When it comes to navigating the world of airport parking, travelers are often faced with the age-old dilemma: short-term or long-term parking? Each option has its own set of advantages and drawbacks, making the choice a crucial decision in one’s journey. In this exploration of the nuanced world of airport parking, we will uncover the differences between short-term and long-term parking, shedding light on the factors that travelers should consider before embarking on their next adventure. Here’s everything you need to know about short-term parking vs. long-term parking. This will help you choose the kind of airport parking that suits your requirements.
Long Term Airport Parking
Long-term airport parking is for when you need to be out of the city for a week or more. You also need a parking lot to safely park your car. LAX, JFK, SFO, MIA, and most other major airports in the country offer long-term airport parking.
Long-term airport parking is much cheaper and more cost-effective than short-term airport parking. JFK long-term parking costs merely $18 per day, whereas for half an hour of short-term parking, you would be spending $4. Basically, a couple of hours of short-term parking costs as much or more than a day’s cost in long-term parking if you do the math.
Here’s the twist, though – long-term parking lots aren’t called satellite parking lots for no reason. They’re mostly located far from the airport, and you’ll have to factor in shuttling to and from the airport. That’s why a lot of people choose offsite airport parking lots for long-term parking. If you’re going to have to take a shuttle anyway, you might as well save some dollars, right?
Short-Term Airport Parking
Opting for short-term airport parking is the go-to choice when your travel itinerary spans less than a week or when you’re playing the role of a gracious chauffeur, either in picking up or bidding adieu to fellow travelers. However, convenience often comes at a price – in this case, a heftier one. Short-term airport parking tends to dent your wallet more compared to its long-term counterpart on a daily basis.
If your journey involves an overnight stay, your parking expenses may escalate beyond the daily rates offered by long-term parking options. So, be mindful of the clock and the cost when considering your parking options at the airport. JFK airport parking garages, MIA airport parking garages, and all other airports offer short-term airport parking.
How Long Is Short-Term Parking at the Airport?
That totally depends on you and how long you need to park. Here’s the deal – short-term parking charges you by the hour or, in some cases, by the minute. This makes short-term parking exorbitantly costly if you need to park for a day or more. Take JFK Airport parking, for instance. The Green, Orange, and Red Parking charge $4 for half an hour, and each additional half hour or part thereof costs $4.
Similarly, the Blue and Yellow Garages charge $4 for half an hour, and each additional half hour or part thereof costs $6. Now imagine you need JFK parking for a day or more. Do the math, and you’ll know that you’ll end up shelling out a massive amount of dollars for parking. On the other hand, long-term JFK parking at Lefferts Boulevard costs only $20 a day. Offsite JFK long-term parking lots are even cheaper, starting at just $9/day.
Renée Martin is a travel and car expert who focuses on road and air travel in the U.S. For the past 6 years, she’s been helping make driving and trip planning easier and budget-friendly for everyday travelers.
