According to a new report by the RAC more than half of Britain’s busiest airports have raised ‘kiss and fly’ fees for passenger drop offs at airport terminals. If you’re looking for ways to cut costs, start with what you spend before you even leave the ground. Airport parking charges can be surprisingly expensive, but with the right planning, it doesn’t have to be. In this guide, I’ve shared easy, practical ways to save money on airport parking, avoid unnecessary fees, and even bag a few extras to make your journey smoother- and cheaper.
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
Pre-book a parking package for the best deals
One of the easiest ways to find cheap airport parking is to book in advance. Many providers offer discounted rates when you pre-book online. However that’s not all as you can also find airport parking deals that include extras such as:
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Airport lounges
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Hotel stays near the airport
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Airport transfers
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Car hire
Bundling services like this saves time and can dramatically cut your overall travel costs.
Sign up to mailing lists
If you want access to exclusive airport parking discounts, join the email lists of parking providers and travel websites. Subscribers often get:
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Early access to special offers
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Limited-time promo codes
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Seasonal discounts
These can make a big difference, especially during peak travel seasons.
Choose a non-flexible booking option
Non-refundable or non-amendable parking bookings are typically cheaper than flexible options. If your travel dates are confirmed, this is a great way to reduce airport parking costs.
Book early for maximum savings
Just like flights, airport parking prices increase closer to the travel date. Booking a few weeks or months ahead can help you lock in the lowest price for airport parking.
Consider taking a taxi if travelling in a group
If you’re travelling with friends or family, a shared taxi to the airport could work out cheaper than driving multiple cars and paying for several parking spaces. Plus, you avoid the stress of airport parking charges altogether.
Use price comparison sites
Websites like HolidayExtras.co.uk and Airport-Parking-Shop.co.uk make it easy to compare airport parking charges across multiple providers. Look for features like:
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Verified customer reviews
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Park and ride options
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Meet and greet services
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On-site and long stay airport parking options
Comparison sites help ensure you’re getting the best value for airport parking.
Opt for long stay parking and use free shuttles
If you’re away for more than a day or two, long stay airport parking is often your best bet. These car parks are usually farther from the terminal but come with free shuttle bus services that run frequently.
This is a particularly good option for budget-conscious travellers or longer trips.
Fly from a cheaper airport
Some UK airports have lower or even no airport drop-off charges. For example:
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London City Airport allows quick, free drop-offs
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Newquay Airport offers 10 minutes of free parking in the West Car Park
If you can be flexible with your departure airport, you might save money on both parking and fees.
Plan pick-up and drop-offs
Before heading to the terminal, check if there’s a free waiting area nearby for pick-ups. Many airports now charge high fees for pick-up zones. For drop-offs, say your goodbyes before entering the zone to avoid overstaying the free time limit.
I hope this tips to reduce costs are useful. By planning ahead you can easily save money on airport parking and other pre-travel costs. From airport parking comparison tools to early booking strategies and alternative airports, there are plenty of ways to travel smarter — and cheaper.
