Airport Parking sites

[Romer]

In my normal engineer way, I built a spread sheet to evaluate Airport Parking sites. For short trips I just park in the airport Garage. When I worked it was always the airport garage. I have also been using Uber back and forth, but due to other logistics, that just isnt practical for this trip.

Looking at reviews it looks like they all have issues with their shuttles, mostly from Pickup at the airport. Common issue is long shuttle return rate which cause more people than can fit in a shuttle to line up further causing delays. Yet sometimes everything runs like clockwork, seems to be luck of the draw at someplaces.

The best reviews seem to be for Wally Park and Fine Parking. Wally Park is outside and Fine Parking is way more expsensive, but it is inside

I wanted at least covered parking with this intense heat and potential Hail

If all things were equal, ParkDia is covered, secured and also the closest which makes for a shorter shuttle ride


Anyone have any recent input?

 

[timmbuck2]

My 2 cents, the a line is usually pretty darn reliable and comfy. And beats driving pena Blvd! But Robin lives near an a line stop so it is a no brainer for us.

When I traveled for work it was always the garage for me, too!

 

[justcruisin]

I have used the covered parking at ParkDIA a few times. Never any issues. I've also used Park2Jet once, when ParkDIA was full- and would NOT recommend it.

 

[mcgaskins]

My PSA - if you have catalytic convertors, don't park at any of the airport lots. Ask me how I know.

 

[MarkEva]

I always liked Park DIA. Covered in the Summer.

 

[Romer]

I always liked Park DIA. Covered in the Summer.

Thanks everyone so far for the input. That is how I am leaning

I figured I would post this as it may help someone else navigate airport parking. I definitly don't want to park at the airport satillite lots like Pikes Peak as too much crime there

 

[LARGEONE]

My PSA - if you have catalytic convertors, don't park at any of the airport lots. Ask me how I know.

I’ll add the bus parking as well, although I am now very thankful for my brand new and shiny manifold back exhaust system! The bus costs me $10 each way to the airport, no stops for me. But I won’t ride it unless I have someone to drop me at the Flatiron Mall bus stop.

 

[CardinalFJ60]

I’m a WallyPark user, used to travel a lot. It’s fine, and will agree most return parking shuttle schedules suck. Perhaps somewhat of a tactic to increase parking fees if they make you later than your reservation ?

 

[Hulk]

We used USAirport Parking for years. A few years ago, they got bought by the Parking Spot and turned to shit. Since then, we've been ParkDIA all the way.

 

[subzali]

We have used Parking Spot a few times…thought it was fine. Last big trip was worried about hail so used Canopy Parking. Seemed fine. But maybe I should shop around more per the suggestions made above.

I usually do Economy West for quick work trips. Used to do Pikes Peak but tired of riding that bus.

 

[wesintl]

ParkDIA caused me to almost miss a vacation due to their horrible shuttles. I had to bag it and drop the family off and hit short term it was so bad. Never again. I've used wally park when i was consulting and traveling a ton and never had an issue then or for family traveling in 15 years of parking with them.

 

[Nemo]

For what it's worth Central Park on the A-Line has always been reliable for my wife and I. Perhaps random luck but no issues with break ins, hail, or anything concerning. Mostly we park her Volvo there but I have left my cruisers there with goodies a number of times. Low daily cost and cost of train ticket.

 

[DanS]

Best parking at the airport, isn't at the airport.

If I can swing the schedule, I have @SaintAgatha drop me off in Idaho Springs where I catch Bustang to the A-line. If that doesn't work, I'll park at What Ridge/Ward and take the G-line to DUS, then the A-line to the airport. So much easier and cheaper than parking at the airport.

Dan

 

[SaintAgatha]

Central Park on the A-Line

@DanS 's parents donated a cat off their Prius to that lot.

Best parking at the airport, isn't at the airport.

If I can swing the schedule, I have @SaintAgatha drop me off in Idaho Springs where I catch Bustang to the A-line. If that doesn't work, I'll park at What Ridge/Ward and take the G-line to DUS, then the A-line to the airport. So much easier and cheaper than parking at the airport.

Dan

I always get nervous when he leaves the 80 like that. Somehow he's never had a problem parking there or at the airport (uncovered) for weeks at a time. (Maybe because 99% of Denver wouldn't touch that thing with a 10 ft pole ... bald tires, car full of random shit, interior smells like the oil that was spilled in the back 10 years ago ... ) Love my quirky pilot haha. No one has ever bothered that dumb ass Dodge either for some strange reason, as hard as we've tried to tempt them.

But he's right. Bustang/train 1000%. Would be perfect if they ran 24/7, but what can you do. Super grateful for the options that come up into the mountains.

 

[OilHammer]

I use FINE. Every time I go. It’s where all the flight attendants and pilots park so their shuttles don’t suck. Some things are worth the cost and for me, knowing my car is safe is one of them. I fly often enough that my personal trips result in free parking if I use fine points. It won’t be very long before I can pay for a Tesla by not having to park at DIA. “Thanks Tesla- now drive home and park in the garage like a good boy. I’ll call you to come get me when I land on Thursday “

 

[Romer]

Funny, I went to fine and got a quote for 10 days as a guest. I registered for their award program and got the same quote as a member. I read they give 10% for AAA, but I did not get that so I called.

The lady said they have to tweak the account to give that discount. Then I got the 10% discount. problem was they raised the price 10% so I was being quoted $1 more intotal after the discount

To see if they had a price increase, I used a different browser and got the same quote before the increase and discount

Pretty shady. So I called to see if the account was setup and they said no errors and wouldnt comment on why the price went up 10% when I wanted to use a 10% discount, so I had them delete my account

 

[Romer]

I reached out to Fine Parking via email in case the customer service operator didn't care much

Here is what they said
When a guest or a member without a discount books a reservation, they are given our Reservation Rate. The Reservation Rate is discounted from our Rack Rate - discounts can only be applied to Rack Rates, and not Reservation Rates, as Reservation Rates are already discounted. If a member has a discount attached to their account, they are given the Rack Rate when booking, so that their discount can be applied.

Essentially, if you go to their web site, you get an allready discounted rate. If you apply the 10% AAA discount its from their pre discount rate. So the discount only saves you if the discounted web rate is less than 10% off their normal rate which they charge if you walk up

The web price went up today for the same trip so looks like a $10 savings if I were to book them

 

[Romer]

Well after all that I decided to go with Fine. I am glad I reached out.

Turns out when you sign up for their rewards program they give you enough points for 1 day off. They didnt tell me that

Now with the web rate going upo, the AAA Rate was less plus and extra day off. Ended up being $30 more for 10 days for Indoor parking vs Covered parking at ParkDIA. Their shuttles are supposed to be better as well

Hopefully someone else got something out of this besides me If not, thanks for joining me on my journey over Denver airport parking lots

 

[OilHammer]

There are much bigger discounts available if you inquire. They have some car club affiliations and obviously, airline affiliations. Just depends on how much they want you to park there with the competition going in across the street.