The differences between parking at off site parking lots and the official airport

The official airports in Florida charge nearly double the daily rate compared to off site parking operators. These numbers are based on a recent study* conducted by Parkos, looking at the 4 largest airports in Florida.

 

Comparing the 4 largest Florida airports

Parking in the official Miami or Fort Lauderdale airport parking lots costs more than $120 for 8 days. If you were to park at Orlando Airport, it can cost up to $80 versus Jacksonville Airport which has the cheapest daily rate of $48 for 8 days. In most cases, official airport parking costs double what off site shuttle parking lots charge.

 

What services are offered with official airport parking?

The number one reason most people park at the airport is for its proximity to the terminal. Parking at the airport usually means being within a 5 minute walk to your terminal compared to taking a shuttle with an off site provider, adding an extra 10-15 minutes to your travel. However, shuttle service saves you money as its typically cheaper, plus you can be dropped off in front of your terminal entrance. The convenient drop-off service means you won’t have to carry your heavy bags from your car to the airline check-in desk. Shuttle service also comes with complimentary luggage assistance, and a more personal touch to your parking experience.

 

	Fort Lauderdale	Jacksonville	Miami	Orlando
Offsite Shuttle 1 Car	$32.00	$40.00	$64.00	$40.00
Official Airport Shuttle  1 Car	$120.00	$48.00	$136.00	$80.00
Offsite Valet 1 Car	-	$40.00	$49.00	$56.00
Official Airport Valet 1 Car	$200.00	$176.00	$240.00	$230.00

 

Other transportation methods to the airport

Not everybody wants to drive to the airport and worry about where to park; luckily there’s alternative options. You can take a taxi or ridesharing service to the airport, but this can sometimes be more expensive. Taxis cost between $50 and $160 for a one-way trip, depending on how far away you live from the airport. Ridesharing services can sometimes be cheaper than airport parking, but there’s the risk of paying more during surge hours and based on where you live. Some airports also have easy access to local trains. For example, Miami and Fort Lauderdale airports can be reached by the Tri-Rail for as little as $10 to $20 round-trip. Taking the train isn’t always convenient or easy though. Of course, if none of these options work for you, there’s always the option of having a friend or family member drop you off at the departures hall.

 

	Fort Lauderdale	Jacksonville	Miami	Orlando
Train/Tri-Rail 30 miles  2 adults	$20.00	-	$20.00	-
Train/Tri-Rail 60 miles  2 adults	$30.00	-	$30.00/td>	-
Train/Tri-Rail 30 miles  2 adults, 2 children	$40.00	-	$40.00	-
Train/Tri-Rail 60 miles  2 adults, 2 children	$60.00	-	$60.00	-
Taxi 30 miles 1 Taxi (includes 15% tip)	$94.27	$92.87	$94.74	$97.23
Taxi 60 miles 1 Taxi (includes 15% tip)	$170.35	$164.93	$164.85	$165.75

 

Comparing your options

Everyone is different and has their own preferences for how to get to and from the airport. Some may choose convenience and reliability while others want the most affordable option. It’s useful to know what options are available, to help you make the best choice for your needs. You can easily compare prices between taxis, ridesharing apps, public transportation, and parking providers. Check out Parkos to compare different off site parkings with ease.

 

*For this survey, the prices at the 4 largest airports have been compared to the prices on the Parkos.com website for a period of 8 days, from 1 to 8 August 2022.