The travel comparison website FlightsFinder.com has warned drivers thinking about booking a holiday to always check to see how much it will cost to park their car at the airport.
With many holidaymakers starting to think about where they will go during the summer months, the company noted that there is a massive difference in parking charges depending on where motorists fly from.
Shahab Siddiqui, founder of FlightsFinder.com, noted that drivers that do not factor in parking charges may be forced to add hundreds more to the cost of their getaway.
He said: “Airport car parking charges vary dramatically depending on which part of the country you’re flying from. We’ve found that the most expensive airport (Heathrow) charges customers almost £90 more than the most affordable (Edinburgh), for the exact same times and dates.
“When travellers are already having to pay hundreds if not thousands towards the cost of their holiday – airports are now leaving Brits with little choice than to add on another expense on top of everything else.”
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According to the study, Heathrow Airport has the most expensive car parking, with motorists needing to pay £123.00 to park their car for a week.
Other airports near London, such as Gatwick and Luton, also appeared in the top ten most expensive locations.
However, airports in Scotland typically had the cheapest parking prices in the UK, with Edinburgh Airport in particular charging just £34.99 for seven days.
The Top 15 Most Expensive Airports for Parking (Seven Days):
- Heathrow – £123.00
- East Midlands – £81.39
- Gatwick – £79.00
- Bristol – £77.99
- Newcastle – £77.99
- Luton – £74.49
- Cardiff – £72.99
- Manchester – £71.99
- Birmingham – £69.99
- Leeds Bradford – £67.00
- Stansted – £61.99
- Liverpool – £55.99
- Glasgow – £54.99
- Belfast International – £48.99
- Edinburgh – £34.99
According to MoneySavingExpert drivers wanting to save money on their holiday parking costs should avoid booking a space at the last minute.
In particular, motorists should not expect to get the best prices by paying for parking when they arrive to the airport, with the organisation noting that drivers could be charged more than twice the amount.
Instead, drivers should consider leaving their car in an off-site car park, use a meet and greet parking service or, if it is possible, use a public transport service such as a coach.
