Airport Parking: What You Need to Know
It can be stressful to park your car in an airport. You have to remember your parking spot because there are so many signs and entrances. This guide will help you if you have never driven to an airport before or left your vehicle in the car park.
Can I pre-book airport parking?
When it comes to airport parking, you have two choices. You can either pay at the airport when you arrive or pre-book a parking space via a third-party site or on the airport’s website. You can pay at the parking lot using one of several automatic ticket machines.
Booking online will guarantee you a parking spot and save you the trouble of trying to find a suitable place. It will also save you money on airport parking. You can also save more money by purchasing the park, stay, and fly package.
What Airport Parking Options Are Available?
Parking on and off the airport is an option. On-airport parking is divided into short-term and long-term areas. You will pay by the hour for short-term areas. You will need to park in the long-term lot if you are planning a trip that is more than one day.
There is also the option to use a meet-and-greet service at the airport. The valet service must be reserved in advance. This service allows you to park your vehicle at a drop-off point near the terminal and hand over your keys. When you return to the terminal, one of their drivers will park the car for you in the parking lot. This service is popular with people with a lot of luggage, with children and with disabilities.
Many people choose to stay the night in an airport hotel the day before their flight, especially if it is an early flight. Many airport hotels allow their guests to park their cars in their parking lot and take the shuttle service from the hotel terminal.
Parking facilities located off-airport are those that are not part of the airport. We recommend that you use carparks approved by the airport and members of the Independent Airport Parking Association. Park and Ride carparks are located near airports and offer a shuttle service to take you to the airport. Meet and greet services are available in some off-airport parking lots, which are usually multi-storey. You will need to allow extra time for travel if you park off-airport.
Airport Parking Tips
Arrive at the airport parking lot plenty of time in advance. You will have enough time to find parking, get to the terminal, check in, and go through security.
If there are people in front of you, don’t feel rushed to speed up. Allow yourself enough time to park and read the signs. You can park closer to the terminal to get to the departure gate quicker. The airport carparks can be huge, so take note of which bay and row your vehicle is parked in. This will help you find your car after your return.
To give yourself peace of mind, if you are using the meet-and-greet service for parking, note down your car’s fuel gauge and mileage. You should also remove your car key from the key ring that contains your other keys before you give it to an employee.
Check the shuttle times if you are parking in a hotel or off-airport. Even though it’s a 24-hour service, you want to know the wait time between shuttles.
How to protect your car
Verify that the parking lot you are using is marked with a Park Mark. The police have inspected the parking lot and deemed it safe. These parking lots will be equipped with security and CCTV cameras.
Airport carparks are notorious for car break-ins. It is best to avoid this by not leaving anything valuable in your car. If you must leave something, make sure that it cannot be seen through the window. Storing things in the trunk is the best option.
Before you fly, take a video of your vehicle and multiple photos from every angle. This will allow you to have proof of its condition in case it is dented or scratched upon your return. Do not rely solely on the CCTV cameras in the parking lot.
Take a photo of your parking ticket. If it disappears, you will have a photocopy of the ticket and proof that it was purchased. Print several copies of your confirmation email, as well as any other important details. Save the documents to your phone or laptop.
Can travel insurance cover airport parking?
All Oasis Travel Insurance Policies cover your non-refundable airport parking fees in the event of cancellation, curtailment or travel delay. Your non-refundable airport parking fees are covered by our COVID-19 add-on if you cancel or curtail a trip because of COVID-19. Cars that are damaged or stolen in an airport parking lot will not be covered under travel insurance. Your car insurance should cover this. If a driver who meets you at the airport damages your car, their insurance should cover it.
