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Heathrow Parking for October Half-Term 2026

Most schools near Heathrow break up for October half-term on Friday 23 October 2026, but Surrey is off for two weeks from 19 October. Here are the dates, the busiest days, and how to book Heathrow parking before the good spaces go.

5 min read · 25 September 2026

When is October half-term 2026 near Heathrow?

For most schools around Heathrow, October half-term 2026 runs from Monday 26 to Friday 30 October. Surrey is the big exception: its community schools break up a week earlier and are off for two weeks, 19 to 30 October.

Council areaOctober half-term 2026Length
Hillingdon (Heathrow's own borough)Mon 26 – Fri 30 Oct1 week
HounslowMon 26 – Fri 30 Oct1 week
SloughMon 26 – Fri 30 Oct1 week
SurreyMon 19 – Fri 30 Oct2 weeks

These are the council dates for community and voluntary controlled schools. Academies, free schools and independent schools can set their own, so check your child's school before you book.

What is different about half-term this year?

Surrey's two-week break is new for 2026–27. It means the Heathrow half-term rush is spread over two weekends instead of one.

  • Sat 17 – Sun 18 October: Surrey families on a two-week trip start to leave.
  • Fri 23 – Sun 25 October: most of London and Berkshire break up, and Surrey families on a one-week trip join them. Expect this to be the busiest stretch.
  • Sat 31 October – Sun 1 November: almost everyone comes home the same weekend.

One more date to note: the clocks go back at 2am on Sunday 25 October. If you are flying early that morning, set your alarm by your phone rather than an old bedside clock, and double-check your parking arrival time.

How early should I book Heathrow parking for half-term?

As soon as your flights are fixed. Car parks have a set number of spaces, and the popular ones fill first on peak weekends, so booking early gives you the widest choice.

urbook lists 11 Heathrow car parks across Meet & Greet, Park & Ride and Self Park, from £54.19 for 7 days as of September 2026. That is a live starting price for a standard week, not a half-term quote. Peak dates can cost more, so search your exact dates to see what is left.

Booking early has a second advantage: you can read each car park's cancellation terms while you still have time to choose. They vary by car park, so check them on the booking page before you pay.

Which type of Heathrow parking is best for a family?

It depends on luggage, children and budget. Meet & Greet saves the most effort; Park & Ride and Self Park usually cost less.

TypeCar parks on urbookFrom (7 days, Sep 2026)Suits
Meet & Greet4£62.99Young children, lots of bags, tight timings
Park & Ride5£54.19Families happy to add travel time to save money
Self Park2See live pricesDrivers who want to keep their keys

Is Meet & Greet at Heathrow worth it at half-term?

Often, yes, if you have small children or a car full of cases. A driver meets you at the terminal car park and takes the car away, and brings it back when you land. You pay the terminal car park entry fee at the machine; it is separate from the parking price. Our Meet & Greet vs Park & Ride guide explains exactly where each service meets you.

What should I check with Park & Ride?

How you get from the car park to your terminal. Some off-airport car parks list the transfer as not included in the price, so read the car park's details before you book, and allow extra time for it on a busy morning.

How early should I get to Heathrow during half-term?

Earlier than usual. Security and check-in queues can be longer at half-term, and Park & Ride adds a transfer on top.

Plan backwards from your flight: check-in time, plus the car park transfer, plus the drive, plus a margin for M25 and M4 traffic on a Friday or Saturday. Our guide to how early to arrive at Heathrow when you've booked parking works through each parking type. If you are not sure which terminal you need, see which Heathrow terminal is my flight?

Is it cheaper to get a lift or take a transfer instead?

Sometimes, for short trips. A lift costs £7 each time the car enters a Heathrow drop-off area, and the driver makes the journey twice.

For a week away, compare that with parking for your dates. If nobody can drive you, Heathrow airport transfers on urbook are fixed-price and flight-monitored, with vehicles of up to 8 seats for bigger families. The Heathrow drop-off charge guide explains the £7 fee and the free drop-off option.

What if my half-term flight is delayed?

Tell your car park as soon as you know. Many Heathrow car parks on urbook monitor flights, but it is still worth sending your new landing time.

Our guide to airport parking and delayed flights covers what to do if you land late or a day later than planned.

Your half-term checklist

  • Confirm your school's half-term dates (Surrey: 19–30 October; most others: 26–30 October).
  • Book parking or a transfer as soon as flights are fixed, and read the cancellation terms.
  • Note the clocks going back on Sunday 25 October.
  • Save your booking reference and the car park's phone number on your phone.
  • Allow extra time on Friday 23 and Saturday 24 October.

With urbook, your booking sits in one place: you can view and manage your parking or transfer yourself in My Booking. urbook – your booking, sorted.

Going on holiday? Book it on urbook too: see our holiday packages to Nepal, Sri Lanka and Kerala, with parking or a transfer on the same booking.

Sources: Hillingdon, Hounslow, Slough and Surrey council term-date pages. Last checked: September 2026.

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Holiday packages to Nepal, Sri Lanka and South India · All airport services · All travel guides · Book at urbook.co.uk

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