Coming Home: How to Plan Your Car Pick-Up Smoothly

The return trip: a step we rarely plan for

We often spend a lot of time organizing the departure: booking the parking, the drive to Heppignies, the time needed before check-in. The return, on the other hand, is rarely thought through in advance. Yet after a flight, especially a long or disrupted one, you're tired, sometimes thrown off by jet lag, and all you want is to get home without any hassle. A few simple pointers make it easy to handle this last leg of the trip without stress.

As soon as you land: where to go and what to do

Once the plane has landed, you first need to collect your luggage, then go through checks if the flight came from outside the Schengen area. Only after these steps can you head to the shuttle pick-up point for Fastpark. If you can't quite remember the exact spot, check the directions given when you dropped off your vehicle, or the contact number included in your booking confirmation. The same shuttle that took you to the airport on your way out also runs the return trip, free of charge, back to the parking lot.

A delayed or early flight doesn't change a thing

Flight schedules are never entirely reliable. Whether you land earlier than planned or several hours behind schedule, the shuttle keeps running throughout the parking's opening hours. There's no need to let anyone know in advance about a delay: simply head to the pick-up point once you're done with the airport formalities. A team is on site during opening hours, every day of the week, so you won't find yourself in an empty parking lot with no one to turn to if you have a question.

Finding your car without wasting time

One small detail that really makes the return easier is remembering where the car was parked. This spot is pointed out to you when you drop off your vehicle. Many travelers take a photo of the space number with their phone before heading off: a simple habit that saves you from wandering around the whole lot looking for your car after several days, or even weeks, away.

Another useful tip: keep your booking confirmation easy to access, whether in your emails or printed out in a bag. It contains the information needed to identify your booking if required, particularly if there's a question about the length of your stay or the return procedure.

Night, cold, fatigue: conditions worth planning for

Many flights land in the evening or late at night. In that case, the trip between the airport and the parking lot happens in the dark, sometimes in the rain or in low temperatures depending on the season. Before leaving on your trip, consider leaving a small flashlight in the glove box — handy for finding the lock easily or checking inside the car without waiting for your eyes to adjust to the dark. In winter, the windshield may also have frosted over while you were away: leaving a scraper in the car before you go saves you a tedious search once you're back, already tired from traveling.

Quick checks before hitting the road again

Before driving off, a few simple checks are always worthwhile after several days of the car sitting idle: tire pressure if you have a long drive ahead, fuel level, overall condition of the vehicle. These take little time but help avoid unpleasant surprises on the highway, especially if you're arriving back late with still an hour of driving left.

Traveling home with children or a pet

Coming home with tired kids, or a pet that's also been through the journey, calls for a bit more organization. Packing water, a snack, and maybe a toy or blanket in the trunk beforehand makes it easier to manage the few minutes between leaving the airport and getting everyone settled back in the car. For a pet, keep the carrier or leash within easy reach: the shuttle welcomes passengers along with their luggage, and a calm, well-settled pet makes the ride smoother for everyone.

Planning around busy periods

When returning from school holidays or after the end-of-year festive season, airports tend to be busier, and queues at the checks can take longer. This naturally pushes back the moment you reach the shuttle pick-up point. It's not a problem in itself, but it's worth keeping in mind if you have another commitment right after landing — picking up your children from whoever was looking after them, or heading straight back to work that same day.

One last useful habit

Before leaving the parking lot for good, a quick glance inside the car and the trunk helps you avoid forgetting anything: a phone charger, a child's favorite toy, a document left in the glove box. These are often small items, but forgetting them can needlessly complicate the end of a trip. For any questions about the return process or your booking, contact details remain available on the website, as does the pricing page if you'd like to check the terms before your next booking.