Our recent experience with CompareTheAirportParking.com and Zenith Parking for Heathrow Airport parking was straightforward and delivered good value, though not without a few notable quirks and drawbacks. Our Heathrow Airport parking review details the booking process, drop-off and collection experience, and our assessment of the service overall, with a focus on transparency and value for money.
Key data
Cost: £103.49 for 17 days
Fair cost: £103
Rating: 4 out of 5
Would we recommend this service? Yes.
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Journey specifics
Our recent Panama Canal Cruise was a little different to normal. We were flying out of Terminal 5 on British Airways, returning to Terminal 3 on Virgin Atlantic.
Because of mobility issues, we chose a meet-and-greet service. This is more expensive than a park-and-ride option, but much more convenient when travelling with large suitcases and a mobility scooter.
Heathrow’s official parking services are eye-wateringly expensive – especially as we’ll be away for 18 days. Which is how we came to be trying out Zenith Parking.
Zenith Parking drop-off procedure: What to expect
This is very important. You must call Zenith on 07413 818425 or Whatsapp on 07413 818425 when you are 20-30 minutes away from the airport. This ensures your driver will be at Heathrow to meet you when you arrive.
At the airport, you’ll need to head to the associated short stay car park. Follow the signs to ‘off airport meet and greet’ and park in one of the marked bays. Your driver will meet you near the lifts.
The driver collects your keys, checks your return flight details and does a quick once-over of your car. Then you’re free to head to check-in for your flight.
Top tip: Take some photos of your car while the driver does their check. In the unlikely event your car is damaged while parked, you have photographic evidence to back up your claim.
Technical issues and service gaps
There are a few niggles about the Zenith Heathrow parking service to be aware of:
- Incorrect Terminal Selection: When booking a specific service (such as T5 Meet and Greet), the website does not auto-select the correct terminal for drop-off and collection. This led to confusion, as our terminals were accidentally reversed. This technical oversight could have resulted in additional charges for amending our booking.
- Cancellation Insurance: The cancellation policy is misleading. Despite the impression the insurance gives, you will still be charged a £20 admin fee for changes, and refunds for cancellations are capped at 70%. This is buried in the small print of the service and represents poor value for money.
- Avoiding Charges: To minimise these fees, it may be possible to clarify your terminal requirements directly with Zenith Parking when confirming your booking by phone. This could help avoid incorrect assignments and associated charges.
- Double Drop-Off Fees: Drivers must pay the Heathrow Airport drop-off fee twice – once when dropping off and again when collecting your vehicle. Zenith do warn you about the charge in their emails, but you need to add another £15 to the total cost of your parking when comparing prices.
Top tip: Blue Badge holders can avoid the terminal drop-off charge by registering their details with APCOA. Once registered you will need to ‘pre-book’ your visit to let the car park operator know you are coming – and to waive the fee. Register your Blue Badge here.
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Where is my car stored?
Unlike official Heathrow Airport parking services, Zenith Parking does not store vehicles in an undercover or formal car park. Our AirTag tracker showed that our car was initially held in an industrial estate compound close to Heathrow Airport.
On the day of collection, it was moved to a Sipson Lane in West Drayton, about a mile from Terminal 3. We observed no issues with security or the condition of our car, and mileage remained minimal. There was no evidence of misuse or “joyriding”.
Would we recommend Zenith / CompareTheAirportParking.com?
Yes, overall we found the service acceptable. The drivers were polite, punctual, and met us as promised.
Since returning, we have read at least one negative Heathrow Airport parking review about cars being left abandoned in country lanes, but this did not reflect our experience. The AirTag tracking confirmed our car was securely stored by Zenith, off the public highway.
At less than £5 per day, Zenith Parking is significantly cheaper than official Heathrow parking, making it great value for money. The minor issues are easily outweighed by the savings and convenience.
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Zenith Heathrow Airport parking review FAQs
A: Meet and greet parking involves a driver meeting you at the terminal to take your car for secure storage, and returning it to you upon your return. This service saves time and hassle as you don’t need to find a parking space yourself.
A: Yes, cheaper options, including meet and greet, are not available for walk-up bookings
A: Unlike official airport parking, your car is not stored in an undercover or formal car park. It is held in a secure industrial estate compound near Heathrow and may be moved to a nearby area before collection. Our experience showed no issues with car security or condition.
A: Selecting a specific service (e.g., T5 Meet and Greet) does not auto-select the correct terminal. If you make a mistake, you may need to contact Zenith Parking to clarify your terminal to avoid issues with drop-off and collection.
A: Yes, despite cancellation insurance, significant fees apply. You’ll typically be charged a £20 admin fee for changes and receive at most 70% of your payment back if you cancel.
A: Yes, drivers must pay the Heathrow Airport drop-off fee twice—once when dropping off and again when collecting your vehicle. These costs are not included in the customer price.
A: At less than £5 per day, Zenith Parking is much cheaper than official Heathrow parking. Our experience was positive, with polite drivers and secure handling of our car.
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