3 Ways to Avoid Airport Parking Rip-Offs
For many holiday-goers, there's nothing worse than getting to the airport, excited to travel, and finding out that airport parking is going to cost you an arm and a leg. If you want to avoid the rip-off of on-the-day airport parking, here are three tips to try.
Park Outside the Airport
When you're driving to an airport, the most obvious parking choice is the car park area provided by the airport itself. However, it's not essential to park in an airport-owned parking lot. Many holiday-goers choose to park their vehicle in a nearby commercial car park (for example, a hotel car park) to save money. Car parks outside airports are almost always cheaper. However, it is important to note that parking outside the airport will require longer transfer time between your car and the airport itself, and you may have to book a seat on a shuttle service if the journey is too long to walk.
Use Booking 'Hacks'
The most common way to book airport parking is direct through the airport itself on the day of your flight or shortly before. Unsurprisingly, this can be expensive and put a damper on your holiday before it even begins. However, there are many 'hacks' you can use to get a cheaper parking fee. For example, booking parking far in advance, as soon as you've book your flights, can be a lot less expensive. Cheap parking spots can fill up quickly, and airports often put the prices up as time goes by. You can also try using comparison sites and alternative booking vendors, rather than going straight to the airport itself, to see if there are any better deals around. Remember to only use reputable agents. If you're in doubt about a site or app's authenticity, ask the airport for confirmation.
Get a Taxi
One of the biggest misconceptions about getting a taxi to the airport is that it's more expensive than parking there. However, this is often simply not the case. A return taxi journey can be a lot cheaper than paying for airport parking, especially if you're going on a long holiday. Daily parking fees add up quickly for holiday of two weeks or more. The best way to see if your journey could be cheaper by taxi is to consult a local, reputable taxi service--you have nothing to lose by enquiring. Getting a taxi can also be a lot less stressful, helping you start your holiday relaxation a few hours earlier.