My Fleep:
Travel
Travel
Parking at Heathrow: Powerful Reasons to Book Online
Until I moved to Norfolk late last year, my regular trips
to Heathrow Airport for my frequent flights to Germany
involved an easy bus ride from Harrow, where I was pleased
to mix with fellow travellers on the 140 bus to Terminal
Two. But now the trip to Heathrow, combined with London
business meetings, mean that I need to use my car for the
trip to Heathrow - and for the first time for years I have
to explore the options for parking the car for the few days
I am abroad.
A wide choice of car parks:
As befits the busiest airport in the world, public
transport to and from the airport is reliable and frequent
with a choice of trains, coaches, Heathrow Express from
Paddington Station, taxis and car hire. In my research I
found very quickly, that the choice of airport car parks is
no less comprehensive, with over 25 companies offering
off-airport facilities, in addition to the main on-airport
car parks operated by BAA (British Airport Authority). For
me, in the end, it was easy to choose, in the
recently-refurbished Q-Park London Heathrow, a completely
re-vamped and redesigned secure off-airport car park at
reasonable rates and handy for Terminal Two, situated just
off the A4, five minutes from the tunnel. For the
first-timer, the site offered quick and simple and easy
access and exit routes, with clear directional signposts
from the main road.
Valet or Chauffeured Parking
Additionally though, amongst the other car parks which
caught my attention, was the one operated by a company
called Chauffeured Parking Services Limited who offer a
special Meet and Greet service where uniformed drivers can
meet your on arrival, and on clearance of customs on your
return, to take care of your car, parking it for you and
returning it to you at the terminal to save time. This
additional convenience comes at a premium of course - as an
example, parking for one week in July costs £98.00
inclusive of chauffeured assistance.
Some Heathrow airport cost comparisions
However, when saving money is important - and it is to me
as a regular traveller - then it pays to shop around. As an
example of the kind of costs which are involved in "drive
up and pay" facilities, short stay parking (recommended for
stays up to five hours), available from all four terminals
has prices which start from £2.30 for up to 30 minutes,
but can cost £44.50 per 24 hour period.
Business parking for travellers who need parking for up to
three or four days, or those wanting greater speed and
convenience is available in Business car parks situated
closer to the terminals than long stay. They also operate a
more frequent courtesy coach transfer. These are suitable
for leisure or business parking and are available from all
four terminals. But again, prices range from £21.50 -
£26.50 per day.
Far more manageable costs are to be had simply by planning
ahead and booking a selected car park in advance.
Additionally, by using one of the many 25+ car parking
organisations with off-airport facilities nearby to all
terminals, savings of up to 60% can be found. Amongst these
for example, is Purple Parking with 1 week rates in July
for £39.00, with its regular courtesy bus service to the
airport - and Meet and Greet facilities at additional costs
if required, or Park 4 Less, which, although not practical
for Terminal 4, is an equally low cost plan at £39.95 for
the same period. For me, the higher 1 week July cost of
£54.95 is justified by the fine new facilities offered at
Q-Park, with the additional security of its Park Mark
award, and the fact that this car park is the nearest
off-airport car park to the airport.
Booking in advance: definitely a good idea
Thus, my change of circumstances really opened up a new
world of understanding of what Heathrow Airport parking has
become - a competitive, wide-ranging set of services both
off-airport and on-airport and with varying costs and
conditions. The overall message though is very clear - it
pays to research and understand what the various booking
agents and online comparison websites are now able to do:
they ensure that the costs of parking at Heathrow remain
manageable and in keeping with individual needs. Certainly,
airport parking can be booked on the day, but to pre-book
means more economical rates and the security of having a
guaranteed parking space, in good time for flight departure
and with the level of assistance you prefer.
----------------------------------------------------
Jimi St. Pierre writes for several Travel Companies in the
UK, including Country Connect and Holiday Parking UK, the
latter being a one-stop airport parking booking facility
for all major UK airports. Many Heathrow airport car parks
are bookable here => http://www.holiday-parking.co.uk
Until I moved to Norfolk late last year, my regular trips
to Heathrow Airport for my frequent flights to Germany
involved an easy bus ride from Harrow, where I was pleased
to mix with fellow travellers on the 140 bus to Terminal
Two. But now the trip to Heathrow, combined with London
business meetings, mean that I need to use my car for the
trip to Heathrow - and for the first time for years I have
to explore the options for parking the car for the few days
I am abroad.
A wide choice of car parks:
As befits the busiest airport in the world, public
transport to and from the airport is reliable and frequent
with a choice of trains, coaches, Heathrow Express from
Paddington Station, taxis and car hire. In my research I
found very quickly, that the choice of airport car parks is
no less comprehensive, with over 25 companies offering
off-airport facilities, in addition to the main on-airport
car parks operated by BAA (British Airport Authority). For
me, in the end, it was easy to choose, in the
recently-refurbished Q-Park London Heathrow, a completely
re-vamped and redesigned secure off-airport car park at
reasonable rates and handy for Terminal Two, situated just
off the A4, five minutes from the tunnel. For the
first-timer, the site offered quick and simple and easy
access and exit routes, with clear directional signposts
from the main road.
Valet or Chauffeured Parking
Additionally though, amongst the other car parks which
caught my attention, was the one operated by a company
called Chauffeured Parking Services Limited who offer a
special Meet and Greet service where uniformed drivers can
meet your on arrival, and on clearance of customs on your
return, to take care of your car, parking it for you and
returning it to you at the terminal to save time. This
additional convenience comes at a premium of course - as an
example, parking for one week in July costs £98.00
inclusive of chauffeured assistance.
Some Heathrow airport cost comparisions
However, when saving money is important - and it is to me
as a regular traveller - then it pays to shop around. As an
example of the kind of costs which are involved in "drive
up and pay" facilities, short stay parking (recommended for
stays up to five hours), available from all four terminals
has prices which start from £2.30 for up to 30 minutes,
but can cost £44.50 per 24 hour period.
Business parking for travellers who need parking for up to
three or four days, or those wanting greater speed and
convenience is available in Business car parks situated
closer to the terminals than long stay. They also operate a
more frequent courtesy coach transfer. These are suitable
for leisure or business parking and are available from all
four terminals. But again, prices range from £21.50 -
£26.50 per day.
Far more manageable costs are to be had simply by planning
ahead and booking a selected car park in advance.
Additionally, by using one of the many 25+ car parking
organisations with off-airport facilities nearby to all
terminals, savings of up to 60% can be found. Amongst these
for example, is Purple Parking with 1 week rates in July
for £39.00, with its regular courtesy bus service to the
airport - and Meet and Greet facilities at additional costs
if required, or Park 4 Less, which, although not practical
for Terminal 4, is an equally low cost plan at £39.95 for
the same period. For me, the higher 1 week July cost of
£54.95 is justified by the fine new facilities offered at
Q-Park, with the additional security of its Park Mark
award, and the fact that this car park is the nearest
off-airport car park to the airport.
Booking in advance: definitely a good idea
Thus, my change of circumstances really opened up a new
world of understanding of what Heathrow Airport parking has
become - a competitive, wide-ranging set of services both
off-airport and on-airport and with varying costs and
conditions. The overall message though is very clear - it
pays to research and understand what the various booking
agents and online comparison websites are now able to do:
they ensure that the costs of parking at Heathrow remain
manageable and in keeping with individual needs. Certainly,
airport parking can be booked on the day, but to pre-book
means more economical rates and the security of having a
guaranteed parking space, in good time for flight departure
and with the level of assistance you prefer.
----------------------------------------------------
Jimi St. Pierre writes for several Travel Companies in the
UK, including Country Connect and Holiday Parking UK, the
latter being a one-stop airport parking booking facility
for all major UK airports. Many Heathrow airport car parks
are bookable here => http://www.holiday-parking.co.uk