What is Maple Parking Meet and Greet at Heathrow Terminal 5?
Maple Parking Meet and Greet at Heathrow T5 is an off-airport valet parking service that lets you drive to the terminal, hand your keys to a uniformed, DBS-checked driver, and walk straight to check-in. There is no shuttle bus transfer at either end. Maple Parking has been running meet and greet services at Heathrow for over 30 years, and the T5 operation runs 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We used the service in May 2026 for a week-long trip and paid £139, which was only marginally more than the Heathrow long stay with its bus transfer.
For bookings go through the Maple Parking website directly. Confirmation includes your booking reference and drop-off instructions. At drop-off, the driver issues a barcoded card which you keep for collection. You can get a live price for your travel dates to compare costs before booking.
How does the drop-off work at Heathrow T5?
The drop-off point is Terminal 5 Parking (Short Stay), Level 4. When approaching T5, follow the signs for Terminal Parking or Short Stay. Drive up to Level 4 and you will first pass the Heathrow official Meet and Greet bays. The Maple Parking and other off-airport operators are positioned further along the same level, past the official bays, so continue until you see the black “Off Airport Meet and Greet” signs.
The handover takes around five minutes. A uniformed driver checks the car, photographs it and confirms your return flight number before driving it to the secure off-site compound. You receive the barcoded card at this point. Staff reminded us to photograph the car ourselves for our own records, which is sensible. You are then a short walk from the T5 check-in hall via the lift lobby. The service also applies pre-validated exit tickets, so there are no hidden car park charges at the barrier when you leave on departure.
How do you find Car Park 5 Level 4 at Heathrow T5?
From the T5 arrivals hall, take the lifts to Level 4. The lift lobby carries a clearly marked floor guide showing Level 4 as the designated floor for Meet and Greet and off-airport parking collection. Once on Level 4, follow the “Off Airport” ceiling signs along the main car park corridor. The Maple Parking and Purple Parking desk sits in the glass-fronted lift lobby area, alongside desks for other operators.
What happens to your car while you are away?
This is the key difference between Maple Parking Meet and Greet and a standard short stay bay. Once the driver collects the car at Level 4, it is driven to a secure off-site compound in the Heathrow perimeter. All drivers are DBS-checked and fully insured to drive your vehicle. The compound operates with 24-hour staffed security, CCTV, perimeter fencing and floodlighting. Your car does not remain in the T5 Terminal Parking car park itself.
We replayed our dashcam footage on collection and the car had been driven carefully throughout. Photographing tyres, bodywork and the interior before handing the keys over takes a couple of minutes and costs nothing. The team mentioned this at drop-off, which we found reassuring. If you want to compare this service with Maple Parking’s bus-transfer option, our Maple Express Park and Ride review covers the off-site shuttle product from the same operator.
How does the collection process work on return?
Call Maple Parking on 01895 549 220 as soon as you land, before heading to baggage reclaim. Give the team your barcoded card reference and return flight number. Your car will be driven back from the compound and waiting at Level 4 when you arrive. We called ahead even though our bags were significantly delayed at the T5 carousel, and no extra charge was applied. The car was waiting without any issue.
At Level 4, go back to the Maple Parking desk and hand the barcoded card to the staff to collect your keys. One practical detail: airport trolleys are permitted to the Level 4 meeting bays, which means you can wheel your bags directly to the car rather than carrying them from the lift lobby. This reduces the distance you handle luggage considerably, and is particularly useful for passengers with heavy bags, older travellers, or anyone with a mobility consideration.
How much does Maple Parking Meet and Greet cost at Heathrow T5?
Pricing varies by date, duration and booking lead time. For our seven-day trip in May 2026 we paid £139 booked directly through Maple Parking. At that point, the Heathrow long stay with its bus transfer was only a few pounds cheaper, making the meet and greet straightforward value when you factor in the time saved at both ends. Pre-booking with lead time gives the best rates; booking close to travel is noticeably more expensive.
Check live prices for your travel dates via our link. If you are also flying from T5 with British Airways, it is worth pairing the parking with the BA Galleries Club lounge at T5B for a low-stress departure from door to gate.
Maple Parking Meet and Greet Heathrow T5: pros and cons
Pros
- No shuttle bus transfer at either end of the trip
- Drop-off takes around five minutes at Level 4
- Exit ticket pre-validated, so no hidden charges at the barrier
- Call ahead on return and the car is waiting at Level 4
- Airport trolleys permitted to the meeting bays
- DBS-checked, insured drivers; off-site compound with 24-hour security, CCTV and perimeter fencing
- No surcharge if collection is delayed by slow baggage or a long queue
- Particularly good for elderly passengers, those with mobility requirements, or heavy luggage
Cons
- The off-airport operator bays sit beyond the Heathrow official bays at Level 4, which can cause brief confusion on a first visit
- The Sofitel hotel entrance is close to the Terminal Parking approach and easy to enter by mistake
- Prices are date-sensitive; last-minute bookings cost significantly more
Is Maple Parking Meet and Greet at Heathrow T5 worth it?
For most travellers flying from T5, yes, provided you book with enough lead time. When the cost sits within £10 to £20 difference of the Heathrow long stay, the absence of a transfer bus at both ends is a clear advantage. The drop-off and collection process is well signposted, and the same meeting point is used in both directions, so you already know where to go on the return. Rated 8 out of 10 by Holiday Extras reviewers across 48 verified trips, it delivers consistent service at a price that stacks up well against standard long stay.
Everything was just so simple!
Great parking service – fab location, friendly and helpful staff and efficient.
Convenient parking. Vehicle secure. Peace of mind.
Where exactly do I drop off and collect at Heathrow T5?
Drive to Car Park 5 (T5 Terminal Parking), Level 4, using postcode TW6 2GA. Follow signs for Short Stay, drive past the Heathrow official Meet and Greet bays, and continue to the off-airport operators section. The collection point on return is the same Level 4 location, so you already know where to go.
How long does the Maple Parking handover take?
Drop-off takes around five minutes. The driver photographs the car, confirms your return flight details, and issues a barcoded card. On return, call ahead before leaving baggage reclaim and the car should be at the bay when you arrive. From landing to loading the boot took us under 30 minutes, including a delayed baggage wait.
Will I be charged extra if my return flight is delayed?
No. As long as you registered your correct return date and flight number at drop-off, Maple Parking will hold the car without an additional fee. Our bags were significantly delayed at the T5 carousel and no surcharge was applied when we eventually called to confirm collection.
Are there hidden car park exit charges at Heathrow T5?
No. Maple Parking pre-validates your exit ticket when you collect your keys on return, so the T5 Terminal Parking barrier opens without a charge. Not all off-airport operators do this, so it is worth confirming at drop-off, but it is standard practice at Maple Parking.
Is Maple Parking Meet and Greet suitable for elderly or disabled travellers?
Yes. The Level 4 meeting bay is reached from the T5 arrivals hall by lift, and airport trolleys are permitted to the bay itself, which minimises the distance you carry bags. There is no shuttle bus at either end. Maple Parking has dedicated disabled parking spaces, and the process involves very little walking compared with a standard long stay car park.
Can I book Maple Parking Meet directly?
Yes. Booking via Maple Parking website directly gets you the best price, plus they run regular special offers and discounts. Check live prices and availability via our link, as rates vary significantly by date and lead time.
Do I have to pay for Heathrow Parking or drop off charges when using meet and greet?
No, parking and drop off charges don’t apply to Meet & Greet customers, the price is fully inclusive so there are no nasty surprises. If you get dropped off at Heathrow normally there is a drop off charge, but this doesn’t apply to Meet & Greet customers.
