26 April 2011

The environmental benefits of airport parking

Have you ever stopped to think about the environmental impact your method of transport to the airport has on the environment?

I know we are reminded about the impact our flights have, but quite often we forget about how we get to the airport. Yes, the airports are always trying to get us to take public transport and, although public transport figures are rising, it’s not always practical to get a bus, train or coach to take us to the airport.

I like to do my bit for the environment, but honestly, you try getting two young children and your luggage on board a coach, train or bus to the airport, it’s not easy. Many of us have often volunteered to take friends or family to the airport to save them the hassle of driving themselves or the cost of a taxi, but in today’s climate with rising fuel costs, it no longer seems like an easy favour.

But did you know that dropping a friend off at the airport, or taking a taxi to the airport is a lot more environmentally unfriendly than driving yourself and parking at the airport? Probably not, but think about it: if you drive to the airport, parking your car yourself and then drive yourself home after your holiday, that’s two journeys – one to, and one from the airport. If you take a taxi, or get your friend to drop you off, that’s four journeys – one to the airport, one home, another to the airport to pick you up and then the journey back to your house - twice the number of miles, twice the cost, and twice the carbon emissions.

So, before you request the services of your mate to take you to the airport this summer, stop and consider airport parking. Airport parking prices aren’t prohibitive, they’re often cheaper than you think, and if booked online in advance can save you up to 60% on the gate prices and a lot of carbon emissions.

If you don’t want the hassle of parking yourself, or don’t want to park off-airport and get the shuttle bus to and from the airport, consider meet and greet parking where you just drive up to the airport terminal, hand over your keys and let someone else park your car. The best part is that on your return your car is outside waiting for you ready to be driven home.

If you want to take your carbon savings one step further, book with a green airport parking company that makes a donation to an environmental programme, or plants a tree for every booking made.

20 April 2011

Change of procedures for Car ParKing at Manchester Airport

There has been a change in the return procedures Car ParKing at Manchester airport.

Return Procedures:

Once passengers have collected their luggage they should call 0161 775 3066.

When they have confirmed their transfer they should make their way to the pick up point outside the terminal.

Ryanair’s partnership with Holiday Extras extended

Ryanair and Holiday Extras have announced an extension of their partnership to provide airport parking at 27 UK airports.

The two companies have had a partnership for the past five years, and this new agreement extends arrangements for another 18 months.

19 April 2011

Guide to airport parking

In spite of attempts to encourage passengers to travel to the airport by public transport, driving yourself to the airport is still a very popular way of getting to the airport.

If you are driving yourself then you will need to book airport parking.

But there are now so many options that it can be difficult deciding what to book and what type of parking will best suits your needs.

Below offers a breakdown of the different types of airport parking available, what sort of service you should expect and how the prices differ and why. All in all, the ultimate guide to airport parking.

Meet and Greet Airport Parking
This type of parking at the airport is when you drive to the airport’s arrivals/departures drop off area. It is also sometimes referred to as Valet Parking. Here you are met by the parking company driver who then takes your car to the car park for you. This leaves you to make your way directly into the airport terminal. It’s a very quick service. Avoids any hanging around. You do not need to drive to a remote car park away from the airport. You do not need to use a courtesy bus to make your way to the airport having dropped your car off.

Just as if a friend was dropping you off at the airport, you drive right up to the airport, unload and off you go – this is what customers of Meet and Greet parking benefit from.

This type of parking is ideal for everyone. In fact most travellers, having used the service rarely use any other type of parking afterwards. It’s especially good if travelling with heavy baggage, sports equipment etc. Families find it ideal as they don’t have to worry about getting children in and out of a car onto a bus (usually the bus won’t have child seats, and it’s a case of them on your lap). Equally, the service is good for the elderly or those with limited mobility for the same reasons.

It is a little more expensive than traditional airport parking, however you don’t have to add an extra 30 – 45 minutes to your journey time as you drive straight to the airport, not an off-site car park.

Valet Parking
This is exactly the same as Meet and Greet parking – see above – it is just sometimes referred to as Valet parking.

Chauffer Parking
Again, this is simply another name for essentially what is Meet and Greet parking, as described above.

Airport Hotels With Parking
This type of airport parking is when you book your parking along with a night at an airport hotel. You drive to the hotel, you meet your parking company driver, they take your car to their car park, whilst you check-in at the hotel. You spend the night before you fly at the hotel (sometimes you can choose to stay the night after you fly back into the UK instead of the night before). The following day you make your way, usually a short walk, into the airport to check-in for your flight.

Park and Fly / Park and Stay Parking
These are other names/terms used for Airport Hotels with Parking.

On-site Short Stay Parking
On-site means the car park is in the grounds of the airport. So, if you are only away for the day then this is a consideration. However, be aware that any on-site parking is costly as you are on the grounds of the airport. The car park is usually operated by the airport.

Off-site Short Stay Parking
This car park will be located a few miles away from the airport and will be run by an independent parking firm. It will involve you driving to the car park and then using the courtesy bus back to the airport. As the car park is short stay it will be for parking for a day or two. This option of short stay parking is usually cheaper than an on-site car park but you will need to allow about an extra 30 – 45 minutes to your journey time in order to park, wait for the next available bus and the 5 – 10 minute journey back to the airport.

On-site Long Stay Parking
The On-site car park will be in the grounds of the airport. This car park is for use of a few days. Charges are higher than those by an off-site car park as you are paying for the privilege of parking on-site.

Off-Site Long Stay Parking
This type of car park is for parking durations of more than a few days, up to weeks away. The cost will be considerably cheaper than an on-site car park. Most airports have a large choice of independent car parking operators offering this service. Do be aware that by using an off-airport car park you will need to use the car park’s courtesy bus to get from the car park to the airport. They usually run every 15 minutes and take around 5-10 minutes. It’s best to allow around 30-45 minutes extra to your journey in getting to the airport for check-in.

Airport Park and Ride Parking
This is actually the same as described for off-site parking, you ‘park’ in the car park and you ‘ride’ back to the airport on the courtesy bus. It’s simply a different term sometimes used to describe parking.

Top Tips When Booking Parking at the Airport
Here’s a tip – always pre-book your airport parking, and always try to book online. This way you will secure the very best prices for your parking.
  • If you book only a day or two before you travel you’ll pay more than you have too.
  • If however you are left with no choice but to book on the day you are travelling, always call the company you want to book with, as same day online bookings cannot be processed.

08 April 2011

East Midlands Stress Free Meet and Greet Parking

Arrivals Procedure for East Midlands Airport Stress Free Meet and Greet Parking:
  • When you are 30 minutes away from the airport call the team of chauffeurs on 07721 738549
  • Your chauffeur will then be dispatched to meet you at outside the departures
  • If you are running late or early, it is important that you call to give as much notice as possible
  • On arrival at the airport, please pull into the Airparks bays in Car Park C where a chauffeur will be waiting for you. Collect a ticket from the barrier and hand it to the chauffeur who will be waiting for you.

02 April 2011

Changes to Stress Free Meet & Greet at East Midlands Airport

Watch out if you are using the Stress Free Meet & Greet parking at East Midlands Airport.

When you collect your car from the pick-up point on your return from holiday, there is now a £2 fee to exit the drop-off car park – if you go over the 10 minutes permitted you may be asked to pay a parking fine at the exit.

01 April 2011

Manchester Airport to Manchester Marriott hopper bus scrapped

The Hopper bus service between Manchester Airport and the Manchester Airport Marriott will cease on 16 April 2011.

From 17 April, transfers will be available by Taxi at £6 each way bookable at hotel.