Airport parking rates rise by twice the rate of inflation since 2020

Credit: Onclusive News for UKCAA

Airport parking prices have soared by as much as 188% in six years, as the overall cost of parking continues to far outpace general inflation.

The Airport Parking Inflation Index, compiled by Airport Parking Shop, analysed prices at 22 UK airports and found the average daily cost of parking has risen from £9.86 in August 2020 to £17.00 in August 2026, an increase of around 72%.

By comparison, general consumer prices have increased by around 32% over roughly the same period, according to the Consumer Prices Index (CPI).

Passengers flying from Bournemouth have seen the biggest increase. Comparable parking prices have risen from £6.46 per day in 2020 to £18.61 in 2026, an increase of 188%. It means parking at the airport now costs almost three times what it did six years ago.

Newcastle has seen the second biggest increase, with prices rising 152% from £8.22 to £20.72 per day, while Edinburgh is up 136%, from £6.37 to £15.05.

Locally, East Midlands Airport was ranked 18th* out of 22 in the list of UK airports with the biggest parking increases since 2020. In 2020, the daily fee was quoted as being £9.59, and in 2026, £12.65, a 31.9% increase.

The pandemic had a huge impact on the travel industry as a whole and many areas saw sharp price increases, however, data comparing 2026 to 2023 shows that this cannot wholly be to blame.  A comparison from 2023 to 2026 shows that the price figure at East Midlands Airport went down by 3.1% from £13.06 to £12.65.

For example, in this period parking at Southampton has more than doubled, rising from £7.64 per day to £18.00.

Parking at Newcastle has increased by 72% over the same period, Edinburgh by 71% and London Southend by 54%.

The findings highlight how dramatically the cost of airport parking can vary depending on where passengers fly from, with prices at some airports far outpacing both inflation and increases elsewhere in the UK.

When passengers book can also make a difference. The analysis found that while there is no one-size-fits-all rule across every airport, leaving parking until the last minute can prove considerably more expensive at some of the UK’s busiest airports.

At Luton this summer, for example, the average daily rate was £27.45 when booked one day ahead, compared with £17.54 more than two months in advance, while at Stansted the equivalent figures were £25.98 and £16.94.

Costs also vary depending on the type of car park and service: Meet & Greet, short-stay multi-storey car parks or Park&Ride car parks further away from the terminal all have different price points.

Motoring journalist Maria McCarthy said: “Parking can be an easy cost to overlook when budgeting for a holiday, particularly when so much attention goes on finding the best deal on flights and accommodation.

“But for families who need to drive to the airport, it can add a significant amount to the overall cost of getting away.

“What really stands out is just how much the picture varies depending on where you fly from.

“At some airports parking costs have shot up dramatically, while increases elsewhere have been much more modest.”

“It’s a good reminder not to leave parking as an afterthought. Factor it into the cost of your trip from the start and shop around, as there can be a big difference between parking options at the same airport.

“Airport Parking Shop, which compiled the research, allows travellers to compare parking options and prices across UK airports before they travel.”

Alice Fowler, Operations Consultant for Airport Parking Shop said: “There are several factors behind the rise in prices. Demand is predictable, so we see dynamic pricing come into play more than ever, with prices rising as spaces sell out.

“Availability varies per airport, too, with some car parks closing after the pandemic resulting in fewer choices, and of course, we are seeing a rise in costs globally; staff wages, security systems, EV charging prices, and so on will all be contributing to the increases.

“The good news for passengers is that prices aren’t fixed, and there’s real money to be saved by booking early and comparing options rather than turning up on the day.

“Airports will always push their airport-owned car parks but there are many safe, secure, and affordable options from third parties that can help keep costs down. We would always encourage travellers to check prices for all car park options at their chosen airport to ensure they aren’t missing out on a good deal.  Remember to check reviews of both the car park you select and the website you’re using to avoid scams.”

* = The Airport Parking Inflation Index is based on the average daily cost of airport parking for stays of between two and 12 days starting between 1^st and 14^th August booked via the Airport Parking Shop website. Car parks in the analysis include more than 300 Meet & Greet, short-stay multi-storey car parks or Park&Ride car parks further away from the terminal. All booking windows combined. Figures represent average daily rates across the available parking options included in the analysis and should not be interpreted as the total cost of a specific length of stay.

Inflation comparison: General inflation figures are based on the Office for National Statistics (ONS) Consumer Prices Index (CPI). CPI increased by 31.6% between August 2020 and July 2026, the latest available data at the time of publication.

Data availability: The number and type of parking products available through third-party providers can change over time. At some airports, including Gatwick and Heathrow, changes to third-party sales mean fewer parking products may be represented in the dataset. Apparent price movements at these airports should therefore be interpreted in the context of changes to product availability.