White Plains (westchester) Airport

[Lisa06468]

A previous post had me intrigued into looking into WP airport instead of Bradley. I checked their website and it says they dont have much parking. What do those that use this airport do? Do you have someone drop you off and pick you up? We're coming from CT so we dont have anyone that would do that - nor anyone that has a big enough car to fit us all. Has anyone been able to leave their car there? I was actually thinking of renting a car to get there, then rent a car to get back? Cant think of any other way to do it.

 

[lghost]

The airport is so convenient for me (one exit away) but the only downside is the parking situation.

I am taking a car service to the airport. I never thought about renting a car but I imagine it could be just as expensive as car service. Also, the parking lot fees are approx $21 a day so after a week, it adds up.

I thought that there was a shuttle service they were testing...check the website...http://www.whiteplainsairport.com/

 

[Lisa06468]

I was thinking of doing one way rentals - drop off at the airport on the way out, then pick up on the way in and drop off close to home. That way we dont pay for parking fees (otherwise we'd take our own car but thats a risk if theres not much parking). Maybe I'll call around to the rental agencies and see if thats possible and how much it would be.

 

[rdevine10]

Hi

We ususally have someone drive us there, but, we have parked there and it IS costly! We have never had an issue with not getting a spot (but dont travel during peak times (holidays, school vacations, etc).

 

[ruddydvc]

We also live in CT and have used White Plains twice now for Orlando. I would definitely consider having someone drive and drop off or use a car service. Depending on the length or your stay, the car service will probably be more cost effective. The parking there is extremely limited. Once when traveling alone on business I got shut out of the parking lot. I was able to drive to a nearby hotel and take a cab but I wouldn't risk that again.

If you can work out the transportation, HPN is a beautiful way to go.

 

[Phelpsie70]

Have you considered driving to Newburgh NY and flying out of Stewart airport? I live right near Bradley, but we have gone to Orlando from Newburgh twice now. It is straight down I-84 to Newburgh, a very easy 1 1/2 hour ride from the Bradley area. They had plenty of parking for around 50 bucks for the week. We flew jet Blue and got great airfare. They also have Air Tran. We are flying out of Bradley next month because my parents and sister are with us and they preferred to fly out of our home airport, but I would do Newburgh again in a heartbeat.

 

[Lisa06468]

We're in Monroe, on the Shelton & Trumbull side. I think Newburgh might be too far, but I'll look in to it for sure. Thanks for that tip.

RUDDYCDVC - which car service did you use?

Gotta say this board is great information! DH hates driving to bradley, so Im glad I found alternatives thanks to everyone here.

 

[UConnJack]

I have flown out of Newburgh, and for reference, it is about 45 min from Danbury. Great small airport, easy access, with cheap parking close.

I am flying out of Whitre Plains (HPN) in April for the first time and also had reservations about the parking situation. From what I understand, however, is that the La Quinta hotel in Armonk (about 10 minutes away) allows airport parking for about $10 per day with airport shuttle. It also has a stay and fly package which includes a room the night before your flight with 10 day parking.

 

[Lisa06468]

Thank you, yeah, I thought Newburgh would be too far for us. I'll check into the laquinta too.

 

[CTtwins]

Last year we flew out of Westchester for our May trip to Disney. I like it there, it can be incredibly handy.. right off the parkway. Parking was not an issue for us, but I did not see you mention when your trip was.... In the past I used that airport (pre-kids) when I flew on business, also never had an issue with parking. There is a large parking garage which is directly next to the terminal. As others mentioned, the cost to park is steep, the prices are posted on the airport's web site.. but I do recall paying around $220 for our 8 day trip.

One thing no one did mention - is that because the airport is smaller, the services are limited... good and bad... depends on what you need. With our 3 kids last year, it was kind of tough. There was no McD's for breakfast (like Bradley has) there was no seating while waiting to board (it was too crowded... even for us to manuver the stroller) and you have to walk out to get on the plane... no biggie for some people, but these could be an issue for others (especially in cold/yucky weather).

Last issue we had, when returning there was another airplane *broken down* but still using the airplane stairs, and they would not let them go! We had to wait on the plane for 45 minutes while JetBlue went crazy and finally got the airport to give us the stairs. This was just after JetBlue had other issues with holding people on planes (I don't remember the specifics) and they worked hard to get us help. We also got a $25 voucher/per ticket, for having to wait. It's probably very rare, but with a smaller airport... getting stuck without a gate made us really stuck.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[Lisa06468]

Thank you CTTwins. (BTW, our twins are 12!) Our trip is oct 4-12. My aunt has used this airport quite frequently and loves it, but she has someone drop her off so she doesnt have the parking problems. $220 is a lot to park, holy cow. Someone mentioned the stay and go at the hotel, I looked into that and it was only $119 ($89 with AAA discount) - so thats much cheaper. But we're thinking of asking our neighbor if he could drive us. I guess I'll decide on who has the better airfare rates. DH really doesnt like going to bradley so we may give Westchester a try. Thanks for the info on the delays/getting stuck. Good to know.

 

[mapman25]

We also live in the Hartford area, and flew out of White Plains over February vacation as the prices were much better. We were worried about parking, so we stayed at LaQuinta the night before. For $119, we got lodging [very adequate, like a 'soccer tournament hotel' when we did that years ago] and 7 nights parking. That was cheaper than parking alone would have been if we could have found space at HPN. By the way, Armonk is a cute little town with nice places for dinner and/or breakfast/lunch before you check out of La Quinta.

 

[Lisa06468]

Mapman - can you tell me more? I booked a room at the LaQ for the night before we leave in Oct, the stay and go like you did. There are 5 of us. They said we'd fit in the 2 double bed room. Im guessing DH will have to sleep on a chair? Is the parking secure, you didnt have any problems leaving your car there? Did you have to call the hotel on your return for the shuttle back to the hotel?

 

[lghost]

I actually live in Armonk and I would be shocked to hear of any security issues with regard to leaving your car. This is a pretty quiet town and Armonk is a fairly upscale community.

The hotel itself is located within a corporate park just of I684. It sits on another major road, route 22 so there is good visibility and your car would most likely be in full view.

Funny, this little hotel is getting a new life thanks to Airtran and JetBlue flying to Orlando!

If you have any questions about dining etc feel free to PM.

 

[If U Had Wings]

I flew out of HPN for the first time last October and loved it. It's closer to my home and I loved how quickly I got out of the airport when we landed. I think after we landed I was meeting my ride a mere 15 minutes later. So much less stressful than Bradley or one of the big NY airports. Of course I had family members to give me a ride which made it much easier.

This year I'm planning on going to Disney with those same family members so we are weighing out the costs of Bradley vs. White Plains. Does anyone know how early the shuttle runs from the La Quinta hotel? We usually like to catch an early flight and was wondering if this would be a problem. Also do you need to stay there overnight or can you just pay to park?

 

[kritter]

Was curious about the La Quinta. Do they have a website??

We have flown Airtran and JetBlue out of White Plains a few times and it was Great. The airport had to cancel flights one time due to fog~~since it is a small airport you may have those problems.....!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Lisa06468]

Go to www.lq.com and put in armonk, ny. The stay and go package is $119 for one night, up to 10 days free parking, and free shuttle service to the airport.

 

[MrMarv]

According to an article in the WSJ earlier this week, the NYC Port Authority, which runs all three major NY-area airports, is planning to spend millions of dollars in upgrades at Stewart Airport for parking and the like to help relieve overcrowding at JFK, LGA & EWR.

One key issue would have to be will any carriers increase service out of there once those improvements are made?

 

[monorailsilver]

My father is driving us so I am no help. They live in Trumbull & I don't (anymore, sniff, sniff).

It was either stay at my parents house for free & have my father drive us the next am(dh, me & the 3 kids) to/from the airport or pay close to $500 more plus pay for parking at Bradley. Bradley is about 45 min from us as we are a town up from LI Sound bordering the CT River.

So it was a no brainer. If something does & my father can't drive us I know there are options.

I keep forgetting to take my parents phone book & look for limo companys to compare prices from their house, not mine.

FYI, I looked at renting a car from Tweed & it was more costly so I think the hotel idea is a good one & I bet you will still save $$$ vs flying out of Bradley.

 

[Lisa06468]

My father is driving us so I am no help. They live in Trumbull & I don't (anymore, sniff, sniff).

It was either stay at my parents house for free & have my father drive us the next am(dh, me & the 3 kids) to/from the airport or pay close to $500 more plus pay for parking at Bradley. Bradley is about 45 min from us as we are a town up from LI Sound bordering the CT River.

So it was a no brainer. If something does & my father can't drive us I know there are options.

I keep forgetting to take my parents phone book & look for limo companys to compare prices from their house, not mine.

FYI, I looked at renting a car from Tweed & it was more costly so I think the hotel idea is a good one & I bet you will still save $$$ vs flying out of Bradley.

I called one limo company and was quoted $160 EACH way, and we're in Monroe. So, I didnt call any others, figured it be the same. Needless to say, the stay and go is our best option since we dont have anyone with a big enough car to drive us all and I dont want to have to rely on someone to pick us up.