Why Airport Parking Is So Expensive and What to Do About It?
The cost of parking at an airport has been a topic of conversation for some time now. The cost of filling a car is something that many people take great issue with, particularly when it’s priced at exorbitant amounts. Fortunately, there are ways to reduce the soaring costs associated with airport parking and still make sure that you have the best possible experience on your trip. Here are a few ideas as to how you can do this.
Managed Parking
There are many ways to manage parking at an airport, but only a few are effective enough to lower the overall cost of parking at an airport relative to the cost of a car. The first and most obvious is managed parking. Managed parking is when the airport owns and maintains the lots directly behind the terminals, and the pilots use their private planes to drop off and pick up passengers at the end of the day, for example, using Canberra airport parking rates. This type of parking is often cheaper than paying the full price for the privilege of paying for parking space. However, many other options are cheaper and less common.
Pay-Per-Hour Option
This is the most common way to manage parking at an airport. It’s family-friendly, meaning that most lots will have pay-per-hour signs posted as well as pay-per-visit or pay-per-round signs. You’ll also likely come across this option when the airport is under construction. Most nearby towns have free or reduced-cost parking lots that accept cash or credit cards. Some of the larger airports with family-friendly policies also have paid-per-hour lots where you can pick up a paying paper ticket and take the car to the lot.
Free Car Parks
Some airports also allow free car parks, where you can park your car and take the shuttle to the airport. Check the car park sign-up process to make sure you’ve booked a car park space. Most car parks have tabs that let you know how many spaces are available. When you park your car and get to the car park, look for the free shuttle that goes to the airport. Some car parks may have computers that let you park your car and take the car shuttle directly to the airport.
Paid-For Car Park
Some airports also have paid-for car parks that accept cash or credit cards. This means that you don’t have to pay the driver of the car that you park at the airport — they just get the cost of the parking space. This usually comes with a yearly fee, usually in the ballpark of $50. Pay-per-hr. car parks usually have lanes that are $50 or more per month. These are usually located near the airport.
Convenience Buys
For those who love to travel but can’t take the time to make use of paid parking spaces, there are always cheaper options. There are often few or no lines at cash-only car parks, and most don’t charge a privilege fee for parking. These places usually have lots that are about the same price as the paid-for car park, or sometimes less. These places also don’t have lanes that are $50 or more per month, so most are around $20 or less.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to reduced airport parking costs and even lower prices for car rentals, there are a few things to keep in mind. It’s important to remember that most airport parking lots are not free. It takes a lot of patience and money to park at an airport and not get a single car space left. It’s also important to remember that most parking lots have a monthly cost or privilege fee that is charged to the car park owner. The price of parking at an airport can be costly, and it doesn’t pay to be scrupulous about it. Look for cheaper parking lots, or better yet, rent a car and take the shuttle to the airport.