With the long Easter weekend just around the corner, the award-winning airport parking operator and retailer Airport Parking & Hotels (APH) has revealed five insider tips on how to save time and money on airport transfers and arrive at the terminal stress-free this spring. Find the tips here: www.aph.com/gettotheairport.

Getting to the airport: consider all the options to save time and money, don’t just be a creature of habit
When it comes to money and time saving, it’s worth considering all options for transfers to the airport and checking to see if a usual mode of transport is still the best option. Travelling by train or coach can work extremely well for those who live very close to a station; if not, and if travelling in a group or family, the costs can soon mount up.

According to research by APH, 60% of people travel to the airport via private car*, with some driving themselves and some getting a lift from friends or family. Those who prefer driving themselves benefit from having control over their own schedule. While lifts to the airport by loved ones can be seem like the obvious choice for some, ‘kiss and fly’ drop-offs can test the kindness of friends and family over time and also result in twice as many car journeys.

Although taxis are another favoured transfer option, the cost can be high for longer distances, so it might be worth comparing a taxi firm’s quoted price against the cost for off-airport parking for trips lasting just a few days. Taxis also add to general traffic congestion, again with twice as many journeys.

Save money on airport parking: consider all the parking options to save money…
If you do decide to drive yourself and park it’s best to shop around before and pre-book to find the best deal. Although considered the most straightforward option, parking on-site at a car park operated by the airport itself can be more costly. To save on premium fees, compare airport parking prices online and consider pre-booking parking at a Park Mark-approved off-airport Park and Ride site. Bus transfers to the airport are usually frequent and speedy so this is an ideal way to save money that can be spent at a destination instead.

…but beware of rogue parking companies: sometimes the cheapest isn’t good value
If a low ‘Meet and Greet’ price seems too good to be true, it probably is. Before booking take a few simple steps to avoid a bad experience with a ‘cowboy’ company. One of the easiest ways is to check to see if a parking facility has been awarded the police-approved Park Mark Safer Parking Award, which is only presented to car parks that meet certain security standards. Another is to look for independent reviews, such as Reevoo or Feefo to see what other customers have experienced.

Combining an overnight airport hotel stay with a money-saving parking package can be a major stress reducer
Those with early flights can save money and eliminate morning stress by combining an overnight hotel stay at or near the airport with an airport parking package. Booking overnight accommodation and parking at the same time can be surprisingly good value, so it’s worth considering an overnight stay to avoid early morning traffic and secure a few extra hours of sleep before a long day of travel or to simply extend your holiday by one night.

Damage control: check the car before arriving at the airport
Finally, if driving yourself, before departing home for the airport, travellers should make a note to check their car for any existing external scratches or damages. Most airport parking sites have cameras installed to provide security and a visual record of cars as they enter, so claiming for damage that was already there before parking could potentially lead to an embarrassing situation.

For further information on Airport Parking and Hotels (APH) visit www.aph.com
or call 01342 859515.

ENDS

Notes To Editors:
*According to survey results from 1,455 air travellers, conducted by DJS Research on behalf of APH from November – December 2017.

About Airport Parking and Hotels (APH)
Established in 1980, Airport Parking and Hotels (APH) is an award-winning airport parking operator and retailer, winning the ‘Best Airport Parking Company’ award at the British Travel Awards 2018 for a ninth year running. In addition to APH’s own car parks serving Gatwick, Manchester and Birmingham Airports, APH also offers parking at all major UK airports as well as airport hotels, airport lounges and via trusted partners other extras such as car hire and travel insurance.

APH is a carbon-balanced company having worked closely with the World Land Trust for many years to off-set their carbon emissions and to help support rainforest conservation by protecting threatened forest habitats. APH also supports other charities and is a proud corporate sponsor of the University of Southampton Centre for Cancer Immunology, where the world’s most eminent experts come together in the quest to find new and innovative treatments. APH also has a partnership with Action Medical Research for Children to raise vital funds for research through a series of staff-based cycle and running challenges.

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