Every Trick I Know to Save Money on Airport Parking in 2026

I’ve parked at UK airports more than 100 times and these are the strategies I use to keep airport parking costs as low as possible. I’ve written out a complete checklist for you to follow below.

Paying for airport parking really adds a few quid on the cost of your holiday. You spend all that time searching for cheap flights and then coughing up for the parking can be like taking another person, one you don’t actually want to come.

After years of travelling from UK airports and constantly looking for ways to cut travel costs, I’ve learned that airport parking prices are far more flexible than most people realise. You just need to dedicate some time to it, and know the sites to look on. That’s where I come in.

Why airport parking costs vary so much

If we learn the why, we can learn the tricks. Airport parking works almost exactly like airline tickets, prices are always changing depending on:

• demand
• school holidays
• airport occupancy
• events
• time of booking
• arrival times
• cancellation flexibility

That means two people parking in exactly the same car park for exactly the same number of days can pay completely different prices. So, let’s see how to get this airport parking as cheaply as possible.

1. Book airport parking as early as possible

This is the biggest saving you’ll make when it comes to cheaper airport parking. Many airport parking operators release their cheapest prices months before departure and as spaces begin to sell, prices usually increase.

• 3–6 months before travel: best prices
• 1–3 months: still good
• 2–4 weeks: prices start climbing
• Same week: often the most expensive

When you book your holiday, book your parking on the same day for the best deal.

2. Compare multiple airport parking websites

Never book the first price you see. I usually compare:

• official airport parking
• comparison websites
• independent parking companies

Sometimes the airport itself is cheapest. Other times, an independent provider can save £40–£80. Compare at least three providers before booking.

I would normally look at Holiday Extras, the official site, and then I’d Google ‘cheapest Gatwick parking’ for example, and choose one from there.

3. Compare official vs independent parking

Many travellers assume official airport parking is always safer. In reality, many independent companies:

• have excellent reviews
• hold recognised industry accreditations
• offer secure compounds
• provide frequent shuttle buses

Sometimes you’re paying a premium simply because the airport’s name is attached.

4. Choose Park & Ride instead of Meet & Greet

Type	Cheapest?	Walk?	Bus?
Meet & Greet	❌	No	No
Park & Ride	✅	No	Yes
Long Stay	✅	Sometimes	Sometimes
Mid Stay	✅	Usually	Rarely

Meet & Greet can be wonderfully convenient but it usually isn’t the cheapest. At least with Park & Ride you know where your car is and where it’s going to stay for your entire trip. I normally go for this option when my flight times are good – I can’t handle the extra stress of the bus if it’s an early flight.

5. Compare the walking distance in car parks

Some airports have several official car parks, including Long Stay, Mid Stay, Business Parking and Premium Parking, but they’re not actually that far apart.

I’m thinking of Bournemouth Airport, which is the second closest airport to me. They have a few car parks but it’s less than a five-minute walk between them, and they’re all on site, so you might as well save a few pounds and go for the furthest away (still walking distance).

6. Use cashback websites

Before paying, check cashback websites. I’ve written an article about the best UK travel cashback sites here that would be worth checking out. I’m not a massive lover or user of cashback sites as they often seem like more hassle than they’re worth, but take a look as you could earn between 2% and 12% cashback depending on the provider.

I’ve just checked TopCashback (18th July 26) and you can currently get 20% cashback on airport parking through Holiday Extras, and upto 10.5% on London Gatwick Parking. Could be worth a look to save a few pennies!

7. Use your student discount code

I have student discount with TOTUM which can save around 10%. I always check this before I book airport parking to get it cheaper. You can find out how to get a student card here.

If you’re eligible for NHS discounts, charity worker discounts or military discounts, you can also save money on airport parking.

Look, here’s an example of how to get cheaper airport parking with your student card. The top photo is without a student card, vs the bottom with a card. You could save £20+.

8. Stay in an airport hotel the night before

This is one of my favourite travel hacks. Many airport hotels include:

• overnight accommodation
• 7–15 days parking
• airport transfers

And if you find a good deal, the hotel plus parking package can costs only slightly more than parking alone, as you can see from the screenshots above. It can also mean a more restful start to your holiday, and further assurance you know where your car is while you’re away. You just need to factor it in to your family travel budget.

9. Avoid peak departure days

Parking is often most expensive on weekends, school holidays and Bank Holidays. Flying on Tuesday or Wednesday saves money on flights, and can sometimes reduce parking costs too.

10. Check different arrival times

Changing your parking arrival by an hour or two can occasionally produce different prices. Especially if it changes whether you’re there for a full 24 hour / 48 hour block or not. Worth a check!

11. Don’t automatically book flexible parking

Flexible cancellation is useful, but if your holiday dates are fixed paying extra for flexibility may not be worth it. You’d just claim on your travel insurance for all of it if anything changed.

12. Join loyalty schemes

Some parking providers reward repeat customers with members only promotions like discounts, offers and points, which can help.

I was signed up to the Gatwick Airport parking email list for a while but I think they sent every Friday at about 5pm and it kept making me want to book a holiday so had to unsubscribe. Could be worth it if you travel a lot though!

13. Consider public transport instead

I know you’re here for cheap airport parking ideas, but go on, take a look at the prices. I love going from Portsmouth to Gatwick, it’s just so easy on the 90-minute train and sometimes they have tickets for less than a tenner. Ben prefers to drive so when we’re going the three of us, we’ll drive but if it’s up to me, I like the train.

You could also look at the airport coaches too. Even, a taxi. It’s £160 to Gatwick in a taxi from me, so if you were going for a week you could get there by train for a tenner, and come home by taxi for £160, and that’d kind of be your airport parking and you don’t have to do any driving.

I took the Heathrow RailAir coach once, from Woking. Definitely recommend, and can’t believe that was the last time I went to Heathrow actually!

14. Check for Blue Badge discounts

Some airports provide dedicated spaces, special assistance and discounted parking for Blue Badge holders. Check the airport’s accessibility page before booking.

15. Double check the total price

Watch out for:

• booking fees
• cancellation fees
• late return charges
• oversized vehicle charges
• key handling fees

Always check the final price before paying, and what waiting time is included. Also, make a note of what you need to do when you get back to the airport. Sometimes you need to phone them when you have your luggage, others you just go to the counter.

16. Keep an eye on prices after booking

Some providers allow amendments or cancellations up to a certain point before your trip.

If you’ve booked a flexible rate and notice the same parking has become cheaper, it may be worth checking whether you can rebook and still come out ahead after any fees.

READ MORE: How to Save Money at Gatwick Airport

17. Check out Just Park and YourParkingSpace

These websites let ‘ordinary people’ rent out their parking spaces. Entrepreneurs who live near airports let you park on their drive in return for cold, hard cash. You can get some pretty sweet deals, and then just Uber in that final bit. I’ve done this at Bournemouth Airport before and saved about £60.

18. Park near a public transport hub

Consider leaving your car near a train or bus station with a direct route to the airport instead. Winner!

My cheaper airport parking strategy

After years of travelling, this is the process I use every time:

• ✔ Book 3–6 months ahead, when you book your flights
• ✔ Compare at least three providers
• ✔ Check cashback sites
• ✔ Read recent reviews
• ✔ Check transfer times
• ✔ Check cancellation terms
• ✔ Photograph your mileage
• ✔ Remove valuables
• ✔ Save booking confirmation

It can take a while to be sure, but it’s saved me hundreds of pounds over the years.

Biggest airport parking mistakes (just FYI!)

• Forgetting your booking confirmation
• Booking the wrong terminal
• Turning up late
• Choosing an unreviewed company
• Paying cancellation fees
• Forgetting number plate accuracy

Airport parking FAQs