Is airport parking cheaper if you book in advance?

Short answer: almost always, yes. At most UK airports the price you pay at the barrier on the day is the highest price there is. Booking ahead, even by an hour or two, usually costs far less for exactly the same space.

How big is the difference?

Bigger than most people expect. When the consumer group Which? compared a week's parking paid on the day with the same week booked months ahead at 16 UK airport car parks, the gaps ran into hundreds of pounds. Its examples included a week at Heathrow costing £583 on the day against £190 booked in advance, and Manchester at £406 against £95.

Prices change all the time, so treat those figures as a snapshot rather than today's rates. The pattern is what matters: the "drive-up" price is set for people who haven't planned, and it is rarely good value.

Is it too late if you're already on your way?

Often not. A later Which? study found that booking online just one to three hours before you arrive still saved money compared with paying at the barrier, because most airport car parks sell the same spaces more cheaply online. If you have forgotten to book, it is worth checking on your phone before you reach the airport. Just make sure you're not booking while driving.

The main types of airport parking

• Short stay: closest to the terminal and priced for drop-offs and short visits. It is usually the most expensive option for anything longer than a day.
• Long stay: further away, with a shuttle bus to the terminal. Usually the cheapest on-airport choice for a week or two away.
• Meet and greet: you drive to the terminal and a driver parks your car for you, then brings it back when you land. You pay for convenience, but it can save a lot of time with children or heavy bags.
• Off-airport park and ride: independent car parks a short drive away with their own shuttle. Often cheaper, but not always, so compare it with the airport's own long-stay price.
• Airport hotel with parking: for very early flights, a night at an airport hotel with parking included can cost little more than parking alone, and saves a 3am drive.

Five ways to pay less

1. Book as early as you can. Prices for popular dates, such as school holidays, tend to rise as the car parks fill up.
2. Compare on-airport and off-airport. Which? found that off-site parking is not automatically cheaper, so check both.
3. Check the transfer time. A cheaper car park with a long shuttle ride may not be worth it for an early flight.
4. Read the cancellation terms. Flexible bookings cost a little more but protect you if your plans change.
5. Look for an offer before you book. Parking firms run regular sales and discounts. The deals below are refreshed every day.

The bottom line

Unless you have no other choice, don't leave airport parking until you reach the barrier. A few minutes online beforehand is one of the easiest savings of the whole trip. For more ways to save on the extras, see our airport parking and lounge deals and the wider travel deals page.