Do You Park AT Airport or Do You Get A Taxi

[angel659]

Hi

We are not leaving till October, but I always like getting everything arranged early so all I have to do is look forward to the holiday and unfortunately paying for it lol.

We cant make up our minds whether to park at Gatwick or get a taxi/limo. It will be for 2 adults and 3 children (5 yr old girl and twin boys of 23 months). I am concerned about driving back as we do not land till 9:00ish and before being on a long haul the hour and half drive can be exhausting.

We were just curious to see if everyone drives.

 

[TeresaMc]

We are about 15 minutes from the airport and since DH is not going this trip he will be giving us a ride and picking us up.

 

[gilld]

We live About 90 miles away and ALWAYS have a limo plus driver as both DH and I feel it's not safe to drive after an overnight flight. We tend to pay around £160 return which we feel is good value. It also makes for a stress free journey and gives me piece of mind re my car, which might be seen as a target and we wouldn't want to leave it anywhere for the duration of the holiday.

 

[Mrs Dazzle]

We live right down on the south coast opposite the Isle of Wight so it takes 2.5 - 3 hours journey to Gatwick, all depending on time of day.

Unfortunately my DH suffers from IBS which is especially triggered by stress, and flying for him is a bit stressful . . . . . so we stay overnight at the airport; useful too for twilight check-in We used to drive up and park at the Hilton, but one year Katie was rushed into ER down in Clearwater the night before we flew home, so on only 1.5 hours sleep in 36 hours was not good for the drive home (so tired neither my DH or I could really concentrate for any more than 20 mins at a time, and we had the MIL in the car with us , so it was a very loooooooooong journey back home), so now we prefer the luxury of a taxi ride to the Hilton/Meridien, then again home after the holiday.

To us, this afternoon and evening at the hotel before the next morning's flight is all part of the holiday

 

[Hilary]

We stay overnight and park if we have to travel up to Gatwick/Heathrow.

Because the drive home is so long for us, we don't feel its safe to hop straight back in the car to drive home, so the last couple of trips we've booked a day room at the hotel for the day we arrive home. We grab four or five hours sleep in the hotel and, after a shower and change of clothes, feel remarkably human again! The drive home is then far more manageable.

If we lived nearer we would probably opt for an airport shuttle, but we feel the cost is prohibitive from here. The quotes I've had have been in the region of £260 or more, whereas the overnight hotel, parking and hotel day room don't usually cost us more than £150.

If we manage to get flights from our local airport (Cardiff), we always drive and park as the return trip isn't a problem like the long distance drive.

 

[carolfoy]

We live right down in cornwall and its about 4-5 hours to drive to LGw so as theres 6 of us this year a taxi at £290 is much better value

 

[jen_uk]

I live just under 2 hours from gatwick and I always get a taxi, theres no way I could drive home after a night flight!

 

[wicket2005]

Usually kind relatives drive us up to Newcastle (1.15 hours). This year we have to be at the airport for 5.20 am and arrive back at 3.20 am so we rejected the kind relatives offers and decided to drive ourselves. We have booked a space at the airport which costs £62.

 

[Miffy2003]

We live right down in cornwall and its about 4-5 hours to drive to LGw so as theres 6 of us this year a taxi at £290 is much better value

Wow Carol, that is a great price! We paid £320 for a towncar type service from Exeter to Gatwick and back last time. I have not been able to beat that and this time there are less of us going so think we will make our way to Gatwick by our own car. Did you book that with a local firm?

One of the disadvantages of the South West is that it takes a long time to get anywhere outside of it!

 

[AlanUK]

I'd love to get some sort of Taxi/Shuttle but It's just too expensive to do from Plymouth (Another SW DIS'er )

The drive up isn't too bad and we always go up the afternoon before and do a Twilight Check-in which makes a nice gentle start to the holiday

The drive back on the other hand is a nightmare I can never sleep on planes and then to have to go and drive for 5 hours or so on the motorway is a real drag. I am always very careful doing this and at the first sign of any tiredness it's straight into the next services for a walk around and a strong coffee. In this respect I always find the first part of the trip around the M25 is the worst as there is just nowhere to stop

 

[squitty]

If we fly from our local airport, it's a taxi approx £12 each way
When we flew from Gatwick we drove 5 hours the day before our flight and stayed overnight at the Hilton. The drive back was horrendous, luckily we both drive and shared the drive back, which took 9 hours thanks to the police closing part of the motorway
Our next trip we are flying from Manchester which is only 2 1/2 hours down the road, so we will be driving down there, don't know if we will do a overnight stay though.

 

[carolfoy]

Hi Karen, sorry its my own rate, as a travel agent in a town of retirement! I book A LOT of cruises so always recommend a local chauffer to take my little old ladies to southampton so he does a special rate for me once a year for my own holidays.

 

[Miffy2003]

Thanks for letting me know Carol

 

[ely3857]

Hiya

The one and only time I drove to the airport I got lost and missed my flight and had to pay £75.00 re booking fee, £50.00 for a hotel overnight and £20.00 for a taxi to hotel & back!

I had pre-paid to park in an offsite carpark with shuttle to airport and back but I couldnt find it!

We parked the car and missed check in by about 6mins!

Would NEVER try this again.

Last time I went from Manchester we caught the train from Leeds. Very simple & easy as you get dropped of right in the airport and the trains start very early.

Wont be doing that this year thought as last time we had the back up of calling df dd to take us incase of any delays but as we are all going this year I wouldnt risk it.

Assume we will be getting mini bus to Manchester this time but havnt really disscused it, As a plannaholic I feel that situation shoule be rectified right now!



Jodie

 

[Frances999]

We drive. I prefer being in our own car and being able to stop when we like and visit relatives on the way to the airport. On the way home? DH drinks a couple of gallons of coffee and drives while me, DD and DS's sleep!