The question of parking the vehicle during a business or leisure trip comes up again and again. Will I find a parking space near the train station or the airport? How much will it cost me? At the end of the day, we stress for fear of missing our train or plane and for our wallet. Travellers now have something to reassure themselves since Ector offers a valet service + secure parking so that they can get to the train station or airport and park there with peace of mind, and thus start the journey under the best auspices. In these times of health crisis, getting to the hubs or to the train station with your own car is also the best way to avoid close contacts in public transport and taxis where you don't know who got on beforehand and if hygiene rules have been put in place. Explanations.

Why is the issue of parking the car a source of stress?

When preparing for a trip, the last step before taking the train or plane, that of parking the car, proves to be the most stressful. People who live far from city centres have to use their car to get to the train station or airport, as they do not always have someone available to accompany them and drop them off. But parking the car can be a real hassle. Parking lots around major airports and train stations are often full and it takes a long time to find a space. Not to mention that once you've finally parked your car, sometimes on the other side of town, you may have to walk several kilometres with your luggage in hand. The final risk is of course to miss your train or plane and have to cancel your trip, and that's out of the question!

Valet parking: the comfortable solution for parking your vehicle

Requesting the services of a valet is the traveller's anti-stress solution. First of all, the reservation is made from home, via the website or the application. Parking the vehicle is therefore a step that can be anticipated, and the unquestionable practicality must be highlighted. In the same way that you can book your train and plane tickets or even your accommodation via the Internet, valet parking is also completely dematerialised and this is a real time-saver. The process is simple and intuitive, everything can be done in just a few clicks!

On the day of departure, a premium and exclusive valet waits for passengers at a drop-off point, where he takes the time to welcome them and unload their luggage. All travellers have to do is hand over the keys and drive to the station or airport with the greatest of comforts in mind: knowing that the vehicle will be parked in a totally secure parking space. This unique service is a real time-saver, as there is no longer any need to drive for long hours around the city or around the airport to find a space, the valet takes care of everything. On the day of return, the professional follows the arrival time in real time and waits for the passengers at the same drop-off point, with the car, which you can be sure will be in the same condition as when you handed it over. The car parks are guarded, so there is no risk of intrusion and damage to the car by malicious persons.

A secure option

It is also good to bear in mind that a valet and parking services company offers very advantageous options. For example, those who wish to have a clean car again have the complete freedom to choose the cleaning and maintenance option. The company's professionals will then take care of returning a car that has been washed to the owner, without forgetting the options aimed at ensuring that passengers can drive home safely. Sometimes it is a long drive to a train station or airport and cars need to be checked to ensure that they are safe to drive. During parking, the company can take care of checks and maintenance. These include checking tire pressure, oil levels or windshield washer fluid. It even goes as far as changing the engine and filling up the car so that the car can take to the road in optimum conditions on the way back.

Because of the health crisis around COVID-19, using a valet parking service, with parking included in a secure car park, to get to a hub or train station is also the best way to avoid transportation where the risk of contamination is highest (bus, metro, shuttle, taxi...). The time to take your train or plane, you then enjoy the safety and comfort of your own car and once you arrive at the site, the valet respects a whole health protocol aimed at respecting barrier gestures. The valet is equipped with a mask, gloves and hydro-alcoholic gel; the keys must be left in the ignition on receipt and on handover; the physical distance of 1 m is respected, in particular with the dematerialisation of the validation signature on pick-up and return; finally, the valet cleans all surfaces of the car with which he has come into contact before handing the vehicle back to its owner on his return from the journey

Such a financial advantage

Going through a valet service with parking included in a secure car park is also a financial advantage. Taking a taxi to get to the train station or airport can quickly become very expensive, and classic car parks also offer fares that can quickly take off and add to the travel budget. With Ector, parking your car near a train station or airport is no longer the luxury and privilege of a few, the company offers the best value for money on the market. In addition to being practical, this premium parking service is accessible to a wide public, since rates are up to 50% cheaper than those charged by conventional car parks. Plane or train delays? Unfortunately, this is a common occurrence, but has no financial consequences with valet parking since no extra charge is made. In the end, the whole holiday budget feels the positive effects. The best way to discover the advantages of Ector is to try again and to start, take advantage of -20 € offered on the first booking with the code PETITFUTE20(*).

A service offered in many cities

Applying for valet parking can be done in many cities. In France, the airports concerned are those of Bordeaux, Lyon, Nice, Lille, Toulouse, Nantes and of course Paris. As far as stations are concerned, the service is offered for the stations of Lille, Nantes, Bordeaux, Strasbourg, Toulouse, Lyon and the various stations of the French capital. In addition, Ector's valets are at your disposal at Zaventem airport and Brussels South station.

To take the example of Paris, parking your car near an airport, Orly or Roissy, or a train station, Montparnasse, Gare du Nord, Bercy or Marne-la-Vallée can quickly turn out to be a real headache. Driving in the city at certain times is already a real nightmare and wastes precious time, so if you have not been vigilant and you have to manage the parking of your vehicle, either you have to leave well in advance or you risk missing your plane or train. It is therefore obvious that the best way to avoid all this stress is to use a valet service. You arrive, smile, give him the keys, run off to catch your train or plane, and the trip can begin.

*Discount valid only once for a first reservation with Ector made before 31 December 2020 inclusive (the date of travel may be later). The discount code is valid for parking and valet service. The discount code is not valid on options. To take advantage of this discount, enter the code PETITFUTE20 in the "promo code" field at the time of payment.