If it is convenience over cost that matters, then ‘on airport’ parking is best. Other car park comparison services to consider – which may offer their own car parks – include Better Car Parks, Essential Travel, Flight Hotel Reservations, Holiday Extras, Park and Go, Purple Parking and SkyParkSecure.
Never leave any valuables or private documents in the vehicle while you are away. And take a note of the mileage so you can be sure no one has taken your car on a joyride in your absence.
Always take the car park contact details with you.
Anyone travelling a long way to the airport or who has an early morning start can consider staying at a nearby hotel that offers car parking facilities.
Among the hotel chains offering car parking near airports that can work out cheaper are Holiday Inn, Travelodge, Ibis, Hilton and Sofitel.
Ensure the hotel is fully aware that you are leaving the vehicle for more than one night – and have paid the correct tariff for the privilege – to avoid any fine.
Another option is to park on a private driveway of a homeowner near the airport.
Websites listing such spaces include Park On My Drive and YourParkingSpace.
Some owners might even offer to drop you off at the airport for an extra charge.