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.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 900at
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.
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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.
Quote:
Originally Posted by elron938
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.
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.
