Philadelphia airport Long term parking

[penguin087]

I'm planning a short 3 day trip in May. Normally I get a limo service to the airport but I am thinking of just driving myself to the air port to save a few bucks. Has anyone ever used long term parking in Philly and how did all that go? Is it easy to get to the gate and where do I go to check my bags? I'm used to curb side check in. If anyone could explain as if I were a 3 year old I would be greatful

 

[momtoBrandon&Jacob]

This is what I used when I flew from PHL to Chicago a couple months ago. It was wonderful, easy, and afforddable (even though my company was paying for it). You just park your car either indoor or outdoor and a shuttle meets you within seconds and takes you directly to your gate. When you return, you go outside from baggage claim and the shuttle picks you up within minutes. So convenient and efficient! http://www.preflightparking.com/PHL.aspx

Don't forget to print the coupon!

 

[pixiechick]

I'm planning a short 3 day trip in May. Normally I get a limo service to the airport but I am thinking of just driving myself to the air port to save a few bucks. Has anyone ever used long term parking in Philly and how did all that go? Is it easy to get to the gate and where do I go to check my bags? I'm used to curb side check in. If anyone could explain as if I were a 3 year old I would be greatful

Okay, 3 year old, here ya go...

Drive to the airport, take the regular exit off of 95. Head towards Arrivals. When you get past the arrival/departure issue, stay to your left towards the parking garages. At that point stay in your right lane. Depending upon which airline/terminal you're using, you will enter the garage for your terminal. There is an entrance for A-F. Take your ticket, park your car, and head to the elevators. Garage level 1 is the same level as security. If you need to check luggage, you need to go down.
It is easy. When you exit, you will be able to get on 95 very quickly. $17 a day.

 

[Lady Lady]

I use Winner Airport Parking to park at the Philadelphia Airport.

For 3 reasons:
1. They use your car to take you to the airport and take you back to the lot. For 10.00 extra you are able to leave directly from the airport.

No need to drag your luggage onto a shuttle. (Which economy parking and other off-site parking lots do.)

2. They cost less than economy parking.

I use longtermparking.com to make reservations for Winner Airport Parking. I get a coupon for $6.89 for 24 hours. Philadelphia Airport Economy Parking is $9.00 per day.

3. Short wait to leave the airport. Only the time it takes to drive your car from the lot. At the airport I have waited from 10 minutes to an hour for the economy shuttle to come.

 

[penguin087]

Thank you all.
It sounds like even I can figure this out. I don't know why I never did this before.

 

[iluvepcot]

Whenever we fly out of Philly we are flying sw. Therefore we are using terminal E. After terminal E is F, then longterm parking lot. My husband drops us off and then walks to LT parking. On the reverse, He goes to pick up the car walking while we pick up the luggage. The reason he walks is the Lt buses are so slow. I'm not sure if Philly has enough buses or if they are just so slow. You can walk and not one bus will pass by. The parking lot is close enough in E not sure that would work with other terminals.

 

[EllenJ]

We arrived at the Philly airport (from CT) at noon this past Saturday and the long term lot was full. Since we were parking for 10 days, I didnt want to pay $16 a day for the garage. The security guard was helpful and send me to a private lot south of the airport. Unfortunately when I got there, they only take reservations and they were full. The nice gal at the desk gave me a coupon for 25% off and directions to their lot on the north side of the airport.
The name of the company was Fast Track (formerly Avistar). We use them at Bradley airport in CT. Their shuttle to the airport was quick. We will see how good they are on the way back.
Luckily we were at the airport with 3 hours to spare as we were sure how bad the Presidents Day weekend traffic would be. So I wasnt in a panic.
As long as you are not going on a peak period, you should be fine with the long term lot but know that you have a lot of other choices.

 

[momtoBrandon&Jacob]

We arrived at the Philly airport (from CT) at noon this past Saturday and the long term lot was full. Since we were parking for 10 days, I didnt want to pay $16 a day for the garage. The security guard was helpful and send me to a private lot south of the airport. Unfortunately when I got there, they only take reservations and they were full. The nice gal at the desk gave me a coupon for 25% off and directions to their lot on the north side of the airport.
The name of the company was Fast Track (formerly Avistar). We use them at Bradley airport in CT. Their shuttle to the airport was quick. We will see how good they are on the way back.
Luckily we were at the airport with 3 hours to spare as we were sure how bad the Presidents Day weekend traffic would be. So I wasnt in a panic.
As long as you are not going on a peak period, you should be fine with the long term lot but know that you have a lot of other choices.

I agree with this. From what I hear, the long term lots are always full and you have to drive and drive to find a spot - not knowing if there even is one. Plus, $17 a day is a total ripoff.

 

[pamjb]

Another thumbs up for Winner. I had previously used the Economy lot at PHL. We waiting 25 minutes for the shuttle to pick us up in the lot. When we returned from MCO, we waited 20 minutes for the bus from the terminal, then there was another 10 minute ride to our "spot".
I just used Winner last weekend. I called them as soon as I had my luggage. I paid the $10 extra to leave directly from the airport. We were on the road home within 10 minutes. My car was warm and the driver even turned my heated seats on.

Here is a link to the coupon at longtermparking.com

http://www.longtermparking.com/COUPONS/cpwinnerphl2.htm

The parking garages (closest to the terminal) at PHL are $17 a day. The economy lot is $9 a day, and even finding a spot there can be a "real treat"

http://www.phl.org/directions.html

 

[CPT Tripss]

I would recommend making reservations at one of the off-airport parking companies. Their rates are competitive with the airport economy lot, much less expensive than the parking garages, and their service/shuttle frequency is superior to the airport economy lot . . . you don't want to schlepp luggage on the airport's parking shuttle.
AAA has discounts with some of the parking places, others advertise in the Sunday paper travel section, and there are often coupons in coupon paks that come in the mail . . . no need to pay retail.
pamjb is referring to Winner's "valet" service. You stop at thier site, check in and confirm arrangements. Then, rather than a shuttle, they drive you and your luggage to the airport. On return, you call, they come to the airport with your car and you drive home dorectly from the airport.

 

[loriandmatt]

we always park with an offsite company - either winner (as a few others have mentioned) or pacifico. both will drop you off/pick you up in your own car. winner even offers (for an extra charge) the option to pay at your car so you just leave in your own car from the airport upon your return to philly. (no need to go back to their office and settle up the bill)

both are very reliable, convenient and inexpensive. (be sure to bring a few bucks to tip your driver)

we have also had problems with the airports long term lot being full. you won't want to arrive there and deal with the stress of finding another offsite lot and still make your flights.

 

[mariaJ.]

This is what I used when I flew from PHL to Chicago a couple months ago. It was wonderful, easy, and afforddable (even though my company was paying for it). You just park your car either indoor or outdoor and a shuttle meets you within seconds and takes you directly to your gate. When you return, you go outside from baggage claim and the shuttle picks you up within minutes. So convenient and efficient! http://www.preflightparking.com/PHL.aspx

Don't forget to print the coupon!

We also used PreFlight this past Feb 2-9 and had a great experience. The drivers help with the suitcases on both ends of the trip (we gave a small tip). Even tho' the airport was a ghost town the Sat evening we came back, I watched and saw the shuttles driving by while we waited for our luggage every 5 minutes as promised in their promotional materials. With the coupon it was about $68 for 8 1/2 days of parking. Good luck.