Travel

The Travel Blunder That Cost Me £100+ (and How You Can Dodge It)

By Josphine 23 Apr, 2025 142
The Travel Blunder That Cost Me £100+ (And How You Can Dodge It)

The Travel Blunder That Cost Me £100+ (And How You Can Dodge It) 

We’ve all had those “facepalm” travel moments—booking a flight for Tuesday instead of Thursday, forgetting your passport’s expiry date, or packing three jumpers for a beach holiday. But my most cringe-worthy mishap? It happened before my holiday even started. I’d spent months planning this trip, only to blow nearly £200 on a mistake that took five minutes to fix. The worst part? It was completely avoidable. 

Here’s the kicker: it was all about airport parking. Yep, the thing most of us leave as an afterthought. Now, I never set off without booking meet and greet at Gatwick—and I always compare airport parking deals first. But let me rewind to the disaster that changed my habits forever… 

The £180 Lesson: Why Leaving Parking to Luck Is a Bad Idea 

Picture this: an early morning flight, zero sleep, and a genius plan to “wing it” with parking. I figured I’d just rock up to Gatwick, find a space, and jog to the terminal. Easy, right? 

Wrong. 

The budget car parks were full. The only options left were “premium” spaces costing a small fortune—£180 for a week! (Turns out, booking just two days earlier would’ve saved me £100.) To add salt to the wound, I then spent ages trailing between shuttle buses, lugging bags, and sprinting to check-in. By the time I reached the gate, I was sweating like I’d run a marathon. Not exactly the zen start to a holiday I’d imagined. 

But here’s the thing: Gatwick’s parking isn’t just a car park—it’s a battlefield during peak times. Summer holidays, bank weekends, even midweek business trips can turn the car parks into a scramble. And if you’re banking on “just turning up,” prepare for a nasty shock. Premium rates aren’t just a bit pricier—they’re daylight robbery. That £180? I could’ve spent that on a fancy dinner or an extra excursion. Instead, it vanished into thin air. 

How Tiny Tweaks Can Save Your Sanity (And Cash) 

Since that meltdown, I’ve cracked the code to stress-free airport mornings. The secret? Meet and greet parking at Gatwick. Here’s why it’s a game-changer: 

No shuttle shuffle: Drive straight to the terminal, hand your keys to a driver, and stroll into departures. Done. 

Family-friendly: No wrestling kids onto a bus or dragging suitcases across a car park. 
 

Surprisingly affordable: Book early via a parking comparison site, and it’s often cheaper than you’d think. 

I used to think meet and greet was for celebs or people with too much money. But after my parking disaster, I gave it a go—and wow. For a recent trip to Spain, I booked it for £12 a day. Total? £84 for the week. No stress, no shuttles, and I even got a text when my car was safely parked. 

But here’s the real hack: always compare airport parking. Websites like Ezybook.co.u or Holiday Extras show prices for all Gatwick options—long-stay, valet, you name it—so you can grab seasonal discounts or last-minute offers. Pro tip: filter by “security rating” and “transfer time” to find the sweet spot between cost and convenience. 

Meet & Greet vs. Park & Ride: Which Should You Pick? 

Not sure if meet and greet is worth it? Let’s break it down: 

  • Meet & Greet: Perfect for tight schedules, families, or if you’re carrying heavy bags. Prices start around £10/day if booked early. 
     

  • Park & Ride: Cheaper (from £6/day), but factor in shuttle times. Great for longer trips if you don’t mind a 10-minute bus ride. 
     

  • Short Stay: Eye-wateringly expensive (£25+ a day). Only use if you’re dropping someone off. 

Last Christmas, I tried Park & Ride for a 10-day trip. Saved £40 compared to meet and greet, but the shuttle took 15 minutes, and I had to wait in the cold with a toddler. Never again. Now, I’ll pay the extra £3/day for terminal-side convenience. 

Other Meltdowns I’ve Had (So You Don’t Have To) 

“I SWEAR the flight was at Terminal South!” 

Spoiler: It wasn’t. Airlines switch terminals without warning. Last year, British Airways moved my flight to the North Terminal the night before. Now I always check my booking confirmation 24 hours before—and keep the Gatwick Airport app handy for live updates. 

“But Google Maps said 45 minutes!” 

Plot twist: A lorry overturned on the M23. Sat navs don’t predict traffic nightmares. Now I leave 2.5 hours before short-haul flights—3 for long-haul. If I’m early? Coffee and a bacon roll beats panic-sprinting. 

 

“Why did I pack 12 pairs of socks?!” 

Overpacking = stress. Lost baggage, overweight fees, and rummaging through messy bags are all avoidable. Now, I stick to a capsule wardrobe (mix-and-match basics) and keep docs/meds in a grab pouch. Bonus: rolling clothes saves space! 

“Wait, our gate closed WHEN?” 

Apps like Flightradar24 or the Gatwick Airport app send live updates. Lifesaver when my gate changed three times before takeoff. 

Your No-Sweat Airport Checklist 

  • Book parking early – Prices jump 50% in the last 48 hours. Set a reminder 3 weeks before your trip. 
     

  • Use comparison sites – Don’t just Google “Gatwick parking.” Sites like MoneySavingExpert have exclusive deals. 
     

  • Try meet and greet – Worth every penny for early/late flights. Check reviews for reliable providers. 
     

  • Check your terminal – Airlines love a last-minute switcheroo. Save the airport’s phone number for quick calls. 
     

  • Leave earlier – Add buffer time for traffic, security queues, and that one kid who needs the loo 5 times. 
     

  • Pack smart – Use packing cubes, keep essentials handy, and weigh your bag at home. 

“But What If I Forget to Book Parking?!” 

We’ve all been there. If you’re scrambling last-minute: 

  • Check hotel packages – Some Gatwick hotels offer “stay & park” deals with free transfers. 
     

  • Try off-site parking – Local businesses near the airport sometimes have spaces for half the price. 
     

  • Split the cost – Apps like JustPark let you rent driveways near the airport from £5 a day. 
     

  • But honestly? Just book in advance. Future You will high-five Present You. 

 

Why Airport Parking Is the Secret to a Happy Holiday 

That parking fiasco taught me something: the first hour of your trip sets the tone. If you’re stressed, rushed, or skint from overpriced parking, it’s hard to switch into holiday mode. Now, I treat airport prep as part of the adventure. 

Last month, I booked meet and greet, arrived chilled, and even had time for a cheeky Nando’s before my flight. My partner joked, “Since when are you this organised?” Since £180 vanished, mate. 

The Takeaway: 

Mistakes happen—but they don’t have to ruin your trip. That parking disaster taught me to treat airport prep like packing suncream: non-negotiable. Now, I compare Gatwick parking deals, book meet and greet, and actually enjoy the start of my holiday. 

So next time you’re planning a getaway, do your future self a favour: sort the parking early, pack light, and maybe… triple-check those flight times. Your wallet (and sanity) will thank you. 

Final Pro Tips: 

While I wouldn’t recommend missing your flight or overpaying for parking, I will say this—mistakes are powerful teachers. That early morning parking disaster taught me that even small oversights can have big consequences. 

Now, I treat airport planning as part of the adventure. It’s the first chapter of the journey, and it deserves just as much attention as picking the right hotel or sightseeing itinerary. 

So next time you’re planning a trip—whether it’s a last-minute weekend away or a long-haul holiday—do yourself a favour: book smart, compare airport parking, and start your travels stress-free. 

You’ll thank yourself at check-in.