Affordable Parking Options You Should Know Around Heathrow
Whether you are a PCO driver or just picking someone up from Heathrow airport, the Heathrow airport parking costs can add up fast. Heathrow Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world, and finding affordable car parking at Heathrow Airport is not always easy.
Fortunately, there are many affordable parking spaces available near Heathrow that you can use to avoid paying hefty parking fines at the airport.
In this article, we will discuss some of those options and also explain how to find affordable parking spaces near Heathrow online to keep your airport runs affordable and stress-free.
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Article Highlights
In this article, you will learn about:
- Cheap parking spaces near Heathrow
- Their service comparison
- Tips to lower your parking costs
Where to Park Near Heathrow Airport?
Below, we have mentioned three common options you can use to lower your parking costs:
Purple Parking
Purple Parking is a company that offers reliable and affordable parking spaces near UK airports.
Purple Parking is popular among holidaymakers, business travellers, and private hire drivers.
The company offers a free bus shuttle service that takes 10 to 15 minutes to reach the terminals from the Parking area. It is a safe, easy, and affordable parking space for PCO drivers, budget travellers, or for longer stays.
Where is the Purple Parking at Heathrow?
Purple Parking for Heathrow Airport is located at 17 Bath Road, Heathrow, Hounslow, which is just two miles away from the airport.
A shuttle bus service is available for the T2, T3, T4, and T5 terminals, and it takes 5 to 15 minutes. For the T4 terminal, you must take another shuttle from T2, which will add a couple more minutes to your travel time.
What are the Parking Options and Charges at Heathrow Purple Parking?
Purple Parking Heathrow offers two main services:
Park & Ride
You can park your car directly in one of their facilities and take the free shuttle to the terminal. The shuttle could take a little time, so plan accordingly.
The parking costs start from £6.87 per day and £54.95 per week. If you make daily or weekly airport runs, these savings can add up significantly over time.
Meet & Greet
You can drive straight to the airport terminal, and a staff member will take your car to their secure lot. They will also bring the car back to you when you need it at the terminal. This option is ideal for drivers carrying luggage or waiting for riders who expect them to be at the terminal.
The Meet & Greet service is relatively expensive compared to Park & Ride service, with costs starting from £10.63 per day or £85.00 per week
How to Book?
You can book your parking online at www.purpleparking.com. The parking charges at Purple Parking Heathrow can vary depending on how early you book and your parking duration.
What are the Pros of Using Purple Parking Near Heathrow?
Affordable for Long Stays
If you need to park for extended periods, such as when a flight is delayed and you are awaiting a scheduled passenger, then Purple Parking is an affordable option compared to Heathrow’s Short Stay parking.
Avoiding Drop-Off Charges
Heathrow currently has a £6 drop-off fee for using its express drop-off zones. Through Purple Parking’s Park & Ride service, you can drop off passengers at the parking lot, where they will board a free shuttle to the terminal, allowing you to avoid paying the charge. This could be a great way to reduce your costs. However, the passenger must agree to be dropped off at the off-site parking lot first.
Security
Parking lots of Purple Parking near Heathrow are secured with CCTV, fencing, and regular patrols so you can be sure that your car is in a safe place.
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What are the Cons of Purple Parking Near Heathrow?
Time and Efficiency
A major disadvantage of Purple Parking near Heathrow is the loss of time in shuttle transfers. Every minute is important to private hire drivers. However, the time from the car park to the terminal may add 15-20 minutes to each trip or even more when you consider waiting for the bus.
Customer Experience
Many passengers, especially premium or executive ones, expect to be dropped directly at the terminal doors. Dropping them at an off-site car park for a shuttle transfer may not be perceived as premium or personalised.
Operational Limitations
The shuttle bus from Purple Parking operates during certain hours, usually from 3:30 AM to midnight. This means you or your passengers will have to find an alternative to reach the terminals when the shuttle bus is not available.
Maple Parking Heathrow
Maple Parking is another leading parking company in the UK that offers affordable off-site parking spaces near Heathrow and other major airports. Its Park & Ride facility is located on Bath Road, Longford, close to Heathrow airport, while the Meet & Greet service does not have a single car park address. Instead, a Maple Parking driver will meet you at a designated point within your terminal’s short-stay car park.
What Services Does Maple Parking Near Heathrow Offer?
Maple Parking offers both Park & Ride and Meet & Greet services:
Park & Ride
Maple leaf offers a secure Park & Ride facility with a shuttle bus for Heathrow’s terminal 2, 3, 4, and 5. The bus to Terminals 2 & 3 take approximately 10 minutes, to Terminal 5 about 5 minutes, while to Terminal 4 about 3 minutes.
How Much Does Maple Parking’s Park & Ride Option Cost?
The daily cost for Park & Ride service starts from £5 per day, while the weekly price starts from £40. A benefit of using Maple Parking is that it is located outside the ULEZ zone, so you won’t have to pay the daily ULEZ fee if your vehicle doesn’t comply with emission standards.
Meet & Greet
Maple Parking’s Meet & Greet service near Heathrow is available on terminals 2, 3, 4, and 5. It removes the need of parking and waiting for shuttle transfers, as a Maple Parking driver will meet you directly at the short-stay car park of the terminal where you are dropping off your passengers. When you need the car back, the driver will be waiting in the same spot.
How Much Does Maple Parking’s Meet & Greet Option Cost?
The daily parking costs start from £10.63 per day, while weekly costs start from £85 for a week.
Booking online and in advance can significantly reduce the price compared to last-minute bookings.
Also, longer stays generally cost you less than shorter stays.
What are the Pros of Using Maple Parking near Heathrow?
Close Proximity to Airport
Maple Parking lots are located close to Heathrow with clear directions and quick shuttle service to the airport.
Free WiFi
Maple Parking’s shuttle buses come with free WiFi and charging points, allowing you to stay connected with your platform and manage bookings on the go.
Quick Service Even During Peak Times
Maple Parking is known for offering quick and smooth service even during busy times. The company uses flight tracking technology to adjust for early or late arrivals, ensuring that your car is ready whenever you need it.
What are the Cons of Using Maple Parking Near Heathrow?
Additional Charges for Extended Stays
Maple parking allows you to overstay up to midnight on the last day of your booking period. Any time beyond that will mean you must pay an extra fee of £20 per day.
Vehicle Roadworthiness Requirements
Maple Parking only accepts road-worthy vehicles, meaning that your vehicle must have a valid MOT certificate, road tax, and other essential documents. If your vehicle doesn’t meet these requirements, they may not allow you to park your car and may even refuse refunds for the parking booking.
Limited Customer Support
Although Maple Parking operates 24/7, their customer support phone line 03 333 222 333 is only staffed from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday to Sunday. You will need to rely on on-site staff which can be less convenient.
Fleeto Driver Tip: Use Hotels for Park & Wait
If you are searching for a place to briefly park near Heathrow, several hotels in that area provide short-term parking or waiting spaces for a small fee of £3-£5. The most popular options include the Premier Inn on Bath Road, Holiday Inn Heathrow, and Ibis Styles Heathrow East. Always inquire politely with the hotel staff whether you can use their space before parking.
Top Websites to Find Other Affordable Parking Options Near Heathrow
Many websites offer price comparisons, but not all of them are reliable or accurate. Here are our top three picks to help you find the best deals:
- Brings you real-time data with transparent fee breakdowns from official airport car parks and off-site operators.
- The platform only partners with Park Mark-accredited car parks like Purple Parking and NCP Flightpath to reduce the risk of theft or damage.
- Park Mark-accredited operators have tight security measures in place so you can park with confidence, even for extended periods.
Airparks is not a parking facility but a booking platform that helps you find a range of affordable parking deals around Heathrow with a 10-20 minute shuttle service to terminals 2, 3, 4, and 5.
- Pre-bookings with Airparks can help you save £10/day compared to last-minute rates.
- An additional 10% discount is available for those who subscribe to their mailing list.
- Their Best Price Guarantee allows you to get a refund of extra costs if you find a better deal within 24 hours after the booking.
Important: In addition to hefty parking charges at Heathrow, you also have to pay a fee for dropping off passengers at terminal forecourts. You can discover more details about the Heathrow drop-off fee here.
- You can use JustPark to find private driveways or small car parks near Heathrow that offer low rates, usually ranging from £4 to £10 a day, based on the location.
- Many of these parking spots are either a short walk or a quick bus ride from the terminals, making them perfect for any driver needing parking while at the airport.
- You don’t need to book a parking space months in advance to get a low rate with JustPark.
Useful Tips to Lower Your Parking Costs
While off-site parking lots offer cheaper rates compared to official airport lots, the following tips can help lower your parking costs even more:
Pre-Book Parking Online
Booking in advance could help you get lower fees compared to on-arrival prices. For instance, Purple Parking costs £46.79/week pre-booked versus £100+/week for last-minute bookings. Normally, bookings made at least 24 hours before arrival qualify for pre-booked rates. The longer the pre-booking period, the more discounts you will get.
Use Discounts and Loyalty Offers
Many operators offer mailing list discounts and loyalty rewards. So, sign up for mailing lists of platforms like Heathrowparking.com, Airparks, Holidayextras.co.uk, or Purple Parking and join their loyalty programmes to further reduce your parking costs.
Compare Prices
The same provider can have different rates on different online booking platforms. For instance, the prices of Purple Parking on ParkVia could vary slightly from their prices at HolidayExtras. Cross-check platforms to find the lowest rate.
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Conclusion
Parking fees are a significant expense for PCO drivers who regularly do Heathrow airport runs. While the airport has official parking spaces, the cost of using these spaces is extremely high. Plus, the hefty fines you get for overstaying or rule violations can quickly eat into your daily earnings.
On the other hand, off-site parking spaces have lower rates and also offer flexibility for overstaying. Just make sure you use a Park Mark-accredited space to confirm the safety of your vehicle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any cheap off-site parking options near Heathrow?
You can use Purple Parking or Maple Parking to avoid paying hefty Heathrow parking costs.
What are the best websites to find affordable parking options near Heathrow online?
Websites like Heathrowparking.com, Airparks.co.uk, and Justpark.com can help you find the best parking deals near Heathrow online.
Does Heathrow offer free parking?
Yes, Heathrow offers free parking for up to 30 minutes in the Long Stay Car Parks. Staying further will require you to pay a fee.
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