UK drivers can save up to £10 when stopping at major UK airports such as Gatwick, Heathrow, Stansted and Luton by taking advantage of a simple tip that could add as little as five minutes onto journeys, according to a travel expert.
Travellers desperate to catch their flight are likely to ask friends or family members to drop them off right by the front of the terminal building. However, travel expert Ricky Durrance, spokesperson for Teletext Holidays, has suggested this could be a massive mistake.
Free parking options at major airports
Instead, the expert suggested that most major airports do offer some free parking options, with some less than five minutes away from the terminal. Ricky told The Express: “At Gatwick, you can avoid the £10 terminal drop-off charge by using the Long Stay car park and taking the free shuttle. Whoever is driving you can even be roped in to help with your bags.
“Check which terminal you're flying from and send the correct Long Stay car park location to whoever is driving you. Allow time to unload, reach the bus stop and wait for the shuttle, as well as the journey itself.”
Savings at Stansted, Luton, Heathrow and more
It’s not just Gatwick where motorists can make savings, with Ricky pointing out that the same can be said for almost every major UK airport. At Stansted, drivers can enjoy up to an hour free of charge in its Mid Stay car park, which includes a free shuttle to the terminal. Road users would usually have to pay £10 for up to 15 minutes at its Express Set Down parking bays.
At Luton, drivers can use the Long Stay car park free for two hours, with a shuttle running to the terminal in around 10 minutes. Motorists can also stop at Heathrow's Park & Ride for up to 29 minutes free, with a free shuttle close to the terminal. However, those who want to get closer to check-in will need to pay an additional £7 fee.
Other airports with free drop-off areas
Manchester Airport has a free drop-off area near JetParks 1, with regular shuttles to the terminal. Not sure where to look? Road users just need to follow the airport's signs for free drop-off on their way into the site.
Birmingham Airport also has a dedicated drop-off car park that gives road users 10 minutes completely free. The terminal building is just a 5–10 minute walk away via a covered walkway. Perfect for Autumn when travellers can’t guarantee a bright start to their trip.
Ricky added: "We can spend a lot on a holiday, partly because all of those small costs add up. Taking a few extra minutes to use a free drop-off option can be an easy way to save some cash."
