Every great holiday starts before you even board the plane. Yet for most UK travellers, the journey to the airport is the most stressful part of the whole trip — overpriced last-minute parking, confusing transfers, and the nagging feeling that something important was forgotten. That’s exactly the problem Holiday Extras was built to solve.
Founded in 1983 and headquartered in Newingreen, Kent, Holiday Extras has grown into the UK’s leading travel extras provider. With over 40 years of experience and millions of customers served each year, the company offers a one-stop platform for everything you need before you fly — from airport parking and hotels to lounge passes, travel insurance, car hire, and more.
This review takes a close look at what Holiday Extras offers, how their services compare, and why so many UK holidaymakers keep coming back.
What Is Holiday Extras?
Holiday Extras is an online booking platform that specialises in travel add-ons around UK airports and beyond. Rather than hunting across multiple websites for parking, accommodation, and insurance separately, Holiday Extras consolidates everything under one roof.
Their product range covers:
- Airport parking at all major UK airports
- Airport hotels with optional parking packages
- Airport lounge access and fast-track security
- Travel insurance, including cover for pre-existing medical conditions
- Car hire at UK and international destinations
- Airport transfers and taxis
- Travel money cards
- Airports by rail
- UK short breaks
The company currently partners with major travel brands including TUI and British Airways, and serves both individual consumers and a large network of travel agents across the UK and Europe.
Airport Parking: Book Early, Save Big
Airport parking is Holiday Extras’ flagship product — and the one that delivers the most immediate savings. UK airport parking costs can vary enormously depending on when and how you book. Holiday Extras gives you access to a wide range of options at every major airport, from on-site official car parks to approved off-airport facilities with free shuttle buses.
Available airports include:
- Heathrow
- Gatwick
- Stansted
- Luton
- Manchester
- Birmingham
- Bristol
- Edinburgh
- Glasgow
- Liverpool
- Newcastle
- Cardiff
Prices vary by airport, duration, and proximity to the terminal. Booking in advance through Holiday Extras can save you significantly compared to just turning up. For example, a week of parking at Heathrow Terminal 5 can cost well over £100 on the day — pre-booking through Holiday Extras often brings this closer to £40–£60 depending on the car park.
All car parks listed on the platform are vetted and approved. Holiday Extras states that they have personally visited every car park and hotel they sell — a commitment to quality that fewer comparison platforms can claim.
Airport Hotels: Stay Close, Start Relaxed
Flying early in the morning? Holiday Extras makes it easy to stay the night before at an airport hotel, so you wake up stress-free and seconds away from check-in. Hotel and parking bundles are a particularly popular option — combining a night’s stay with a set number of days’ parking typically works out cheaper than booking each separately.
Hotels are available at all major UK airports. Options range from budget-friendly three-star stays to premium four-star hotels with spa facilities, restaurant dining, and executive lounges. Rooms are bookable with flexible cancellation terms on many listings, giving travellers peace of mind when plans change.
Popular airport hotel destinations include:
- Heathrow Airport Hotels — steps from Terminal 4 and Terminal 5
- Gatwick Airport Hotels — connected directly to the South and North Terminals
- Manchester Airport Hotels — with hotel plus parking packages from under £70
- Stansted Airport Hotels — ideal for early Ryanair and easyJet departures
Airport Lounges: Travel Like a VIP (Without the VIP Price Tag)
Airport lounge access used to be reserved for first-class passengers and frequent flyers. Holiday Extras has changed that. For as little as £15–£25 per person, you can access a comfortable lounge with complimentary food, drinks, Wi-Fi, and a far quieter atmosphere than the main terminal.
Lounge passes are available at most UK airports, including Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, and Edinburgh. Booking through Holiday Extras is often cheaper than paying at the door, and the booking process takes just a few minutes online.
Fast Track security passes are also available at selected airports — helping you skip the queues and move straight to the gate. This is particularly valuable during busy travel periods like school holidays, Easter, and Christmas.
Travel Insurance: Don’t Leave Home Without It
Holiday Extras offers a competitive range of travel insurance policies underwritten by reputable providers. Coverage options include:
- Single-trip policies for individual holidays
- Annual multi-trip policies for frequent travellers
- Family travel insurance
- Cover for pre-existing medical conditions
- Winter sports cover
- Backpacker and long-stay policies
The medical conditions travel insurance is worth highlighting. Many insurers decline cover or charge excessive premiums for travellers with chronic conditions such as diabetes, asthma, or heart conditions. Holiday Extras works with specialist medical travel insurers to provide fair, comprehensive cover for those who need it most.
Car Hire and Transfers: Seamless Onward Journeys
Holiday Extras also connects travellers with competitive car hire deals both in the UK and internationally. The platform aggregates offers from leading rental brands and independent providers, making it easy to compare prices and vehicle types in one place.
For those who prefer not to drive, airport taxi and transfer services are available for pre-booking. A pre-arranged taxi removes the uncertainty of finding transport after a long flight — the driver monitors your arrival and waits for you even if your flight is delayed.
What Customers Say: Trustpilot Rating 4.5/5
Holiday Extras holds an Excellent rating on Trustpilot, with a 4.5 out of 5 TrustScore based on over 53,000 verified customer reviews. That volume of feedback, maintained consistently over years, speaks to a level of service reliability that few travel companies can match.
Common themes in positive reviews include:
- Smooth and professional drop-off and collection at car parks
- Helpful and responsive customer service team
- Easy booking process and clear confirmation emails
- Fast resolution of amendments and cancellations
- Good value compared to booking direct at the airport
In 2024, Holiday Extras was also recognised as one of the best workplaces in travel — a reflection of a company culture that values both its staff and its customers.
How Does Holiday Extras Compare?
| Feature | Holiday Extras | Booking Direct at Airport | Comparison Sites |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price (advance booking) | ✅ Competitive | ❌ Often higher | ✅ Varies |
| Product range | ✅ All-in-one | ❌ Limited | ❌ Fragmented |
| Quality vetting | ✅ Yes — site visits | ⚠️ Varies | ❌ No vetting |
| Travel insurance | ✅ Included | ❌ Not available | ⚠️ Separate site |
| Customer support | ✅ Dedicated UK team | ⚠️ Varies | ❌ Third-party |
| Bundle deals (hotel + parking) | ✅ Yes | ❌ Rare | ❌ No |
Tips for Getting the Best Deal on Holiday Extras
- Book early. Prices increase as your travel date approaches. Booking 4–8 weeks ahead almost always secures the lowest rate.
- Compare car park types. On-site parking costs more but saves time. Off-airport parking with a shuttle bus is cheaper and often perfectly convenient for longer trips.
- Bundle hotel and parking. Staying the night before? A hotel-plus-parking package frequently costs less than booking separately and removes all morning stress.
- Add lounge access. A lounge pass can transform a wait at the gate into a genuinely pleasant experience — especially with children or early flights.
- Check cancellation terms. Many Holiday Extras products offer free or low-cost cancellation, which is well worth selecting if your plans might change.
Who Is Holiday Extras Best Suited For?
Holiday Extras works well for virtually any UK traveller, but it’s particularly valuable for:
- Families who need reliable parking and a smooth start to their holiday
- Frequent flyers who want an annual multi-trip insurance policy alongside regular lounge access
- Older travellers who need medical conditions travel insurance without facing sky-high premiums elsewhere
- Business travellers who want fast-track security and lounge access as standard
- Budget travellers who know that booking airport parking late at the gate is always an expensive mistake
Verdict: A Genuinely Useful Travel Companion
Holiday Extras does something simple but valuable: it removes the friction from the parts of travelling that nobody enjoys dealing with. Parking, hotels, insurance, and transfers are not glamorous. But when they’re sorted in advance at a fair price, the whole holiday experience changes for the better.
With over 40 years in the industry, strong customer ratings, a comprehensive product range, and a clear commitment to quality — Holiday Extras is the kind of travel partner that earns repeat customers. Whether you’re flying from Heathrow twice a year or heading to Gatwick for a single family trip, it’s the sensible first stop before any journey.
Ready to take the stress out of your trip? Visit holidayextras.com to compare prices, book your airport extras, and start your holiday the right way.