Airport parking can be a hassle to manage when finding a place to leave your car in the long or short term, and when paying for costly airport parking in major metropolitan areas. At many airports, however, there are alternatives. By planning ahead and making the most of airport parking, you can avoid paying too much for parking and make sure you get the services you want.

Airport parking coupons and off-site lots are a good way to save on long-term airport parking. If you have concerns about leaving your car unattended for a long period of time, a limo or premium parking service may be your best option for longterm airport parking.

Get the airport parking that's best for you by investigating the following options:

1. Look into off-site airport parking and shuttles;

2. Use premium parking services to get the most from your airport parking rates;

3. Consider safer alternatives to traditional airport parking.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get cheap airport parking from off-site parking services

Many off-site airport parking services provide parking lots and decks where you can park close to airports for less than the standard airport rate. These services may also have airport parking coupons available online for special savings. Typically, off-site parking services offer free, 24-hour shuttles and cost about five dollars less per day than airport lots.

I recommend: The Park 'N Fly Network is one airport parking service that allows you to search online for rates for your departure airport. Another alternative is to search AirportService.com for airport shuttles nationwide that will take you to the airport from another parking location.

Use valet and premium parking at airports to get the most for your money

While airport parking can be fairly expensive without providing much for your money, premium parking services offer parking for about the same rate as the airport with additional patron benefits and rewards. When using a premium airport parking service, you can add extra services such as car wash, fueling and even laundry.

I recommend: WallyPark offers premium parking with rewards and member benefits in Atlanta, Denver, Los Angeles and several other cities in the U.S. Other valet services may be offered in your local area, like The Airport Valet, which serves the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW).

Consider safety when finding long-term airport parking options

Making the most of airport parking also means making sure your vehicle is safe from harm while you're away. Some airport parking lots and decks may be poorly lit or unsecured, and even off-site airport parking services may be targets for break-ins. Consider alternatives to traditional on- and off-site airport parking for the best security.

I recommend: When using an airport parking finder, you may get offers to park at alternative sites like self-storage or industrial sites. A good recommendation is to park at a site that is gated and has secured access and surveillance, such as Storage Solutions. If you're interested in parking at a storage site, contact a local company directly to determine whether they offer parking. Another option is to use secured parking at the airport, like that offered at Logan Airport in Boston with a Parking PASSport Gold membership--ask your local airport whether they offer something similar.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Take safety into consideration when planning for short-term airport parking as well. Allow yourself sufficient time to find a parking space when arriving at the airport so you can choose a space that is in a well-lit area near sidewalks and open areas for the best visibility.

Options abound for business travelers seeking discount airport parking. From on-site parking lots that charge per hour or daily, to short term airport parking and long term off-site selections, you will find no shortage of choices and amenities to suit your parking preferences.

After you finalize travel plans and before you start packing your bags, you can utilize an Internet-based airport parking finder and sites that feature discounts and printable airport parking coupons to secure the deepest discounts.

Knowing your options and selecting a parking provider that suits your needs regarding schedule, budget, location and amenities will alleviate just one more possibly stressful situation when you’re setting off for a short or long stay away.

When choosing airport parking, among the most important things to consider include:

1. Length of stay, especially whether you need long term airport parking.
2. Location/proximity of available and favorable airport parking facilities.
3. Amenities included (e.g., complimentary shuttle service, car detailing and covered parking).

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Prioritize the parking experience

Whether you need short term airport parking or are planning a long-term trip, parking can often set the tone for the departure as well as the return. Researching the best options for airport parking and scheduling this important element of travel in advance eliminates any stress of looking for a suitable spot at the airport or having to deal with full lots and construction once you arrive. However, parking off-site takes time than parking at airports, so you need to allow time for your shuttle.

I recommend: Visit Airport Parking Reservations.com and Airport Parking.com, which both allow you to compare rates and secure reservations by searching according to airport location and departure/arrival information.

Compare airport parking coupons and discount options

The first rule of travel is to plan ahead, and this also applies to parking at airports. Use an airport parking finder to locate cheap airport parking before you fly. The sooner your start your search for the cheapest deals and discounts, the more successful you'll be in reserving airport parking that meets your budget requirements. Whether you prefer no-nonsense options or luxury airport parking accommodations that include covered garages, detailing and valet service, you can find affordable options.

I recommend: Go to Airport Discount Parking and Parking Company of America for discounts and cheap airport parking coupons, as these vendors cater more to travelers who seek deep discounts. They both include links to free, printable coupons for major airport locations; the latter boasts more than 10 million coupons disbursed.

Splurge on luxury airport parking amenities

If you're planning a long trip, you may want to ensure that your car receives proper care and even a little pampering while you're away. For luxury, park with one of the exclusive airport parking vendors who go the extra mile for customers looking for more than a secure parking space.

I recommend: Seek out vendors like Wally Park, who offers services in large markets such as Los Angeles and Atlanta. Wally Park’s white glove services include everything from comprehensive car detailing options to oil changes, which are especially good if you need long term airport parking. PreFlight Parking offers covered parking and added amenities for frequent parkers.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Map the location of the airport parking lot you choose and reserve to ensure an understanding of proximity. Also, prepare for the time it may take to get to and from the airport by determining whether the off-site parking vendor includes shuttle services. Upon drop off at the terminal, request information on the exact location of the shuttles that return to the lot.
• •  Record and keep airport parking information available. During travel, it's easy to misplace paperwork. Record the location of your parking space (if applicable) and put it in a readily available place to access it quickly upon return.
• •  Print every document related to your travel plans. Give printed coupons and reservation information to sales agents to ensure receipt of discounts, and always double-check your quoted airport parking rates to make sure that's what you're paying.

Airport parking is notoriously costly, and can add a lot to the overall cost of business or personal travel. Calculating the pricing and costs of airport parking involves comparing different airport parking lots, as well as the off-site parking and shuttle services that are offered at many airports.

Airport parking rates differ widely from airport to airport, with the highest costs found at busy international airports in metropolitan areas (like Atlanta, Washington, D.C. and New York). For these locations, alternative parking options may well be worth the cost. Another option to keep in mind is public transit lines that connect to the airport from the surrounding area, like MARTA in Atlanta or the Metro in Washington, D.C.

When budgeting for long-term airport parking, consider the following options:

1. Investigate the different long-term airport parking options at the airport;

2. Compare airport parking rates with those of off-site parking lots and shuttle services;

3. Get coupons to make airport parking more affordable.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Evaluate the airport parking options available at your departure site

Most airports have several short and longterm airport parking options, including open lots and covered parking decks. Check your departure airport's website to get specific information on the pricing and costs of on-site parking. Most deck prices range from about five dollars per day to $50 per day, depending on the airport, and may be lower per day for long-term parking.

I recommend: Pricing of airport parking at major airports, like JFK in New York, BWI in Maryland and Hartsfield International in Atlanta, is typically about eight dollars to $15 per day for long-term and up to $30 per day for short term airport parking. Hartsfield international also offers park-and-ride options for those willing to park some distance away from the airport and take a shuttle to the terminal. This service costs two dollars per hour or nine dollars per day.

Look for alternatives to parking at airports

In many busy cities, it can be difficult to secure a place to park in airport lots and decks. Off-airport parking, however, is widely available in cities where parking at airports may be scarce or expensive. Off-airport parking is typically lower in cost than parking at the airport, and off-airport parking services typically offer a free shuttle service to and from the airport.

I recommend: AirportParkingLots.com offers nationwide off-airport parking and shuttle service, and in many cities allows you to choose between multiple lot and price options ranging from $40 to $80 for the week, or up to $140 weekly in busy metro areas like New York. Park Ride Fly USA offers similar services and advertises daily parking prices anywhere from four dollars to $18, depending on the city.

Get free airport parking coupons and vouchers online

If you're willing to plan ahead, you can save some money with airport parking coupons. Airport parking coupon values range from a percentage discount off the price of parking to free parking vouchers with reservations at a certain hotel. Particularly if you're planning a long trip, these coupons can significantly decrease the added cost of airport parking.

I recommend: LongTermParking.com offers a full list of coupons and special offers for parking, searchable by location. Fasttrack Airport Parking offers prepaid vouchers for parking discounts good for one year after the discounted purchase date--a great option if you plan to travel for 10 to 30 days within a one year period.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Take safety into account when calculating the pricing and costs of airport parking. Make sure the parking lot you use is in a secure area to avoid vandalism, and check the weather ahead of time to ensure that no weather-related damage is likely to occur if your car is not parked in a covered deck, since these hazards have costly consequences. Cheap airport parking is not always the safest option available.

Airport parking is typically categorized as either on-site or off-site airport parking. On-site parking usually refers to daily or hourly parking for dropping off or picking up passengers, or for shorter trips. Economy or long-term parking is typically located farther from the terminal. Some private companies also offer additional airport parking shuttle services and valet services to make your travel more convenient and decrease the hassle of finding airport parking.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Smart parking

Smart parking is an innovation in airport parking that enables airports to streamline their parking systems by centrally tracking available spaces. Smart parking technology employs sensors in the parking lots to locate empty spaces and notify patrons when lots are full.

I recommend: The Plain Dealer explains smart parking and how it works in an article about its use at Hopkins Airport.

Shuttle service

An airport shuttle service is a privately run transportation company that organizes travel to and from the airport within a regional area. An airport shuttle service can be booked online or by phone and will pick you up and drop you off at home or the office. You can also get on an airport shuttle at the airport without booking ahead if your plans change.

I recommend: AirportShuttles.net offers a detailed description of what airport shuttle service entails.

Satellite parking

Satellite parking is a term used to describe parking lots located at the periphery of an airport, either on airport property or just off the airport, that are managed by the airport. Satellite parking typically includes a free shuttle service that operates on a 24-hour schedule to pick you up from the lot and take you to the airport terminal.

I recommend: Read the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority definition of satellite parking to learn more about how it works and what distinguishes it from other lots.

Cell phone waiting lot

The cell phone waiting lot is a recent development in airport parking solutions that provides a place for cars to wait when picking up arriving passengers. Drivers can wait in the lots for their party to call, and then proceed to the terminal curbside area.

I recommend: The Chicago Tribune describes the cell phone waiting lot as one of several measures airports have taken in recent years to improve parking infrastructure.

Off-site parking

Off-site parking includes parking lots and garages that are not owned or managed by the airport, and are located nearby. Off-site parking lots typically offer fenced lots or garages with security, and provide the option of reserving your space ahead of time. One type of off-site airport parking is hotel parking, with many hotels offering guests the option of leaving their car at the hotel and providing a shuttle service to the airport.

I recommend: GoNOMAD explains what off-site parking is and why many travelers choose to use it.

Frequent parker program

Airports and off-airport parking sites are increasingly beginning to offer frequent parker program options to travelers who use parking facilities monthly or several times per year. Like frequent flyer programs, frequent parker programs allow travelers to accrue points that can be redeemed towards parking privileges, discounts or rewards.

I recommend: Bradley International and Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority both offer descriptions of their airport-wide frequent parker programs.