Airport parking charges that can cost more than a flight Sky-high airport parking charges can set holidaymakers back more than the flight itself, a consumer watchdog warned yesterday. Failing to book in advance can prove to be an expensive lapse for travellers, who can find themselves paying three times as much to leave their car at the airport.
A week’s parking at Heathrow, usually about £66, costs from £120 for drivers who simply turn up without a booking, according to research by Which? Travel.
Birmingham Airport’s long-stay parking costs £28 a week when pre-booked, but more than trebles to £85 for drivers who have not booked their spot.
Which? Travel said: ‘For many of us, driving our car is the most convenient way to reach the  airport. But in some cases, airport parking can cost more than your flight.’
In May, the average price of a British Airways flight from Heathrow to Malaga is just over £100 – almost £20 less than the cost of turning up and parking.
After examining the UK’s 13 most-visited airports, the watchdog suggests that travellers will always save money by booking a parking spot in advance.
Another tip from the consumer magazine is to book extra early. Some of the cheapest deals were available only when booking more than 30 days before departure.
It also warns that prices change quickly, with cheap deals becoming more expensive just days later. The watchdog said: ‘More often than not, we found that private car parks outside airport grounds were cheaper than on-airport car parks.
‘Glasgow Airport’s cheapest deal was nearly twice the price of Airparks, four miles away.
‘Off-site car park deals will include shuttle transfers, and these can be as quick as from the airport’s own cheapest car park. Check what security the car park has before you book, though.
‘In some cases, official airport car parks may be cheaper, as we found at Birmingham, Luton and Stansted.
‘If you want to keep your car within the airport grounds, booking direct via the airport’s website is usually, but not always, just as cheap as going via other retailers.’