I may need to travel from Heathrow next week. It would be an early flight and then returning late the followinhg evening, if the cold weather keeps up, I guess I may need to be prepared for delays on the roads.
To save a bit of time I was considering booking valet parking there (I have picked up people from Heathrow before, and so parked in the short stay, but have never done any long stay parking there), because I think that I then drop the car right at the terminal, with no need to catch a transfer bus. It is about twice the price of the standard parking (about £57 vs. £28 for standard), but I am a little flexible on price as it is a business trip.
I just wondered if anybody had had any experience of the valet parking, whether there is anything to consider, whether it is likely that my car will be in safe hands, and if it really is much faster than the standard parking.
Any input appreciated.
Thanks.
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...early flight....
A night in a hotel which has a courtesy bus?
Not done it for years, but others on here may have up-to-date information.
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Pre-book short stay online. It'll be competitive and you can walk in to the terminal.
Edited by Humph Backbridge on 09/01/2010 at 18:34
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Pre-book short stay online. It'll be competitive and you can walk in to the terminal.
Sorry, I just re-read my original post and realised that it is quite misleading. What I meant to say is that I would be flying out early morning and then flying back late night the following day.
Because of that I think that short stay is too expensive, because I would fall into the 36-48 hour bracket, which seems to be £93.80
My only real concern with the valet parking is really whether there is much chance of damage when it is out of my hands. Perhaps there is actually less chance with the valet parking rather than just leaving in the public long term car park (assuming that they don't just park it there anyway).
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You hear things about valet parking, maybe urban myth, but I prefer to do the parking myself. Which car park pretty much depends on the terminal. If its 1, 2, 3 or 5 then Business Parking is OK (used to be called Pink Elephant). However, my absolute favourite for T1 (when the company is paying) is Park 1 (2 minutes from the terminal and almost a personal pick-up service). If it's T4, then Park & Fly is fine - again, just across the perimeter road from the terminal. You can check out prices on-line at BAA Heathrow Parking, and it's always cheaper to book and pay in advance than just turning up.
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A night in a hotel which has a courtesy bus?
Thanks for the idea. I did consider it, but I think that I would rather be in my own bed the night before. The drive is only about an hour (weather permitting), but being in a hotel would definitely remove the risk of a big traffic hold up. I will give it some more thought.
Thanks again.
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My employer virtually insists I use valet parking ... I dont like it ... when I am going to arrive back at Heathrow at 20:30 with a 2 hour drive ahead there is something reassuring in having parked the car myself and can picture it there waiting for me rather than being concerned that the valet attendant has, at worst, kerbed a wheel and put 200 miles on the clock or, at best, adjusted the driving position and eaten a couple of mints.
No I would rather park it myself, T5 Business parking is about 90secs from the terminal on a bus.
A few weeks ago I pulled up at T5 business parking and they were full, got a free upgrade to short stay, my car was one of only about 20 in an area of maybe 200 spaces literally 20 yards from BA check-in, brilliant though 36 hours would have cost about £100, I paid about £44.
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Funnily enough I pre-booked three days in the short stay at Stansted for next week online a couple of days ago and got it for £38 which seems OK given that it will be three full days.
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My employer virtually insists I use valet parking ... I dont like it ... when I am going to arrive back at Heathrow at 20:30 with a 2 hour drive ahead there is something reassuring in having parked the car myself and can picture it there waiting for me rather than being concerned that the valet attendant has at worst kerbed a wheel and put 200 miles on the clock or at best adjusted the driving position and eaten a couple of mints.
Thanks Cheddar.
When you have used valet parking at Heathrow, have you had any problems?
If I have to take the flight it will be from Terminal 3, and it looks like the buses take 4-8mins and run every 3-7 mins. Not bad, but could add another 15 mins to my journey and, if I do get delayed, I don't want to be rushing any more than I need to.
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When you have used valet parking at Heathrow have you had any problems?
No frankly though I am more comfortable parking the car myself.
If I have to take the flight it will be from Terminal 3 and it looks like the buses take 4-8mins and run every 3-7 mins. Not bad but could add another 15 mins to my journey and if I do get delayed I don't want to be rushing any more than I need to.
I have used business parking at T3 as well, only a short bus ride, I would say less than 5 mins, long stay is right next door and a little cheaper while being just as convenient. They say the spaces are bigger in business parking though it was emptier when I used it.
Flying from T1 next week, weather permitting, the business / long stay parking bus has to go through the tunnel so takes a little longer though I will still avoid valet parking I think.
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I used one a Gatport Airwick a few years ago. I would happily use the service again, so much easier then having to park, catch bus etc, etc. And on return it was a breeze, after a 9 hour overnight flight from the USA nothing better then coming out of the terminal and having your car waitng for you, all nicely warmed up and ready for you to go.
I admit it was a company car at the time, but would still happily leave my own car with them. At the time the price difference was very small between valet and long stay, but would happily pay far more for the service - but then I am lazy!!!!
Edited by R75 on 09/01/2010 at 22:23
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An extra 15 minutes??? when you'll probably be spending three hours going thro' security!!!
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I used Purple Parking at heathrow - book online. It was faultless.
They took my car when I arrived, and my car was back when I walked out of the terminal.
There have been a few horror stories about valet parking, but I would just make a not of your mileage just in case.
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I can vouch for Purple Parking's valet service at Heathrow too.
The wife and I use it at least 10 times a year. Always excellent.
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And there have been horror stories of where they park your car when you are away. Out of sight out of mind.
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Thanks for all the input on this.
I actually ended up, at very short notice, having to fly from Luton and putting it in the short term parking there.
They don't let you book online on the day of parking so you have to pay the full price. I was in such a rush that I didn't even stop to look on the prices on the way in, but I ended up paying £65 for 36 hours.
I know that I could have gotten it much cheaper by pre-booking, but I didn't think that was too bad for short stay at short notice.
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I ended up paying £65 for 36 hours.
I know that I could have gotten it much cheaper by pre-booking, but I didn't think that was too bad for short stay at short notice.
I'd have expected a month for that.
Clk Sec :-)
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