I’ve in no way understood the saying: “It’s greater to travel in hope than to arrive.” I’d rather travel in initial class and arrive just as the sun is going down, in fact.
Surely when flying, all I generally hope for is that everything goes smoothly. The drive to the airport, the parking, the transfer from some distant patch of scrubland, verify-in and security, legging it to the gate without having losing a kid or triggering divorce proceedings… All of which are a source of massive trepidation and anxiety, to be survived rather than savoured.
But over the summer time I employed a meet-and-greet parking service for the first time when flying out of Gatwick. And I reckon it will eliminate the sting from at least 2 of the prospective traumas on that list.
BP08WND 280712 CPS courtesy of Chris Sampson on Flickr
Peace in the valet
Previously, I assumed this level of service would be nicely beyond my pocket, but browsing for a parking deal on TravelSupermarket unearthed a deal which, at £72, was only £20 more than a regular park-and-ride selection.
I know £20 is £20, but it’s a lengthy drive to get to Gatwick in the very first location, and it implies negotiating the circle of Hell which is the M25, so I decided to splurge and let a person else take element of the strain. And it was nicely worth it. We basically rang when we were 20 minutes away from the terminal and have been met in the terminal auto park.
HA0490-021 courtesy of Highways Agency on Flickr
On return we rang when we got our bags, and the vehicle was waiting for us when we stumbled out of the automobile park lift.
Silly con valet?
Undoubtedly not. As I’ve recommended, the prices for meet-and-greet solutions are usually significantly less than you’d spend for a park-and-ride job.
The notion is popular sufficient (at Gatwick at least) for meet-and-greeters to have basically commandeered a couple of floors of a automobile park, with official airport signage guiding you to their patch.
If you are organizing a trip overseas quickly – probably come the next college holiday – it’s worth checking out how significantly this sort of service would expense.
I utilized TravelSupermarket to appear at automobile parking costs for the autumn half-term week, flying out on October 25 and returning on November 1.
Don’;t forget, booking in advance chops loads off the price you’d spend if you just rocked up on the day, so it’s nicely worth performing.
Gatwick
The least expensive on the internet deal was from Purple Parking at £45.99 – effectively below the ‘at-gate’ price tag of £72. Right here you’re searching at a 10 – 15 minute bus ride after you’ve parked, with buses running every single 20 minutes.
APH charges just under £49 but is a bit closer to the airport, with a 10 minute transfer and buses each 15 minutes.
If you want a meet-and-greet service, Ace charges £67. Or you can, er, splash out and spend £103.94 with Maple Manor and have your vehicle cleaned whilst you are away.
Manchester
This location is lodged in my heart as ‘Ringway’, which offers my age away. It fees £35.99 to park with JetParks, which has a 15-minute transfer, with 10-minute frequency.
Manchester Airport Sky Walk courtesy of Terry Whalebone on Flickr
The official on-airport parking expenses amongst £39.99 (at T2) and £45.99 (T1and T3). The official meet-and-greet service is £49.99, regardless of which terminal you fly from.
If you prefer to hold handle of your destiny, you can park in the multi-story vehicle park (and walk to the terminal) for £59.99 at T3, paying £10 a lot more at T1 and T2.
Glasgow
My search didn’t throw up any quotes from valet firms at Glasgow, but I’m due a check out to see my mate Mike, so if you know of any operating here, let me know (in the box beneath).
Rates for a week’s ‘traditional’ parking in mid-October (half term runs from 13-17 October in Scotland) starts at £45 with Direct Parking and Park Secure – 10-minute transfer, buses every single 3.
You can park at the brief keep and stroll to the terminal for £67.92 – nicely under half what it would cost you (£176) if you neglect to book in advance.
Birmingham
Of these 4 airports, Birmingham supplied the lowest price for a week at £27.53, but it’s a 20-minute bus-ride away – which means you’d have to factor in the additional time to your journey to lessen the possibility of a ‘Will we make it?!?’ anxiety-fest.
The park-and-walk option at the airport multi-storey is £69.99 booked in advance (a whopping £146 at the gate. But Maple Manor will collect and return your auto to you for just £59.99.
For £81.99 Airparks will give your auto a wash as effectively as collecting it from you and bringing it back when you return.
Don’;t forget, whichever choice appeal to you, you’ll probably save a substantial amount by booking in advance via TravelSupermarket.
Have you attempted a valet parking service? Or any idea if there’s a valet operating out of Glasgow Airport? Let us know…
Valet of the kings?
