You expect to pay for things that make life easier. Anything that that adds convenience is inevitably going to cost you.

For the record, going on holiday in itself is a privilege I don't ignore. But I was almost charged more for the convenience of parking at Birmingham Airport than for my return flights to Spain, reports Isabelle Bates from BirminghamLive.

To avoid the surge in the cost of travelling during the school holidays, I am heading over to the sun-filled country in May for four nights during term time. Having booked with Ryanair, my flights have cost me just under £130 with one small carry-on bag.

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I am off to visit my newborn nephew, so am flying alone. I will be staying with family when I'm there to save on the cost of accommodation (for which I will likely pay in nappy changes).

But this does not mean that I have managed to avoid extra costs. My flight is at 5.45am and getting a train to the airport from my home in South Staffordshire is a no-go.

To go by taxi is around £60 each way - not too bad if you're travelling in a group and can split the cost but as with most things, doing it alone is going to cost you. Instead, I have opted to park my car at the airport.

Having searched for the best prices, I was shocked to see one quote of £133 - which is more than I paid for my flights. And on the official Birmingham Airport Parking website, options ranged from £91.99 for a park-and-ride offering, which includes a 15-minute shuttle bus to £122.30 to park within walking distance of departures.

Having scouted around for the best deal, I managed to find a valet service for £95.99 meaning that I could take my car straight to the parking attendants and then walk to the airport in around two minutes. This is a service I have used before with family, and it can mean waiting around when you return for your car to be driven back to you - despite letting them know ahead of time that you're on your way.

However, as I don't want to have to bribe a loved one to drive me the 45 minutes to the airport at around 3am and then collect me at the other end at around 1am, it is a cost I have had to endure.

It is not lost on me that parking at the airport is a privilege, but considering the majority of travellers need to do this it is a shame that the prices rival that of the flights themselves. It can be an unexpected cost and despite flights being cheaper at unsociable hours, it may save you money to fly in the daytime and opt for public transport - despite the often lack of reliability.

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