Pricing and Costs of Airport Parking

How to get parking at airports on any budget
By Lesley Graybeal 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.

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.
Try:  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.
Try:  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.
Try:  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.

• 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.