Booking airport car park in advance

noelphobic

going abroad soon for the first time in years. I am intending to drive to the airport and want to prebook the car park. However, I am not sure what return time to give. Obviously I will give my arrival time as the time I hope to arrive but unsure about the return time. I know what time the return flight is scheduled to land (and obviously that it might be late) but not sure how long to allow for reclaiming bagage, clearing customs etc.

I think it does say that if you are later than you say they will charge you for the extra time, which is fair enough, but don't know whether that would work out more expensive than over estimating and prebooking on that basis.

Any advice appreciated as it is one more thing I would like to tick off my list as soon as possible.

markwilkinson

Just give them your flight arrival time. Generally, they will ask you to phone them from baggage reclaim, this gives them an idea of what time you will arrive to collect your car. Extra charges probably just apply to an extra day(s) rather than a 30 min delay.

mcfisco

Just do a few test bookings with later and later return times until you find the point where the price goes up, then book an hour before that

keigcf

We've just got back and used Birmingham airport, I gave a time an hour after landing. This gave us time to get off the plane, collect luggage, have a wee and cover the 10 min transfer shuttle bus.

Archergirl

Yes I usually allow and hour, and 3 hours before the flight.

bazster

I suppose it depends on the airport, but in my experience they usually charge per day, so as long as you are not returning near midnight it doesn't really matter what return time you enter.

Do have a play on the website when you book though, some airport parking these days works on the airline-booking principle that price varies according to demand. I have on occasion managed to book short-term parking (walking distance to the terminal) for less than the mid-term!

Alan_Bowen

Most charge by 24 hour periods, so if you book to arrive at 0500 on the day of departure, so long as you are back before 0500 on the last day you have paid for, you should be fine.

littlereddevil

My airport charges by 24hour periods so I now always book from 12.01am until 11.59pm