Parking at Philly AIrport

[donac]

Does anyone have any experience with parking at Philly?

We leave next week and have never flown out of Philly. Will we have problems getting a parking space out of Philly? Or should I look for a place outside the airport?

 

[RMAMom]

Parking at longterm parking at PHL will run you about 11 dollars a day and there is plenty of parking. A lot of folks on this board use Winner their lot is pretty much across the street from the PHL lot. If you google them you will find their website and probably a coupon for a lot less than $11.00 a day.

 

[silmarg]

I have done long term parking at the airport (not an offsite place). Parking was a bit tight... but it was February and it was after a huge blizzard so it was a bit of a mess.

I think there are some real cheap offsite places as well...

 

[Ed J]

I've used winner a few dozen times and recommend them. If I can park in the garge I'll park at the airport, but for the same money or less with a coupon you can get dropped off and for 10 bucks more get picked up and drive away in your car I can't see any reason to ever get on a lot bus ever again .

 

[Senator Tressel]

According to television, if you park anywhere in Philly, you will be towed, ticketed, or booted. So I'd advise against it.

 

[Missytara]

According to television, if you park anywhere in Philly, you will be towed, ticketed, or booted. So I'd advise against it.

The OP is referring to off-site places that offer parking for the airport at lower prices. They are legitimate airport parking lots and offer a shuttle to your airline.

I have used them at Philly, as well as BWI.

 

[pipervali]

We always use Winner when flying out of Philly. It's usually quite convenient, we've never had any problems with their services, and it tends to run cheaper than on site parking.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I heard so many good things about Winner so we tried them.
Pros: We paid the extra $ to not have to drop off the driver at the office and that was really convenient.
Whether it's hot or cold outside, your car will be warmed up/cooled off by the time it gets to you.
Cons: Our driver was a speed demon. It really stressed me out how he zoomed through the terminals in my car. Last thing I need on our way to a vacation is to have an accident.
I don't like leaving my car keys with someone (and my registration) which lists my address and they know we're on vacation and our return date.

So after once or twice, we decided to try another company that allows us to lock up our car. Back when we used to use the Economy lot we saw a LOT of shuttles for PreFlight Parking so that's who we tried. When we pull up to the gate, we are asked if we want indoor (garage) our outdoor parking, then are directed to a section. By the time we open our doors, their shuttle is at our vehicle, and the driver helps with our bags. I feel safer knowing my car is locked, I have the keys, and no one else is driving it.
When it's time to get picked up, we wait by the ground transfers area and it's never a long wait for a shuttle. (5-10 mins) They ask for our section & description of our vehicle and drop us off right there, again helping with our bags.
I like that they have a frequent parker program so almost each vacation we get a free day for a future trip. For our Alaskan cruise, we'll have 2 free days. We get coupons in the mail or at their website. We've used them probably the last 6-8 flights.

I'd rather try anything than use that Economy lot. Besides not being the least expensive, you'll see every other parking company's shuttle pass you while waiting for the economy lot bus which only comes every 20 mins. Once on the bus, you get a grand tour of the massive parking lot until they announce section M or whichever you're parked in. omg, this can take almost 20 mins. Just awful.

I also like that PreFlight has a parking garage so if we travel during snowy season, we can opt to park there and not have to worry about our car being plowed in like it did when using the economy lot.
We had no idea there was snow here (pre-internet days) but luckily my dad knew we'd be plowed in and picked us at the airport. The next day, it took him & dh a couple hours to dig out my car.

Some lessons are learned the hard way.

http://www.preflightparking.com/phl.aspx

 

[donac]

Thanks for the great suggestions everyone. I will check them both out this weekend and make a decision on MOnday.

I knew I could count on DISer's

 

[mickeymommom]

We have used global airport parking many times. We choose to park at the Econo Lodge. Free shuttle runs every 30 minutes and is very convienent and a lot cheaper than the parking garages on site. We have left our car there for anywhere from 4 days to 3 weeks and everything has been great. Using them again for our upcoming trip

 

[DonnaL]

I see from your signature you're from the central Jersey shore area.....so not sure whether you'll getting to PHL on I 95 N or S. If coming from South we always get off 95 at Essington which is the exit before the PHL airport exit...and go east off the exit to Industrial Highway....turn left on Industrial Highway and about a mile on the right is Colonial Airport Parking......they do have a website and always have a discount coupon.....last time we used them I think it was about $9 per day w/the coupon. Their lot is secure with fencing completely surrounding it and a manned gate. They are open 24 hours daily and do provide free continuous shuttle to the airport, drop off right in front of your terminal. On return......simply call their toll free number when you are in baggage claim and they will tell you what zone to wait for their shuttle.....they'll be there within 10 minutes. I prefer using them over other lots since I do not like "valet" lots and leaving our car keys with them. With Colonial.....we park our own car, lock it, and use their shuttle to the airport. A lot of airline employees (flight crews) also use Colonial since every time we've been shuttled there has always been a pilot or flight attendant on the shuttle with us.

 

[mkoerner]

The economy parking is $11 a day. It's a little funky to get to but if you pay close attention to the signs, you'll find it. The shuttle is reliable and speedy. Much better than Newark.

 

[sarmat1]

I've used Fast Track at 7780 Essington. They've now been rebranded as The Parking Spot. Not sure if anything has changed since the name change. $7.50/day for self park, but they frequently put coupons in val-pak to bring it down to $5.95/day. 20% tax is extra. Here's the current online val-pak coupon:

http://www.valpak.com/coupons/display/FastTrack-Airport-Parking/19153/1071972/1070253

 

[paults]

Does anyone have any experience with parking at Philly?

We leave next week and have never flown out of Philly. Will we have problems getting a parking space out of Philly? Or should I look for a place outside the airport?

we always use www.expresspark.net south lot . Print coupon $6.75 a day plus tax. When you pull in a van will follow you to a parking spot take you and your bags onboard and right to your airline. Lot is secured and safe they have 3 lots but we always use the south lot.
When you return call the number on the card they give you and they will pick you up.

 

[pbinn310]

I've used Fast Track at 7780 Essington. They've now been rebranded as The Parking Spot. Not sure if anything has changed since the name change. $7.50/day for self park, but they frequently put coupons in val-pak to bring it down to $5.95/day. 20% tax is extra. Here's the current online val-pak coupon:

http://www.valpak.com/coupons/display/FastTrack-Airport-Parking/19153/1071972/1070253

We used fast track in the past too and will use them again. Thanks for the coupon link.

 

[EPCOT is a verb]

Here's another recommendation for Colonial. We have used them for years.

 

[mitymott]

We use Pacifico Airport Valet. Dropped off and picked up in your car(no shuttle transfer)and car is kept in a secure lot.

 

[dalstitch45]

Another vote for Fast Track. They have been running that $5.95 coupon for quite a while. Now I always make a reservation (no charge). Sometimes they will turn you away without one.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

dh just sent me this:

http://www.groupon.com/deals/central-airpark-3?c=&utm_medium=afl&utm_campaign=361116&utm_source=rvs

I've never used them so I can't say I recommend them but if you're on a tight budget, it's a good deal.

 

[wdwscout]

we always use www.expresspark.net south lot . Print coupon $6.75 a day plus tax. When you pull in a van will follow you to a parking spot take you and your bags onboard and right to your airline. Lot is secured and safe they have 3 lots but we always use the south lot.
When you return call the number on the card they give you and they will pick you up.

We use their partner www.SmartPark.com off the Essington exit on 2nd street. Same prices and same deal where they pick you up at your car and help you with your luggage. They are so friendly and the lot is very safe. I like having my keys in my possession as well.

3 things that made me really love this place (and I am sure similar places would be the same).
1) When I travel alone- as a female traveler, I feel so much safer not having to drag my luggage through a parking lot alone. They take me to my car and put my bags in the back for me!
2) The dispatchers are always so friendly on the radio- they wish everyone a safe trip on the way to the airport and welcome everyone home when we are coming back. It's a nice little touch!
3) Last trip I decided to let them detail my car while I was gone. I paid upon drop off, they did a fabulous job cleaning my car- it sparkled!! ... and they keep it indoors throughout the whole trip for the same outside rate.

We're heading back to WDW in 3 weeks and will be using them again!