Parking at PHL airport? Avistar?

[TZMOM]

For all the Philly people out there - we'll be making a few flights over the coming months - ? about where to park.

I've used one of those places off Essington Ave (I think) and it was OK - took a bit to get the shuttle to our car (I can't remember who it was - but they had a yellow sign & it was about $70 for the week- some memory I have.)

Just got a mailer last week for Avistar w/a AAA 10% discount, 7th day free - has anyone ever used them?

If I pick an early morning flight to MCO - have any of you ever stayed at the airport Marriott the night before? Do they let you park your car at the airport for free? I'm having trouble finding that info on their website. I'm trying to think of ways to get to MCO on the early flight, but not have to get up at 2:30 a.m. as we'll be taking my parents and DF (70) is not a good early riser.

We've also flown out of AC on Spirit - if anyone has any opinions re: a hotel there, I'd certainly be willing to stay there the night before and just pay the inexpensive $4/day parking charge.

Thank you for any help you can toss my way.

Jane

 

[dkrause716]

We live near Philly and have done several different things including the agencies that let you park your car and then drive you.to the airport. I much prefer staying at one of the airport hotels the night before. It is so much nicer and makes you feel that your vacation starts a little earlier! (Also DH doesn't like someone driving his car!!)

We stayed at the Marriott that is connected to the airport in January. It was very nice and so easy--only problem is they do not provide parking. My husband dropped us off that time since he wasn't going with us. It is pretty cool just walking over to terminal.

Another option-- We have used the Holiday Inn Airport (Essington Ave) twice before and will be using them next week on our trip to DW. You leave your car at the hotel and they drive you to the airport. When you return you call and they pick you up. Very easy and not expensive. I got a rate of $97 for next week. I called the hotel directly for this rate.

Good luck and let me know if you find a better deal anywhere.

 

[TZMOM]

Thanks for the tip!!!

Is there anyone else that has used an off-site airport parking service around Philly airport or knows of a hotel near the AC airport?

 

[Dopey Sharon]

We always park at Expresspark. We made the mistake, a couple years ago, of parking somewhere else (Sunpark) and will never do that again. Everyone who works at Expresspark are so nice, exact opposite at Sunpark!

I'm not sure the address for Expresspark, but we get off 95 like we're going to the airport, but stay to the right and get off at Lester/Cargo City. Make a left at the traffice light. Go through the next light and come to a stop sign. Make a right. It's down that road about a mile, maybe.

We pay between $5.75 and $6.25 a day, depending on what coupon we received on our way out from our last visit.


I can't help with a hotel near AC. We'll be flying on Spirit our upcoming trip, but our flight doesn't depart until 1:30pm, and we only live about 40 minutes from the airport.

Good luck!

 

[nancyj]

We also stayed at the Holiday Inn near the airport. We had dinner at the hotel the night before (kids ate free). I think the shuttle leaves the hotel ever 20 minutes and it's a short ride to the airport. On the return trip we used the courtesy phone by baggage claim to tell them we needed a pick up at the airport. They dropped us off right by our car. I booked the hotel with the park and fly option through the internet and got a rate of $89 a night. When I checked in, they were charging me $99 a night. I showed the clerk my confirmation letter and she changed it without any argument. The room was fine, although we thought the air conditioning was very loud. I would not hesitate to do this again.

 

[dkrause716]

NancyJ-

Just curious--where did you get the $89 rate? I haven't been able to get lower than $99. We are staying there next week.

Thanks!

 

[mep319]

Originally posted by Dopey Sharon
We always park at Expresspark. We made the mistake, a couple years ago, of parking somewhere else (Sunpark) and will never do that again. Everyone who works at Expresspark are so nice, exact opposite at Sunpark!

I'm not sure the address for Expresspark, but we get off 95 like we're going to the airport, but stay to the right and get off at Lester/Cargo City. Make a left at the traffice light. Go through the next light and come to a stop sign. Make a right. It's down that road about a mile, maybe.

We pay between $5.75 and $6.25 a day, depending on what coupon we received on our way out from our last visit.


I can't help with a hotel near AC. We'll be flying on Spirit our upcoming trip, but our flight doesn't depart until 1:30pm, and we only live about 40 minutes from the airport.

Good luck!

WE have used many services too and by far find Sunpark to be the easiest and most convinent! It comes to about $6.25 a day if you buy the vouchers online before leaving...I've never had a problem there and highly recommend them! What happened?

 

[Ahrizel]

We did Colonial Park on our June trip. I had considered Express Park, but it was too late to order the vouchers. Had no problems with Colonial Park, pleasant coming and going. Printed out an internet coupon for 6 dollars a day, couldn't beat it. Would use them again.

 

[psimon]

Please tell me more about Expresspark.... What is this about vouchers? Where do you get them and how much are they?

I assume you park there and they take you to the airport.... what about upon return? How does that work?

Planning ahead for October....

---Paul n Southern NJ

 

[Dopey Sharon]

Originally posted by psimon
Please tell me more about Expresspark.... What is this about vouchers? Where do you get them and how much are they?

I assume you park there and they take you to the airport.... what about upon return? How does that work?

Planning ahead for October....

---Paul n Southern NJ

I'm also curious about these vouchers, since we always park there when we fly out of Philly.

Yes, Paul, you park your car and take your keys with you (I would never leave my car with my keys anywhere). The little van picks you up, at your car. If there's others, they pick them up too, if not, you head to the airport, which is about five minutes away. The driver will give you a business card with their toll free phone number on it...don't lose it. When you come home, after you retrieve your luggage (which has been over an hour, sometimes an hour and a half in PHL...don't know what their problem is) anyway...after you get your luggage, you call them. Tell them which airline you flew in on and they will tell you where to go outside to wait. They are usually there within 10 minutes. There may be others waiting to be picked up too, but they are on the way out of the airport anyway...takes two minutes. They drive you back to the lot to your car. Oh, upon arrival, at the lot, you will get a ticket. I would suggest you leave it in the car. You need that when you leave to determine how much you owe.

Like I said before, other than the one time I lost my head, we always park here. Everyone has always been so nice and helpful.

 

[Disneyhappy]

We always use Avistar for our vacations. I also use them for work travel when I will be gone a few days. We have never had to wait more than 5 minutes for the shuttle to or from the airport. I believe there is a coupon at airportdiscountparking.com for a 7 day rate of 44.50. The entertainment book also has some coupons.

 

[Kris-PA]

For 2 previous trips, we used Smart Park. The service was great, no complaints. We drove to the lot, parked the car. A shuttle was waiting, the driver loaded our luggage, drove us to the correct terminal and then unloaded our luggage for us. We did not leave our keys. The lot has 24 hour security. I'm sorry I can't recall the price, but I believe it was in the $70-$80 range for a week.

 

[TZMOM]

Thanks again for all the help!!! Think I'll try Avistar this time.


Jane

 

[DisneyMomx7]

We're staying at the Airport Comfort Inn the night before. I used the entertainment rate and it was $98 for the five of us including parking. We paid more than that to park at the airport last year for a week and this time we're staying for 11 days!

 

[jennypenny]

Last time we fly out of Philly (couple of years ago) we parked at the airports economy lot and paid $6.50 per day. My husband dropped us/luggage off at the terminal, drove the van to economy, and took the shuttle back to the terminal.

Has anyone done this recently? Is it still $6.50? We're flying out on the 6:30 am flight in August.

Jenny

 

[mep319]

They won't allow you to obtain boarding passes or check luggage without everyone present. So I doubt this would be feasible any longer...unless you wait for him to return.

 

[jennypenny]

I guess I could wait with the kids while my husband parks the car. It's easier than trying to get three small kids and luggage onto the shuttle.

We're taking the 6:30am flight so I'm hoping we'll beat some of the crowds. I'm planning on getting to the airport around 5.

 

[AuntRoeRoe]

jennypenny,

The economy lot at PHL is now $8.00 per day. I hope this helps you.

 

[TZMOM]

Hi Jenny!! I've taken that early flight a few times as well. I have to admit, it is nice getting to start your vacation earlier than most, which I keep reminding myself having to get up so early.

I always tried to be in line for check-in at the airport by 5:00 a.m. at the latest. The plane is probably full so you'll have several others who think the way you do. We went to Tampa a few weeks ago and between the check-in line and the security line, we just made the flight (we arrived 2 hours before flight time.)

The only advice I can give is really try to be in line no later than 5:00 a.m. Even if you are early, at least you won't have that last minute run down the concourse.

Have a great vacation!!!

Jane