Travelling from a major UK airport doesn’t have to mean expensive parking fees. Whether you’re flying from Heathrow, Gatwick or Bristol Airport, figuring out the cheapest airport parking option can save you significant money — especially on longer trips.
In this comprehensive guide, you’ll discover how to find the best, cheapest airport parking in the UK, insider tips frequent savvy travellers swear by, and how to compare options easily using trusted resources.
👉 Compare cheap parking options here:
Let’s begin!
🛫 Why Finding Cheap Airport Parking Matters
Airport parking can often cost more than your flight — especially at major hubs.
Common challenges include:
✔ Confusing price structures
✔ Hidden shuttle or transfer fees
✔ Seasonal price spikes
✔ On-site premium pricing
✔ Misleading “per day” rates that don’t include extras
Knowing how to find cheap airport parking in the UK is especially important for:
- Frequent flyers
- Families on holiday
- Business travellers
- Anyone taking long trips
📊 UK Airport Parking Cost Overview
Prices vary widely depending on airport, time of year, and parking type.
| Airport | Cheapest Parking Type | Typical Savings |
| Heathrow | Off-site long stay | ££ |
| Gatwick | Off-site parking shuttle | ££ |
| Bristol | Park & Ride | £££ |
The good news? You don’t need to guess — you can compare all options and book the best rates directly:
👉 Heathrow Airport Parking
👉 Gatwick Airport Parking
👉 Bristol Airport Parking
Below, we walk through each major airport and how to find the cheapest rates available.
🅿️ Cheapest Airport Parking at Heathrow
Heathrow is the UK’s busiest airport — and expensive if you don’t plan ahead.
✨ Cheapest Options
- Off-site long stay parking
- Best value for 3+ day trips
- Shuttles included
- Lower daily rate than on-site
- Park & Ride services
- Quick shuttle to terminal
- Lower cost for mid-length stays
- Early reservation discounts
- Significant savings vs walk-in pricing
📌 Tips for Finding Cheap Heathrow Parking
- Always compare multiple suppliers
- Look for free cancellation options
- Avoid peak travel weeks if possible
- Check if return shuttle is included
You can explore cheap parking deals and compare them for your dates here:
👉 Heathrow Airport Parking
🅿️ Cheapest Airport Parking at Gatwick
Gatwick Airport is another major departure point, with a wide range of parking choices.
✨ Cheapest Parking Types at Gatwick
- Off-airport budget parking with shuttle transfer
- Often cheapest overall
- Reliable frequent shuttles
- Economy long stay on-site parking
- Slightly higher cost but close proximity
- Early booking savings
- Prices rise heavily as departure date approaches
📌 Tips to Maximise Your Gatwick Savings
✔ Book early
✔ Choose weekend or weekday deals with lower demand
✔ Consider additional services bundled for value
Compare all cheap options for Gatwick here:
👉 Gatwick Airport Parking
🅿️ Cheapest Airport Parking at Bristol
Bristol Airport is often more affordable than London hubs, but smart planning still pays off.
✨ Best Budget Parking at Bristol
- Park & Ride packages
- Very cost-effective for long stays
- Easy shuttle access
- Economy off-site parking with secure transfer
- Lower than on-site rates
- Often includes shuttle charges
- Flexible tickets with free cancellation
- Helps you lock a cheap deal early
Explore Bristol’s lowest parking rates here:
👉 Bristol Airport Parking
🧠 How Prices Add Up (Total Cost, Not Just Daily Rate)
An important trick to finding the cheapest airport parking in the UK is total cost comparison.
✔ Does the price include the shuttle?
✔ Is there an admin or card fee?
✔ Are late-night or early-morning shuttles an extra cost?
✔ Are kids or extra passengers free?
Always calculate the total cost you’ll pay — not just the daily rate.
Many airport parking comparison pages show the final price upfront, making it easy to compare options.
📅 Best Time to Book Cheap Parking
Seasonal demand affects cost.
✔ Book at least 30–60 days in advance
✔ Monday–Thursday slots are often slightly cheaper
✔ Early morning and late evening departures impact availability
Cheapest parking is rarely last-minute — so plan ahead.
🪪 7 Insider Tips to Secure the Cheapest Airport Parking
1. Plan for longer trips — long-stay gets cheaper per day
For trips over 5 days, long stay parking is usually cheapest.
2. Use off-airport parking for huge savings
On-site parking is convenient — but off-site lots save a ton.
3. Compare all suppliers before booking
Prices vary massively between providers.
4. Look for free shuttle services included
If shuttle costs extra, parking may no longer be cheap.
5. Avoid high-demand holiday dates
Christmas, summer holidays & bank holidays can spike prices.
6. Check cancellation policies
Always choose free cancellation if plans may change.
7. Read reviews — cheapest isn’t always best
Cheap parking with poor shuttles or security may cost you time or stress.
🏆 Meet & Greet vs Economy Parking — What’s Cheapest?
There’s a time and place for both:
| Parking Type | Price | Convenience |
| Economy/Long Stay | Cheapest | Shuttle included |
| Meet & Greet | Mid-range | Premier convenience |
| On-site Terminal Parking | Highest | Closest access |
For the absolute cheapest rates, economy or off-site long stay usually wins.
💳 Parking Hacks to Save Even More
- Use price alerts
- Compare different date combinations
- Use loyalty memberships
- Bundle additional services only if needed
- Share parking with a fellow traveller
Even small savings add up over multiple trips.
🛫 Case Study: Saving on Week-Long Parking
Here’s a common scenario:
🚗 Flight Duration: 7 days
✈️ Airport: Heathrow
📍 On-site parking: £85–£115
📍 Off-site long stay: £45–£70
📍 Park & Ride: £40–£65
Booking early and using comparison tools can save £40+ each trip — and recurring trips amplify savings even more.
📌 How to Compare Cheap Parking in Seconds
- Enter your travel dates
- Compare different parking types
- Check shuttle frequency & included services
- Examine total price before checkout
You can instantly compare cheap options for your chosen airport:
Heathrow Airport Parking
Gatwick Airport Parking
Bristol Airport Parking
📈 Airport Parking Pricing Trends (UK)
- Heathrow remains the most expensive overall
- Gatwick is mid-range with cheaper off-site options
- Bristol usually offers the lowest entry rates
Seasonality, day of week, and event dates all affect cost — but comparison tools reveal the lowest prices quickly.
🛅 Parking Security & Trust (Cheap Doesn’t Mean Unsafe)
Cheap parking doesn’t mean you compromise safety.
✔ CCTV
✔ Fenced or gated lots
✔ Staff-attended parks
✔ Frequent shuttles
Always check reviews and listed security features before booking — comparison pages usually list them.
🧭 Quick Tips for First-Time UK Airport Parkers
Before you park:
📌 Check address & directions
📌 Take note of shuttle frequency
📌 Keep voucher/ticket handy
📌 Allow extra time on departure
Getting there early helps reduce stress — and sometimes unlocks last-minute cheaper deals.
🏁 Final Thoughts: Cheapest Airport Parking in the UK
Finding cheap airport parking doesn’t have to be complicated — or expensive.
The best strategy is:
✔ Compare all providers
✔ Book ahead
✔ Know total costs (not just daily rate)
✔ Choose the right type for your trip length
Use dedicated comparison pages to see live prices and deal options:
Heathrow Airport Parking
Gatwick Airport Parking
Bristol Airport Parking
Keep these tips in mind and you’ll never overpay for airport parking again.