Why should you book parking in advance? Finding a space after you arrive at your destination can be frustrating, especially when you’re running late. Booking ahead helps remove that uncertainty, giving you more control over where you park and how you plan your journey.
With Metakey, parking spaces are booked in advance. Once your booking is confirmed, you receive your booking details and access instructions so you know where you’re going and how to enter the car park.
Here are seven reasons why booking your parking in advance can make your journey easier.
1. You know where you’re going to park
One of the biggest benefits of pre-booking is certainty. Instead of arriving at your destination and hoping to find a parking space, you can choose your parking location before you leave. This is particularly useful when you’re travelling somewhere unfamiliar or attending a busy destination.
2. You can plan your journey around your parking location
Knowing where you’re going to park means you can work out the rest of your journey before you arrive.
You can:
- Use Google Maps to check the walking distance between your parking location and your destination before travelling.
- Check which entrance you need to use to avoid arrival stress
- Know how you will access the car park so you can be prepared
- Estimate how much time to allow for parking, ensuring you arrive at your final destination on time
This can be particularly useful for hospital appointments, work, university and major destinations.
3. You receive access instructions and arrival details before you arrive
After a Metakey booking is confirmed, you’ll receive an email containing your booking details and access instructions.
In addition to the email confirmation, you will also receive an SMS notification confirming your booking. This SMS includes your access code (where applicable) and a Google Maps link to help you navigate directly to the parking site.
Most Metakey car parks are accessed using a unique access code at the entry gate. When an access code is required, it will be clearly included in both your email and SMS.
In some cases, an access code is not required. When this happens, your confirmation email will instead include detailed step-by-step instructions on how to access the site, so you still know exactly what to do when you arrive.
Having all of this information before you arrive means you don’t have to work out how to access the car park when you’re sitting at the entrance.
4. You can see the parking location before booking
Where available, Metakey parking listings include photographs and site information. This allows you to understand the location and access arrangements before making your booking.
For people who haven’t used the car park before, this can help reduce stress on arrival and make the entry process easier.
5. You can plan the cost before you travel
Parking rates vary by location, demand, access type and booking duration. When you book through Metakey, the applicable pricing is displayed during the booking process.
This allows you to consider the cost before confirming your reservation rather than arriving at a car park and discovering the price when you get there.
Metakey also states that any applicable fees are disclosed before you confirm your booking, so you never get surprised when you arrive at your parking site.
6. You can reduce the stress of finding parking
Finding parking can add unnecessary stress to an already busy day.
You might be heading to work, attending a medical appointment, visiting someone in hospital or travelling to an unfamiliar part of the city. Knowing that your parking has already been arranged means one less thing to worry about when you arrive.
7. You can choose parking that suits your needs
Pre-booking gives you an opportunity to compare available locations before you arrive. Depending on the location, you may be able to choose between daily, weekly or monthly booking options.
You can consider the price, location, availability and access arrangements and choose the option that best suits your requirements.
Monthly arrangements are typically the longest-term parking option available through Metakey, making them suitable for regular commuters or ongoing parking needs.
Can I book parking on the same day?
Yes, we want your life to be simple and we understand thing can’t always be planned in advance. Metakey allows same-day bookings where availability permits.
However, Metakey recommends booking at least one hour before arrival where possible. This gives you time to receive your confirmation and have your access code ready when you arrive.
If you know in advance that you will need parking, booking earlier is generally the better approach.
What happens after I book?
The process is straightforward:
- Find a parking location
Browse the available parking locations and choose one that suits your destination. - Select your dates
Choose the booking period you need. - Complete your booking
Enter your details and complete the online booking process. - Receive your confirmation
Your booking confirmation will include the information you need for your parking session, including email and SMS notifications. - Follow the access instructions
When you arrive, follow the instructions provided with your booking to access the car park.
Is pre-booked parking worth it?
For many drivers, the biggest benefit isn’t simply the price. It’s certainty.
You know where you’re going to park, you can plan your journey, you can review the available information before you arrive and you receive your access instructions in advance.
That can save time, reduce stress and make the overall parking experience easier.
Book Parking in Advance with Metakey
Whether you’re commuting to work, attending an appointment, visiting a hospital or travelling to a major destination, booking your parking in advance can remove one of the uncertainties from your journey.
Metakey makes it easy to browse available parking locations, select your dates and reserve a space online.
Find your parking location and book in advance with Metakey.