Domestic tourism expenses have been pegged at a staggering $103 billion in 2023, marking a 40% increase over the previous year. This includes the cost of flights, hotels, car rentals and parking.
While budgeting for a holiday or business trip, one of the things that people often neglect to plan is for the two ends of the journey - departure and return. Leaving home with a load of luggage and kids, reaching the airport or train station, catching your flight, and on the way back, going through the process in reverse can be quite a challenge. And we’re not talking about just the stress and anxiety.
Many people call a taxi or opt for a rideshare both ways, but this can be an expensive proposition that adds a significant percentage to your vacation budget. Apart from that, if you have to travel at peak traffic hours through a congested city, cabs may not be readily available.
It’s smarter to drive your own car to the airport and park there, and on your return, pick up the car and simply drive back home.
Airport Parking Options
The best way to get the most out of your parking experience is to plan ahead. Do your research, compare prices, location and amenities before you decide. You can choose between the different types of airport parking. They include:
- On-site airport owned parking areas
- Privately owned parking lots within airports and outside the airport premises
- Airport hotel parking areas
- Daily parking
- Short-term parking
- Long-term parking - click here to book long term airport parking
- Valet parking
- Meet and Greet parking
Each of these is designed to meet specific needs and budgets. For instance, on-site airport owned parking areas cater to travelers who need to get to their terminals quickly and aren’t looking at the higher costs of such a facility. This would ideally suit business travelers or those who plan to be away for a day or two.
The other options on our list would likewise address different requirements of individual travelers.
How To Save Money On Parking: Handy Tips
Most of us look the other way when it comes to splurging while on a holiday - we love to pamper ourselves in a luxury hotel, enjoy shopping, sampling local cuisines and wines, and sightseeing, with a cruise or two thrown in for good measure.
But what irks us is the price tag that comes with parking a car at the airport, though we very well know that it’s the price we pay for the convenience, and for keeping our vehicles safe. This is an extra cost that we often grudge and sometimes fail to take into account.
There’s no doubt that parking charges can put a dent in your wallet. The way to get around this is to play it smart.
- Research: You’ve probably spent weeks planning your holiday, getting the connecting flights, booking hotels and reserving your place on sightseeing trips. Spend some time researching car parking facilities too. Decide whether you want on or off site parking, long or short term, valet parking or meet and greet parking. Compare prices across the different service providers and select the one that best aligns with your needs, budget and preferences.
- Choose your airport: If there’s some flexibility in your travel plans, choose a smaller airport to park in. Car parking charges will be much cheaper here than a major city airport. But make sure that you do the math right, and look for any fine print or hidden costs. Ensure that the facilities are up to the mark, safe, efficient and convenient.
- Brinkmanship: Don’t leave things for the very last minute. Saving money takes some patience and hard work. Always pre-book your parking to not only get an assured spot, but also to get early-bird rates. Studies show that early bookings are almost 60% lower than last minute ones. When you finalize your travel plans and book your plane tickets, take that extra moment and reserve your parking slot as well.
- Know Where To Look: A simple Google search will give you an array of results. Airport parking websites give you all the information you need. Comparison websites are another great option. They usually provide cheaper rates than direct bookings because they purchase parking slots in bulk at a discount that they can pass onto the customer. A word of caution - read reviews and customer feedback before you make the decision.
- Deals, discounts and coupons: You may be surprised to learn that you can save a significant amount through deals, coupons and discounts. Some airports offer loyalty programs, subscription coupons. Other great places to scour are coupon websites, social media websites and travel websites. Go through older posts for great tips from experienced travelers. Some sites offer promo codes, or membership discounts too.
- Short term parking is expensive: If you plan to park for a day or two, avoid short term parking lots. These are always priced higher because of their proximity to terminals. It’s better to park off-site and take a shuttle bus to the airport. This will save you quite a tidy sum.
- Hotel packages: If you can, try to get a hotel-stay near the airport if you’re traveling in from up country, or you live far away from the airport. It’s worth it to spend a bit on a night’s stay. Hotels usually offer free or subsidized parking and shuttle rides to the airport. Your car will remain safe in a supervised and well maintained environment for the duration of your holiday.
Credit card rewards: Check whether your credit card service provider offers rewards or points for car parking charges paid by card. Some cards offer cash back facilities, or bonuses on airport parking. Your card service may also allow you to bundle the cost of your flight ticket along with hotel stay and parking charges.
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