How to choose the cheapest Bournemouth Airport Parking?

Used to just rocking up to official Bournemouth Airport parking on the day and paying as you enter? Perfectly understandable as you just want to relax and enjoy your holiday; however, by using Airport Parking Shop and a tiny bit of planning, you can save money and perhaps find an option better suited to you.

A comparison: Turning up at Car Park 2 (on-airport) is £40.00 for 12–24 hours with published roll-up bands rising to £150 for 5 days and then £30 for each additional 24 hours (so ~£210 for 7 days). Our lowest price last week was £105.14 for a 7-day stay.

Tempted? Then, whether it is the nearest car park or the cheapest, we give you the answers below in just three bite-sized chunks.

1 – Understand Your Parking Type Options (and what's usually cheapest)

Quick Insights

Park & Ride is usually the cheapest (you park further away and take a bus), while Short Stay, right by the terminal, is the most expensive.

A Deeper Dive

(but don’t worry you will be back to the surface in no time)

• Short Stay (or Multi-Storey) — usually very near to the terminal and just a few minutes’ walk to departures.
• Long Stay (or Park & Ride) — these two names exist because Long Stay is more often used for official airport car parks, while Park & Ride is used by third-party providers. What they have in common is that they usually require a shuttle bus or a longish walk of 10+ minutes.
• Meet & Greet — you leave your car and keys near the terminal; it’s parked for you in a secure compound.

If you’re travelling with the family, you may find the Meet & Greet service is best suited to you; if you’re not carrying huge amounts of luggage then a cheaper Park & Ride may be the best option for you.

Bournemouth Car-park Specifics

Bournemouth’s official options are all on-airport and walkable. Premium Car Park 1 sits opposite Departures, Car Park 2 is the main on-airport car park, and Car Park 3 is signed for Passenger Pick Up and short-stay stops. Typical walking times: CP1 about 1–3 minutes, CP2 about 3–10 minutes, CP3 about 1–4 minutes. There is also a third-party Park & Ride at Parley Lane Parking (hotel/independent-style car park with shuttle).

Walkable (official)

• Premium Car Park 1 — opposite the terminal; walk ~1–3 minutes; pre-book only for parking (also used for Express Pick Up up to 30 minutes).
• Car Park 2 — on-airport; walk ~3–10 minutes; turn-up available; Park Mark; ANPR entry.
• Car Park 3 — on-airport; walk ~1–4 minutes; Passenger Pick Up / short-stay; time-limited charges apply; not suitable for long-stay parking.

Park & Ride (official/third-party)

• Parley Lane Parking – Park & Ride (third-party) — independent car park with shuttle service 08:00–18:00 (on request). Outside these hours, drop passengers at the terminal first, then park; keep your keys (self-park). Transfer is a short shuttle to the terminal.

Meet & Greet

• Not generally offered at Bournemouth as a regular product; most parking is walkable on-airport.

Which parking type is cheapest?

Expect to pay more for convenience. Premium Car Park 1 (closest) is typically the most expensive when sold as a parking product; Car Park 2 usually offers better value and is still a short walk. Car Park 3 is ideal for pick up/very short stays rather than longer trips. The third-party Parley Lane Park & Ride can be competitive for longer trips if the shuttle times suit your flight schedule.

Using Airport Parking Shop

Tip: By default, Airport Parking Shop lists prices from low to high irrespective of the parking type, which you can see in the blue box. If you are sure what kind of parking type you want, simply hit the Filter Results option above the results and then select just what you want under Parking Options on the left.

2 – Plan to Book in Advance

Quick Insight

Start looking at least two weeks in advance.

The Quick Dive-Down Part

Turning up and paying at the barrier is the most expensive way to park (and you might find limited space). Car Park 2 lists £40 for 12–24 hours, £150 for 5 days, then £30 per additional 24 hours (≈ £210 for a 7-day stay). Our lowest price last week was £105.14 for a 7-day stay. You can save substantially by booking in advance; aim for at least two weeks ahead.

Tip: Prices go up due to availability (or lack of), so at busier times of the year, like school and national holidays, you may want to start looking at prices even earlier.

3 – Compare Parking Features to Find the Best Value

Once you’ve decided on a parking type, compare what they offer to get the right balance of price and convenience:

• Transfer time & frequency (walk minutes at Bournemouth; third-party shuttle typically on request 08:00–18:00)
• Distance from terminal (CP1 ~1–3 minutes; CP2 ~3–10 minutes; CP3 ~1–4 minutes)
• Keys (keep vs. leave — official: keep; third-party P&R: usually keep)
• Opening hours (official car parks operate 24/7; Park Mark, ANPR and CCTV on site)
• Security & reviews (Park Mark, CCTV, patrols; check recent ratings)
• Accessibility (Blue Badge bays in CP1/CP2/CP3; assistance points available)
• Total price, not headline (include any “per additional 24 hours £30” and any shuttle fee/time trade-off)

Compare Parking Options

Using Airport Parking Shop

Tip: After doing a search the features above will be displayed in the tabs, or by hitting the More Info button.

Additional Car Park Information

Airport Pick Up and Drop Off

Bournemouth Airport has introduced a charge for drop off and pick up. If you are waving your family and friends off or collecting them at the airport, the charge of £3 for up to 30 minutes will apply. Need longer? Expect to pay £6.50 for up to an hour and £9 for up to 2 hours.

Long Stay Parking; Car Park 2

The Bournemouth Airport Long Stay Car Park 2 is within walking distance of the terminal and has automatic number plate recognition at the entrance barriers. For the best price, make sure you run a quote above and book in advance.

Short Stay Parking; Car Parks 1 and 3

For Short Stay parking at Bournemouth Airport you have two options; Premium Car Park 1 needs to be pre-booked, is only a 3-minute walk to the terminal and offer wider parking bays. Car Park 3 needn't be pre-booked but it is advised to do so should you be parking for a few days and want to guarantee a space. Prices range from £3 for up to 30 minutes to £29 for up to 24 hours. (Prices correct as of January 2021)

Motorcycle Parking

Motorcycle parking is available at Bournemouth Airport at 50% of the full parking rate. More information can be found on our blog

Disabled / Accessible Parking

The dedicated disabled drop off and parking spaces are situated in Car Park 1 for any length of stay; normal car park charges apply. Please note that due to security reasons it is no longer possible to park at the front of the terminal building.

Bournemouth City Guide

Boasting seven miles of stunning curved sandy beaches that have been awarded four European Blue Flags, no wonder Bournemouth was found to be the happiest place in the United Kingdom in a 2007 survey. Well-known for its buzzing and vibrant town centre with exceptional shopping and dining facilities, Bournemouth also provides quick and easy access to surrounding countryside.

Situated on the south coast, Bournemouth is easily accessible by most means of transport, including excellent road connections, an international airport and several ports. If you are getting into Bournemouth by car, you might want to plan your trip and have a look at parking facilities. The city offers a choice of on street parking, dedicated car parks, motorcycle and coach parking facilities, as well as an EVCP (Electrical Vehicle Charging Point) service available at Richmond Gardens MSCP.

Bournemouth International Airport provides a wide range of scheduled and charter services, covering destinations such as Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, Greece, Poland, Turkey, USA, Egypt and Tunisia.