Parking to passports: how to check holiday costs and ensure entry into EU

Compare parking costs

The UK has some of the highest airport parking charges in the world. However, you can reduce the eye-watering bill by booking ahead, and, often, going away from the airport site. Try the Purple Parking comparison website to find the cheapest deals – it covers all the UK airports, and offers a 15% discount for signing up to its emails – but check the official airport website, too.

This week the Luton airport website quoted us £169 to park for two weeks in the busy July and August summer holiday period. This was at the official long stay carpark and involved a short eight- to 10-minute bus transfer.

Purple Parking offered the same two weeks for £139 if we were prepared to use a car park at least a 15-minute bus ride away from the terminal.

Be aware that outside busy periods, the onsite official parking can be just as cheap as the rival unofficial providers. Guardian Money does not recommend the Meet and Greet options, but some people rate them .

Remember too that Heathrow is now within the London ultra-low emissions zone , so if you are planning to drive there check the TfL website whether you need to pay before you travel. MB

Get the first bit right

Give yourself plenty of time to get to the airport or ferry terminal, as missing your booking simply because you’ve turned up late won’t be something you can claim a refund for.

Your travel insurance may cover a missed departure if something happens outside your control – for example, if you are on a train to the airport that’s delayed because of a major failure on the network. You need to read your policy and understand what it will pay out for. HO

Don’t be caught by the ‘10-year rule’

In terms of holiday nightmares, it’s right up there: you arrive at the airport to begin your trip, only to be told you can’t get on the plane .

Brexit-related rules that came into effect in 2021 mean your passport needs to meet two criteria when you visit or travel within the EU:

• It must be within 10 years of its date of issue on the day you enter the EU.

• It must be valid for at least three months after the end of your stay (the day you plan to leave the EU).

If you are entering France on 9 August this year and returning to the UK on 23 August, your passport needs to have been issued after 9 August 2014 and be valid until at least 23 November 2024.

For many years, those renewing their British passport before the previous one expired were able to add any remaining time left. Prior to September 2018, you could have up to nine months added to the replacement’s length, meaning your passport could have been valid for as long as 10 years and nine months.

Check the date of issue. If the passport will be more than 10 years old on the day you enter the EU, you will be refused permission to travel. RJ