Where have you stayed overnight near Philly airport for early a.m. flight?

[TZMOM]

We're not heading to WDW for this year's "Jersey Week" - I decided to take my DS where he REALLY wants to go for his 16th b'day - Tampa Skatepark!! I purchased a pkg. trip from Expedia using AirTran as the airlines. Well, the departure time has changed about 3 times since I bought the package and is now 7:45 a.m. on a Wednesday from Philly.

I kinda like the idea of NOT getting up "in the 4's or 5's" w/a cranky teenager to make our flight and was wondering where others have stayed in the area. Are there any "deals" out there where you can stay one night, get a shuttle to the airport and safely leave your car for the duration of your trip? Is it safe??

Thanks for any help!!
Jane

 

[2infinityandbeyond]

Here's a recent thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=890809

I'm wondering if you'd really save enough time staying near the airport to make it worth the extra $$. Mt. Laurel to PHL is about 25 minutes.

 

[dianna112198]

We stayed at the Marriott Philadelphia International Airport which was great because it is actually connected to the airport! You don't need to wait for shuttles or anything. You just walk right over the skywalk and your there! The only downfall is that it is expensive (about $250 a night), but personally I think it's worth it

 

[Candicno]

Living on the edge of Maple Shade and Moorestown, I couldn't justify the cost of a hotel. I have taken red eye flights out of PHL and it doesn't seem worth it.

If you are smart, you will still have to be up at 5 am for a 7:45 flight. By the time you check out of the hotel, and wait for the shuttle, its not going to save you much time. The traffic isn't going to be bad that early in the morning, and it should take you somewhere around 25 minutes to get there.

The only savings you will have is the time spent parking your car. That long term parking lot is aweful! Parking there I always allow at least 1.5 hours to park my car and get to the terminal. I almost missed my flight once--it took me 2 hours to catch a bus and get over there, and that was with pushing people out of the way to get on!!

If it were me, I would A) get up early and drive myself (hey, you're already up early anyways, why not? You can sleep on the plane!), or B) take a cab to the airport and to save some time.

...good luck on finding a decent hotel rate around there too! Last time I looked those hotels were pulling in a premium!

 

[ducklite]

Stay at the Airport Hilton and you can park there for free while you are gone. We stayed there before we left on a two week vacation a few years ago, and it more than paid for itself.

Anne

 

[ZIPBAGS]

Stayed at the Sheraton Four Points a few weeks ago. Right outside the airport. Got the room, plus 10 days free long term parking for $119. Plus they have a shuttle to the airport.

 

[dvcfamily41801]

We have stayed at the Hampton Inn a couple of times. They are always so nice and they have a decent continental breakfast starting at 5am every morning. If you have to leave they will pack it in a bag for you. You have to reserve under the park and fly rate.

 

[Dopey Sharon]

I have thought about staying at a hotel near the airport also, but we're only about a half hour from the airport, so it really wouldn't save that much time.

Unless you're getting a great rate that includes free parking and a free shuttle to the airport and back, I wouldn't bother either.