How to Avoid Expensive Airport Parking

1) Book early, really early

Prices rise as bays fill up. Locking in weeks in advance usually beats “night-before” rates by a mile.

2) Compare all product types

• Park & Ride: Best value for trips of 3+ days (short shuttle included).
• Meet & Greet: Pay more for curbside ease; still compare, discounts pop up off-peak.

3) Travel off-peak if you can

Avoid school holidays and Friday/Sunday peaks. Mid-week departures are often cheaper.

4) Match time windows to reality

Don’t overbook hours “just in case.” Add a sensible buffer (security + baggage), not half a day, overlong stays cost more.

5) Watch the small print (fees)

• Airport forecourt levy: Charged per vehicle per visit for some Meet & Greet handovers.
• Barrier charges: If handover happens in Short/Multistorey.
• Overstays/amendments: Late returns or time changes can add fees-pick Flexible or add Cancellation Cover if plans may shift.

6) Consider a hotel + parking bundle

For early flights/late arrivals, sleep near the terminal and park for the whole trip, bundles can undercut separate hotel + parking buys.

7) Use loyalty & promo codes

Join mailing lists and save codes. Even 10–15% off knocks a big chunk off week-long stays.

8) EV drivers: pre-book charging

If you need a top-up, pick a product that explicitly includes EV charging (and bring a Type 2 cable). Avoid premium rapid hubs right before take-off.

9) Share the ride

If you’re a group, one car = one parking fee. Split it and you’ll beat taxis both ways.

10) Have a Plan B for delays

Know your provider’s overstay rate, and keep their number handy. If a big delay looms, call early—an on-the-fly amendment can cost less than gate rates.

Quick checklist before you pay

• Have you compared Park & Ride vs Meet & Greet vs Keep Your Keys?
• Is the levy/barrier fee included or paid separately?
• Are your drop-off/pick-up times realistic (with buffer)?
• Do you need Flexible terms or Cancellation Cover?

Ready to save?

Search live deals across Park & Ride, Meet & Greet, EV charging, and hotel + parking in one place and pick the lowest total cost for your dates.

Start comparing now: comparetheairportparking.com

Bottom line: Book early, compare widely, read the fee details, and choose the product that fits your trip. Do that, and “expensive airport parking” becomes a problem other travellers have-not you.