Planning a long trip is exciting — but airport parking costs can quietly become one of the most expensive parts of your journey. Whether you’re going away for 7 days, 14 days, or a full month, choosing the right long-stay airport parking can save you hundreds of pounds.
In this complete, SEO-optimised guide, you’ll learn:
- how long-stay airport parking actually works,
- which parking types are cheapest for long trips,
- how to avoid hidden costs, and
- how to compare the best options for the UK’s busiest airports.
We’ll also show you where to compare real long-stay deals for:
- Heathrow Airport
- Gatwick Airport
- Bristol Airport
Using your own internal comparison pages:
- https://airportparkingfinder.co.uk/heathrow-airport-parking
- https://airportparkingfinder.co.uk/gatwick-airport-parking
- https://airportparkingfinder.co.uk/bristol-airport-parking
This article is written specifically to rank for searches such as:
airport parking for long trips, long stay airport parking UK, cheap long stay parking UK, airport parking for 2 weeks, and monthly airport parking UK.
Why long-stay airport parking is different from short trips
If you’re only flying for one or two days, almost any car park will do.
But for longer trips, the pricing model changes.
Most UK airport parking providers:
- charge lower daily rates the longer you stay,
- promote long-stay or economy zones further away from terminals,
- bundle shuttle transfers into the total price.
The biggest mistake travellers make is booking a short-stay or terminal car park for a long trip. These car parks are designed for:
- drop-offs,
- business travellers,
- and very short parking durations.
For a week or more, long-stay parking is nearly always cheaper.
What counts as a “long trip” for airport parking?
In the UK parking market, a long trip normally means:
- 5 days or more
But the real savings usually start from:
- 7 days+
For:
- 10 days,
- 14 days,
- 21 days,
- and monthly stays,
long-stay parking becomes dramatically cheaper per day.
Types of long-stay airport parking you should know
Before we compare airports, you need to understand the main parking categories.
1. Long-stay on-airport parking
This is located inside the airport boundary but usually further from terminals.
Pros
- managed by the airport,
- high security,
- reliable shuttle buses.
Cons
- not always the cheapest option.
2. Off-airport long-stay parking (best for savings)
These car parks are just outside the airport perimeter.
Pros
- usually the cheapest for long trips,
- secure compounds,
- frequent shuttle transfers.
Cons
- requires a short transfer (usually 5–15 minutes).
3. Park & Ride long-stay
This is simply a branded version of off-airport parking with scheduled transfers.
For most long trips, this is the best balance of:
price + reliability + security.
4. Meet & Greet for long trips (not always good value)
Meet & Greet is convenient, but for 10+ days it becomes expensive compared to economy parking.
For long holidays, it rarely delivers the best value.
How much can you really save on long-stay airport parking?
Here is a realistic comparison for a 10-day trip:
| Parking type | Typical price range |
| Terminal / short stay | £120 – £200 |
| Meet & Greet | £90 – £150 |
| On-airport long stay | £65 – £110 |
| Off-airport long stay | £45 – £90 |
The biggest long-trip savings almost always come from:
off-airport long-stay or Park & Ride options.
Long-stay parking at Heathrow – how to save properly
Heathrow is the busiest airport in the UK and also the most expensive if you choose the wrong car park.
For long trips, Heathrow offers a wide range of:
- on-airport long-stay,
- and off-airport long-stay providers.
The key rule for Heathrow long-stay parking is simple:
never park at terminal or short-stay car parks for a long holiday.
The best way to compare all long-stay and budget options is here:
https://airportparkingfinder.co.uk/heathrow-airport-parking
How to save the most at Heathrow for long trips
- Always check off-airport long-stay providers first.
- Look for car parks with shuttles every 10–15 minutes.
- Choose parking that includes:
- CCTV,
- secure fencing,
- and staffed facilities.
For trips of:
- 10 days,
- 2 weeks,
- or more,
off-airport parking near Heathrow usually delivers the lowest total price.
Long-stay parking at Gatwick – best value for longer holidays
Gatwick is extremely popular with holiday travellers, which makes it ideal for long-stay parking.
You can compare all long-stay options here:
https://airportparkingfinder.co.uk/gatwick-airport-parking
Why Gatwick is great for long-stay parking
- more competition between parking providers,
- more off-airport options,
- better pricing for 7–21 day trips.
How to save more at Gatwick for long trips
- avoid peak school holiday weeks where possible,
- book at least 3–6 weeks in advance,
- choose parking that includes shuttle transfers in the final price.
For 14-day holidays, Gatwick often delivers better value than Heathrow.
Long-stay parking at Bristol – cheapest for long trips in many cases
Bristol Airport is smaller than London hubs, but it often offers some of the best value long-stay parking in the UK.
You can compare long-stay options here:
https://airportparkingfinder.co.uk/bristol-airport-parking
Why Bristol is good for long trips
- shorter transfer times,
- simpler car park layouts,
- very competitive off-airport pricing.
For:
- 10-day,
- 14-day,
- and even 21-day stays,
Bristol’s long-stay parking is frequently among the cheapest in the UK.
The biggest long-trip parking mistake (and how to avoid it)
Many travellers choose parking based on:
“closest to the terminal”
instead of:
“cheapest for the full length of my trip.”
For long trips, distance matters far less than:
- price,
- shuttle reliability,
- and security.
A 10-minute shuttle saves you far more money than parking next to the terminal.
How to calculate the real long-stay parking cost
Always check:
- total price for the full stay,
- shuttle cost (if any),
- late arrival or early-morning fees,
- card or booking fees.
Never rely on:
“£X per day” pricing.
Long-stay parking should always be compared by final total price.
How early should you book long-stay airport parking?
For long trips, booking early matters more than short stays.
Best booking windows
- 3 to 8 weeks before departure = best prices
- 1–2 weeks before departure = limited availability
- last minute = often higher prices
The longer your stay, the earlier you should lock your parking.
Is long-stay airport parking safe for two weeks or more?
Yes — as long as you choose a professional provider.
Always look for:
- CCTV monitoring,
- gated or fenced compounds,
- staff on site,
- controlled vehicle access.
Cheap parking is fine — but only if it meets basic security standards.
Long-stay parking vs Meet & Greet for long trips
| Feature | Long-stay parking | Meet & Greet |
| Price for 10+ days | Cheapest | More expensive |
| Security | Very good | Good |
| Convenience | Shuttle transfer | Terminal drop-off |
| Best for long trips | ✔ Yes | ❌ Usually not |
Meet & Greet becomes expensive very quickly as your stay increases.
How frequent travellers save on long-stay airport parking
Experienced travellers use a few simple strategies.
1. Always compare multiple providers
Prices vary massively between operators.
Use comparison pages:
https://airportparkingfinder.co.uk/heathrow-airport-parking
https://airportparkingfinder.co.uk/gatwick-airport-parking
https://airportparkingfinder.co.uk/bristol-airport-parking
2. Avoid peak departure days if possible
Friday and Sunday departures often carry higher parking demand.
Mid-week departures can sometimes be cheaper.
3. Choose flexible cancellation
For long trips, flight changes happen.
Free cancellation lets you rebook if prices drop.
4. Check shuttle frequency, not just distance
A cheaper car park with a 30-minute shuttle wait can be frustrating.
Aim for:
- 10–15 minute shuttle intervals.
5. Use one car for group or family trips
One vehicle plus long-stay parking is nearly always cheaper than:
- multiple drop-offs,
- taxis,
- or ride-hailing services.
Example: saving on a two-week holiday
A family flying for 14 days:
Airport: Gatwick
Terminal parking: £165
Meet & Greet: £128
Off-airport long-stay: £72
That is a saving of over £90 simply by choosing the correct long-stay option.
When long-stay airport parking is NOT the best choice
Long-stay parking may not be ideal if:
- you are away for just one night,
- you arrive extremely late at night and transfers stop,
- your airline departure time is extremely tight.
In those cases, terminal or Meet & Greet parking may be more practical.
Monthly airport parking – is it possible?
Some providers offer:
- extended stays,
- special long-duration pricing,
- or capped maximum prices.
For trips over 21 days, off-airport providers are usually the only cost-effective solution.
Always compare using the same airport pages to identify which providers support very long stays.
How to choose the best long-stay parking for your trip
Before booking, confirm:
- the exact car park address,
- shuttle operating hours,
- security features,
- cancellation terms.
Then compare prices for your airport:
- Heathrow long-stay options
https://airportparkingfinder.co.uk/heathrow-airport-parking - Gatwick long-stay options
https://airportparkingfinder.co.uk/gatwick-airport-parking - Bristol long-stay options
https://airportparkingfinder.co.uk/bristol-airport-parking
Final checklist for long-trip airport parking
Before you book:
- ✔ compare all parking types
- ✔ check total price
- ✔ check shuttle frequency
- ✔ confirm security
- ✔ choose free cancellation
- ✔ book early
Final thoughts – save properly on long-stay airport parking
If you are travelling for more than five days, the smartest way to reduce costs is simple:
use long-stay or off-airport parking and always compare first.
Whether you are flying from:
- Heathrow,
- Gatwick,
- or Bristol,
the right long-stay parking choice can save you enough money to cover meals, luggage fees or travel insurance.
Start by comparing real, live long-stay parking deals here:
https://airportparkingfinder.co.uk/heathrow-airport-parking
https://airportparkingfinder.co.uk/gatwick-airport-parking
https://airportparkingfinder.co.uk/bristol-airport-parking
Long trips should be remembered for your holiday — not for overpaying on airport parking.