Airport Parking: A Guide to Key Terms Used to Describe types of airport parking
Travelling through UK airports—Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and many others—means encountering a bewildering array of parking and drop-off options. Knowing what the various terms mean can save time, reduce stress, and often save money. Below, we explain the main types of parking and related terms you’ll see, how they work, and some of the pros and cons.
On-Airport vs Off-Airport Parking
- On-Airport (On-Site / On-Airport Parking)
Parking facilities operated by the airport itself, or within the airport boundary. These include Short Stay, Long Stay, Meet & Greet / Valet, and sometimes special transport options like PODs. On-airport parking is more convenient (shorter walk / no or short shuttle) but tends to cost more. - Off-Airport (Off-Site / Third-Party Parking)
Parking outside the airport boundary, offered by independent companies. You generally park some distance away, then use shuttles or arrange meet-and-greet / valet transfer. These tend to be cheaper, but involve extra time and sometimes more logistics.
Short Stay, Long Stay, Mid-Stay
These refer to how long you expect your vehicle to be parked, and where / how the facility is located relative to the terminal.
- Short Stay
For drops, pick-ups, or short visits. Car parks close to terminals; charged by the hour (or part-hour). Best if you’re only going away for a few hours or collecting/dropping someone off. - Long Stay
Designed for longer trips (multiple days, weeks). Usually further away, possibly off-site, often with shuttle bus transfers to terminals. Rates typically calculated in 24-hour blocks rather than hourly. More economical for longer durations. - Mid-Stay
Sometimes used at larger airports (e.g. Gatwick) for stays that are longer than a short stay but shorter than long stay. Mid-stay car parks might offer a compromise: not quite as close / convenient as short stay, but more accessible and less costly than prime on-site short stay. Also helpful for slightly longer pick-ups or waits.
Meet & Greet / Valet Parking
- Meet & Greet (also sometimes known as “Valet”)
You drive to a designated drop-off point (often close to the terminal), leave the car with a driver who then parks it for you. On return, you get the car back near the terminal (or at the meeting point). Very convenient, especially with luggage or in bad weather. But this convenience comes with a premium price.
Park & Ride / Shuttle / Courtesy Bus
- Park & Ride
You park in a car park a bit away from the airport, usually off-site or on-airport but not directly adjacent, then ride to the terminal via shuttle / bus. It’s cheaper than the premium parking close to the terminal, but adds some transfer time. - Courtesy Bus / Shuttle Bus
These transport you between your parked car and the terminal. Many long-stay or off-site car parks provide this service. Key things to check: frequency, hours of operation, how many stops, whether your luggage is accommodated.
Pod Parking
- POD / Pod Parking
A relatively newer, high-tech option. Heathrow, for example, offers “Pod Parking” to connect certain car parks with Terminal 5 by means of driverless, electric “pods” (personal rapid transit vehicles), which give a rapid transit link between parking and terminal. It combines speed/convenience with being slightly further away.
Gate Price / Terminal Forecourts / Drop-Off / Pick-Up Charges
- Gate Price / Roll-Up Price
This refers to the cost you pay if you turn up without a reservation (“on-the-day” rates). Usually more expensive than pre-booked rates. Many airports have different tiers (advance booking vs gate / walk-in). - Terminal Forecourt Drop-Off / Pick-Up
The zones right outside the terminal buildings, intended for dropping off or collecting passengers. Many airports have introduced or increased charges for entering these forecourts, often monitored by ANPR (automatic number plate recognition) cameras. You may be charged for just being in that area, even for a few minutes. Grace periods may be minimal. Blue Badge holders sometimes have exemptions. - Forecourt / Drop-Off / Pick-Up Charge
The fee for using the terminal forecourt for dropping off or picking up. For example, Gatwick charges £7 for up to 10 minutes, then £1 per minute extra (up to a limit), monitored by cameras. Heathrow has similar drop-off zones and charges.
Other Terms / Useful Notes
- Walk vs Drive / Keep Keys
In self-park options (Short Stay / Long Stay), you park and retrieve your own car. In meet & greet / valet, you hand over your keys. Be aware: once your keys are handed over you’re relying on the operator’s security, insurance, handling. - Booking in Advance
Rates are generally lower when you book in advance vs the gate price. Availability may be limited, especially for premium services or during busy travel times. - Free Alternatives / Grace Periods
Some airports allow free or cheaper drop-off via long stay or mid-stay car parks with shuttle bus or walking; sometimes short waiting periods are free. Free alternatives are often located further from the terminals. Always check local airport site. - Maximum Stay, Penalties & Time Limits
Forecourt zones often have maximum dwell time (e.g. 30 minutes), and exceeding these can bring fines. Drop-off / pick-up zones are typically not for longer parking. Also, off-site or long-stay lots might have minimum stay periods.
Examples from Major UK Airports
To bring this to life, here are a few illustrations:
- Heathrow offers several different official parking solutions: Short Stay, Park & Ride (and Park & Ride Plus), Meet & Greet / Valet, and POD Parking. The "POD" connects the business car park and Terminal 5 via driverless electric pods.
- Gatwick has formal Forecourt Drop-Off / Pick-Up Charges: at both North and South Terminals now a charge applies for vehicles entering the drop-off forecourt. The drop-off zones are monitored and charged (e.g. £7 minimum for up to 10 mins, then additional per minute up to a max). Also, Gatwick’s Roll-Up Short Stay, Mid Stay, Long Stay, and Valet options are priced differently depending on proximity and convenience.
Summary
Option | Advantages |
|
Short Stay / On-Airport | Very close to terminal, minimal walk, convenient for drop-offs / short trip | |
Long Stay / Off-Airport | Much cheaper for longer trips, good value with shuttle / transfers | |
Meet & Greet / Valet | Maximum convenience, no shuttle or walk, hands-off parking | |
Park & Ride / Shuttle | Balance of cost vs convenience | |
Forecourt Drop-Off Zones | Ideal for quick drop-off, close to departures, quick access |
Tips to Choose the Right Option
- Think about how long you’ll be parked — for a couple of hours vs several days makes a big difference in what’s cost-effective.
- Check how close to the terminal you need to be — with heavy luggage or mobility concerns, proximity matters.
- Book in advance — many on-airport and premium services are significantly cheaper when pre-booked.
- Don’t forget drop-off / forecourt charges — even a quick stop at the terminal may incur fees. Budget that in.
- Check shuttle times / frequency if using off-airport or long stay. A cheap lot isn’t much good if the shuttle only runs infrequently.
- Look for free or low-cost alternatives — long-stay or mid-stay lots sometimes offer short-term free parking or free drop-off via shuttle.
Conclusion
UK airport parking terminology can seem complex, but once you understand the differences between terms like “short stay”, “long stay”, “meet & greet”, “forecourt drop-off”, “pod”, and so on, you can pick the option that balances cost, convenience, and time. At I Love Airport Parking, we aim to help travellers make those decisions easier so that the part of getting to the airport is as stress-free as the journey itself.
By Stephen Forster at 24 Sep 2025