Anyone ever use long-term off-airport parking?

[wdisneelvr]

Will be flying out of MCO and needing to leave my car for a week. I found a few discount off-airport parking lots with free shuttle to the airport. Some of them have coupons that I have found on the internet. Parking at the airport is so expensive. MCO $15 per day.

Has anyone ever used these type parking lots before?

Is your car safe while you are away?

Thanks for your help.

 

[johnnyr]

I've used the long term discount parking at PHL and ACY without any problems. Garage parking is $16 a day in Philly. The discounted lot is out side and half the price. Never used long term at MCO, though.

 

[inkkognito]

We haven't used MCO either, but we parked our car at an offsite lot near Midway airport all the time with no problem. We parked it pretty much every other week, and the only thing I've ever noticed was some door dings.
Barb

 

[NotUrsula]

In my experience, commercial lots are generally much more secure than the airport authority LT parking, and are CERTAINLY more efficiently run.

My present home airport, STL, gave up not long ago and contracted out the public parking lots to a commercial operation. I don't use their lots, but I hear they have improved immensely. My current favorite lot isn't the cheapest of the offsites here, but it runs like clockwork and has a really good FP program. It's $8/day for surface with a Saturday stay.

One situation where security is not always optimal is with the complimentary parking supplied by hotel park-and-fly programs. Lots of them will take your license number so that you are not towed, but they usually don't have gates, and they almost never stop pedestrians who wander around the lot.

 

[safetymom]

There is satellite parking at MCO. You take a shuttle to the terminal.

http://www.orlandoairports.net/goaa/ops/parking.htm

The cost for Satellite Parking is $3 for the first 3 hours, and $4 for hours 4 through 24, for a maximum of $7 per 24-hour period, with a 10 minute grace period. You may park in the Satellite Parking lot for any length of time (ie. short-term or long-term parking) up to 120 days. Parking fees can be charged using American Express, MasterCard, or Visa.

 

[Dopey & Grumpy]

We used one flying out of Pittsburgh in January. It was very easy and they had our van brushed off and warmed up when we returned to pick it up. Very pleasant experience and I wouldn't hesitate to do it again.

 

[wdisneelvr]

Ok great.

I was concerned about the safety of the vehicle as well as getting to the airport on time using their shuttle buses. Do the buses run non-stop?

There are a few around MCO that I have found for parking with coupon $4-7 per day. Just wondered what others have experienced using the off-airport parking lots. Sounds like they are safe and well protected.

Thanks for easing my mind.

 

[Dopey & Grumpy]

Ok great.

I was concerned about the safety of the vehicle as well as getting to the airport on time using their shuttle buses. Do the buses run non-stop?

The one in Pittsburgh has you get there about 15 minutes prior to the time you want to leave to arrive at the airport. We went into the office, signed a paper and they gave us a receipt plus the other half of a ticket (the top half is put in your car) and the bus was ready and our luggage loaded when we finished. There were two buses and both were full. Another couple arrived and was told another bus would be coming in about 5 minutes and for them to wait in the office. When you get on the bus, they ask you which airline you're using and they drop you off right in front of the terminal. Very easy and quick.

When we got back, we went out front and there was a bus waiting for us. There were about 10 people going back to pick up their cars. We went into the office, gave them our ticket, paid, and got into a very warm van.

I called them to see what time they were open because our flight was leaving around 8 and I wanted to get there by at least 6:30 and I was told they're open 24/7. Not sure about all of them. Before you book, you might want to call them and ask. I'm sure they're open as long as planes are leaving and arriving.

 

[wdisneelvr]

The parking lot companies here say that you get to "keep your keys". Do they normally keep your keys?

Dopey--I'm assuming since the company you parked with had your keys in order to warm your van?

 

[Dopey & Grumpy]

The parking lot companies here say that you get to "keep your keys". Do they normally keep your keys?

Dopey--I'm assuming since the company you parked with had your keys in order to warm your van?

Yes, they asked for a key to move it because we parked it right in front of the building and to move it back there for us to pick it up. My DH gave them the extra key they give you that only opens the doors and starts the car. We had our original set with us. Apparently they move the car to their parking lot after you leave on the bus.

 

[SB in KY]

I LOVE off site parking...wish we had it here in Louisville. We often fly out of Indy and always use an off site place there....for less than the aiport charges to self park and schlep your luggage onto their nasty old shuttle bus that runs every 20 minutes or so and makes 85 stops....

I pull into the off site place, hand the guy the keys, while I go check in at the desk he loads all our luggage on their nice comfy shuttle, I hop on, the driver hands me a bottle of ice water and todays paper and drops me off at my airline (never had more than 2 other families on with us). On return I call from my cell as my baggage comes off the carousel. I walk outside and they pick me up in about 2 minutes, again loading my luggage for me, hand me the water and paper and take me back to the lot where my car is warmed up and scraped off, or cooled down as the season indicates. While I go sign the car out they load up my luggage for me and we are off!!

I have never spent more than 5 minutes getting into or out of the lot and I feel absolutely confident my car is more secure there than at the open airport lot. Not to mention about 100 times better service!!

 

[wdisneelvr]

Wow SB that's great service!

I'm not sure I'll get that kind of service here in Orlando, but I'm willing to try. I found a few coupons for 3 different off-site parking lots. Now I have to figure out which one to use.

 

[ClanHarrison]

Baltimoreans!

Where can I find a place near BWI Airport with service like the one SB in KY and Dopey & Grumpy experienced?

Does anyone (from Baltimore or flying from Balto.) have experiences with the Park & Fly Hotel parking service?

 

[Fire14]

I use Sunpark self park in Columbus, OH. I park my car and keep my keys. everytime I've used it the bus is waiting for me to park. I'm the nut who is wearing her shorts and a winter coat in Feb.
Sunpark does offer valet but it's a bit more.

I love not having to haul my stuff through parking garage and half of airport to get to check in.