Parking / taxi or hotel - stupid question but in need advise

[Andy Lou & Meg]

OK I know this sounds like a really stupid question but DH nd I have been debating about this for ages.

We live about 30 minutes drive away from Gatwick and are having a nightmare in trying to decide what to do.

Here are the options

Drive up and park at the airport - at a cost of £140 (summer special)

Twilight check-in, go home then get the train to the airport and a taxi on the way back - at a cost of approx £70 (including petrol, taxi and car parking)

or

Stay at The Holiday Inn in Crawley and to a twilight check in. At the moment they are quoting me arrox £60 including breakfast then they arrange for a company to collect our car that morning a take is to a car park at a cost of approx £3 per day, the car would then be brought back to us as we get through arrivals (I am quite dubious about this as I have not heard of this being done before). Althought this option would be about £140.

My DH is not keen on staying the night in a hotel before as he will have to carry dirty clothes in his hand luggage.

Can anybody help settle our dispute? or indeed give us any other suggestions. Money is not really a problem but I dont want to go mad and would rather have extra $$ to spend in Disney.

Thanks

 

[Goofyish]

(I assume you are flying Virgin) - Couldn't you use the on-line check in service and then get a taxi to the airport the morning of your flight?

 

[Hilary]

I'm fairly certain that, if I lived that near to Gatwick (or any airport for that matter! ), I'd choose the train / taxi option and know that my car was tucked up at home and not in the middle of an airport car park.

When we return to colect our car at the end of a long trip, there are always a few anxious moments whilst we
a) try to find the car
b) hope the car will start!

Hope you manage to agree on a decision soon

 

[Mpet]

Yep, I think I'd go with the overnight option and save on the parking.

We have stayed overnight before. If you plan a bit you can minimise the clothes that need to be taken as hand luggage. I usually make sure everyone has clean bottoms (not literally - I mean Jeans/ skirts) before we leave - which can be worn on flight day- and pack clean t-shirts/tops and underwear. That way you only have to cram a dirty t/shirt/undies in the hand lugage.

Although, a previous poster suggested wearing 'old' undies on the airport day, then throwing them away. That way, you will only have dirty T shirts as handluggage - a bit less embarrassing if you have your luggage searched!!!

Take almost empty toiletries and you can bin those too.


Maxine

 

[Claddagh]

Originally posted by Mpet

I usually make sure everyone has clean bottoms (not literally - I mean Jeans/ skirts)

 

[Miffy2003]

I would do the online check in and taxi there and back

 

[Andy Lou & Meg]

Thanks guys for all your help.

We have decied to do the on line check in and get a executive taxi serivce to and from the airport (cost £80).