Getting to the airport is the first leg of any holiday, and choosing the right way to travel there can save money, time and stress. From driving and parking to trains, taxis and transfers, there are several options, each with pros and cons. This guide explains how to get to the airport, with parking, train and drop-off tips. The best choice depends on your circumstances, so weigh up cost, convenience and timing.
Driving and parking
Driving to the airport and parking is convenient, especially with luggage or an early flight, but airport parking can be expensive, particularly on-site short-stay options. There are usually several choices: on-site short and long-stay car parks, cheaper off-site parks with shuttle buses, and meet-and-greet services where someone parks your car for you. Weighing the cost and convenience of each helps you choose. Driving gives flexibility and door-to-door ease, but the parking cost over a holiday means it pays to compare the options rather than simply turning up.
Book parking in advance
If you do drive, booking parking in advance is almost always cheaper than turning up and paying on the day, sometimes dramatically so, and it guarantees you a space. Compare the different car parks and book ahead for the best price. Off-site parks with transfers are often cheaper than parking right at the terminal. Booking your airport parking early, as part of planning your trip rather than at the last minute, can save a significant amount and remove the worry of finding a space when you arrive for your flight.
Public transport: train and coach
Public transport is often the most economical way to reach the airport, with many UK airports served by direct trains and coaches from towns and cities. A train or coach can be cheaper than parking for the duration of a holiday and avoids driving and traffic. Check the routes, times and prices, and whether services run early or late enough for your flight. For many travellers, especially those near a good rail or coach link, public transport is a cost-effective and stress-free way to get to the airport without parking fees.
Drop-off and pick-up
Being dropped off and picked up by a friend or family member is convenient and can be free or cheap, but be aware that many UK airports now charge a drop-off fee for stopping right outside the terminal. Some offer free drop-off in a car park a little further out, with a short walk or shuttle. Checking your airport's drop-off arrangements and any charges in advance avoids surprise fees. If someone can take you, factoring in the drop-off fee, or using a free alternative further out, keeps this convenient option affordable.
Taxis and private hire
A taxi or private hire car offers door-to-door convenience without parking or driving, which is appealing for early flights or when travelling with luggage, though the cost depends on the distance and can be high for longer journeys. Booking a private hire in advance can be cheaper than a black cab. Weighing the convenience against the fare helps you decide. For shorter distances, or when shared between a group, a taxi can be a comfortable and reasonably priced way to reach the airport without the hassle of parking.
Airport transfers and shuttles
Some areas have dedicated airport transfer or shuttle services, which can be a good-value middle ground between public transport and a taxi, particularly for groups. These range from shared shuttles to private transfers. Our guide on airport transfers explains the options in detail, mainly for the destination end, but the same principles apply at home. Checking whether a transfer or shuttle service serves your route to the airport can reveal a convenient and cost-effective option worth comparing against the alternatives.
Weigh cost against convenience
The right way to get to the airport depends on balancing cost, convenience and your circumstances, such as the time of your flight, how much luggage you have, how many of you are travelling, and where you live. Driving suits some, public transport others, and a taxi or transfer others again. Comparing the realistic total cost and convenience of each option for your specific trip, rather than defaulting to one, helps you choose the way that best suits your journey, budget and peace of mind.
Allow enough time
Whatever method you choose, allow plenty of time for the journey to the airport, factoring in traffic, possible delays on public transport, and the time to park and reach the terminal. Our guide on how early to get to the airport covers arrival times. Building in a buffer for the unexpected, rather than cutting the journey fine, protects you against missing your flight. The way you travel to the airport is only useful if it gets you there with enough time to spare.
Plan your return journey too
Do not forget to plan how you will get home after your trip, when you may be tired and arriving at an awkward hour. Pre-booking parking, a transfer or a taxi for your return, or checking public transport times for when you land, avoids a stressful scramble at the end of your holiday. Thinking about the return journey in advance, as well as the outward one, means you arrive home smoothly rather than facing the problem of onward travel when you are tired after travelling.
Consider the season and time of day
The cost and ease of getting to the airport can vary with the season and the time of your flight. Peak holiday periods see busier roads, fuller car parks and dearer parking, while very early or late flights may limit public transport options. Factoring in when you are travelling helps you choose the right method and book early enough. Thinking about how the time and season affect your journey to the airport, rather than assuming it will be the same as always, helps you plan a smooth start to your trip.
Compare your options to save
Just as with flights, comparing your options for getting to the airport can save money, whether that is different car parks, public transport fares, or transfer and taxi prices. Comparison sites for airport parking in particular can reveal significant savings. Our guide on how to find cheap flights applies similar thinking to fares. Taking a moment to compare the realistic cost of each way to reach the airport, rather than defaulting to the most obvious, often uncovers a cheaper option for this part of your journey, and the saving on parking or fares can be put towards the holiday itself.
In short
To get to the airport, weigh up driving and parking, public transport, drop-off, taxis and transfers, balancing cost, convenience and your circumstances. Book parking in advance to save, use trains or coaches for economy, and check drop-off fees, which many UK airports now charge. Allow plenty of time for traffic and delays, and plan your return journey too. The best option depends on your trip, so compare the realistic cost and convenience of each for your particular journey, and remember to consider the time of day and season, which affect both price and availability. Booking parking or transfers ahead, and planning your return journey too, helps the whole trip run smoothly.
Find more travel advice in our Flights & Getting There guides.