Going for a vacation or business trip can be fun and exciting, but the horror of finding a bad parking spot or no spot at all deters people from taking their cars to the airport. However, nowadays, with all the online airport parking booking options, finding cheap airport parking can be easy. With such parking services, flyers can take full advantage of the comfort and ease of parking their vehicles away while they are away on their trip.
If you want to park your car and drive it as soon as you land back home, opt for long-term airport parking. You have to first find out if your airport already has a designated area for long-term parking or not. If your airport charges a lot or if there isn’t’ any long-term airport parking there, you can always look for the nearest off-site parking lot for this.
Like everything else, even something as simple as parking at an airport needs to be done perfectly so that you don’t have to encounter any problems later on. Follow these tips so that you can find cheap airport parking easily:
Steer clear of deals that are too good to be true
Normally you shouldn’t encounter any problems at a long-term airport parking lot, but if it seems too good to be true or a very dirt cheap kind of deal, avoid using it. There are new and different scamming techniques these days, and people will do anything to get some money. This is not to scare you from opting for long-term airport parking facilities, but it is just a common precautionary measure to take so that you don’t end up being scammed by anyone.
Be careful of credit card fraud, where if you pay online, all your card details are recorded and used later on. Also, stay away from shady areas that claim to be long-term airport parking lots because you never know that you might be parking in an unsafe and unregistered area that is falsely claiming to be a parking zone. Although such cases are rare, it is still better to be safe than sorry.
Verify
Don’t go for long-term airport parking companies that only have a cell phone number as their main contact number. Another warning sign could be a shady or poorly functional website. If the business has no reviews, testimonials, and pictures that seem fake, it is surely a sign that something is amiss. Ask someone if they have used or heard about this airport parking business, and if you are still not sure, then just avoid it completely.
Read Reviews
If you opt for an offsite long-term airport parking lot while you are away, then make sure to read all the reviews and do the homework. They will either be available on the parking facility’s website, or you can just go to any review app or website and check it out. Don’t choose the ones that have anything below a 4-star rating.
Check the Map
Before you head to the long-term airport parking lot, check the place out on Google maps or directly call them so that they can help you find the lot. If you check it on Google maps, make sure to see the aerial view of the parking lot to have a better idea of how big it is.
Park at the Airport
Some long-term airport parking facilities have partnered up with the airport and have designated areas to cater to the customers. Make sure to use the correct parking lot to avoid being charged with another parking provider and get a hefty penalty. They also tow away the cars that haven’t paid up.
Call in Advance
If there has been a change of plans and you think that your arrival will be delayed, then it is always recommended to call up the parking company to let them know that you won’t be collecting your car on the mentioned date. You will most probably have to pay up for the extra days, but it will be better than getting a fine or having the car removed. Depending on the package, some companies also have a feature that you can park as long as you like, so if your trip duration doesn’t exceed the days of that particular package, you don’t have to worry about paying any extra money.
Opt for Valet Parking
Some long-term airport parking facilities ask their customers to pick their cars up from a meetup point. If the parking company doesn’t offer any and you need it because you have small children and luggage, you can always call up. They will be happy to assist you and send their representative for valet services for you.
Check Your Timings
Long-term airport parking facilities that are offsite provide their customers with a bus shuttle service. These shuttle services run at a particular time. They run after 5-20 minutes, ensuring that you arrive on time and do not miss your flight. You must know beforehand how long the shuttle service will take to reach the airport as some offsite parking lots are a bit far. There could be traffic, and you wouldn’t want to ruin your trip by missing the flight. It is always recommended to leave at least 30-45 minutes earlier than when you normally leave for a flight if you plan to opt for a long-term airport parking lot.
Compare Prices
Everyone deserves to get the best deal when buying a product using a service, and long-term airport parking facilities should be no different for you. You don’t want to end up paying so much money and later find out that you could have easily saved 30-40% by opting for another service. Many websites show you a comparison chart so that you can choose the best one for yourself. Furthermore, they also compare different parking features, such as shuttle service, valet, etc.
Book Early
Just like you book early so that you get the best seats and deals available, the same goes for long-term airport parking lots. This is especially true if you travel during the peak holiday season when most people fly to different places. Check with the parking provider in advance and find out the rates. Some also provide different deals that you can avail of for that particular season. If you are booking a few months in advance, then ensure that it is cancellable just in case there is any change of plans.
Choose the type of service that best suits you
Everyone has different needs, and the packages are tailored accordingly. If you are looking for a cheaper fare for long-term airport parking, you can just book a park and ride option. If you are willing to pay a tad bit extra for convenience, you can opt for the meet and greet option. Some companies do a complimentary meet and greet where you don’t even have to pay extra, so always go through all the companies’ packages before choosing the one that best suits you.
Reserve Your Parking Spot
Many airport parking services offer a call and reserve service to not worry about parking once you arrive. You can pay after you park and get to the airport easily after.
Keep Your Car Safe and Clean
Although long-term airport parking facilities are quite safe and monitored through CCTV, you should never take any risk. Ensure that there aren’t any important documents or valuables in the car, just if there is a theft or accident.
Don’t leave any food inside the car, as it will rot while your car stays in the lot. When you come back after a long trip, your car will have a bad stench. Food can rot in as little as 2 days, so even if you are going away for the weekend, make sure your car is clean.
Keep Your Winter Tires
Keeping your winter tires in the trunk will do you good because it is a convenient and hassle-free option for those going for a very long trip. This is for those who leave at the start of fall and come back in winter, where they need their tires to drive in the snow.
Inflate the Tires and Disconnect the Battery
Ensure that your tires are fully inflated because if they are not, the slightest leak can cause a flat tire by the time you are back from a trip. Also, keep a spare tire in the trunk just to be safe.
To make sure that your car starts when you return, disconnect your battery as many cars have a power drain if they are not used for too long.
Park Inside
The early bird gets the worm— the same logic applies to car parking. The parker who comes first gets a spot in the long-term airport parking lot. Many of these parking facilities offer indoor and outdoor spaces so that you can choose whichever spot suits you the best.
Parking indoors is the best option, especially if you live in a city with extreme weather conditions. Parking inside will protect your car from snow and heat, depending on when you leave your car in the long-term airport parking.
Make use of airport parking membership
Frequent travelers can be happy to know that many long-term airport parking services offer membership discounts to their customers. This is especially helpful if you work at the airport and/or work as ground staff for an airline and need to take your car often. If you opt for long-term airport parking membership, you can enjoy better parking spaces, discounts, deals, and various features that regular customers won’t.
Have Your Car Insured
It is always a good idea to have your car insured from any potential damage or theft that might occur while you are away on holiday. You can also opt for a car insurance package by the parking company so that if anything happens to your car while you are away, they can cover the damages for you.
Park Near the Elevator
Try to find your parking space near the elevator if the parking lot has multiple floors. This way, you won’t have to walk all the way to your car if you have many luggage or little kids with you.
Now that you know all the tips for parking at an airport, your trip can be hassle-free. When you return from your vacation or from a business trip, you will be happy to see your car in perfect condition and parked safely— just as you left it.
Check our website and find out some affordable parking options for
Check out more blogs on the best parking spots in your city, the most affordable insurance for your car, and top-rated car washes near you.
