Booking covered or uncovered parking is one of the most important decisions that travellers have to make. Both variants have apparent benefits, and it is up to your priorities what is better: protection, convenience, price, or long-term peace of mind.
Various types of parking will be available at various major airports in the UK including Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, Manchester. Although the long stay and short-stay categories are the norm, the covered and uncovered parking distinction have become more crucial, particularly when it comes to having a car that requires more attention or when a traveller wants to ensure that their car is not ruined by the unpredictable British weather.
This guide dissects all you should know about covered and uncovered compare airport parking and allows you to make a comparison between the choices of different airports in the UK and make the most suited decision when you are heading out next time.
What does it mean by Covered Airport Parking?
Covered airport parking is that which is found in a multi storey car park or within a canopy building. This allows you to keep your vehicle dry and in these spaces, you can be sure of protection against rain, hail, snow, UV rays, tree sap and debris. Parking is usually covered mainly in airports where rainfall is very high or those which have high premium terminal-side parking.
Benefits of Covered Parking
Weather Protection
Your car is not at risk of rain, frost and sun damage - best when you need to go farther.
Extra Security
The car parks that are covered are usually nearer to the terminals and have better lighting, CCTV and staff surveillance.
Convenience
Multi-storey car parks are usually located on the walking distance of terminal entrances and are therefore ideal to use by families or business travellers.
Better Condition on Return
An automobile that is shielded against the weather and debris normally needs less cleaning after a holiday.
Premium is the one that is covered by parking and is preferable to those that consider convenience and defense to be pivotal and essential.
Negatives of Parking Covers
Higher Cost
Spaces with covers are usually of premium because of the convenience and protection they provide.
Limited Availability
Parking, particularly covered parking, is not available at all airports and the few available can be sold out in a short time during peak periods.
Height Restrictions
Tall car parks usually have height restrictions, which do not apply to the vans or large family cars.
What is Uncovered Airport Parking?
Surface-level parking is also known as uncovered parking, which is normally found in open-air car parks. These are very prevalent in UK airports particularly in long stay car parks and park-and-ride.
Advantages of Uncovered Parking
Lower Cost
Uncovered parking is nearly always much cheaper than covered parking, and is, therefore, suitable in cases of budget-conscious travellers.
More Availability
The uncovered long-stay car parks in most of the airports are large and therefore availability would be high.
Ideal for Longer Trips
Daily rate is lower and therefore, uncovered parking is an economical option when taking a holiday of several days or weeks.
Applicable to Larger Vehicles
There is no limit on its height, thus it can accommodate larger cars, vans or vehicles with roof rack.
Disadvantages of Uncovered Parking
Exposure to Weather
It will be exposed to rain, snow, frost, sun, and wind, and this could be important on journeys that are longer.
Longer Transfers
Uncovered parking is also usually found far away and necessitates the use of buses to reach them.
Less Premium Experience
Convenience level is not as high as covered parking particularly when travelling with young children or carrying a lot of luggage.
Covered vs Uncovered: Which is the best at the UK Airports?
The decision to park in covered or uncovered airport hinges on different factors such as weather protection, price, convenience and the nature of the vehicle you are driving. Here’s how they compare:
1. Cost Comparison
Covered parking = Premium price.
Exposed parking = Cheaper.
Uncovered parking is usually better when you are travelling long distance and you are in need of minimising on costs.
2. Convenience
Parking which is covered is usually nearer to the terminal which means that you can walk instead of taking a shuttle. This convenience can be just the extra cost to a business traveller or family that is in a hurry to check-in.
3. Weather Protection
When it is cold outside and when you are not to use your car in the course of a week, the cover car parking might be a prudent investment.
4. Security
The fact that access to covered facilities is controlled and monitored at all times makes them more secure, particularly at large airports.
5. Vehicle Size
Big cars can be too large to occupy covered car parks of the multi storeys. Uncovered parking is all you get when you drive a huge SUV, van, or a car with equipment on the roof.
Parking at the UK leading airports
A vast majority of major airports in the UK have covered parking places (particularly car parks in short stay or multi-storey form).
Heathrow
There are several multi-storey covered car parks close to the terminals.
Gatwick
There is parking in the two terminals, both regular and premium short-stay.
Manchester
A number of car parks are covered with multiple storeys and can be used within short-term trips.
Birmingham
Parking is a multi-storey covered parking on the terminal walkway.
Luton
Limited, there were choices in terminal car parks.
Edinburgh
Part of the multi-storey has been covered by the terminal.
Spaces covered tend to sell very fast hence pre-booking.
Open parking in the UK airports
Parking is uncovered in most locations:
Stansted
Luton
Gatwick long-stay
Birmingham long-stay
Manchester JetParks
Edinburgh long-stay
These superficial car parks are cheap and are used on bigger travels.
How Compare My Airport Parking assists you to pick the most suitable alternative (Paragraph 1)
Compare My Airport Parking one to compare covered and uncovered parking facilities in all the major UK airports. With our site, travellers are able to view the price, distance, and feature differences after a few seconds without the worry of browsing through numerous sites of the airports. You can use our comparison tool because whether you want a convenient parking with a short business trip or plan a long holiday but need a low-priced one uncovered one, you will have the best deal that suits your needs.
The reason why Travellers Trust Compare My Airport Parking (Paragraph 2) is credible
In Compare My Airport Parking, we realise the needs of traveller to select parking according to their journey, finances, and the type of vehicle they have.
Our platform focuses exclusively on airport parking comparison, meaning all our tools and insights are tailored to help you decide between covered and uncovered options quickly and confidently. With transparent pricing, up-to-date information, and easy navigation, we help travellers secure affordable, reliable parking at airports across the UK — without hassle or confusion.
Which Option Should You Choose?
Here’s a quick guide to help you decide:
Choose Covered Parking If:
You want your car protected from the weather
You prefer to walk to the terminal
You’re travelling with young children
You own a premium vehicle
You’re travelling in winter
Choose Uncovered Parking If:
You want the lowest price
You’re travelling for 1–3 weeks
You have a large vehicle
You don’t mind shuttle buses
You’re travelling during mild weather
Final Thoughts
Covered and uncovered airport parking both have strong advantages. Covered parking offers superior protection and convenience, making it ideal for families, business travellers, and those with high-value vehicles. Uncovered parking, on the other hand, provides excellent value for money and is widely available across UK airports.
By comparing both options before booking, you can secure the perfect parking choice for your trip — saving time, money, and unnecessary stress. Whether you're flying from Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Luton, or any other UK airport, planning ahead ensures your journey begins smoothly.
