Valet parking at the airport

Valet parking

While you were comparing prices of parkings without any doubt you've read the term valet parking. All major airports offer a valet parking service: Schiphol, Dusseldorf Airport and Frankfurt Airport to name a few of the airports.
But how does valet parking work and what are the pros and cons?

What is valet parking?

The big difference between valet parking and traditional parking is that when you use valet parking, you don’t have to park your car yourself. You drive to the departure terminal and hand over your car to a driver who will park your car for you. The big advantage of valet parking is saving time; there is no need to catch the shuttle bus to the airport.

How does it work?

Step 1. Make a reservation

You make a reservation on the Parkos website where you can clearly see the costs for valet parking. You will receive a confirmation email with clear instructions of the parking within a few minutes. In this email will be a description of the location where you will meet the driver and there will be a telephone number you will need to call prior to arriving.

Step 2. You drive to the departure terminal

In contrast to shuttle parking, you will drive to the departure terminal. In your confirmation email you will find the clear description of the location where you will meet the driver to which you hand over your car.

Step 3. Hand over your car keys to the car park staff member

At the agreed time, a driver will wait for you at the departure terminal. Together with you they will check your car for any damage, so there will be no surprises or misunderstandings afterwards. The staff member of the parking will take your car keys and drive your car to the parking while you continue your journey. The driver will drive your car to the car park and will park it for you.

Step 4. Getting your car returned after arriving back at the airport

The moment you arrive back at the airport you will need to call the parking provider. As soon as they know your plane landed, a driver will drive your car to the agreed location at arrivals or departures and will meet you there. You will both check the car for any damages and you will be able to continue your trip home shortly after.

What are the pros and cons?

Pros

You will save time. You will drive to the departures terminal yourself.
Comfort. There is no shuttle bus which has to take you to the departures terminal, you can just comfortable ride your own car.

Cons

Trust. You won’t be able to see where and how your car is being parked, you will need to put your trust in the parking provider and the driver.
Costs. Valet parking is generally more expensive than shuttle parking.