When gearing up for a holiday, there are a number of factors to take into account. One that often gets overlooked until the last minute is the decision on how to get to and from the airport. There are two main factors to take into consideration here: convenience and cost. The common view is that taking a car and parking at the airport is the most convenient way to go, while hopping on public transport is the cheapest.
It’s true that taking the car is easiest option in terms of convenience, as anyone who has had to struggle with heavy luggage on a crowded tube train will tell you. You can also set off when you want, given that you’ve left plenty of time to get to the airport and get checked in. The notion that public transport is cheaper, though, is often a myth.
A lot depends on how long you’ll be away for and how many of you are travelling. By the time that you’ve bought train tickets for an average sized family for a short trip, for example, the cost can quickly escalate past the one-off cost of parking – especially if you use premium services such as the Heathrow Express.
While turning up on the day of departure and paying for parking at the airport can sometimes come at a relatively high cost, there are ways around this. When it comes to the likes of Gatwick or there are many options on offer for those wanting to use their car – and by getting booked up early you can find yourself a great deal.
If you go direct to your chosen car parking provider’s website and enter the name of the airport you’ll be travelling from and the dates of your trip you’ll often be able to find a better price by booking your slot as early as you can. More often than not, you’ll make a significant saving on the price you would otherwise pay on the day.
Another way to approach the situation is to use a specialised airport parking comparison site to weigh up your options. Again, all you need to do is enter your relevant details, including the airport you’ll be using and the dates you’ll be away for and you’ll be presented with a range of parking options along with the associated prices.
Be sure to check out all your options too as there are more than standard parking facilities available should you wish to take advantage of them. Look into park and ride and ‘meet and greet’ services if you feel they might suit your needs better.
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David Martin writes about at UK airports. To find a good deal before your trip book with PurpleParking.com
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source to this post: Why Airport Parking Needn’t Be More Expensive Than Public Transport
From the Winter and summer travel website