Understanding your choices regarding affordable airport parking can prevent you from incurring additional fees during your airport visits. While organizing your upcoming adventure, securing budget-friendly airport parking may seem trivial, but these expenses can accumulate rapidly! In this guide, I aim to equip you with all the necessary information to help you find cheap airport parking without unnecessary stress.

For extended trips, the most convenient and cost-effective approach often involves being dropped off at the airport by a taxi, friend or family member.

This method stands out as the most economical way to save money on airport parking. I opt for this solution when I have someone available to provide me with a ride.

Alternatively, you can choose to leave your vehicle at the airport while you are away.

However, as you’ll likely concur, doing so can become exorbitant and erode funds that you would prefer to allocate towards enjoying your travels.

Various strategies can significantly reduce the expenses associated with airport parking, ranging from utilizing parking applications, securing parking discounts, to exploring park-and-fly hotel packages.

At Dresden International Airport, parking in the nearby terminal lots typically costs €25 per day for self-parking and €20 daily for outdoor parking.

In contrast, airports in more affluent locales such as London’s Heathrow command higher rates, with valet parking priced at €99 per day.

Whether you are facing costs of €20, €30, or a substantial €99 per day for airport parking, the expenses can accumulate swiftly, potentially amounting to hundreds of Euros solely for parking before your journey concludes.

Fortunately, numerous cost-effective options exist for leaving your vehicle at the airport, offering more affordable alternatives than you might anticipate. Here is a break down of ways to save money on airport parking.

How to Find Cheap Airport Parking: Gatwick, Manchester, Heathrow & More

1. Request a Lift from a Friend or Family Member

To save money on airport parking, I opt to forego driving to the airport altogether. Instead, I occasionally rely on friends for a lift to the airport.

This approach may not suit everyone, especially when facing early morning flights like a 6 am departure to Beijing for a week. At 3 am, you might find yourself short on friends willing to provide a ride.

Nonetheless, for group travels, the benefits of being delivered directly to the terminal entrance cannot be overstated.

Not only does this eliminate parking costs entirely, but it also saves time and spares you the hassles of navigating public transportation, purchasing tickets, and lugging heavy luggage. Additionally, this method reduces stress levels overall.

Given my frequent flying schedule, I don’t burden my friends with airport drop-offs for every single trip.

However, on lengthier journeys, I often reciprocate by taking turns chauffeuring my companions, ensuring everyone gets to the airport hassle free.

2. Book Airport Parking Ahead of Time

Planning your airport parking in advance can lead to significant savings. Makes sense, doesn’t it?

Typically, parking fees at airports are considerably higher if you arrive without pre-booking your parking spot.

This is because once you reach the airport and require parking, you are subject to whatever rates are in place at that moment.

By reserving your parking space before your arrival, you might secure a reasonable price and potentially slash your parking expenses by half, even for on-site parking.

Many airports and third-party providers offer rates much lower than the standard parking fees displayed on signs.

Depending on the airport, it’s advisable to make your booking at least five to seven days before your arrival to avoid paying the higher drive-up rate.

3. Seek Out Deals and Discounts

Many airports provide parking coupons that can help you save money, particularly if you plan to park for an extended period of three to four days or more.

To capitalize on these offers, consider starting with a Google search using terms like “discount parking coupons” tailored to your specific location.

In addition to conducting a general search for parking discounts, explore your airport’s website directly for long-term parking discounts.

If you want to find cheapest parking at Gatwick, Manchester, or Heathrow airports, check their websites for promo codes.

Websites like Groupon often feature discounts on airport parking from various reservation services.

Furthermore, keep in mind that numerous travel platforms can inform you about available long-term parking discounts.

If you have upcoming travel plans, consider subscribing to the mailing lists of parking services.

This way, you can receive exclusive discounts directly in your inbox that may not be publicly listed on their websites.

4. Compare Available Parking Options

When opting for onsite parking, the prices can vary based on the specific parking lot you choose at the airport.

For instance, at larger airports, you might incur higher fees for parking in lots closer to the terminals.

It’s crucial to note that there are often several offsite parking lots situated around the terminal area as well.

If I were to offer you a single piece of advice for securing affordable airport parking, it would be to compare prices diligently, as they can differ significantly.

Moreover, many airport parking services may not be featured on comparison platforms.

My usual approach involves initiating a Google search to identify the parking lots near the airport of my departure. Subsequently, I compare prices by visiting each lot’s website individually.

Although this research may take a few minutes, it invariably results in substantial savings during my travels.

It’s worth mentioning that certain offsite parking lots charge minimal fees, primarily catering to individuals leaving their vehicles for several days rather than just a few hours.

Pro Tip: Begin by checking onsite parking prices through the airport’s official website.

Next, explore offsite parking options on comparison platforms like:

• Parking4less;
• Gosimply;
• Travelsupermarket.

You might discover more cost-effective rates at alternative offsite carparks in the vicinity as well.

5. Utilize Credit Cards for Airport Parking Savings

Credit cards can also provide discounts for airport parking. While you may prefer using your current credit card, it’s worth noting that certain credit cards offer more advantageous benefits than others.

For instance, the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Sapphire Reserve cards typically offer bonus points for parking expenses, rewarding 2x and 3x Ultimate Rewards points respectively for each dollar spent on airport parking.

Additionally, you can accrue points on your flights, dining experiences, and hotel accommodations throughout your journey.

Distinct from many other travel credit cards, Chase credit cards consider garages and parking lots as part of travel expenses.

However, if you anticipate spending around a hundred dollars on airport parking, consider exploring the Barclaycard Arrival Plus World Elite Mastercard or the Citi Premier Card.

The Barclaycard Arrival allows you to earn two miles for every dollar spent on purchases, while the Citi Premier Card rewards you with 3 points for travel expenses, including parking lots and garages.

If you aim to redeem your rewards for airfare, then the Citi Premier Card emerges as the preferred choice.

Simply calculate the benefits: Each transaction with the Citi Premier Card earns you 3 points per dollar spent, surpassing the 2 points offered by the Chase Sapphire Preferred card.

Consequently, redeeming points accumulated through airport parking for discounted airfare via the Citi Premier Card proves to be more advantageous in the long run.

6. Discover Affordable Airport Parking Online

Given the multitude of apps and websites compiling airport parking offers both on-site and off-site, it can be challenging to streamline your choices.

To secure incredibly cost-effective airport parking tailored to your specific location, I recommend comparing and cross-referencing at least three distinct websites and parking apps.

Remember, prices tend to vary monthly. Alongside the previously mentioned ParkSleepFly, some of my top picks include:

• Spot Hero;
• Best Parking;
• Park Whiz;
• Cheap Airport Parking.

7. Opt for Hotels Providing Long-Term Parking Options

If you reside far from an airport and need to catch an early or late-night flight, consider booking a hotel that offers long-term parking.

This alternative is often more affordable than embarking on a lengthy drive at dawn to reach your flight.

You can combine your stay at an airport hotel with parking for seven- or 14-night periods, which typically results in more cost-effective rates than booking each component separately.

Off-site hotels near airports frequently offer more attractive long-term parking rates than on-site parking lots, sometimes even including a one-night stay.

For instance, the most economical off-site parking near Fort Worth International Airport for a 14-night trip averages around $140. Conversely, a hotel that provides 14 nights of complimentary parking, a one – night stay from $83.

While breakfast may not be included in these prices, it still represents a great deal.

But how can you locate a hotel that offers parking facilities? Discovering a hotel featuring long-term parking may require a bit of research.

Certain hotels offer this service exclusively to their regular guests, while others provide it on an unadvertised basis.

Initiate your search with Park Sleep Fly. By quickly entering your trip dates, you can uncover promising options.

If Park Sleep Fly doesn’t yield a suitable hotel near your airport, utilize Google Maps to pinpoint all hotels situated around the specific airport.

Explore the hotel websites, bearing in mind that many may not display parking information. Consider reaching out to the hotel via phone for further details.

Here’s a List of UK Hotels With Parking:

London Gatwick Airport

• Hampton by Hilton London Gatwick;
• Sofitel London Gatwick;
• Hilton London Gatwick Airport.

London Heathrow Airport

• easyHotel London Heathrow;
• Holiday Inn London Heathrow;
• Leonardo London Heathrow Airport.

London Stansted Airport

• Holiday Inn Express London Stansted;
• Novotel London Stansted Airport.

London Luton Airport

• Holiday Inn London Luton Airport;
• Ibis London Luton Airport;
• Aubrey Park Hotel Luton Airport.

Manchester Airport

• Clayton Hotel Manchester Airport;
• Britannia Airport Hotel Manchester ;
• Manchester Airport (M56/J6) Runger Langer Hotel.

Edinburgh Airport

• Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh Airport;
• Travelodge Edinburgh Airport Ratho Station.

Bristol Airport

• Redhill House Hotel ;
• Holiday Inn Bristol Airport Hotel.

8. Explore Parking Alternatives

It’s not always possible to have everything we desire, but we can certainly monitor and reduce our expenses.

Instead of paying for airport parking, I enjoy exploring alternative methods to reach the airport, thereby saving more money for my travels!

Compare services like Uber, taxis (such as Taxi2Airport), rideshare platforms, and public transportation options.

Depending on the distance of your residence from the airport and the duration of your trip, consider utilizing these services. Those might offer cost-efficient solutions compared to parking at the airport.

Even if the cost savings aren’t substantial, avoiding the hassle of parking and simply being dropped off at the terminal can be less stressful.

If you reside in a city with abundant buses, trains, and taxi services, public transportation is likely the most economical way to bypass airport parking expenses or the need for friends to drop you off at the curb.

Alternatively, consider booking an Uber or Lyft ride, or connect with someone traveling to the airport on your departure date through platforms like BlaBlaCar.

9. Earn Income by Renting Out Your Car While You’re Away

If you find that inexpensive airport parking isn’t quite your style and you’re interested in earning money by renting out your car, there are ways to park your vehicle for free and generate additional income.

While these options may not suit everyone, they enable you to not only secure free parking but also receive payment for every mile your car is driven while you’re away.

As a bonus, your car will even receive a wash along with the complimentary parking.

Consider platforms like:

• Turo (U.S. & Canada);
• GetAround (U.S. & France);
• Carhood (Australia);
• Travelcar (Worldwide).

Discovering cost-effective (and even free!) airport parking is all about understanding your choices.

By agreeing to their terms and conditions, you can bid farewell to the rental counter. Be savvy, explore the available options, and start saving on Cheap airport parking.

10. Benefit from Free Parking at Smaller Regional Airports

When globetrotting on a tight budget, every penny saved counts. This is why discovering smaller airports in remote areas can serve as a game-changer.

In comparison to major airports, these smaller counterparts often offer more affordable (or even free) parking, shorter security lines, and reduced wait times.

Additionally, you won’t find yourself trekking for miles from the parking lot to the departure gate.

If you’re embarking on a long-haul journey and reside in these regions, chances are you’re planning a layover.

Consider booking with KLM, renowned for its extensive network linking regional British airports to Schiphol, one of Europe’s most streamlined and convenient airports.

If you’re looking for cheapest way to find the parking near airports in the USA, take advantage of complimentary parking at locations like St. Cloud Regional Airport in Minnesota, Casper/Natrona County International Airport, or Cheyenne Regional Airport in Wyoming.

Final Thoughts on How To Find Cheap Airport Parking

There you have it—the top 10 most effective ways to find cheap airport parking at Gatwick, Manchester, Heathrow or any other airport in the world..

The choice you make ultimately depends on how frequently you travel and the duration of your trips.

When selecting offsite parking providers, remember that price isn’t the sole consideration. Take the time to peruse customer reviews for each service and assess the company’s location.

In certain instances, smaller enterprises offer highly competitive rates and superior rewards programs.

If you’re considering leaving your vehicle at a regional airport, conduct thorough research to avoid unnecessary expenses on both onsite and offsite airport parking when you could have managed it free of charge.

While airport parking fees may not be a favored expense, the array of alternatives available ensures you don’t have to break the bank to enjoy your trip.

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