From DIY to VIP: The 6 Ways to Get to the Airport by Car

TRAVEL TIPS

1/14/20263 min read

Getting to the terminal can feel like a minefield, especially when you're counting every pence when planning a trip to the airport.

1. The ULEZ Hack

Well-known for its Ultra Low Emission Zone, London airports such as Heathrow can sting for older cars, however, if you are planning to fly out of one of these airports, a clever way to avoid the charge is to find a private driveway or a parking space on the periphery of the zone.

The secret is to park there and then take a local public bus for the final couple of miles to the terminal. Apps such as JustPark can help you find spaces like Iver or Slough, which are just over the border and ULEZ-free. From Iver you can catch the Elizabeth Line, or a bus to the terminals, and double check the reviews and bus schedules first so you aren't left standing in the rain.

2. Public paid parking + Bus

The second option on the spectrum, where you find a local council car park or a long-stay station car park near the airport, then catch a train or bus to the terminal. It is usually cheaper than official airport parking, but don't be too rough with it, you'll need to watch out for "maximum stay" restrictions.

A few council car parks have a 24 or 48 hour limit, so in the event that you are away for a week, you may come back to a mountain of penalties or a towed car, so check and double-check the sign before you drive away. If you'll be paying on the app, double check that you've inserted the right location number.

3. The Key-Safe Park & Ride

My personal go-to option (of course). It is a Park & Ride service, but with a crucial difference: you park the car yourself, lock it, and keep your own keys. You then hop on the shuttle bus to the terminal. Coming back to the car won't be an issue as you'll have the keys.

Well-known for halting “joyriding” stories in the news, this is basically the safest bet for those who are worried about that sort of thing.

4. Classic Park & Ride

This is by far the most popular choice for families, where you drive to a secure facility near the airport, check in, and hand over your keys to the staff who will park your car in a locked area and shuttle you to the terminal.

Make sure to take a photo of your mileage dashboard before you hand the keys over. Although the staff should write this down on a Vehicle Inspection Report (or handover sheet), do not just blindly sign it. Check that the numbers match, and keep your photo as proof to stop any arguments later.

5. Meet & Greet (Valet)

If you're going for the VIP experience, you'll be driving to the terminal drop-off zone, where a driver meets you, inspects your car, takes your keys and drives your car to a secure compound, giving you the opportunity to walk straight to check-in.

Be very careful with Meet & Greet operators as "rogue" ones don't always park your car in the best places, therefore, you'll want to confirm they are trustworthy and check Trust Pilot for their ratings.

6. On-Site Official Parking

This is the gold standard for convenience, but you pay for the privilege. This is because it's the airport's own car park located right next to the terminal. You park, keep your keys, and walk to check-in in just a few minutes.

While this is the most expensive option, it is often the best choice if you are travelling with young children or heavy equipment and just cannot face a shuttle bus.

Safe Travels

The ABC Team