Need info on parking at Philadelphia....

[NJDisneymom]

Can anyone who knows the Philly airport well give me some idea of what we'll be dealing with???

We've always flown out of Newark and have never even been to Philly yet (sure hope the mapquest directions are right!!!). My DH is concerned about long term parking... where we go, how much it costs, etc. etc. We are traveling with too much luggage and 2 kids and it could be a real pain if we have to take shuttles, etc. Is it possible for him to drop us off somewhere and then go park the car? How long can I expect him to be gone if we do that?? Can we check our baggage at the curb if we do this??

ANY info you could give me on the Philly airport would be a huge help. I'm hoping we can be on the road 3.5 - 4 hours before our flight, hoping we won't need that much time but I'd rather be safe. We are coming from Monmouth County, NJ. I think we'll be taking I-195.

 

[JudicialTyranny]

I don't fly that often, but in the past I've always either stayed at a nearby hotel the night before my flight and left my car at the hotel (using the hotel's shuttle to get to the airport) or parked at an offsite lot.

When we go to WDW in May, I'm probably going to use the long term lot at the airport because I'll have the 3 kids with me.

Here are directions, from the PHL web site.

From what I recall, you go past all of the terminal entrances to get to the long term (economy) lot, so dropping everyone off can probably be done. The long term lot is $9.00/day.

 

[CleveRocks]

ANY info you could give me on the Philly airport would be a huge help. I'm hoping we can be on the road 3.5 - 4 hours before our flight, hoping we won't need that much time but I'd rather be safe. We are coming from Monmouth County, NJ. I think we'll be taking I-195.

I haven't lived in Philly for 10 years, and I haven't used that airport more than a handful of times since then, so I can't help you with the parking question. But I am concerned about how much time you're leaving yourself to get there. What route are you taking after I-195? Will you be taking I-95 once in PA? If you get onto I-95 north of Center City Philadelphia, you'll be facing pretty much parking lot conditions for several miles if you're going during either of the rush hours. If it's in the morning and you try to do an end-run around Center City Philly by taking the Garden State Parkway south to the Atlantic City Expressway west to the Walt Whitman Bridge, you'll face the same sort of traffic tie-up near the Philly-end of the A.C. Expressway.

I live near Atlantic City, and any time I've had a morning flight out of Philly I've stayed at a cheapo motel near the airport. Many of them have it set up that you can leave your car there at the motel (in a guarded parking lot, for a daily fee) and they have free shuttles to and from the airport. Think about going that route.

-- Eric

 

[jennypenny]

Hi. We always fly USAir out of Philly and drive ourselves to the airport (from Bucks Co PA) but I grew up in Howell so I think I can help.

Driving from 195: Jump on 295 south and take it all the way to the Walt Whitman Bridge. Get on 95 south in Philly and it's another 10 miles or so to the airport. If you are going during the week during morning rush hour it will take you 2 hours to get there. If it's a weekend it will only take a little over an hour to get there. If you hear on the radio (check am 1060) that the walt whitman is having some particular problem that morning, just take 195 to 29 in Trenton and go over the Route 1 bridge. You'll hit 95 in about 3-4 miles and then get on 95 south there. That route is actually shorter in miles but some Jersey people (like my family) like staying off 95 as long as possible.

Parking: We are a family of 5 (3 little kids) and lots of luggage. My DH drops us off at curbside checkin, checks us all in (inc. DH) and all of our luggage. Then he pulls away to park and we wait just inside the terminal for him. He parks in the economy lot ($8/day) and takes the shuttle back. It usually takes him 20-30 minutes to do this. We do have to sit and wait, but it's much cheaper than regular parking. There are lots right at terminals b/c and you can check in at curbside and then he can park right there, but I remember it being more than double the price. I guess it depends on how long you are staying. We go for 10 days so I like the savings.

Coming back always seems more of a bother, but maybe because I just want to get home. We gather our luggage and carry it out to the curb. Then the kids and I wait for DH to get the car and drive around.

My DH parks in the economy lot all week/every week (he works in CA) and has never had a problem. But if we were only going for 3-4 days I would probably park in short term parking near the terminal.

Don't stress! If you're used to Newark then Phila airport will seem like a ghost town!

Jenny

 

[NJDisneymom]

I live near Atlantic City, and any time I've had a morning flight out of Philly I've stayed at a cheapo motel near the airport. Many of them have it set up that you can leave your car there at the motel (in a guarded parking lot, for a daily fee) and they have free shuttles to and from the airport. Think about going that route.

-- Eric

Thanks, but staying in a hotel isn't an option. We have an 8pm flight and both DH and I have to work till 2-3pm. I was hoping we could be on the road at 3:30-4:00, but yes, we will be driving into rush hour so I am now very concerned that we won't make it there in time. According to mapquest it is 71 miles, 1 hr. 15 min. so I thought doubling that would be enough??

Jenny... I am actually right in Howell.

 

[CleveRocks]

Thanks, but staying in a hotel isn't an option. We have an 8pm flight and both DH and I have to work till 2-3pm. I was hoping we could be on the road at 3:30-4:00, but yes, we will be driving into rush hour so I am now very concerned that we won't make it there in time. According to mapquest it is 71 miles, 1 hr. 15 min. so I thought doubling that would be enough??

My hunch is that the afternoon won't be nearly as bad as the morning. But keep in mind that it's been 10 years since I made that daily commute.

-- Eric

 

[kcork1026]

You'll still it traffic, but it's not as bad going southbound at that time of day....northbound is really bad!

 

[Blondiex46]

I can basically see the airport from my home it is 7 1/2 min from me. The traffic on 95 around the airport is usually not packed at all. On friday's there is alot of traffic but not stopped. If you are coming over the WW bridge it takes about 15 min - 20 min to the airport. The have done alot of construction but it is easy to get in. As far as parking the parking lot is right there and yep you can drop off. Any other ??? let me know and I will try to help.

 

[jennypenny]

Hey, where in Howell do you live? I grew up on Bock Blvd.

It won't take two hours to get there because you're going against the traffic. You'll hit a little traffic, but it should only take you 1 1/2 hours tops.

Jenny

 

[NJDisneymom]

whew! ok, I feel a little better now about being able to get there on time. Thanks!!!

Jenny... we are right off New Friendship, not far from Bock Blvd.

 

[Candice30]

we fly every where out of philly and always leave our car in long term parking. the uncovered economy lot is the cheapest ($7/day) though it may have gone up a dollar since last year. you do have to take a shuttle to the terminal. if you have alot of lugguage, you may want to have your husband drop you off at the terminal where you can check your bags curbside. he can return to long term parking. it shouldn't take him long at all. the shuttles run pretty frequently from all of the lots.

check with your airline to see if you can check in at home and print your boarding passes. this would save you from having to handle both kids at check in while waiting for your husband and you can still check your bags curbside. on another note, security check runs pretty well and we have never gotten caught up in it.

have a great trip!