Re:parking for Buffalo airport if not spending the night before flight...

[bande]

Where do most people park for their vacation if they are not spending the night at a park and fly hotel? I am looking at the Buffalo airport long term parking but there appears to be numerous rental car places like Budget and Thrifty that also offer parking off site with a shuttle to airport. Has anyone used any of these services or do you just park at airport? Thanks for any help. We are going Feb.2-12th so more than just a weekly rate.

 

[dancin Disney style]

I've never heard of parking at the car rental place.

We always park at the airport. It's cheap and very secure. The shuttle drivers are fantastic....they will take you right to your car. Actually, you don't even need to use the shuttle, the lot is that close.

 

[BareNecessities]

Where do most people park for their vacation if they are not spending the night at a park and fly hotel? I am looking at the Buffalo airport long term parking but there appears to be numerous rental car places like Budget and Thrifty that also offer parking off site with a shuttle to airport. Has anyone used any of these services or do you just park at airport? Thanks for any help. We are going Feb.2-12th so more than just a weekly rate.

I've parked off site once - it was okay. Those lots vary by owners. I usually park in airport's B lot (long term), download a $5-$10 coupon off the airport's website, and so 1 week costs around $45. Agree with above poster....very secure, friendly and helpful drivers (only one sourpuss in many years of flying through there)! I've even parked for free in the A lot when driving someone to the airport (I think you get 1 hr - maybe 2, of free parking). Again, pretty satisfied with the airport's parking and shuttle drivers.

I remember one time when picking someone up; they had just gotten about a foot of snow....the plows were in there quick, making sure those parking lots were manageable. Shuttles to the airport's parking lots are very frequent...those that go off-site need to be called, then waited upon (hoping they won't be full before you get on). That may or may not matter to you (depending on who is traveling with you, the time of day etc). These things mattered to me as I used to travel alone with my little girl. I always felt more secure in the airport's parking lot, rather than the one or two times I used off-site lots. And if you should choose to park in a closer airport lot, and find a spot close to the walkway (I did once), then on your return, their security guy will escort you to your car if you if you feel more comfortable with that.

If you are considering an overnight stay before heading out, many hotels nearby offer free parking for one night's stay...some even include free breakfast before they'll shuttle you over to the airport.

 

[Diamondintheruff]

I've parked at the Buffalo airport many times. Definately download the coupon on the airport site. You just have to input your postal code. Here is the link.

http://www.buffaloairport.com/parking_coupon.asp

There always seem to be tons of shuttles around. So that's good in terms of safety and customer service. Once I tried to walk to the airport from my parking spot. I wanted to get the exercise cause I knew I would be sitting for so long. There must have been 5 shuttle drivers that tried to pick me up. It's not a long walk. Maybe 12 minutes depending upon where you park?

I think the service at the airport parking lot is so good that I prefer to park there even when I stay overnight.

 

[Winue]

we have also always parked in the long term lot at the airport, with no issue at all. the last thing I want to do when I get back is wait for a shuttle to take me to some hotel or something. the airport shuttle takes you right to your car.

 

[bande]

When I looked at the rates for the long term parking in Buffalo it must have been during the holidays since weekly rate was $78 and daily was $13. Now it $50/week plus $10 day for our 3 extra days. Much better rate and we can use the current coupon on the airport site since we leave and return before Feb. 15th. Thanks for all the help.

 

[Whereisalyssa]

Hey! We are from the Cambridge, ont area too
we always book a park and fly at the millennium hotel!

 

[darwinsrule]

We have used both over the years. The last couple of trips we have used the Thrifty parking lot. Secure and easy to find and the shuttle was always right there waiting for you. By pre-booking on their website the rate was approx. $7 a day.

Parking at the Airport is also convenient. Last time we used it the walk to the terminal was probably 2 min from the car. It is slightly more expensive but it isn't GTAA rates by any stretch of the imagination.

 

[maryliz]

Always park at the airport. And have been fortunate enough to always get a spot close enough to walk right from the terminal.