Reading Time: 3 minYou’ve probably noticed a steady climb when scoping out parking fees at your local airport. It’s not uncommon to see daily rates exceed $25, even in long-term parking areas where a shuttle is still required to get you from your vehicle to the check-in counter.
At Denver International Airport, you can shell out an eye-watering $168 per day to park at a couple of its short-term lots, which are within walking distance to the terminal. All of a sudden, that bargain you got on airfare doesn’t seem significant enough to offset the hefty parking fee.
It’s easy to default to the airport’s pricey lots, but a quick search can reveal much better deals nearby. Offsite airport lots typically cost 30–60% less than on-site parking, with savings reaching up to 70% in some cities.
If you’ve made peace with the fact that the only semi-reasonably priced long-term airport parking will require a shuttle ride from your car to the airport terminal, you should take a look around and see what offsite options are available.
In almost every instance, you can save money — and perhaps even earn rewards — by using an offsite parking shuttle service like Park-N-Go, Fast Park & Relax, Park 'N Fly, SpotHero, and The Parking Spot.
If you need to park at the airport, taking just a few minutes ahead of time to plan can save you serious money.
1. Before your next trip, open Google Maps and locate the airport you’re departing from.
2. Search for “airport parking” in the nearby area. This may surface offsite lots from companies like the ones mentioned above. These are typically located a few miles from the airport, cost less, and require a shuttle ride.
3. Click over to their respective websites to get a feel for pricing, and compare it with pricing from the airport’s website.
Few, if any, airports offer loyalty programs. However, several of the offsite parking entities allow you to register as a member.
I frequently fly from Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU), which has a Fast Park & Relax facility nearby. For over a decade I’ve leveraged their loyalty program to earn points each time I park. After stockpiling points over a series of trips, I’ve wound up with enough to generate a certificate for a week of free parking. Practically speaking, this means that a handful of business trips pays for parking on a family vacation.
For shorter 1-2 day trips, you may determine that paying a premium to park within walking distance of the airport terminal is worth it. But if you’ll be gone for an extended period of time, do your homework first. Scope out an offsite parking venue — ideally one with a loyalty program — to both save money and make progress towards valuable rewards.
