Picking your perfect trip is all about the smaller details. But one BIG detail is how you get there, So, PSA incoming… Flying from a smaller airport means you can save up to 50% on parking, whizz through security 4x faster on average and walk less to your terminal. Who said airports have to be stressful? This way, it’s cheaper to drive there yourself and you’ve got more time to savour your pre-holiday pints.
This hack all ties into our Wonky holidays. They’re like those carrots shaped like you know what down your local supermarket – a bit different and unappealing to some, so they get discounted, and the value rockets. Wonky picks are the same but for holidays. Think super last-minute deals, flights to and from smaller airports, and longer transfers to where you’re staying. People pass them up, which means there are more for you – and the prices reflect that, too. So, if you’re all about doing things differently, read on…
What’s a smaller airport?
Definitely not your Gatwicks, Heathrows or Stansteds… London is the most popular city to fly from in the UK – which explains its six international airports – and you’re competing with a lot of regular business travel. They might have more flight times and airline options, but it’s always worth comparing the experience you could get from somewhere less obvious.
Here’s an idea of some smaller airports near you. Find your go-to pick and see what alternatives could be better…
Instead of Edinburgh or Glasgow >>> pick Inverness or Aberdeen
Instead of Manchester >>> pick Teesside or Leeds Bradford
Instead of Birmingham >>> pick East Midlands
Instead of Bristol >>> pick Cardiff, Exeter or Bournemouth
Instead of Luton, Gatwick or Heathrow >>> pick Southend
How much can I save?
Smaller airports have loads of perks that save you time, as well as money. Your average wait to go through security goes down, your parking fees pretty much halve, and there’s less of a walk to your terminal.
See what you can save at each airport…
Edinburgh (EDI) – 25-40 min avg. security time, £90-£130 for 7-day parking, 10-15 min walk to terminal
Glasgow (GLA) – 25-35 min avg. security time, £85-£125 for 7-day parking, 8-12 min walk to terminal
OR
Inverness (INV) – 5-10 min avg. security time, £45-60 for 7-day parking, 2-3 min walk to terminal
Aberdeen (ABZ) – 10-15 min avg. security time, £60-£75 for 7-day parking, 4-6 min walk to terminal
Manchester (MAN) – 30-60 min avg. security time, £100-£150 for 7-day parking, 10-20 min walk to terminal
OR
Teesside (MME) – 5-10 min avg. security time, £45-£55 for 7-day parking, 1-3 min walk to terminal
Leeds Bradford (LBA) – 10-15 min avg. security time, £60-£75 for 7-day parking, 3-5 min walk to terminal
Birmingham (BHX) – 20-35 min avg. security time, £85-£120 for 7-day parking, 8-12 min walk to terminal
OR
East Midlands (EMA) – 5-10 min avg. security time, £50-£65 for 7-day parking, 5-6 min walk to terminal
Bristol (BRS) – 10-15 min avg. security time, £70-85 for 7-day parking, 5-7 min walk to terminal
OR
Cardiff (CWL) – 10-15 min avg. security time, £50-£65 for 7-day parking, 3-5 min walk to terminal
Exeter (EXT) – 5-8 min avg. security time, £45-£60 for 7-day parking, 1-2 min walk to terminal
Bournemouth (BOH) – 5-10 min avg. security time, £50-£60 for 7-day parking, 3-5 min walk to terminal
London Luton (LTN) – 25-40 min avg. security time, £90-£120 for 7-day parking, 10-15 min walk to terminal
London Gatwick (LGW) – 25-45 min avg. security time, £95-£140 for 7-day parking, 10-20 min walk to terminal
London Heathrow (LHR) – 30-60 min avg. security time, £120-£170 for 7-day parking, 15-25 min walk to terminal
OR
Southend (SEN) – 5-10 min avg. security time, £50-£65 for 7-day parking, 2-3 min walk to terminal
Filter your search results by a smaller airport near you and you can also check out flying near you in our holidays drop-down menu.
Looking for more articles? You’ll find them on the Inspire homepage.
Author: Lily Owen (she/her)
Last updated: 24/07/2025
You may also like
Travel hacks
)
)
)
)
)