Whenever I travel for less than two weeks, I never take a taxi to the airport. Many cities have fixed taxi rates from the airport to wherever you’re going which is often more than if they just ran the meter from point A to B (fart noise).
If you travel alone more often than not like me, you’re riding in the yellow deathbox solo, and fronting that hefty bill yourself too.
Try parking your car at the airport and save yourself some loot to spend on your travels, not a dirty cabbie’s beer addiction. Here are a few tips to save some money when getting to and from the airport.
1. Research what is the cheapest/most convenient option to park your car at the Airport
Ya, if you want to pay three bucks a day to leave your car “near the airport” then book the cheapest option you find, but make sure you check where on the map it is first. Chances are you’ll be settling for something 20 minutes away at a lot that only sends a shuttle once an hour to the airport.
Almost every airport in the US offers multiple parking options beyond the lots owned by the airport, and that means plenty of competition and low prices. Try searching “cheap airport parking (insert the city you’re checking for)” on Google to compare deals.
2. Book your airport parking online first
In a time when almost everyone does searches for local businesses and services on the web, 99% of parking lots have an internet presence and offer the ability for you to book a spot for your car before hand, and often with the benefit of “Web-Only Deals” and other promotions.
If you’re looking for cheap airport parking in the yellow pages, then 1. You probably will never find this blog or know what one is, and 2. You drive a Ford Model-T and will probably want to opt for the expensive covered lot connected to the airport anyways.
3. Traveling with 4 people? Then yes, Taxi it
If you’re traveling with a large party, then it will probably end up being cheaper for you to take a taxi to and from the airport as you can split the cost with your friends or have your parents pay for it (Sorry mom, just an opportunity cost if you want me to come home!) You also don’t have to wait for a shuttle, are picked up and dropped off door to door and will have someone put your luggage in the trunk for you (if that matters to you).
If you’re a frequent traveler, getting to the airport can start to add up, so do a little research and save yourself some $$$ and headache.
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
Most major airports also have some method of public transportation to and from the airport. Again, this is something to research on-line before you arrive at an airport exhausted from your travels. If you have time, you should even post the question on a travel site–i.e. Tripadvisor. I’ve learned some key info doing that. Public transportation is usually a reasonable option for cities—(because if you keep taking taxis that your parents paying for, you will have to support them in their old age.)
Posted by: Jeremy’s mother
Just One Boomer recently posted..Stay Tuned!
Your comment is right on schedule…What would I do without you!
Jeremy recently posted..How to Get To and From the Airport on the Cheap
Yeah really nowadays the cost of taxi are more than we expect. it’s better to plan before we reach airport, save your penny!
Sindhuja recently posted..Android Tablet
You got it Sindhuja!
Jeremy recently posted..5 Ways Your Life is Telling You it’s Time to Travel!
I pretty much exclusively take public transportation whenever I have to get to an airport. It amazes me how many people are willing to pay upwards of $15 for a cab ride when you can hop on a bus for $2.50!
Scott – Quirky Travel Guy recently posted..Quirky Attraction: The Coal House in Williamson, WV
Haha it’s true! I guess it just comes down to time and how much it’s worth it to you, how much luggage you have and if you’re down for a little adventure!
Jeremy recently posted..Top 5 Euro Road Trips
Getting to the airport is a real pain. Why do they have to build them so far away!
Sam recently posted..Hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park
Tell me about it. Miami International is actually pretty central, but i guess it just comes down to noise and real estate. JFK is annoyingly far from Manhattan.
Jeremy recently posted..Best European City Break Destinations in the Spring!
We once drove across Canada to catch a Freddy Laker $100 flight from Toronto to London. Only problem was they wanted $300 to park our van at the airport. With minutes to spare I booked it into a local garage for 5 weeks, had the muffler repaired for $50 and paid an extra $20 for ‘storage.’ Jon
Jon and Jenny Stark recently posted..Angkor Wat and the Temples of Siem Reap by Tuk Tuk
I think a lot of it depends on how important convenience is to you and how far you live from the airport. If you don’t want to waste time researching low cost parking options (after doing the same to find the cheapest possible airfare), then taking a cab might just be worth it. Of course, if you do travel regularly, finding the cheapest option would probably be worthwhile!
Johnny recently posted..Are the Angry Birds Coming to a Credit Card Near You?
I agree Johnny, if time is money for you, then hell ya convenience is a huge factor. Im just lazy sometimes and take a cab to save myself a headache.