Data reveals that short stay parking in England is 61% more expensive than in Scotland, and 17% higher than the UK average.
With the summer holidays around the corner, more than 5 million Brits could be heading abroad in July.(2) This means millions of families could be making their final travel decisions ahead of jetting off on holiday.
But new data from Confused.com reveals the steep costs of airport parking across the UK. Holiday goers could be forking out up to £189 in airport parking fees alone.
The study found that the average short stay parking price across all UK commercial airports is £93.90. Long stay options come in at £59 on average, both quoted for a 4-day stay.(1) Meet and greet services – often seen as a premium option – are the most expensive, averaging £101, although not all airports offer this service. However, in some cases these prices can be higher, with the most expensive price for short-stay costing as much as £189 for a 4-day trip.
While it can vary between airports, short stay car parks and car parks with meet and greet services tend to be closer to the terminal. This means it’s quicker to get to the airport from the car park. Whereas long stay car parks are often further from the terminal and often require a shuttle transfer to reach arrivals and departures.
Airport goers could be spending more depending on the airport they’re traveling from. That’s as airports in England are typically 61% more expensive than in Scotland, and 17% higher than the UK average. Some smaller regional airports in Scotland even offer free parking, helping to bring the nation’s average airport parking costs down.
Wales, however, holds the unfortunate title of the most expensive average long stay rate across the UK regions – £81, which is 63% more costly than Scotland’s average.(1)
| Region | Average short stay cost | Average long stay cost |
| England | £110 | £64 |
| Scotland | £58 | £42 |
| Wales | £88 | £81 |
| Northern Ireland | £62.99 | £45 |
According to a survey of 2,000 UK adults with passports, almost 1 in 5 (19%) say they book their airport transfers at the same time as their flight. Most holidaymakers have the mindset that booking early means saving money, so it’s clear that the cost of airport transfers is important to holiday goers.
When it comes to deciding between a taxi and airport parking, it’s interesting to see that holiday goers say they’ve spent an average of £92 on a round-trip taxi fare (£46 each way). This is close in comparison to average airport parking prices. It’s no surprise that nearly 1 in 4 (23%) say they actively compare the price of taxis with airport parking when planning their trip, as prices can vary so much from trip to trip. Many might assume that parking is a better money-saving choice than taking a taxi. But more than 1 in 4 (28%) of those who have used airport parking said they were surprised by the cost.
Overall, cost is the top concern for more than 2 in 5 (42%) travellers when deciding how to get to the airport, followed closely by convenience (40%) and time efficiency (37%). Despite this mindset, many travellers still face confusion around which option offers the best value.
However, it’s not just cost that influences decision-making. Security and logistics are key concerns for travellers. A third (34%) worry about their car being damaged while parked and 1 in 5 (19%) even worry their car could be stolen. At the same time, almost 1 in 3 (31%) are concerned about the time it takes to get from the car park to the terminal. A quarter (24%) fear delays due to slow shuttle services.
When it comes to how people actually travel to the airport, holiday goers favour money saving. Lift sharing seems to be the most popular and cheapest option, as 55% would choose a lift from family or friends. Over half (52%) have driven themselves and used official parking, but just under half (49%) have used a taxi or rideshare.
But with taxis costing 29% less on average than airport parking fees, people may consider this, so they have more spending money. To demonstrate how much they could save, Confused.com has launched an airport journey planner to help drivers understand the best option for them when heading to the airport. All they need to do is type in their address, airport, luggage and passenger details. Then our tool will compare costs for local taxi companies versus airport parking fees.
Alvaro Iturmendi, Confused.com travel insurance expert commented: “While airport parking is often convenient, the cost can be a challenge, especially during peak travel times. Many travellers might end up overpaying simply because they book too late or don’t compare their options.
“Our research found that more than 1 in 5 (21%) people cite driving and parking in an airport car park as their preferred airport transfer. So, finding ways to reduce the cost might make the choice even sweeter. Booking airport parking in advance and comparing different parking types from long stay to off-site park and ride can lead to savings. But airport parking might not always be the best value. If you’re travelling with others, splitting a taxi could reduce the burden of costs. And if public transport is available, it might be the most budget-friendly option. Planning your airport transfer ahead of time, just like flights and accommodation, can make a big difference to your overall travel budget.
“To help drivers find the best option based on their location and travel plans we’ve created an airport journey planner tool. By planning ahead, travellers can avoid last-minute stress and make sure they’re getting the best value for money.”