In the days leading up to going away, there will be many things for you to think about and take care of before you settle down on your plane seat and relax.

You may find your thoughts are occupied about travel insurance or stopping your newspapers from being delivered, however you might also want to think about what to do with your car. Of course, you could leave your vehicle at home while going away but how would you get to the airport?

This is where airport parking can be handy. Such car parks provide a convenient location where you can drop off your car, safe in the knowledge it will be secure while you are away.

But whether you’re searching for Manchester airport parking or looking to leave your car at one of the UK’s many other airports, there are several things to think about before making your way to the check-in desk.

You may be looking for a particularly convenient car parking service; if so, selecting on-airport services may be for you. Here, you can leave your car on-site usually next to the airport terminals. This can put you within walking distance of the check-in desk, great if you’re pressed for time or carrying a number of heavy suitcases.

However, as on-site parking is typically charged per day you may find it is an expensive – albeit handy – service.

If you’re looking into Gatwick airport parking and are keen to save as much money as possible on the cost of parking, then you may want to leave your car a little further away.

Off-site parking sees you leave your vehicle on a car park a few miles away from the airport, with a bus shuttle service connecting you to the check-in desk. Upon returning home, you will be dropped off back at the car park. But while these connection services are included in the cost of parking, the length of time it takes you to get from your front door to the airport is likely to increase.

Of course, you should always aim to arrive at the check-in desk in plenty of time before your flight is due to take off but if you need to park your car first and then get a bus to departures, this will be even more important.

However, what you may lose in convenience and time you can gain in savings. Parking costs here tend to be much cheaper than on-site facilities.

If you think time is going to be an issue why not book ahead? This way you can pay for the cost of parking your car and do not have to mess around trying to find the right change for the machine.

Depending on the length of your trip, you can opt for short or long-term parking. If you’re going to be away for longer than a week it may be an idea to book your parking arrangements in advance. Doing so may prove to cost much less than the amount you will have to pay if you turn up at the car park on the day you are due to fly.

As with many other areas of travel, booking ahead can see you save a significant sum of money when it comes to airport parking. In sorting out such travel arrangements in advance, you can take advantage of special offers and save as much as 60 per cent off the cost of parking your car.

While you weigh up the convenience of on-site parking against the savings of off-site, you will find that booking parking in advance allows you to save money and spend more time planning how to make the most of your break.