How to find cheap airport parking without putting your car at risk – after string of rogue park and ride scams
AS MILLIONS of Brits prepare to travel this summer, drivers will often struggle to book in a suitable place to leave their car.
And some will even try to find a way around expensive airport parking, opting for cheaper and lesser-known park and ride services.
But motoring experts have warned Brits against using private companies offering parking close to some of the UK's most popular airports.
The Independent Airport Parking Association urged drivers to take their time when deciding on a car park ahead of a holiday.
Although they might be cheaper than onsite parking, some park and ride services don't have proper facilities, security and procedures in place to look after your motor.
Always check that the car park has been given a Park Mark Awards before booking, which means it has been assessed by the police and deemed safe.
How to find cheap airport parking without putting your car at risk
- Check prices online: Parking comparison sites, such as airparks.co.uk, will show the costs and availability of parking near airports in the UK.
- Book in advance: Parking prices will usually increae they closer you get to your holiday so book as early as possible.
- Read independent reviews: Check to see if the parking company has any negative reviews online before booking.
- Use trusted companies: Book with a member of Independent Airport Parking Association as they deemed fit and safe to use.
- Look out for hidden costs: Some car parks will have hidden costs such as transfers and booking fees.
You can also read independent reviews before you book, as they will give you an insight into the reliability of a certain car park.
Many parking firms will also have hidden costs, such as transfer, airport access and booking fees, so make sure to have a read through the terms and conditions.
And try not to leave it to the last minute, as like flights, parking prices usually increase the closer you get to your holiday.
You can check the costs of onsite airport parking and other services using trusted websites, such as airparks.co.uk or aph.com.
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Nick Caunter, chairman of the Independent Airport Parking Association, said: "In the excitement of booking a summer holiday, airport parking can be one of the decisions that gets kicked down the road to be made later on.
"Families who still need to book for the summer can find the cheapest prices by following a few simple steps, but the best piece of advice we can give is to check out the company you book with to get airport parking peace of mind – it could save you much more in the long run."
A Gatwick airport parking scammer who raked in £1.4million dumping cars in muddy fields was recently jailed for 14 months.
Asad Malik swindled travellers by using fake reviews and parking the cars into fields and street corners.