Cheap Airport Parking: Luton Airport hints, tips and local parking

Lysias

Be warned! Needing to drop off a disabled passenger at Luton Airport at a few days notice last week, I checked how much parking would cost me for two hour. The cheapest Holiday Extras MSE-linked rates were a disagreeably high £24-£26. So I checked further and found the walk-up rate would be £12 at one the same sites. So, rather than giving me a discount, the MSE-linked site would have made a surcharge of 100% or more. What’s up? Does H E assume that members of the MSE community are suckers?

instantsunshine

GaborH wrote: »

Hi!

Let's actualize this thread!

On the following website I found the parking prices:
thameslinkrailway.com/your-journey/car-parks/charges/
Check under Thameslink route - peak charges for daily/weekly/seasonal prices. Off peak tariffs are listed on the top.

On this website below you can buy seasonal tickets
gtrcarparks.com/consumer/find-and-book/carparks/lutonairportparkway

I will visit Luton airport parkway in the close future so will have some on-site experience as well!

Hi ,

I need to park at Luton Airport soon and wondered if anyone had experience parking at Parkway Station recently.

Thanks

McArie

Hi
I used this parking back in April 2017, then in June 2017.

I did not pre-book, I arrived at the parking around 18:00 hrs and there were enough places for parking (my estimate at least 20% - 25% spare spaces on the ground floor)... arrived in April on a working day (Tuesday) and in June it was Saturday, both occasions enough parking spaces. * You may wish to consider coming to the parking well before your flight during the working days and working hours (Mon-Fri, 0900-1700 hrs) as there might be less spaces available due to the local business people parking here...

I was coming from the North via M1 and the traffic was OK all the way, except around 10 miles nearing the exit for Luton airport/parkway, when it started slowing down (speed limits 50mph). This was true for both the working day and weekend trip. (On exiting the main road, if you spot the signs to the train station, follow these). *When entering the parking from the main road, pay attention which line to take to the parking entrance, as the road gets narrow and could easily miss or go into the wrong line. Just drive slower when on the way towards the parking entrance (so you don't get into the parking exit line...)

After you've parked, you'll need to take the Shuttle Bus to the airport terminal. 10-minute transfer on average (it depends on the traffic). Buses every 10 minutes all day between 05:00 and midnight. Ouside that, intervals 15-20 mins, but not sure so check at the Thameslink webpage. Through-the-night service for all train connections.There are also cabs at the station/parking (costs around £8-£10 to the terminal!). Drop-off point right outside the terminal at Bay T. *Note that in Summer-Autumn 2017 there were still major works going on the Airport itself so approaching the terminals was a bit further away than usual (i.e. the shuttle buses' stops) Shuttle Bus fare: Single £2.10; Standard Open Return £3.40; Children between 5 and 15 travel half price; Under 5s go free. *Remember that it’s cash only for the Shuttle Bus

Cost of parking: Very reasonable, I'd say. Standard day rate was £7.50 Mon-Fri, and £2.50 per day weekends (Sat-Sun). Also off-peak (i.e. after 10:00 hrs) day-rate was £3.30, and evenings (i.e after 17:00 hrs) was £2.50. Weekly rate was £34. Monthly rate £132 (if pre-paid, but check at the parking). *There is a vending machine to pay for the parking, you can use cash or your credit/debit cards. It also issues the receipts (but you need to chose this option from the menu/button). *You pay for the parking on your exit, so take the parking ticket and keep it safe until your return/parking exit. In case you loose it, you'd probably need to wait until the parking office opens (I guess standard working hours, but not sure...)


Overall, good experience, affordable, multi-floor and safe parking. Recommended.

kyip

Didn't think I did too bad for 8 days parking - Quidco offers 10-16% cash back - opens up - APH-Airport Parking & Hotel - car park £46 and said 4.60 cash back....so this just £41.60 - (every 20min free shuttle bus 4 min journey to Airport.

Saves me booking JustPark at someones house for £30 plus 2 ways taxi around £20.

buglawton

I used Luton rail station for 9 days parking earlier this year. A 3 hour flight delay meant I got to car park at 1am so overstayed into next day. Worried about being charged a penalty then discovered that there's a 4 hour grace period after midnight (probably designed for rail delays). May not apply on weekdays so do your own check.

blanik

Car Park is now managed by Indigo

https://uk.parkindigo.com/en/car-park/luton-airport-parkway

Their website will calculate costs from entry and exit times.

4 days mid-week £32.60, cheaper at week-ends.
or £37.50 a week.

HitmanAgent47

I was flying from Luton and thought I'll give the Airport Parkway a go as it worked out cheaper, then airport parking.
It was over the April Bank Holiday (18-22). I arrived around 1400, the car park was full, and I had to drive round a few times before coming across someone leaving, I was starting to get worried about what to do if I couldn't find a place! After parking went to the machines and the parking cost £14.85 which was cheaper then quoted on there website, so was happy with that. You keep hold of the ticket.
I bought a ticket for the bus on the thameslink website costing £3.80, which took about 10 mins. to get to the airport.
Coming back no problems caught the bus, and left the car park, there wasn't any barriers at all in the car park.

rdj104

Heads up for people. Just had a weekend away and parked at the Luton Airport Parkway station car park, as I have done previously, attracted by the low prices, convenient bus service and no need to hand over your car keys etc.

On arrival saw a car with smashed window. Two days later we returned and car parked next to us (after we had arrived) also had a smashed window, thieves had obviously rummaged in glove box.

I would recommend avoiding for now for any long stay parking, as they obviously have a problem and if you have any sucker marks etc on your windscreen to show you use a sat nav/dash cam - stay away.

bransoj

Has anyone used the Luton Parkway train station car park recently? Flying out from Luton in August and always used this car park in previous years without issues but just wanted to see if it was still ok.

Gorie

I usually park for free on the streets around Luton Airport. I have found this effective over the past five years and its even advocated on some websites https://roadtripheroes.com/luton-airport-free-cheap-car-parking/ (note this website recommends some rubbish roads to park on and I always find my own).

I have read in different forums (mainly a long Tripadvisor one) that cars are often vandalised but I've not found that to be the case, nor have my friends who do the same. Indeed I feel sorry for the residents who have increased car insurance bills as the more vandalism is reported, the higher the crime rate becomes and surely that must affect premiums for those living locally. 

The above said I always park carefully and respect the local residents. By parking carefully I mean using common sense and not parking directly outside anyones house, not blocking anyones driveway, not blocking the pathway and parking legally. I usually try and park just off junctions (such as a side road off a residential road where you have a long garden fence / wall so that you are not parked in front of a house) or around non residential buildings (e.g. alongside substations - not blocking access) etc... I remove all local badges from my car so you cannot tell it is not from Luton - this is one badge, my local parking permit, in my case. Finally I drop my family off at the airports free drop off location first (so we aren't moving lots of bags from the car) and whilst they check the luggage in I take the 30 minute or so stroll into the airport. 

I appreciate this may be a controversial post but airport parking is a huge rip off and my technique is perfectly legal.