Stansted Tops List of Europe’s Most Expensive Airport Parking

A recent study comparing parking fees at Europe’s busiest airports shows clear price differences ahead of the Easter travel period. Flights and hotels are usually seen as the main costs, but short-term parking can also add a noticeable extra expense. With demand rising during the holiday season, some travellers may end up paying more for transport to the airport than expected before their journey even begins.

Research by VignetteSwitzerland shows that the United Kingdom and the Netherlands are among the most expensive countries for airport parking across Europe’s 30 busiest hubs. London Stansted recorded the highest daily price, at about €66 for 24 hours. This is notably higher than at London Heathrow, even though Heathrow serves a much larger number of passengers each year.

Selected daily parking costs in Europe

• London Stansted – about €66
• Manchester – about €58
• Amsterdam Schiphol – about €55
• Copenhagen – about €35.75
• Oslo Gardermoen – about €34.88

Demand for Easter travel remains high, with airlines such as easyJet planning close to 30,000 flights across Europe during the holiday period. Eurostat data previously showed passenger numbers rising by 18.9% between March and April, reflecting seasonal increases in travel activity. Alongside higher parking costs, some airports may also face delays as busy schedules and limited capacity place additional pressure on operations.

Parking costs and possible delays can influence how people plan their journey to the airport, particularly during busy holiday periods. Comparing parking prices in advance or considering public transport may help reduce unexpected expenses. Differences in daily parking prices suggest that the trip to the airport can cost more than expected, particularly during busy periods such as Easter when demand is higher and availability may be limited.