What this calculator works out
This calculator multiplies a daily parking rate by the number of days and adds transfer and booking fees, giving a total to compare between car parks.
Fees are where the comparison usually turns. An off-airport car park at half the daily rate can lose the advantage once a transfer charge is added to a short trip.
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Before you book
- Count days as the operator does. Most charge by 24-hour period from arrival, so returning a few hours late can add a full day.
- Check whether the price includes the transfer. Some off-airport sites charge per person or per journey.
- Book in advance. Airport parking bought on the day is typically several times the advance rate.
- For a short trip, compare against a taxi or a drop-off — parking for two days can cost more than both.
Meet-and-greet services take your car at the terminal and park it elsewhere. Reputable operators are properly insured and hold appropriate accreditation; there have been prosecutions of operators who left cars on public roads or in fields, and drivers have returned to damage and added mileage. Checking the operator's accreditation and where the car will actually be kept is worth the few minutes.
How this calculator works
Days times rate, plus fees:
Total = daily rate × days + transfer and booking feesDividing the total by days gives an effective daily rate including fees, which is the comparable figure. Fixed fees weigh far more heavily on a short trip than a long one, which is why the cheapest option changes with trip length.
Worked example: a week away
Using the default figures — £12 a day for 7 days plus £5 of fees:
- Parking: £84
- Total: £89, an effective £12.71 a day
Now run the same comparison for a two-day trip. At £12 a day plus £5 the total is £29, an effective £14.50 a day — the fixed fee has added 21% to the daily rate. A slightly dearer car park with no fee would win at two days and lose at seven, which is why the answer depends on the trip and not on the car park.
Common mistakes
- Turning up without booking. On-the-day rates are dramatically higher.
- Miscounting the days. Charging is usually per 24 hours from arrival.
- Comparing daily rates on a short trip. Fixed fees dominate.
- Not checking where a meet-and-greet car will be kept.
- Forgetting the drop-off charge. Most UK airports now charge for terminal drop-off.
Frequently asked questions
What are the parking options at a UK airport?
Broadly: short stay next to the terminal, which is expensive for anything over a few hours; long stay on-airport with a shuttle; off-airport car parks with their own transfer; and meet-and-greet. Prices generally rise in that order for convenience, and all are far cheaper booked in advance than on arrival.
Is dropping off cheaper?
Usually, but most UK airports now charge for terminal drop-off — commonly a few pounds for a short period, with penalties for overstaying. Free drop-off is often available in a longer-stay car park with a short walk or shuttle. For a week's trip, being dropped off and collected almost always beats parking.
What happens if my flight is delayed?
Most operators allow for reasonable delays without extra charge, but the terms vary and some charge from the booked return time regardless. Where a delay is likely — a late-night return, a connecting flight — checking the policy before booking avoids an unwelcome charge at the barrier.
Is my car insured while parked?
Your own policy generally continues to apply. Car parks typically disclaim liability for damage or theft except where caused by their negligence, and meet-and-greet operators should hold motor trade insurance to drive your car — which is worth confirming, since driving it is exactly what they do.
Is what I enter stored?
No. Figures are processed in your browser and never transmitted or retained.
Related tools
References
- GOV.UK — consumer rights, vehicle insurance requirements and airport information
- MoneyHelper — budgeting for travel costs
Sources are checked at publication and can change — how I choose and check references.