Airport Parking Wars

USA airport parking will put a dent in your pocketbook. Why not leave the car at home?

There was an interesting article in the most recent Travel + Leisure, about the Most Expensive Airport Parking in America.

Curious, T+L wondered which airports in the United States have the most expensive parking lots, and posed the question to BestParking (the company monitors parking rates at 100+ airports in North America, and suggests alternatives).

We commend the researchers; it's a good study, with traveller-friendly information, and a well-researched, specific alternative for each airport. If you live near one of the worst offending airports, and tend park your car at the airport when you travel, check out the full story here.

Here, IHateTaxis seeks to complement the study with our take on alternatives to taking your car to the airport in the first place. Who needs more cars on the road anyways?

Plus, if you leave your car at home, you don't need to worry about theft, dings, hail damage, a dead battery, a flat tire, or skyrocketing costs if your return is delayed. And, unlike parking, our transportation suggestions won't increase in price if you are away for an extended period.

No. 1. Chicago Midway Airport (MDW)

• What they found on-site: $19-40/day
• What they suggest off-site: private parking at $13/day
• What IHateTaxis suggests: the CTA Orange Line train
• More MDW transfer options: Chicago Midway Airport Transportation Guide

 

No. 2. Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)

• What they found on-site: $9-35/day
• What they suggest off-site: hotel parking at $8/day
• What IHateTaxis suggests: the CTA Blue Line train *
• More ORD transfer options: Chicago O’Hare Airport Transportation Guide

 

No. 3. New York John F Kennedy International Airport (JFK)

• What they found on-site: $18-33/day
• What they suggest off-site: private parking at $13/day
• What IHateTaxis suggests: a JFK shuttle, or the JFK AirTrain
• More JFK transfer options: John F Kennedy Airport Transportation Guide

 

No. 4. New York LaGuardia International Airport (LGA)

• What they found on-site: $33/day
• What they suggest off-site: private parking at $22/day
• What IHateTaxis suggests: a LGA shuttle
• More LGA transfer options: LaGuardia Airport Transportation Guide

 

No. 5. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

• What they found on-site: $12-30/day
• What they suggest off-site: private parking at $7/day
• What IHateTaxis suggests: a LAX shuttle
• More LAX transfer options: Los Angeles Airport Transportation Guide
• Or, better yet, try an alternate LA area airport. Learn more in our blog post, Los Angeles Airports: Which is best? (BUR, LAX, LGB, ONT, SNA)

 

No. 6. San Diego International Airport (SAN)

• What they found on-site: $11-28/day
• What they suggest off-site: private parking at $9/day
• What IHateTaxis suggests: a SAN shuttle
• More SAN transfer options: San Diego Airport Transportation Guide

No. 7. San Francisco International Airport (SFO)

• What they found on-site: $18-28/day
• What they suggest off-site: private parking at $9/day
• What IHateTaxis suggests: take BART (unless it is on strike, that is)
• More SFO transfer options: San Francisco Airport Transportation Guide

No. 8. Seattle Tacoma International Airport (SEA)

• What they found on-site: airport garage at $28/day
• What they suggest off-site: hotel parking at $11/day
• What IHateTaxis suggests: the Link train
•  More SEA transfer options: SeaTac Airport Transportation Guide

No. 9. Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)

• What they found on-site: $18-$27/day
• What they suggest off-site: valet parking at $13/day
• What IHateTaxis suggests: the Silver Line bus
• More BOS transfer options: Boston Logan Airport Transportation Guide

No. 10. Newark International Airport (EWR), serving New York City

• What they found on-site on-site: $18-27/day
• What they suggest off-site: hotel parking at $9/day
• What IHateTaxis suggests: the Newark AirTrain
• More EWR transfer options: Newark Airport Transportation Guide

So, that's our take on the top 10. The T + L article goes onto the 11th to 20th worst, which we'll review in an upcoming blogpost.

* Our hearts go out to those injured or traumatized by the train accident at O'Hare. We make our recommendation in the context of the value and convenience that this service offers, on the assumption that safe changes and repairs will be made.

Related content:

• Types of airport parking
• Types of Airport Hotels with Parking
• Think twice before you park at the airport (and get clamped)
• Kelowna airport parking attendant adds insult to injury
• Sydney high on airport parking rankings
• Los Angeles Airports: Which is best? (BUR, LAX, LGB, ONT, SNA)
• Smart fortwo parking spot challenge (YouTube)

Chicago taxi driver scams student for $4K

A taxi in Chicago

If you missed it this past week, this taxi scam is one of the worst we've seen. Not only for how deep it gouged, but for how heartless it was.

Here's how it went down: a Chinese student, speaking little English, lands at Chicago O'Hare Airport. His destination: the University of Illinois (there is a bus service, but taking a taxi should cost, at most, about $300). The student was approached in the airport by a taxi driver, told there were no more buses running that night, and his only option was a taxi. For a cool $1000. The student agrees, and off they go.

But that's not the end of the story. We're not sure if somehow the driver caught wind of the fact that the student had a lot of cash on him, or perhaps he caught a glimpse of it, or maybe he was just a nasty dreamer, but whatever the reason, when they arrive at their destination, the driver demands $4,800 (and, no, that's not a typo!). Well, the student "only" had around $4,200, so he gave the driver all the money he had.

Our advice: NEVER trust an offer of a taxi or limo from someone who approaches you in the airport.

The practice of approaching customers to secure a fare is called touting.

Touts prey on newly-arrived passengers, at airports and train stations, taking advantage of them in many ways. Touts prey on new arrivals because:

• They may not be familiar with the local currency
• They may not be aware of the typical cost of goods and services
• They are likely tired and jet-lagged and just want to get to their destination
• They are  very likely carrying large amounts of cash 

To avoid being ripped off, avoid taxi touts completely.

Related reading: Dealing with Touts

Instead, go to the official taxi stand, or read up on your destination ahead of time to learn options for where you can catch a cab (IHateTaxis.com was created for this purpose - check us out!).

While we most often see stories about taxi touts ripping travellers off outside of North America, it can happen anywhere. So, get street smart, and know how to protect yourself.

We feel for the student who, in this case, really didn't know any better, and was willing to trust someone who he thought was helping him (the driver told him there were no more buses that evening). If you know a foreigner who is travelling to visit you, always advise them the best way to get a taxi, and what not to do, to avoid being scammed.

Related reading: Airport Arrival Advice

With regards to the recent Chicago scam, you can read the full story here.