New research indicates that the price of airport parking has rocketed and that some facilities are charging more than double the amount they were last year. The study was conducted by Travelsupermarket.com and found that the most expensive airport was Heathrow. An eight-day stay starting on 16 April could cost drivers £394.40, according to the travel comparison site.

Millions of people in the UK are expected to go away over Easter and thousands more to take advantage of the Royal Wedding bank holiday by boarding a plane for a spring break. According to Travelsupermarket.com, one of the ways to avoid paying astronomical charges when leaving a vehicle at the airport is to avoid doing so in a short-stay car park.

Additional savings can be made if a parking space in a long-stay car parked is booked well in advance of a holiday. Another way to save some cash is to choose a flight out of one of the country’s smaller airports where charges are often far cheaper than at major hubs.

Researchers compared prices at Heathrow and found that parking in short-stay for a period of eight days could cost £394.40. The same length of stay in long-stay dropped to £133.60. The price was further reduced to £68.90 when the parking spot in long-stay was booked in advance.

Bob Atkinson of Travelsupermarket.com said many people realise they can make dramatic savings when they book their hotel room or flights in advance but are not so aware of the significant savings to be made when doing the same with an airport parking space.