When time is of the essence, many Heathrow travelers instinctively head for the “Short Stay” signs. It seems like the logical choice: it’s right next to the terminal, and you keep your keys. However, once you factor in the time spent navigating multi-story ramps, searching for an empty bay, and hauling suitcases across pedestrian bridges, the “convenience” can quickly evaporate.
At Air Park Pro (APP), we analyze the logistics of travel to find the most efficient path. In this guide, we compare official Short Stay parking with our professional Meet & Greet service to see which one truly wins on time and convenience.
Both options have legitimate use cases depending on trip length and traveller priorities.
How Short Stay Parking Works
Short Stay is the official “on-site” car park located at every Heathrow terminal. Here is the typical workflow:
- Driving: You navigate through the airport ring roads and enter the multi-story facility.
- Searching: During peak hours, finding an available space (especially one near the lifts) can take 5–15 minutes.
- Walking: Once parked, you must unload your luggage and walk to the terminal building. Depending on your spot, this can be a 5-to-10-minute walk.
- Payment: Rates are high—often exceeding £70–£80 for a single day if not pre-booked—making it expensive for anything longer than a few hours.
How Meet & Greet Parking Works
Meet & Greet is designed to remove the “search and walk” variables from your morning.
- Drop-off: You drive directly to the designated “Handover Point” in the Short Stay car park (usually the rows closest to the terminal entrance).
- Handover: An APP Certified driver meets you, checks your vehicle, and takes your keys.
- The Result: You walk 2 minutes directly into the check-in area while we handle the parking logistics for you.
For more details on our specific handover locations, visit our Heathrow hub.
Time & Convenience Comparison
Let’s look at the “User Experience” from the moment you enter the airport perimeter:
| Activity | Official Short Stay | Meet & Greet |
| Finding a Space | 5–15 Minutes | 0 Minutes (Reserved) |
| Walking with Luggage | 8–12 Minutes | 2–3 Minutes |
| Return Experience | Walk to car + Exit queues | Car waiting near terminal |
| Luggage Stress | High (Hauling through car park) | Low (Drop at terminal door) |
1. Short Business Trips (Under 24 Hours)
If you are flying out in the morning and returning the same evening, Short Stay can be viable if your company covers the high daily rate. However, Meet & Greet still wins on speed, allowing you to stay in the office for an extra 20 minutes.
2. Family Travel
Hauling three suitcases and a stroller through a multi-story car park is a recipe for holiday stress. For families, Meet & Greet is the undisputed winner. You drop the car, grab the kids, and you’re inside the terminal in sixty seconds.
3. Long-Stay Business or Leisure
For any trip over 2 days, Short Stay becomes financially illogical. Meet & Greet offers the same proximity (or better) at a fraction of the cost, especially when booking our Premium or Business Class tiers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Meet & Greet more expensive than Short Stay?
Actually, for most stays over 24 hours, Meet & Greet is significantly cheaper than the drive-up rates for Short Stay. You get the same terminal proximity for a lower price.
Will my car be safe while I’m away?
While Short Stay is a public-access car park, our Meet & Greet vehicles are moved to private, APP Certified secure compounds with 24/7 monitoring. This often provides a higher level of security than a public multi-story lot.