Airport parking prices rise as British travelers pay up to £189 for a four-day stay | News
Holidaymakers flying from UK airports are being warned to brace for rising parking costs. Research shows that travelers can pay as much as £189 for just four days.
The data, collected by Confused.com, shows that short-stay parking at UK airports now costs an average of £93.90, while long-stay options cost an average of £59 over the same period. Meet and greet services, which are often considered the premium option, are the most expensive at an average of £101. The figures were collected from airport websites in the UK before the peak season.
However, prices vary widely across the country. Passengers could spend more depending on the airport they travel from, as short-stay parking at airports in England is typically 90% more expensive than in Scotland, and 17% higher than the UK average. Some smaller regional airports in Scotland even offer free parking, which can reduce the average parking costs at airports in the country. Meanwhile, Wales holds the title for the most expensive average long-stay rate in the UK, at £81, which is 93% more expensive than the average in Scotland.
These costs can add up to a significant expense for family vacations. According to Confused.com’s survey of 2,000 British adults with passports, almost 1 in 5 travelers book airport transfers at the same time as their flights to save money, while almost 1 in 4 compare taxi fares with parking prices before traveling.
Many travelers assume that airport parking is the cheaper option, but more than a quarter say they are surprised at how much it actually costs. A round-trip taxi journey to the airport costs around £92 on average, prompting many to reconsider which option offers the best value.
It’s a reminder that cost remains a major factor determining how travelers choose to get to the airport, often balancing prices with convenience and safety. While 2 in 5 prioritize saving money, 1 in 3 are more concerned about the safety of their vehicle while they are away. Many assume that parking is a better, money-saving choice.
Alvaro Iturmendi, travel insurance expert at Confused.com, said many travelers can avoid paying too much by planning ahead. “While airport parking is often convenient, costs can be a challenge, especially during peak travel times. Booking an airport parking space in advance and comparing different parking types, from long-stay to off-site parking and driving, can lead to savings. In some cases, splitting a taxi or using public transport may be a more cost-effective choice.”
To help travelers make better decisions, Confused.com has launched an online Airport Journey Planner (https://www.confused.com/travel-insurance/airport-journey-planner) that allows users to compare the cost of local taxi fares with airport parking fares based on their location and travel details, with the aim of helping them find the most cost-effective way to travel. terminal.
