parking at Detroit airport Thanksgiving weekend

[maiapapaya]

We are driving from Canada and flying out of Detroit late in the afternoon on the Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend. We are currently weighing all of our options wrt parking. For convenience we are considering parking at the airport as one of our options. Does anyone with experience with this airport have any idea of how full we can expect the parking lots onsite to be on the Saturday night of this weekend? (ie. given that it's a holiday weekend will the lots be pretty full?)

 

[Sandi]

We're in a similar boat. We'll be flying out of Detroit, too, but are leaving Friday, 11/19, and will be returning on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. (You can have our spot when we get back!)

Anyway, our plan is to park in the Big Blue Deck which is by the North Terminal. It is $10 per day there. We're flying Delta, so we actually need to be at the McNamara Terminal for our flights. I understand there is a shuttle from North to the Westin and then to McNamara and it is supposed to take only about 10 minutes (we'll double that estimation). The parking ramp that is across from McNamara is $20 per day. That's okay for a quick trip, but not for a week.

There is a parking hotline number (DTW Parking Hotline at 1-800-642-1978) that is supposed to have up to the minute info. There are 19,000 parking spots on airport, but you are going during a very busy time. Were I you, I'd come plenty early and be prepared to park at one of the off site locations, but give the on-site parking a first crack. I think you'll find a spot. With Michigan's economy still bad, there won't be as many people flying during Thanksgiving as there will be driving.

I'm sure others have helpful experience and I'm looking forward to hearing from them, too.

 

[maiapapaya]

Thanks for the phone number! We would like to park at the Big Blue Deck, but don't want to get to the airport and find no available spots. Maybe we'll give the number a call when we're getting close to the airport and have a plan B (and C) incase it's not looking good.

 

[Sandi]

You're welcome. The airport's website is not too bad and you might find the parking information helpful. www.metroairport.com

 

[Brian Noble]

I like Qwik Park as my plan B. Better service than some of the others and a web coupon is available.

 

[Missytara]

I always have the same angst when I get to BWI, since I also fly out very, very, very early Saturday morning after Thanksgiving.

Sunday didn't used to be a problem, but Saturday can be. However, at BWI, they let you park in the daily garage for the same price as the extended stay parking, if there is no availability.

 

[maiapapaya]

I like Qwik Park as my plan B. Better service than some of the others and a web coupon is available.

Thanks! I'll look them up.

 

[carol-lamb]

The off sites close to the airport are very efficient - US Park and the one with the yellow shuttles - I think it is just called Airline Parking. I see coupons all the time for US Park and both offer AAA discounts. I have never parked in the Big Blue Deck, but they have been running ads on tv here in the Detroit area a lot lately so that might make it more crowded. After being really late getting to the airport about a year ago and having no time to park off site, we were forced to park in the parking garage by McNamara. We got spoiled and that is where we park now. It's just so convenient and to me worth the extra money - even my husband agrees and he is super cheap!

 

[LdnCpl]

We use Qwik Park also. We drive from London, stay overnight at LaQuinta with the Park,Sleep Fly rate which includes 8 nights parking. For 5 of us the rate was $109.00. If we used the BBD then it would be $80.00 so we feel the $29.00 extra for the room is worth it because we all feel fresh to begin our Disney Vaca.

 

[maiapapaya]

The off sites close to the airport are very efficient - US Park and the one with the yellow shuttles - I think it is just called Airline Parking. I see coupons all the time for US Park and both offer AAA discounts. I have never parked in the Big Blue Deck, but they have been running ads on tv here in the Detroit area a lot lately so that might make it more crowded. After being really late getting to the airport about a year ago and having no time to park off site, we were forced to park in the parking garage by McNamara. We got spoiled and that is where we park now. It's just so convenient and to me worth the extra money - even my husband agrees and he is super cheap!

I would love to just park at McNamara (we're flying Delta). Unfortunately at $20/day for a 8 day trip I don't know if we can justify it ... although it is very tempting!

We use Qwik Park also. We drive from London, stay overnight at LaQuinta with the Park,Sleep Fly rate which includes 8 nights parking. For 5 of us the rate was $109.00. If we used the BBD then it would be $80.00 so we feel the $29.00 extra for the room is worth it because we all feel fresh to begin our Disney Vaca.

Our flight leaves at 5:30 pm, so a hotel stay for a parking deal won't really work for us, but thanks for the vote for Qwik Park. This is the first time that we're not being dropped off at the airport (we have family in Sarnia) and all of the options make it a bit confusing as to which to choose.

 

[Daddio]

Head over to http://www.pnfnetwork.com/ to prepurchase your parking for $8.00 per day. Select Airlines Parking. They are the yellow bus. When you arrive at their lot, they will have a shuttle lead you to a vacant parking spot, then load your luggage and get you to the airport.

I've used them and Qwik Park and I prefer Airlines Parking for no other reason than I find them a bit more efficient and frequent (on return).

David

PS. They are the easiest to get to. First lot on the right once you take the Merriman Road exit.

 

[carol-lamb]

I would love to just park at McNamara (we're flying Delta). Unfortunately at $20/day for a 8 day trip I don't know if we can justify it ... although it is very tempting!


Then I would use US Park or Airlines Parking. Like I mentioned above, they are really efficient and will get you to the terminal really quickly. I know what you mean about the $20 a day being expensive. On our longer trips, my husband usually stays home (not as big a fan of the mouse as I) so he usually takes us to the airport. He only goes about once a year with us for a long weekend (4 or 5 days) and then we always park at McNamara. I will most likely park at McNamara for my upcoming trip as he will not be able to take us due to his work schedule. It's going to be a shorter trip and the extra cost is worth it to me for the convenience - especially coming home when you are tired and you just want to get to your car and get home!

 

[Daddio]

Big Blue at DTW has just reduced their rates to $10.00 per day, however, I still find Airlines Parking to be a better deal and there is no waiting for a shuttle, whereas at the Big Lot, you have to walk to a pick up point and wait for a shuttle.

David

 

[budbeerlady]

I like Qwik Park as my plan B. Better service than some of the others and a web coupon is available.

Yup, I like them picking me up right in front of our car. When we accidentally left an interior car light on over our 12 day trip they quickly jumped our car instead of waiting for AAA.

 

[LdnCpl]

Our flight leaves at 5:30 pm, so a hotel stay for a parking deal won't really work for us, but thanks for the vote for Qwik Park. This is the first time that we're not being dropped off at the airport (we have family in Sarnia) and all of the options make it a bit confusing as to which to choose.

With the park and fly you can either stay overnight the day before your flight or when you get back so if you arrive back at 9pm then you could stay overnight then drive home the next day. Just some more FYI

 

[travelgirls3]

We have used buyreservations.com quite a few times. They are very reasonable price wise. Their park and fly package will include your parking and transfers when booking a room. They have always been great.

 

[Dr. David Q. Dawson]

For what it's worth, we always use US Park on Middlebelt Road, right next to the airport. They are always fast and reliable. Plus you can get a coupon from their website for a free day of parking http://www.us-park.com/coupon.html

 

[maiapapaya]

Thanks again for all of the suggestions. I'll have to do a little looking around the various websites, get some info and then discuss our options. My sister & her DH are also coming (driving in their own vehicle), so we will have to decide together what the plan will be. I really like the idea of being picked up at our vehicle rather than having to drag our bags to a shuttle pick up point (like someone mentioned you have to do with the Big Blue deck), especially because two of our kids are still a little young to be hauling their own luggage (which means 2 suitcases each for me & DH )

 

[Sandi]

I like Qwik Park as my plan B. Better service than some of the others and a web coupon is available.

Professor, we ended up using your recommendation and were very pleased with Quik Park. They were quick and professional. Both for our departure and our arrival the van was at our car/pick up point immediately -- no wait. I also used the internet coupon for a free day, which was nice.

Thanks for the recommendation. We appreciate it.

 

[Brian Noble]

Glad it worked for you---but no need to be so formal! Even some of my students call me Brian.