When the going gets cheap, the cheap get going

Budget airlines have opened the doors of travel to many people but how can you keep costs down when heading to the airport? Cheapflights.co.uk explores the most cost effective ways to start your summer holiday.

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s a new guide to the cheapest and easiest ways of travelling to an airport this summer.

According to Cheapflights.co.uk, a leading flight search and comparison website, there are more viable alternatives than a speeding train to start a summer holiday, with a review of public transport, shuttle buses, taxis and parking costs giving consumers all the information they need to have extra money in their pockets this summer.

“Taxis are a great way of travelling if you want privacy and the convenience of door to door travel but they’re not always the most cost effective,” says Francesca Ecsery, General Manager of Cheapflights.co.uk.

“There are a number of options from tubes and public buses, to shuttle buses and fast trains available to all of London’s major airports. Airport parking can be an appealing option to a family, but consumers should investigate different options if they’re looking to save on travel expenses.

“It may not be the most pleasurable experience to sit on a busy tube on your way to catch your flight from Heathrow, but by pocketing the difference between a £4 one-way fare and a £16.50 one-way trip on the Heathrow Express, you’ll be able to afford another jug of Sangria or feed the family with ice-cream on a beach.”

Cheapflights.co.uk’s guide outlines transport options to all major London airports, helping travellers decide the most appropriate choice for themselves. Whether price is the key decision factor, or time and convenience play a role in deciding mode of transport, getting to the airport this summer has never been clearer.

On the buses (All prices are for one-way journeys with the exception of those quoted as return)

National Express coach services offer transfers to all major London airports, with tickets from Central London to Heathrow or Gatwick ranging from £7.30 to £9 depending on departure point. For Stansted and Luton, you’ll pay between £13 and £17, while public buses (numbers 473 and 474) offering airport transfers to City for £1 to £2.

easyBus is a popular option, with shuttle services to Gatwick, Stansted and Luton from London locations including Fulham, Victoria and Baker Street, costing anywhere from £2 to £13.

For stag groups heading to an island getaway, or the end of season cricket tour, those travelling to Heathrow can book private buses via National Express from £90 return for four adults, with each additional passenger at £22.50. Routes start from regional cities including Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Coventry, Warwick and Wolverhampton.

Would you like the money, or the car?

Travellers considering taking their car should perhaps think again – of all options, this could prove the most costly. Ignoring the cost of fuel, which in itself can hit the pocket hard – the cost of parking can run sky high depending on length of stay, departure dates and choice of parking lot. A three day trip can cost up to £136 for parking, leaving a sizeable dent in your credit card before you’ve even cleared airport security.

Mind the gap (All prices are for one-way journeys with the exception of those quoted as return)

For certain airports, tube and train options are the most cost effective. To Heathrow, costs run anywhere from £2.20 to £4 depending on departure location, with prices to Gatwick ranging from £7 to £11. The Heathrow and Gatwick Express trains cost £16.50 and £16.90 respectively – great for those who want extra space and comfort on their journey, but the National Rail options (Heathrow Connect and Southern Railways to Gatwick) are a happy medium between the cost and travel times of tubes and the Express trains.

The Stansted Express, at £26 from Liverpool Street, is the most expensive option, while Luton and City don’t offer express options. City airport is easily accessible from the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) for around £4, while First Capital Connect trains run from five stations including St Pancras, Farringdon and London Bridge, costing £12.50 to Luton.