I'm flying from BWI on Christmas Day and leaving my car there for 6 days. I usually fly out of PHL, so on one hand BWI's parking rates seem cheap by comparison, but on the other hand, I'm not familiar with the different lots and private options. I've seen some threads on some private parking recommending places like Airport Fast Park and Econo Park, but those threads mainly commented on cost and service, not time.

Because I'm paranoid about the long check-in times at that time of year, I want to minimize the time it takes to get from parking to the terminal. Other than the hourly lot, what's the best option for ease/speed of getting to the terminal? It seems like the daily garage still requires a shuttle? Is it still faster to get to the airport from the daily garage than from the private lots? Which are the fastest options?

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With the paranoia you are professing, it sounds like a stay and park deal would serve you best. I prefer those off site lots you mention if I was parking at the airport

Christmas day usually isn't quite as busy as the days before and after as everyone has usually gotten to their destination for the holiday already. This year, with all the flight cancellations due to snow, may be different.

But yes, the daily garage does require a shuttle to the terminal. The waits there usually aren't too bad. The economy parking lots at BWI are way out, and the shuttle wait times can be long - especially upon your return.

Not only are their prices and service much better, but I've always found Airport Fast Park much quicker as well. As soon as you pull into your parking space a shuttle bus will appear - usually within seconds. And they also seem to circle the baggage claim area much more frequently - making it quicker upon your return. Here's a link for some coupons with them.

https://www.airportfastpark.com/BaltimoreMap.aspx

Only catch - over the holidays their lots are closed to people who don't belong to their frequent parker club. You can go online and join it.

I use them when we fly from BWI (not our normal airport) and they are very good and the shuttles run frequently, as gtownguy says.

I use Preflight Parking, some type of operation as the other(s) mentioned. You can print a discount coupon off their web site, and also make a reservation if you're the paranoid type who doesn't want to risk finding the "full" sign out when you arrive.

Like the other off-site locations, they follow you to your parking row in the shuttle on arrival. I'm usually at the terminal within 10 minutes of arriving at the lot.

http://www.preflightparking.com/BWI.aspx

Looks like I might be too late to take advantage of Preflight and Airport Fast Park. Preflight says that they are no longer taking reservations for Christmas and that it's too late to join their frequent parker program. Airport Fast Park's website says that they only guarantee parking to members of frequent parker programs if you park 2 days before the holiday. Guess my only choice might be the airport parking? Hopefully they have availability.

For the most up-to-date parking information, please listen to radio station 1040 AM as you approach the terminal.

Most likely the close-in lots will be full, so just give yourself a few extra minutes to park and to wait for the shuttle and you should be fine.

Don't worry - you'll find a parking space. Just don't expect anything close-in.

Thanks for all the advice, especially the advice to listen to 1040AM coming in to the airport. It turned out that all of the daily and express lots were full (according to the radio) so they had a discounted rate in the hourly garage of $12 (or maybe it was $14, I can't remember for sure) a day. We were able to park and walk right into the terminal.

My husband's got a nice car & will be travelling out of BWI in late May. Is there covered parking with 24 hour security? Valet would be ok. In other cities, sometimes hotels will offer this to the public (albeit at a premium rate). Do they in nearby BWI hotels?

I called Park'N Fly (used to be Park'N Go) but seems they don't offer covered parking. Any suggestions?

How about the Daily Garage at BWI?

http://www.bwiairport.com/en/parking...s/daily-garage

I don't think any of the hotels near BWI have actual parking garages. Think they all just have surface parking lots.

Thanks for the BWI Daily Garage tip. Do you know if cars are safe parked for about a week there?

i do not think there is any supervision or security at the bwi garages. there are a lot of lost souls wandering the garage, either looking for trouble or their car.

any one wandering around the parknride type lots is going to be stopped and questioned, as one is delivered to one's car.

thanks all for the quick response; i've become a big flyertalk fan

i had to make a decision and found a hotel w/max 10 days free garage parking w/one night stay. hubby has early flight & wanted to avoid rush hour traffic (we're an hour away) so it all worked out. i'm thinking jer's insight to park'n rides questioning any stragglers in the lots is a great tip. next time!

Other tip: Park at a light rail station (Timonium if you're coming from the north, Linthicum or BWI Business District if south). Parking is free -- nobody really minds if you park there and nobody is really going to bother you, if you're just gone a few days. Just pay the $1.60 each way. And remember to lock up. The train will drop you within spitting distance of the international terminal.

If I recall the small parking lot at the BWI Business District station has clearly posted signs that say "No Parking 1 am - 5 am".