Travel stress factor: The incalculable risk that can cost money and nerves
The suitcases are packed, the anticipation is huge – but then the stress begins: the journey to the airport. We all know it. The queasy feeling in your stomach when you hear the traffic jam reports on the radio. Will the freeway be clear? If you’re leaving early in the morning or have a long journey, you often have to get up in the middle of the night to make it safely to check-in.
But what happens when the unforeseen traffic jam occurs? When an accident blocks the highway and the two-hour buffer is suddenly no longer enough?
This is precisely the horror scenario that travelers want to avoid at all costs – and this is the main reason why a new trend is emerging: the clever combination of parking, overnight stay and stress-free flying – better known as Park, Sleep & Fly.
A missed flight costs more than a hotel night
One of our customers experienced this in the most painful way imaginable. Due to a missed flight, he had to buy new tickets, which cost him around 3,000 euros. A financial blow that he will never forget.
Since then, his strategy has been clear: he always arrives a day early and takes advantage of a Park, Sleep & Fly offer. And this decision makes perfect economic sense:
When in doubt, you save lots of money and hassle!
Reports of missed flights are not uncommon
Our customer’s story is not an isolated case. A quick search on the internet shows that missing flights due to traffic jams or long waiting times at security checks is a widespread problem that often ends up in court.
Important: Courts often decide that travelers themselves are responsible for planning a sufficiently large time buffer. A buffer that is too tight, even in the case of events that are not your fault, such as a traffic jam, can lead to insurance companies not covering the costs of new flights.
Here are some examples of reports that show that a lack of time reserves can cause massive problems:
| Incident/issue | Key point | Source |
| OLG Frankfurt judgment | Two-hour time buffer not sufficient for long-distance travel due to an accident at dawn. | LTO: Missed flight: Two hours time buffer too little for long-distance travel |
| OLG Frankfurt ruling/travel cancellation insurance | Insurance does not pay if the flight is missed due to traffic jam because there was no adequate safety buffer. | AssCompact: Missed flight: insurance does not pay due to traffic jam |
| Judgment AG Menden | Passenger misses flight due to traffic accident. Court criticizes that traveler left “without any time cushion”. | REISE-PREISE.de: Travel law: Traffic jam, train delay – plane gone |
If courts argue that you need to allow more time as a buffer, booking a Park, Sleep & Fly offer is the most consistent and relaxed solution.
Park, sleep, fly: The cleverest calculation
The real surprise often comes when comparing prices. The combination of hotel accommodation and long-term parking is often not only more convenient, but also cheaper than parking directly at the terminal.
The cost example: Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
We have calculated a specific example for Frankfurt Airport (FRA) for you:
- Travel period: arrival on 10.2.2025, departure on 11.2.2025, return on 17.2.2025.
- Park, Sleep & Fly offer: Hotel “NH Frankfurt Airport West” with easy park and fly.
- Services included: 1 overnight stay, parking for the entire duration of the trip (6 nights) and shuttle transfer to and from the airport.
- Price at easy park and fly: 89.10 euros (can be canceled free of charge).
Comparison – How much does it cost to park directly in the airport parking garage without a hotel?
- Regular airport parking lot P2 at Terminal 1: In the same travel period (11.2.2025, 9 am to 17.2.2025, 12 noon) the regular costs are 252 euros (current offer price 119.70 euros – retrieved on 24.11.2025).
- Cheapest online offer (Terminal parking garage 3.8 km away): Even this more distant airport parking garage costs 93.50 euros for this period (price retrieved on 24/11/2025).
This means: You start your vacation a day earlier, sleep relaxed and even save money in direct comparison to the terminal parking garage!
A relaxed start – for all types of travelers
Whether you are on a business trip, a city break or flying with the whole family on a summer vacation – the Park, Sleep & Fly booking means one thing above all: certainty.
You know that your car is safely parked, your room is waiting for you and the shuttle will take you to the terminal on time and stress-free. The hustle and bustle of the day of departure is shifted to the evening before, when you can check in, have dinner and sleep in.
- For business travelers: No risky journey on the morning of an important appointment. You get off to a top-fit start and can concentrate directly on your tasks.
- For families: No more hectic waking up in the middle of the night, no more annoyed children in traffic jams. Many airport hotels offer attractive family deals and a relaxing night so that your vacation really starts from the very first second.
Conclusion: more vacation, less risk
Why should you unnecessarily expose yourself to the risk of missing your flight and having to buy expensive new tickets?
The trend of spending the night in a hotel before departure is logical: it is often cheaper than just parking at the terminal, takes the incalculable risk out of the journey and ensures a relaxed start to the trip thanks to Park, Sleep & Fly.
In case of doubt, you save a lot of money and hassle. It’s more relaxed to start your vacation a day earlier anyway!