US Airways Dividend Miles (Pre-FlightFund Merger) - Looking for cheap parking at PHL

I'm looking for cheap parking at/or near PHL leaving Christmas Day for about a week. Does anybody know one that may be more reliable than another and that may give a discount AAA,AARP,Senior Citizen,Government or match another competitors price or coupon ;) ? Thanks.

Define "cheap". How much are you willing to pay per day?

I would guess something like say $6-8 a day or weekly rate. I'm not knowledgeable of parking at PHL .

I use these guys sometimes and I think it's $8/day outside (vs. in the garage). The shuttle comes right to your car to pick you up and it's five mins max to the airport. They're very responsive to your call to be picked up and deliver you right back to your car. I've never had to wait for a shuttle on either end and never showed up to find there's no spaces available. Easy access from the highway.

http://www.ampcoexpress.com/locations/phl.htm#_self

PS I'm not at all affiliated with this place.

Try Avistar at avistarparking.com

I am not affiliated also, I use them sometimes out of Philly and Newark. There may be a small annual fee, but you make it up in some coupons, I think I pay about $5 a day with them, over the long haul. Maybe that's not best for you. I've had good service, but YMMV like any of these deals.

I have to say, probably not much cheaper than Philly's own long term parking-- it's been a while since I've used that I think it's still 8 bucks a day.

I think what you really mean is for a week or more, you don't want to pay $50 or even more.

In that case, make sure you don't care too much about your car, and there are plenty of places you can park for free close to some of the regional rail lines and take the train to and from your car.

This is only if time is less important than cost-- depending where you are coming from it's a good option.

If I'm paying and it's over a week or so, I just slide my old '85 Delta 88 up against a curb somewhere, wish 'er well, and off I go.

So far, she's always been there when I get back.

Cheers!

-- If you know what direction you're coming from, I'm sure some of the Philly people have favorite free streetside parking close to regional rail they can tell you about.

I park at Avistar if nothing else, and i enjoy speaking french with the bus drivers who speak Creole French (they are from Haiti). They are really nice and I see them constantly throughout the year.

Chris

http://www.dgroff.com/philadelphia.htm

scroll to the end. I have been using SmartPark for years and think they are the best by far.

I used http://www.priorityairportparking.com/ for $7.98 a day. As we found out, it's valet required (ie you have to valet, no self-park) and you have to call to get a pickup, but otherwise the service was fine.

I have to say, probably not much cheaper than Philly's own long term parking-- it's been a while since I've used that I think it's still 8 bucks a day.


Do yourself a favor and do NOT use PHL's own long-term parking. Shuttle service is very slow and pick up and drop off are not at your car but at "bus stops" throughout the lot.

Regardless of what off-site parking lot you use, it will still be much faster than parking on site and counting on the PHL services.

One time--the last time--the driver pulled over to the side of the road and left the bus to walk across the road and talk to another driver, leaving us there for ten minutes with no explanation whatsoever.

Do yourself a favor and do NOT use PHL's own long-term parking. Shuttle service is very slow and pick up and drop off are not at your car but at "bus stops" throughout the lot.

Regardless of what off-site parking lot you use, it will still be much faster than parking on site and counting on the PHL services.

One time--the last time--the driver pulled over to the side of the road and left the bus to walk across the road and talk to another driver, leaving us there for ten minutes with no explanation whatsoever.

Wow...that all seems pretty harsh. I've only flown out of PHL a few times, and each time I've parked in the on-site long term parking. Never a problem with the shuttle bus to or from the terminal. My most recent experience was this past Sunday in fact, and it was less than 5 minute wait in either direction. And for $8/day, I'm okay with that! Maybe I'm a bit biased, however, when I pay $15/day for LGA Avistar or $24/day for LGA on-site parking. Yet another reason to drive down to PHL for my personal travel...

http://www.colonialparking.com/coupon.html

$7.50 /day total (i.e., with tax and all)... Great facilities and prompt pickup. On Rt 291 across from Priority Park.

I usually park at the Ramada Park & Jet on 291. They have a shuttle which picks you up right at your car. They have always been reliable and friendly, and come to pick you up within 5 minutes of calling.

Best of all it's only $5.95/day, using this coupon (http://www.longtermparking.com/COUPONS/cpramadaphl.htm).

Agreed with markbach. I park at the Ramada when I drive to PHL (I usually take SEPTA). I have never had a problem with my car when I returned, shuttles were fast and convenient, and pick you up and drop you off at your car.

Try this link they even have a free parking offer.

http://www.usairways.com/shopping/home.htm

Do any SEPTA stations offer free parking (or free unrestricted on-street parking nearby)? If so, that'd likely be the cheapest way to park for a weeklong trip out of PHL.

I've saved hundreds of dollars by parking on local Arlington, VA streets when flying out of DCA; there's ample on-street parking within a 10-minute walk of the Rosslyn and Clarendon Metro stations, both a quick ride from the airport.

Do any SEPTA stations offer free parking (or free unrestricted on-street parking nearby)? If so, that'd likely be the cheapest way to park for a weeklong trip out of PHL.

I've saved hundreds of dollars by parking on local Arlington, VA streets when flying out of DCA; there's ample on-street parking within a 10-minute walk of the Rosslyn and Clarendon Metro stations, both a quick ride from the airport.


Officially, SEPTA does not allow overnight parking at their regional rail lots. Also, without a monthly pass, I dont know how you would put the 50 cents in the box each day. Obviously, off-street parking would be different.

I believe you can park at the Eastwick station (closest to the airport) that is the last stop before the airport on the R1 line for free. Of course now, when I try and confirm my information and go to Septa's site - it's down. :td:

Officially, SEPTA does not allow overnight parking at their regional rail lots. Also, without a monthly pass, I dont know how you would put the 50 cents in the box each day. Obviously, off-street parking would be different.

They must have changed their policy. Two years ago I parked at a Regional Rail Lot (Radnor) without any problem. I called SEPTA and they told me to place an envelope in the back of the Pay Slot with my slot number and the right amout of money to cover the number of days that my car would be there.

Personally, I would worry about the safety of my car if I were to park on the street for long periods of time. The last thing I want to worry about when traveling is whether my car will still be there when I return. Just my opinion.

LAX

Regarding parking at a Regional Rail station -- I was wrong.

See: http://www.septa.com/service/parking/overnight.html

SEPTA allows overnight parking at many Regional Rail stations. Riders must notify the Parking Department at 215-580-3400 one day in advance. Overnight customers must park in designated daily fee lots and submit the following information on the front of an envelope placed in the rear of the slot box:
• Parking space number
• Car description make/color, including license plate number
• Number of days parking

If you are parking at a facility with an electronic revenue collection device (Ambler, FTC, Fern Rock, and 69th Street Terminal), pay the fees for the number of days you will be parking and place the receipts on the dashboard.

Overnight parking is not permitted at Ardmore, Bryn Mawr, Downingtown, Doylestown, Elkins Park, Haverford, Overbrook, Swarthmore and Villanova Stations.

Cars parked illegally are subject to towing at owner's expense.

For additional information on overnight parking procedures, call 215-580-3400 between 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.

Regarding parking at a Regional Rail station -- I was wrong.

See: http://www.septa.com/service/parking/overnight.html

SEPTA allows overnight parking at many Regional Rail stations. Riders must notify the Parking Department at 215-580-3400 one day in advance. Overnight customers must park in designated daily fee lots and submit the following information on the front of an envelope placed in the rear of the slot box:
• Parking space number
• Car description make/color, including license plate number
• Number of days parking

If you are parking at a facility with an electronic revenue collection device (Ambler, FTC, Fern Rock, and 69th Street Terminal), pay the fees for the number of days you will be parking and place the receipts on the dashboard.

Overnight parking is not permitted at Ardmore, Bryn Mawr, Downingtown, Doylestown, Elkins Park, Haverford, Overbrook, Swarthmore and Villanova Stations.

Cars parked illegally are subject to towing at owner's expense.

For additional information on overnight parking procedures, call 215-580-3400 between 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.


Thats what I did. ^

At my regional rail station (Langhorne on the R3 line) the parking is $1.00 per day, not 50 cents. Not sure if this is the case systemwide or only in certain stations.

If you are parking at a facility with an electronic revenue collection device (Ambler, FTC, Fern Rock, and 69th Street Terminal), pay the fees for the number of days you will be parking and place the receipts on the dashboard.

This could be a thief's dream come true - look at the dashboard and find out the guy is out of town for 6 days. Break in to the car then go rob his house with the info you find inside.

Better to do it at one of the stations where your length of stay info is tucked into a box. Then only the SEPTA employees know it's safe to rob you.

Try this link as well: http://www.longtermparking.com/penn.htm

Bob

I use Colonial too. For frequent visitors, they issue a small card (about the size of a business card). Each stay gets a "punch" and after 10 you get to park for up to 5 days free. They will deduct 5 days of charges from longer stays if you prefer. Used to be a one time unlimited day stay but it's now 5 days. Still good for those family trips that are not expensed.



http://www.colonialparking.com/coupon.html

$7.50 /day total (i.e., with tax and all)... Great facilities and prompt pickup. On Rt 291 across from Priority Park.

I use Colonial too. For frequent visitors, they issue a small card (about the size of a business card). Each stay gets a "punch" and after 10 you get to park for up to 5 days free. They will deduct 5 days of charges from longer stays if you prefer. Used to be a one time unlimited day stay but it's now 5 days. Still good for those family trips that are not expensed.Just a few clarifications, as I'm a Colonial loyalist, too. First, it's 8 paid stays until you get the free 5 days (The punches are for each letter in COLONIAL). Also, while you can use the card to get 5 days off from a longer stay, you're not allowed to use the $7.50 coupon for the remaining days (standard rate is $8.50). You also cannot use two cards to deduct 10 days from a stay.

Ah, you've found out I can't count early in the morning <G>! It is 8 as you mentioned.

As for the $7.50, they have lots of agreements with local PHL area companies that eliminate the need for the coupon and still allow the card plus $7.50 days.


Just a few clarifications, as I'm a Colonial loyalist, too. First, it's 8 paid stays until you get the free 5 days (The punches are for each letter in COLONIAL). Also, while you can use the card to get 5 days off from a longer stay, you're not allowed to use the $7.50 coupon for the remaining days (standard rate is $8.50). You also cannot use two cards to deduct 10 days from a stay.

At my regional rail station (Langhorne on the R3 line) the parking is $1.00 per day, not 50 cents. Not sure if this is the case systemwide or only in certain stations.

Its $1.00 system wide.

Personally, I would worry about the safety of my car if I were to park on the street for long periods of time. The last thing I want to worry about when traveling is whether my car will still be there when I return. Just my opinion.

LAX

I drive a 7-year-old car (with beat-up bumpers from several years of parallel parking in NYC) so I don't worry about parking it on the street for several days. I wouldn't leave it in Southeast DC, but the neighborhoods in Arlington, VA that I park in when flying out of DCA are quite safe.

As for Philly, I'd think most of the suburban SEPTA rail stations are in equally safe neighborhoods.