Is it Cheaper to Book Airport Parking Early?

We are often asked if there is a cost difference according to when you book your airport parking.

The simple answer is, more often than not, yes!

These figures show the difference between booking early and booking nearer departure, taken from our own figures for 2016.

Flying from Gatwick, Easter 2016

You could have saved up to 25% by booking 2 months in advance

Parking 23/3/16 – 30/3/16

Cophall Parking: Booked 18/1/16 at £34.75; booked 12/3/16 at £37.75. Book early saving £3.

Long Stay: Booked 18/1/16 at £37; booked 12/3/16 at £48. Book early saving £11.

Meet & Greet: Booked 18/1/16 at £54; booked 12/3/16 at £71.99. Book early saving £17.99.

Flying from Gatwick, Summer 2016

You could have saved up to 40% by booking 6 months in advance

Parking 1/8/16 – 8/8/16

Cophall Parking: Booked 18/1/16 at £57.60; booked 12/3/16 at £72.80; booked 18/7/16 at £94.92. Book early saving £37.32.

Long Stay: Booked 18/1/16 at £71; booked 12/3/16 at £89; booked 18/7/16 at £96. Book early saving £25.

Meet & Greet: Booked 18/1/16 at £76; booked 12/3/16 at £108; booked 18/7/16 at £110. Book early saving £34.

Flying from Heathrow, Easter 2016

You could have saved up to 35% by booking 2 months in advance

Parking 23/3/16 – 30/3/16

Purple Parking: Booked 18/1/16 at £55.95; booked 12/3/16 at £85.95. Book early saving £30.

Meet & Greet: Booked 18/1/16 at £64; booked 12/3/16 at £90. Book early saving £26.

Flying from Heathrow, Summer 2016

You could have saved up to 18% by booking 6 months in advance

Parking 1/8/16 – 8/8/16

Purple Parking: Booked 18/1/16 at £83.95; booked 12/3/16 at £83.95; booked 18/7/16 at £64.95. Booking early cost an extra £19.

Meet & Greet: Booked 18/1/16 at £64; booked 12/3/16 at £72; booked 18/7/16 at £78. Book early saving £14.

Heathrow airport car park charges are not always cheaper for the summer, as August is quieter due to fewer business travellers at that time of year.

Flying from Manchester, Easter 2016

Parking 23/3/16 – 30/3/16

Jet Parks 3: Booked 18/1/16 at £29.99; booked 12/3/16 at £25. Booking early cost an extra £4.99.

Meet & Greet: Booked 18/1/16 at £30; booked 12/3/16 at £30. No change in cost.

Flying from Manchester, Summer 2016

You could have saved up to 35% by booking 6 months in advance

Parking 1/8/16 – 8/8/16

Jet Parks 3: Booked 18/1/16 at £29.99; booked 12/3/16 at £29.99; booked 18/7/16 at £39.99. Book early saving £10.

Meet & Greet: Booked 18/1/16 at £30; booked 12/3/16 at £30; booked 18/7/16 at £47. Book early saving £17.

Meet & Greet prices are taken from the cheapest flexible Meet & Greet car park and may not be the same company.

In addition to saving money, booking early ensures a space. In Summer 2016 many car parks were full. Full car parks meant that last minute bookings could not be taken. In some cases there was no availability for a couple of weeks before travellers’ arrival dates.

For anyone worried that the price may go down, choose a flexible product with FHR. This means that if your car parking space gets cheaper nearer the date, you can cancel and re-book with us at the new rate and get the balance refunded up to 24 hours before date of stay.

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