Everything you need to know about airport parking

We're helping you navigate UK airport parking – including the kiss-and-fly fee just waiting to catch you out

If there’s one thing we can say about August, it’s that it’s peak holiday time. And if you’re lucky enough to be jetting off during summer, we bet there’s a whole plane-load of things you get excited for in the runup.

We’re talking private pools and questionable inflatables, morning mimosas and afternoon siestas, paella by the sea and long slow days under the sun.

Is it as relaxing as it sounds? Absolutely.

But let’s not underestimate the sheer amount of work we do beforehand to make sure our treasured holidays launch without a hitch.

You might be squirreling away extra bottles of sun cream. Or printing your boarding pass, just in case your phone dies. You may even pack your own sat nav because you don’t trust the one built into your hire car (shout-out to Dads everywhere for that one).

But how much thought are you putting into parking your lease car at the airport?

If you’ve been whacked by an unexpected kiss-and-fly fee this summer, this is your sign to start putting airport parking on your essential holiday prep-list.

Because returning home to face an unexpected parking charge? It’s so not going to help with the post-holiday blues.

That’s why we’re breaking down everything you need to know to help you navigate airport parking – from why it’s so expensive, to what the hidden drop-off fees are.

And there’s some money-saving hacks in here too, so next year you can spend more of your budget on sangria by the pool, and less on paying for airport parking.

Why is airport parking so expensive?

There’s no easy nutshell for this one.

Airports will tell you it’s about reducing traffic congestion and emissions. And to be fair, airports are really high emission zones which often sit in built-up residential areas.

Think London Heathrow and Gatwick sitting just on the outskirts of a city that proudly champions ULEZ. They’ve got to do something to tackle their image, but it’s not in their best interest to scale down the flying schedule.

Especially in peak summer months.

So, what’s a nice easy win for them? Making it unappealing for you to drive to them.

And listen, we’re never going to be cross about a genuine effort to reduce pollution, road congestion and emissions.

It’s better for the environment, better for locals getting sick of the endless stream of holidaymakers clogging up their roads, and better for you, that one time you’re running seriously late for your flight.

Less traffic on the road means you might actually make it.

But make no mistake – airports are businesses, first and foremost. And airport parking is an easy source of revenue.

Short-stay, long-stay, and even airport drop-offs all add to the expense of our lovely holiday. And in recent years, the price point has got steeper than ever.

Is it inflation? The cost-of-living crisis making sure no aspect of our lives remains untouched? Or businesses taking the opportunity to milk us for all we’re worth?

Possibly, it’s a mix of all three. But if it feels unfair to be forking out additional hundreds of pounds for the privilege of going on holiday, keep in mind what this revenue is actually used for.

Airports can use the money generated from parking on site maintenance and security.

That means cleaner terminals, essential repairs, functional fountains for free drinking water, and actually getting to enjoy some comfortable (or at least not broken) seating when faced with the inevitable departure delay.

If you’ve ever waited six hours for your gate to finally be called, you’ll know how important that is.

What are the different kinds of airport parking? 

There are different ways to park at the airport. Or at least, there are different zones and ‘classes’ of parking with different fees and levels of security.

And in this increasingly digital age, it’s not always as simple as long-stay and short-stay anymore. And the parking available will really depend on where you are flying from.

Bigger airports with big flying programmes are likely to have more options than your little and local – Heathrow will have more going on than Exeter, for example.

So, here’s a basic look at the kind of parking that may be available at your airport of choice.

Long stay parking

This is for the big bananas.

No weekend city breaks here. No quick conferences on the continent.

This is meant for the two-week private villa holiday in sultry Corfu you’ve been looking forward to all year. Or the long-awaited trip across the Atlantic to see every single one of your American relatives.

• The go-to option if you plan to be away for more than four days
• May require a shuttle service depending on the layout of the terminal 
• Greater security: look online to see if it comes with ParkMark approval 

Long-stay parking can rack up in cost, so it’s worth seeing if you can book in advance to get a cheaper rate.

Short-stay parking

Does what it says on the tin. If you plan to be away for less than four days, or you’re simply picking up a loved one after their trip, it’ll probably do you fine:

• You get to keep your keys
• It's usually really close to the terminal
• Secure location: gated or barrier access
• Perfect for trips of four days or less

Is it cheaper than long-stay? Well, it depends how long you’ll be there and whether you can get a discount for booking in advance.

Gatwick’s short stay starts from £7 for stays of up to 30 minutes. Which is a bit eye-watering, admittedly.

But if you plan to park there for more than 24 hours, they promise cheaper online prices.

Valet parking

This one is a good option if you don’t fancy forking over a big fistful of cash for the long-stay carpark.

It can be interchangeable with meet-and-greet parking: in both cases your car is stored away from the terminal.

• You can either park at the terminal or at a designated location further away
• Keys are handed over to a valet driver, or valet office
• Your car will be stored at a secure location or depot office and returned in time for your arrival
• You  may need to catch a shuttle bus to and from the terminal
• It's generally cheaper than long-stay parking and is intended to be more convenient

Some airports have made valet parking easier than ever, with the key handover being entirely digital – like Edinburgh airport.

Just be aware that handing over your keys means entrusting someone else behind the wheel of your lease car. And there’s always going to be an element of risk for things like accidental damage.

Or even joyriding your beautiful motor – Ferris Bueller style.

It’s unlikely, but if you opt for valet parking next year maybe take a quick snap of your odometer before you hand the keys over.

Just in case.

Express drop-off/pick-up zones

Got saddled with dropping granny off at the terminal for her ladies’ trip to Spain? This is where you’ll want to go.

Most terminals have specific drop-off areas really close by for cases exactly like this.

• Designated for quick drop-off and pick-up
• Often comes with time restrictions and potential fees
• May have automated number plate recognition (ANPR) to track entry and exit times
• Not always free

Signage can be hard to spot in a busy area with lots of pedestrians and vehicles. And at some airports, the rules have recently changed.

Some are now charging for use of these drop-off/pick-up zones.

In other words, if you’re going to get caught out with an unexpected kiss-and-fly fee, this is where it will happen.

What is a kiss-and-fly fee?

It’s a snappy name for what can be quite an unpleasant surprise.

More and more UK airports are charging for these quick drop-offs, including airports that used to offer these services for free.

And in some places, you only pay a fee when you exceed a certain time limit. That’s why paying close attention to signage in the area is crucial – exceeding these limits is one of the key ways in which you could get hit with a surprise fee.

Which airports have the most expensive drop-off fees?

Eleven out of 20 airports have hiked up the drop-off fee in the last year.

And the most expensive? We’re calling out London Gatwick, London Stanstead, Bristol, Leeds Bradford and Southampton, because their parking is more expensive (at least per minute) than your flight.

Whether you’re the one being dropped off, or you’re doing a favour for a family member and driving them to the terminal, it’s a minimum spend of £7 for a paltry five to ten minutes of parking.

London Heathrow, Edinburgh, Birmingham and Liverpool have raised their prices too. And Cardiff airport has recently introduced a drop-off fee for the first time (£3 for 10 minutes).

When you consider the rates for your bog-standard car park in the summer – about £1.50-£2 an hour in East Devon – what airports are charging does seem truly extortionate.

How to save money on airport parking

With a little bit of research and prep, you can avoid paying the big bucks for airport parking – whether you’re doing the drop off, or jetting off yourself.

If the designated drop off zones charge by the minute, take a look at the fine print on alternative parking options. Aberdeen will let you park in long-stay for free for up to one hour – that’s more than enough time to drop your fam at the terminal, and without having to pay a penny.

Staying for longer? There’s a few things you can do. Start by comparing the prices of different parking providers. Is it cheaper to do long-stay, or something like Bristol’s Silver Zone? Off-site parking tends to be cheaper than on-site.

Reserving your space in advance can also save precious pennies: prices generally increase the closer you get to your departure date.

If you’re really keen to make a saving, you may be able to get discount codes by signing up to parking provider newsletters.

Or, if you’re staying at an airport hotel, you may be able to combine it with a parking package which works out more efficiently than booking the two separately.

Lastly, you might consider not parking at the airport at all. Apps like JustPark could let you reserve a space on someone’s driveway close to the airport – but you’ll then have to make your own way to the terminal.

Using public transport like trains, buses and taxis is another viable option – but you should always compare prices with airport parking to make sure you are getting the best deal.

Because it’s not just about getting the cheapest space: it’s about getting the best value for your money. And that means ease and convenience definitely have to factor in.

Sometimes, an easier life (and trip) is worth spending a little more money on.

This is our guide to airport parking – what you need to know and how to save a bit of hard-earned cash next time you fly.