Gatwick airport, advice please

[totallyfixed]

We haven't flown from Gatwick for over 10 years and my memories are not particularly good ones. We are travelling there by car, fortunately our flights are at a very civilised time of day [late afternoon], other than finding a car park that doesn't charge an arm and leg for a weeks stay using Google, anyone got any useful tips / info that might help? Thanks.

 

[Markymark]

We do the valet parking. It's aroubd the same price. Drive to frint door. Get out. Pick up car from ftont door when you return. Saves ages in car parks.

 

[PK99]

+1 for valet parking. Convenience is great and price is definitely not the arm and a leg I expected.

Book on line in advance to get the cheapest deal.

 

[Markymark]

+1 for valet parking. Convenience is great and price is definitely not the arm and a leg I expected.

Book on line in advance to get the cheapest deal.

It's cheaoer the longer you stay as the daily charge is lower and offset the valet collection. 10+ days it tends to be cheaper.

 

[totallyfixed]

I am not particularly happy with the meet and greet / valet parking as not overjoyed with someone else driving my car [used this service at Birmingham airport and they managed to dent it]. I also see that valet parking costs nearly twice as much.

 

[Markymark]

That's odd. Valet usually similar or cheaoer unless short stay. I fell safer knowing its in a secure park as all the dents on my car are from public parking.

 

[rich p]

Long Stay south or north is pretty good value and pretty good service. You can get it a bit cheaper from some off-airport sites but don't bother.

 

[Mark Grant]

A friend of mine always parks in a residential street (in Crawley I think) which is on a bus route to the airport, he then just catches a bus to the terminal.

 

[PK99]

That's odd. Valet usually similar or cheaoer unless short stay. I fell safer knowing its in a secure park as all the dents on my car are from public parking.

day of the week and duration can make a big difference - i just checked in February and a second week added £4 to the valet parking price!

sat to sat or sun to sun are the most expensive

 

[PK99]

I am not particularly happy with the meet and greet / valet parking as not overjoyed with someone else driving my car [used this service at Birmingham airport and they managed to dent it]. I also see that valet parking costs nearly twice as much.

We take the view that the extra ??£30/40?? is a trivial addition to the price of a family ski holiday and makes the parking & collection process SO much easier. 4 cases plus 4 boot bags plus hand luggage on and off buses and treking across the car park at start and finish......

 

[PK99]

Choose a station in a convenient place. Park the car free in the street nearby. Get the train right into the airport.

VERY antisocial thing to do!

 

[vickster]

My parents always use APH, I use long stay

Book through Quidco for cash back

 

[Brandane]

VERY antisocial thing to do!

Why? Assuming the street is a public road with no parking restrictions, you have as much right to park there as anyone else!

I am not keen on using any parking whereby they make you leave your keys with them for the duration of your holiday. Plenty of time for the dishonest swapping of parts with faulty ones from mates cars, or dodgy garages giving back handers. It has been known to happen.

 

[DaveReading]

Why? Assuming the street is a public road with no parking restrictions, you have as much right to park there as anyone else!

I am not keen on using any parking whereby they make you leave your keys with them for the duration of your holiday. Plenty of time for the dishonest swapping of parts with faulty ones from mates cars, or dodgy garages giving back handers. It has been known to happen.

There was a furore recently, at Gatwick and other UK airports, about valet parking companies that were doing just that - picking up your car from you at the terminal and then leaving it in a random residential street.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...nies-Heathrow-Gatwick-Manchester-exposed.html

 

[DaveReading]

The furore was because they were committing a fraud.

Well, yes, obviously.

One that hinged on them parking your car in a location that you probably wouldn't have chosen for yourself.

YMMV.