Heathrow Airport’s Long Stay car parks have recently undergone a rebranding and are now known as Park & Ride. While it might seem like a simple name change, this shift highlights the airport’s effort to clarify the purpose and accessibility of these car parks, which are located a short distance from the terminals and connected by free courtesy buses.
Previously known as Long Stay, these car parks were often perceived as only suitable for extended trips. However, the new name, Park & Ride, better reflects how they operate. You park your car in a secure location a few minutes from the terminal, then hop on a free shuttle that takes you directly to the airport. The journey from the car parks to the terminal only takes 5-10 minutes, making it a convenient option even for shorter stays.
The airport clearly also wants to highlight the deal for those simply dropping off friends or family. Instead of paying the terminal drop-off charge, drivers can use the Park & Ride car parks for free (for 30 minutes), with their passengers taking advantage of the complimentary shuttle service to reach the terminal. This might be part of a wider effort by Heathrow to reduce congestion at its short stay and drop-off zones, encouraging drivers to pick-up/drop-off further away from the terminal.
Park & Ride is available at both Terminal 5 and Terminal 2 & 3, offering an alternative to the short stay car parks that are located directly next to the terminals. Whether you’re travelling for a few days or just dropping someone off, this rebrand seems designed to make the car parks more versatile and user-friendly.
In a bid to capture the upsell business seen at other airports, Fast Track security and lounge access can be added to Park & Ride bookings.
For those looking to park at Heathrow, the Park & Ride option offers a blend of convenience and competitive rates, with the peace of mind that comes from secure parking on airport grounds. The rebranding signals that these car parks aren’t just for long stays anymore, and we’re already noticing an uptick in drop-off users aboard the transfer buses during our visits.
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