Airport Parking Vs. Airport shuttle
 

In two weeks I’m flying home (Philly to Portland). I thought about asking a buddy to drive to and from the airport, but I would have to leave my place a six maybe five in the morning and don't come back until eleven at night. Plus the Philly airport is a good 40 minutes away too.

What I am debating is should I take a shuttle or should I park at the airport. If I park its going to cost me 65 bucks. I did some research on airport shuttles but all of the info that I found is pretty vague. I couldn’t really find a what the rate was, what their hours were, and if they even go to Delaware. I kind of want the flexibility of taking a later flight, I would be willing to take the extra cash or a future discounted flight.

So my question is what is your experience with Airport shuttles, do they run 24/7 are they a good deal, are your reservations with them in stone?

another option for you to consider... there are a lot of aiport hotels that will offer free parking for the week, with a single night stay - and will provide a ride tot he airport from the hotel in the am -a nd apick up on the way back - ramada's are startng to advertise this more and more...

Long term parking at some airports isn't always secure... so I wouldn't park there if you had a car stereo or anything you might be concered about losing.

The problem I've found with airport shuttles is that it takes too long - I used them once - and i was on the shuttle about 4 hours before my flight because t had other pick ups -and had to wait for other people to get on the shuttle... I'd much rather take a cab...

I was going to plug a site here, but I can't find the damned thing. Anyway, I used a website that specialized in park-and-fly rates, and saved about 33% off of the other rates I could find. I was flying out of Newark, and had my choice of about 10 hotels. The only catch is, it is non-refundable, and they send you a physical coupon that you give to the front desk as payment, so don't lose it. I highly recommend it.

If I am flying on business, my office pays for the taxi to the airport.

If I am flying personal I either take a taxi or park at the Park 'n' Fly. If the flight is overnight or just a couple of days away, it is cheaper to use Park 'n' Fly. If the flight is going to be over a week it is cheaper to take a cab (about $45 each way).

Take the bus

Get your buddy to drive you and take him out to dinner or buy him a case of beer when you get back. Bring something back for him too. It'll be a little cheaper and most friends don't mind doing it.

Have you considered Septa? Can your buddy take you to a train station and then you take that line to Center City and then to the 1? It takes a while, but it's cheap (like 7 bucks). If you're going to park at the airport, may I suggest ExpressPark? I always park there when I fly out of Philly. One time I accidentally left my car unlocked for a week; when I got back, nothing was missing. Plus the drivers are friendly and the prices are on par with the rest of the extended lots.

That sounds like the best plan. I'm defiantly going to take a look at that today.
If you remember that site, let me know.Cab, would be way to expensive. Its a good 40 miles one way, thanks though.I doubt there is a bus that runs from the airport to my town in another state at 11 at night.That was the original plan I had, but it still a lot to ask of a buddy to get up at 5 in the mornin' and pick me up a week later at eleven at night.


I’m leaning towards what Mal said, if not I think I'll take my chances with the long term parking. The shuttle doesn’t sound like a real good idea. Keep them coming if you have any other comments, and thanks again for helping me out.


Thats a great idea. We have a train station, across the street in Wilmington where I work. Im going to check out the hours they run, thanks Kadath

I think it's Flightline that's the national brand shuttle... give them a call and see what they'd charge you... I know where I was - it was no bargain, I lived 25 minutes from Newark Airport, but they insisted I be in the van 4 hours before because they had other people to pick up... and it wasn't cheaper than a cab...

Here in Atlanta we have a ton of off site parking with shuttles to the airport. They are cheaper and much more convenient than the official airport lots. I have used a number of them and have never had a problem. One is even associated with a kennel and you can park for free if you board your pet. I wish I had thought of that one.

check out this place...

http://www.pnfnetwork.com/

reserved parking and shuttle to airport... handy for when the airport lots are packed!

I always use offsite parking (in Newark, I use Vista). You park, pay about $40 for the car to sit in a secured lot and they take you back and forth, get your bags....and it's 24 hours service. I'm sure there's plenty of those around Philly International.
Mal's idea is a good one-you don't have to get up that much earlier to get to Philly and there's loads of hotels around its perimeters. Plus by getting there the night before, you don't have to have an expected traffic incident wrecking your timing.