Parking at Minneapolis airport or shuttle or park at hotel?

[hanksgirl]

My family is going to Disney world in May
And we are going to have to drive 4 hours
To Minneapolis airport and we are wondering
If something else would be better than leaving
Our car at the airport for 10 days! Maybe park and fly?
Maybe a hotel since we are driving out the
Day before we fly? Suggestions or ideas please!

 

[CapnJacksGirl]

Definitely don't park at the airport!! We only live about 45 minutes from MSP and we often spend the night before our flight at a hotel in the airport area so we can take the shuttle to the airport. We always fly out early in the morning and the convenience of drop-off at the door with luggage is fantastic! It will definitely cost you less to pay for the hotel room than to pay for parking, even at the value lot. And if you're driving in the day before anyway, it's a total no-brainer.

Here's a list of hotels that have shuttles to the airport:

http://www.mspairport.com/GroundTransportation/hotel-shuttles.aspx

We have used the Comfort Inn Eagan a few times and the Super 8 as well. Both served our purpose nicely. I would take some time and look up each hotel that interests you or make some calls to check their policies and figure out which works best for you. The rates do vary a bit and it's worth your time to do some research.

You will want to check with the hotel to see if they have a limit on the number of days you can leave your car at the hotel. The Super 8, if I remember correctly, allows you to leave your car for 7 days with a one-night stay and require a two-night stay for leaving it longer than 7 days. If you're staying the night you return too, that would likely work for you. The Comfort Inn allows you 8 days with the one-night rate and charges $10 per day after that. Still cheaper than parking.

The other thing you need to ask about is the shuttle times. Some offer a range of times (like 5 am to midnight) while some offer a 24 hour one. I think the Super 8 was 24 hours but goes to (don't quote me here) Terminal 1 on the hour and Terminal 2 on the half hour. That required some planning for us when our flight left at 6 am.

If you're not spending the night you return at the hotel, no problem. You just call for the shuttle when you arrive and they will take you back to the hotel to get your car. Sometimes the driver is nice and will take you directly to your car. (Those guys get a nicer tip from me!) Most will tell you to call for the shuttle when you have picked up your luggage, but we usually call when we get to baggage claim so we don't have to wait as long. That's a bit of a gamble if for some reason you have a luggage issue, but most times it will be fine. They will tell you where to go for pick-up.

It's really a nice service that these hotels provide and definite the best option for you. Feel free to throw me any questions you might have. I'm happy to help!

 

[malibuconlee]

If you are driving in the day before and staying at a hotel a park/sleep/fly deal would be best for you. After using the St. Louis airport and their long term parking I realized I was spoiled! Long term parking at MSP is pretty expensive.

We parked in long term for spring break last year, but it wasn't much different in price compared to off lot shuttles and it seemed like a hassle trying to get to a hotel the night before since we are only about 25 minutes or so from the airport without traffic. Plus we were getting in late and my husband was planning to work the next morning so even an extra half hour or more trying to get the car for us it was worth it.

Have fun!

 

[Minnesota!]

We use the Park and Fly next to the Hilton/Embassy Suites. AAA discount, great staff, always very quick. We typically pay about $10/day.

 

[ColonelHathi]

Best Western Plus in Bloomington. It's a nice hotel, tucked away, and they have a shuttle and/or you can hop over to the MOA (across the street) and take the lightrail to either terminal. I used to work in the office building next to it and we had out if town guests stay there many times. I just checked and they do let you park there for 10 days. Tasty Italian restaurant there too!

We usually do Park & Fly or Park n Ride with a AAA discount, the later we've used several times. Last trip we did check out Terminal 2's lot which is a bit cheaper than Term 1 and has "value" parking. But, with AAA discount we ended up cheaper at Park n Ride.

 

[CarolMN]

If we are flying out of Terminal 2 (aka HHH terminal), we have always parked there even though it's more expensive than the off site lots with a free (tip only) shuttle service. It is just so nice when you come home to go get your bag and then walk across the skyway to your car. Very quick and easy compared to the shuttle. Even faster if all you have is carry-on.

Compare the prices and see if the difference is worth the convenience. We just include the parking in our budget.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

We also just park at the airport. We live in one of the SW suburbs and it only takes us 20 minutes to get there, but even cab fare (which we tried once) was $50 each way + tip, so not an economical choice.

As Carol mentioned, parking in Long Term parking at Terminal 2 is only $8/day, so it's pretty much a no brainer if you're flying out of Terminal 2. You can also park at Terminal 2 and take the tram over to Terminal 1. It's economical and more convenient than staying at a hotel, IMO.

 

[CapnJacksGirl]

Normally I would agree with you, jtowntoflorida and carolMN, but the OP said they are driving in the day before so they will already be paying for a hotel. To me, paying the airport parking fees on top of the hotel fee, even if it's more convenient to get to the car when they return, doesn't make much financial sense here.

 

[luvdisney87]

Normally I would agree with you, jtowntoflorida and carolMN, but the OP said they are driving in the day before so they will already be paying for a hotel. To me, paying the airport parking fees on top of the hotel fee, even if it's more convenient to get to the car when they return, doesn't make much financial sense here.

I agree. As long as you are paying for a hotel room already you might as well take advantage of the airport shuttle. It is so quick, easy, and convenient. We've used the Park N Fly also when we've had a later flight and I would easily recommend them too. We usually stay at the Comfort Inn and Suites in Bloomington. I believe they are up to 9 nights of parking.

 

[dudspizza]

I have used Park N Fly quite a few times. The Entertainment Book always have a free day coupon in there.

I have also done the Park and Fly hotel option a few times, though most times we are dropped off at the hotel.

We used the Holiday Inn Minneapolis Airport SE just into Eagan. It is a nice, business type of hotel. Pool area and also very nice. Looks like a weeknight in May is about $150.

http://www.ihg.com/holidayinn/hotels/us/en/eagan/eagmn/hoteldetail

 

[janiejake]

I would use a hotel that has a sleep/fly program. We live in the northern burbs, and don't trust traffic/weather when we have an early morning flight. We've left our vehicle at multiple hotels over the years, with no issues. Last trip, we used HolidayInnExpress located west of the MOA/Ikea area. They have a couple different rates for those needing to park their vehicles. One for up to 7 days, and one for longer (we needed longer). This next trip, I have ressies at Best Western,in Eagan, as I need to leave the vehicle for 13 days, and Holiday Inn was still pretty steep. For shorter trips we have used the park and fly locations, but if you need a room, only makes sense to stay at a hotel that offers the leave your car option and shuttle service.