Travel experts have explained what to do if you've got airport parking booked but your flight is cancelled.

Airport car parking can add up to a hefty cost for any holiday,with some Brits forking out almost £200 for a four-day stay. It's often cheaper to prebook airport parking, or go for a car park a little further away and hop on the free shuttle bus to the airport, but these options aren't always possible.

Sometimes, car parks can get booked up, particularly during the peak travel season, meaning that you have no choice but to fork out for the expensive car park closest tothe airport.Data from Confused.com found that the average cost of a short-stay car park in a UK airport over four days is £93.90, while a long-stay car park costs around £59 for the same duration.

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Meet-and-greets are often a premium service, with some costing an average of £101 to drop off the car. However, the price comparison website also found that some Brits could be forking out as much as £189 for a four-day trip in some short-stay car parks - that's £47 a day!

But what happens to your airport parking if your flight is cancelled, and do you get that money back? As millions of Brits gear up for a trip during the Easter and summer holidays, the experts at Confused.com have revealed exactly what you need to do to help get a refund from your airport parking.

The first thing to note is that, unfortunately, if your flight is cancelled after you've parked, you may still be charged for the full duration that you booked. It could also result in hefty 'on-the-day' charges if you need to extend the stay while rearranging flights, and rebooking the parking for another departure date could mean you pay twice.

When it comes to flight delays, airport parking sessions will not be automatically amended or paused. Instead, many UK airports will charge you per hour or day for any additional time beyond your booking, which can quickly add up.

To give you the best possible chance of getting your money back, the experts at Confused.com advise the following:

  • "Check your booking terms immediately - some providers allow you to amend bookings online

  • Contact the car park directly, especially if the disruption is airline-related

  • Keep documentation, proof of delay or cancellation may help if disputing charges

  • Compare alternative transfers for future trips, especially if disruption risk is high during the peak season"

While parking at the airport can be the most convenient choice, it can quickly become the most expensive. Instead, why not see if you can lift-share or be dropped off at the airport by a friend or relative?

It's worth remembering that during peak travel seasons, such as Easter and the summer holidays, more flight delays and cancellations are expected, so it's best to be prepared. It's also important to have travel insurance for any trip, as many policies can cover disruptions, including cancellations.

To help travellers even further, Confused.com has launched an airport journey planner, so you can dodge the hefty price tag of parking. The system will compare the price of local taxi companies against the airport parking fees to help find the most affordable option.

Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@reachplc.com

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