How do Airports Cater for Disabled Parking – Part 1
Are you an orange/blue badge holder or have special needs that may require wheelchair access looking for airport car parking?
If so, I hope this short article will help to explain what options are available and how you can go about making enquiries or bookings to ensure you have a comfortable and hassle free journey to the airport.
When planning a holiday or trip that involves air travel you need to know that the whole journey is accessible before you set out. Encountering a problem at any stage of the journey such as not being able to find assistance, or a particular vehicle not being accessible could ruin the whole experience, leave you stranded or even stop you from travelling altogether.
Whether you are a disabled traveller or require wheelchair access it is worth taking the time and trouble to plan your travel arrangements before you set out, so that you can enjoy your trip and the journey itself can be a pleasure.
If you are flying from a UK airport you may require airport car parking. Recently I had an email from a customer enquiring about disabled parking facilities. To my surprise we had very little information on our website and when I looked on other websites there was also a lack of information.
This led me to spend some considerable time putting together all the information a traveller with special needs may require when considering their car parking arrangements at the airport. I have covered the five main UK airports below which account for over 60% of passenger traffic. I will be updating our information for other airports in due course, meanwhile you can visit our website .. www.parking4less.co.uk for the most up to date information regarding your departure airport.
Please note: at all UK airports, for security reasons, the blue badge (previously orange badge) scheme applies in car parks only. There is no waiting period outside the terminal buildings and no vehicles can be left unattended.
Heathrow Airport Short Stay
All car park prices are displayed at car park entrances.
Clearly signed blue/orange badge parking is available in all short stay car parks located close to terminal access routes.
Help points are located near these spaces and assistance is free to those with special needs.
Wheelchair push/provision or help with baggage will be provided. Lift the green telephone and request assistance.
If you wish to park in blue/orange badge space but take your badge abroad, you will need to show your badge to the car park operator. Please contact the car park operator via the help button on the car park entry machine or by using a help point telephone and asking that the operator be contacted.
You must pay for car park tickets at the customer service kiosks or automatic payment machines before returning to your car. If you cannot reach the ticket/payment slot, press the help button.
Long Stay
On-airport at Parking Express serving terminal 1,2 and 3 or their second car park serving terminal 4. Disabled parking spaces are located by the courtesy transfer bus stops and the buses have low floors with wheelchair spaces. Transfers run every 10 minutes between 4.45am and 11.45pm. Outside these hours service operates on request.
Off-airport at easyParking (serves all terminals). Their office is accessible to disabled passengers and the transfer buses are fully adapted to carry wheelchairs. Transfers operate every 15 minutes 24 hours a day.
For more information visit the Parking4less Heathrow Airport Parking page
Gatwick Airport Short Stay
Prices are displayed clearly at car park entrances.
Clearly signed blue/orange badge parking is available in the multistorey car parks of both terminals, for short stay parking. Accessible routes into the terminals are available and are signposted.
Help points are located near the reserved parking spaces and assistance is free to those with special needs. Wheelchair push/provision or help with baggage can be provided on request, simply lift the telephone and request assistance, quoting your flight number. Please note that priority for assistance is likely to be given to those who have pre-booked with their airline or travel agent.
All the multistorey car parks have a general height limit of two metres, however there is a high sided vehicle park nearby if required.
If you wish to park in blue/orange badge space but take your badge abroad, you will need to show your badge to the car park operator. Please contact the car park operator via the help button on the car park entry machine.
You must pay for car park tickets at the customer service kiosks or automatic payment machines before returning to your car. If you cannot reach the ticket payment slot, press the help button.
Long Stay
On-airport at Parking Express for either the South or North terminal. Disabled parking spaces are located by the courtesy transfer bus stops and the buses have low floors with wheelchair spaces. Transfers run every 7 to 10 minutes, 24 hours a day.
Blue/orange badge holders can pre-book for long stay parking and park in the short stay car park. Take a ticket on entry and leave your blue/orange badge on display (a photocopy will suffice should you need to take it with you). On your return visit one of the car park receptions offices and present your pre-booked parking voucher along with your blue/orange badge and they will validate an exit ticket for you. See above for further details of the short stay car park.
Off-airport at BCP serving both terminals. BCP is located just 10 minutes from both terminals with 24 hour transfers. Courtesy transfer to and from the airport terminal in your own vehicle arranged after you have pre-booked by calling 0870 0134600.
For more information visit the Parking4less Gatwick Airport Parking page
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