How to choose the right airport parking

Parking duration: close to the terminal or economical parking at a distance

For an absence of one or two days, a car park close to the terminal, even if more expensive on a daily basis, often costs less in total and saves time on return. For stays longer than a week, the daily rate weighs much more: an external economical car park connected by shuttle is almost always worth it, because the accumulated price difference over days far exceeds a few minutes of waiting for transport.

Safety: official airport parking or private

Official car parks managed by the airport generally offer continuous surveillance and controlled access, an advantage to consider for long stays or valuable vehicles. Private external car parks often cost less but the quality of safety varies widely from operator to operator: checking recent reviews related to damage or theft, not just the average rating, is the most reliable way to evaluate them before trusting your car to them for the first time. For a more in-depth comparison between the two options, see also official or private parking: what to consider.

Pedestrian access or shuttle: how much time you are willing to lose

Car parks with direct pedestrian access to the terminal, generally the most expensive, eliminate shuttle wait time: useful for those traveling with heavy luggage or with tight time margins. Car parks connected by shuttle generally add 10-20 minutes to the route but cost significantly less, a compromise that suits those with no strict time constraints.

Special cases: electric vehicles, large vehicles, high season

Anyone driving an electric car should check in advance that the chosen car park has charging stations, a service still not universal; those with an SUV or van should check available spaces, as some budget facilities have spots sized to the minimum. During high season and holidays, the car parks closest to the terminal run out first, so booking several weeks in advance becomes more important than usual.

If you are unsure which option to choose, start with the duration of the stay: under two days it's worth staying close to the terminal, beyond a week it's almost always worth the more economical external car park with shuttle.