Let’s be honest: adventure trips are brilliant fun until you’re wrestling a surfboard through a car park or realising your hiking boots are buried under three bags in the boot.

Airport Parking Tips for Adventurers with Kit (and Less Stress)

Let’s be honest: adventure trips are brilliant fun until you’re wrestling a surfboard through a car park or realising your hiking boots are buried under three bags in the boot. If you’re flying from Gatwick with chunky gear, nailing your parking plan can save you a headache. Here’s how to sort it without the fuss.

Short Stay for Short Trips

If you’re off for a quick weekend—say, a snowy escape or a last-minute surf dash short stay parking Gatwick is your mate. It’s literally steps from the terminal, so no dragging kit onto a shuttle. Yes, it’s pricier than other options, but book early and you’ll often find airport parking deals that soften the blow. Perfect for when you just want to park, grab your gear, and sprint to check-in.

Park & Ride for Longer Adventures

Going away for weeks? Park & Ride is cheaper and usually has bigger spaces for roof boxes or stuffed-to-the-brim estate cars. The catch? You’ll need to hop on a shuttle. Double-check if they’ve got space for skis or bikes—some have trailers for bulkier stuff. Give yourself extra time, though; shuttles can add 20 minutes to your journey.

Meet & Greet: The Easy Option

Can’t be bothered with buses or walking? Meet & Greet lets you pull up right outside departures, unload your kit, and hand your keys to a driver. No stress, no queues. Prices vary, but booking early (spotting those airport parking deals!) can make it cheaper than you’d think. Ideal if you’re carrying awkward gear like kayaks or multiple boards.

Two Golden Rules

First, always use a comparison site. Prices swing wildly depending on dates and providers. Second, arrive earlier than you think. Trust me—lugging a mountain bike through a busy car park is not the warm-up you want before a hike.

Whether you’re chasing powder or waves, sorting your parking smartly means your adventure starts the moment you leave home—not after a parking nightmare. Now go make some memories (and maybe leave room in the boot for snacks).