Parking Dilemma

[Spitspotspitspot]

hello all! Flying from Heathrow and need to leave my car for three weeks. I am currently looking at the possibility of maybe using one of those 'rent my drive/car parking space' sites to park up instead of using an airport car park or hotel with parking. I would then get a taxi from the parking space direct to the airport. Does anyone have any experience of using similar?

I can't not take my car (train, bus, taxi etc all not an option) so have to drive to Heathrow. Hoping to hear from someone with more experience of using this kind of solution for parking. Thanks!

Only used this type of thing once. Neighbours were clearly not happy about a space been rented and I came back in the early hours to cars parked a couple of inches away on either side. I had to climb in through my boot. I would be choosy about what space I rented. If it's a private driveway and no skin of anyone else's nose, then I'd consider it. I wouldn't rent a space in a shared private car park again.

I used this a lot when working away and have done one at Manchester airport. Only once had a problem when the driveway renter-outer slept through her alarm and her car was on the drive. Managed to sort with her neighbour. I used just park.

Thanks both. @NotObligedToArgueWithStrangers Your example is what puts me off a bit! I think I would spend the entire time away worrying about the car. Might stump up for official parking just for ease of mind.

There was also a post here the other week where a neighbour had rented her [the OP's] parking space several times and it was causing big issues getting the company to stop advertising it.

At Heathrow a cheaper way of doing it is to spend a night at a hotel and have freeparking there whilst you are away. Have a look at Holiday Extras website

@Spirallingdownwards yes, have tried those in the past but the last few times have had some issues with my car being pranged, or worse hemmed in by really bad parking! Hotel can't do anything as they don't have the car keys.

the Renaissance at Heathrow - you can't get blocked in there.

Might it not be easier and cheaper to book a taxi or airport transfer?

We use Purple Parking. Off-site, but good, reliable transfer buses. Cars are parked by their own staff, so no problems.

Thanks all. Some very helpful suggestions.

We've just flown back to Heathrow and used a "meet and greet" service. Met in short stay car park, they took the car off site, then you phone when getting luggage and they bring the car to you.

Might be easier to get parking somewhere near the tube line then get the tube a stop or two to Heathrow. Will be cheaper than a taxi as they all need to pay drop off fees. Depends how much stuff you are taking.

I always use the Hilton at terminal 4, there's a bus to the terminal then you can take a tube to the other terminals if needed. I've found it really competitive price wise but I tend to book months ahead through a parking comparison app. I once used a hotel near beaconsfield for a longer trip that worked at competitively even taking into consideration the hotel cost, they provided the minibus, it was 8 years ago so don't know if they still do it. Dp uses the standard long stay for work as he's always traveling at short notice.

I always use meet & greet or offside parking. I find their services and prices ok. They also have a better level of security.

I wouldn't want my car parked for a couple of weeks in some neighbourhood for reasons alredy mentioned.
There is also the added costs of a taxi, which with possible flight delays/ or night pick-up can easily come to similar costs if not more.

We've used parked ok my drive type sites before. No issues at all. Private drives only though.