Parking at Port Elizabeth Airport (PLZ) | Rates & Options
PARKING
Complete guide to parking at Port Elizabeth Airport. Short-term and long-term parking options at Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport, located right next to the terminal.
Parking at Port Elizabeth Airport (PLZ)
What will your Uber to Lanseria actually cost you?
Most people underestimate the real price of a return rideshare. See how parking stacks up — and keep the change.
⚠ Uber fares shown at realistic peak and surge rates — what you'll actually pay for early morning airport trips.
| Trip length | Park at Lanseria | Uber return (peak) |
|---|
Parking = exact Lanseria published rates. Uber = realistic peak/surge return estimate. Real fares may be higher — especially on weekends, public holidays and early mornings.
Parking at Port Elizabeth Airport is operated by Airports Company South Africa (ACSA), the same entity that manages parking at OR Tambo, Cape Town International and King Shaka. The parking area is located directly adjacent to the terminal building, with both short-stay and long-stay options available.
Short-Stay Parking at PLZ
Short-stay parking is positioned for maximum convenience, located in the immediate vicinity of the terminal entrance. This option suits passengers being dropped off or collected, or those parking for a few hours around a flight. As with all ACSA airports, a graduated tariff structure applies, with the first short period typically free or low-cost, rising incrementally with duration.
| Duration | Rate |
|---|---|
| 0–30 minutes | FREE |
| 31 min – 1 hour | R23.00 |
| 1–2 hours | R36.00 |
| 2–3 hours | R41.00 |
| 3–4 hours | R53.00 |
| 4–5 hours | R59.00 |
| 5–6 hours | R65.00 |
| 6–7 hours | R71.00 |
| 7–8 hours | R77.00 |
| 8–9 hours | R83.00 |
| 9–10 hours | R89.00 |
| 10–11 hours | R95.00 |
| 11–12 hours | R101.00 |
| 12–13 hours | R107.00 |
| 13–14 hours | R113.00 |
| 14–24 hours | R174.00 |
Lost ticket charge: R250
Long-Stay Parking at PLZ
For travellers leaving their vehicle for several days — common for Garden Route trips, business travel or international connections via Johannesburg or Cape Town — long-stay parking offers a more economical daily rate than the short-stay tariff. The long-stay area remains close to the terminal, avoiding the long walks or shuttle dependency seen at much larger airports.
| Duration | Rate |
|---|---|
| 2 Days | R348.00 |
| 3 Days | R380.00 |
| 4 Days | R390.00 |
| 5 Days | R400.00 |
| 6 Days | R423.00 |
| 7 Days | R475.00 |
| 8 Days | R530.00 |
| 9 Days | R600.00 |
| 10 Days | R665.00 |
| 11+ Days | R63.00 per additional day |
Is Parking at PLZ Cheaper Than Other South African Airports?
Generally, yes. Port Elizabeth’s lower passenger volumes compared to OR Tambo or Cape Town International typically translate into less congested parking areas and a more straightforward experience overall — though exact published tariffs should always be confirmed directly with ACSA, since rates are reviewed periodically across the network.
Should You Drive and Park, or Use a Transfer?
Given that PLZ is only around 5 km – roughly 10–15 minutes – from the Gqeberha city centre, the calculation here is simpler than at most South African airports. For short trips (1–3 days), an Uber, Bolt or metered taxi to and from the airport is often more convenient than driving and parking, particularly given the short distance and correspondingly low fare. For longer trips, especially when followed by a Garden Route road trip in a hired car, many travellers skip personal vehicle parking altogether and go straight from arrivals to their pre-booked rental car – eliminating the need to park a personal vehicle entirely.
If you are driving your own car to PLZ for a multi-day trip, long-stay parking remains a practical and secure option, with the airport’s manageable size keeping the walk from car to terminal short.
Parking Security at PLZ
As an ACSA-managed facility, parking at PLZ follows the same security standards applied across the ACSA airport network, including access control, CCTV coverage and routine patrols. Always remove valuables from view and ensure your vehicle is locked, as is sensible practice at any airport car park.
FAQs - Parking at Port Elizabeth Airport
FAQ A complete guide to Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport / Port Elizebeth Airport – airlines, parking, facilities, transport options, charter services, check-in tips and more.
1. Where is parking located at Port Elizabeth Airport? Parking is located directly adjacent to the terminal building, with both short-stay and long-stay options available within a short walk of the entrance.
2. Who manages parking at PLZ? Parking at Port Elizabeth Airport is managed by Airports Company South Africa (ACSA), the same entity that operates parking at OR Tambo, Cape Town International and King Shaka.
3. Is there free parking at PLZ? A short free or low-cost grace period typically applies for the first short duration, consistent with other ACSA airports. Always check the current rate board at the parking entrance, as exact tariffs are reviewed periodically.
4. Is PLZ parking covered or open-air? Both covered and open-air parking options are available. Confirm current bay allocation and availability directly at the airport.
5. How far is the parking area from the PLZ terminal? The parking area is directly adjacent to the terminal, within a short walking distance — there is no need for a shuttle service given the airport’s compact layout.
6. Should I drive and park, or take an Uber to PLZ? Given the airport’s 5 km / 10–15 minute distance from Gqeberha city centre, an Uber or Bolt is often the more convenient option for short trips. For longer stays, long-stay parking remains a practical choice.
7. Is parking at PLZ safe? Yes. As an ACSA-managed facility, parking follows standard airport security protocols including CCTV coverage and routine patrols.
8. Can I pre-book parking at Port Elizabeth Airport? Check the official ACSA website (airports.co.za) for any pre-booking options, as these are occasionally introduced across the ACSA network.
9. What happens if I lose my parking ticket at PLZ? A lost ticket fee typically applies, consistent with standard ACSA policy. Confirm the exact current fee at the parking payment point.
10. Is there disabled parking at PLZ? Yes. Designated accessible parking bays are available close to the terminal entrance, in line with ACSA’s accessibility standards across its airport network.
