Expert parking guide
Meet & Greet vs Park & Ride
There are two ways to park at a UK airport. This guide explains how each one works, what it costs you in time, and what to check before you book — then lets you compare live prices for your dates.
Side by side
A quick comparison before the detail.
| Feature | Meet & Greet | Park & Ride |
|---|---|---|
| Where you leave the car | At the terminal | At the provider's car park |
| Transfer needed | No | Yes, shuttle bus |
| Typical time on the day | Fastest | Add time for the shuttle |
| Usually cheaper | No | Yes |
| Best for | Luggage, families, early flights | Longer trips, lower budget |
The premium pick
Meet & Greet airport parking
Drive to the terminal area and hand your vehicle to the parking provider.
- 1Drive straight to the terminal drop-off area at your booked time.
- 2A vetted driver meets you, checks your details and takes the keys.
- 3Your car is parked in a secure compound while you fly.
- 4On landing, call the provider and your car is brought back to the terminal.
Good to know
- Early departures, families with luggage, business trips and anyone who wants the shortest possible walk to check-in.
- Usually the quickest option — no transfer bus, so you go from car to check-in in minutes.
- Check whether the airport access charge is included in the price, and confirm the provider's vehicle size and modified-vehicle restrictions.
The value pick
Park & Ride airport parking
Park at the provider's site and take a transfer to the terminal.
- 1Drive to the provider's car park, a short distance from the airport.
- 2Park the car yourself, or hand the keys over if it's a park-and-ride valet service.
- 3Take the shuttle transfer to your terminal.
- 4On return, call or head to the pick-up point and ride back to your car.
Good to know
- Longer trips and cost-conscious travellers where price matters more than a few extra minutes at the airport.
- Allow extra time for the shuttle in each direction when planning your arrival at the airport.
- Transfer frequency and journey time vary a lot between sites — both are shown on every result, along with whether the transfer is included.
Compare by airport
Prices, transfer times and security features for every provider we work with.
Parking type questions
Compare Meet & Greet and Park & Ride prices
Enter your dates and times to see every option side by side, with the total price and transfer details up front.