Have you ever wondered how you can get the best deal when parking your car at the airport? Whether you’re parking your vehicle for a short period or for an extended time, you want to make sure you’re getting the most for your money. You’ll want to be sure your vehicle is safe while you’re away and not break the bank doing it. We’ve done some research on Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) and have some great ways to save. Read on to learn more about parking rates, coupon availability and shuttles at this busy airport.
Parking Options and Rates
We all know airport parking can be tricky, but the fact that CLT is one of the busiest airports in the world, the parking situation can get complicated, especially during popular travel times. Luckily, you have several options to choose from when you park your vehicle at Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
Cell Phone Lot. If you’re simply picking up an arriving passenger, the Cell Phone lot is a great option. This lot is completely free and conveniently located near the terminal. No need to circle around several times to see if your passenger has exited. Have your passenger give you a call when they arrive at baggage claim and then head to the curbside pickup outside the terminal.
This prevents the curb from getting too crowded and keeps traffic flowing smoothly.
Hourly. Are you bringing someone to the airport and plan to wait with them until it’s time for their flight? If you only need to park your vehicle for a few hours, you’ll want to consider the Hourly Parking Deck. Spaces in the Hourly Deck are available on a first come, first served basis and the spaces are located on levels 4-7. The Hourly Deck is just a short walk from the terminals and offers elevator and walkway access. You’ll find EV Charging Stations available on levels 4, 5 and 6.
This deck is free to park in for the first 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, the cost is $6 per hour with a daily maximum fee of $24. Please note that this parking area only accepts credit cards as a form of payment.
Valet Parking
If you want to avoid the parking decks and lots altogether, your best bet is to choose Valet parking. With Valet parking, everyone is treated like a celebrity. You don’t have to worry about circling around searching for a space and then hauling all of your luggage back to the terminal. There’s no waiting around for a shuttle to arrive and potentially missing your flight. When you arrive at the airport, an attendant will collect your keys and drive your car to the covered parking area and you’re free to make your way straight to the terminal.
For an incredibly convenient experience, Valet customers are provided with a pick-up and drop-off experience completely protected from the elements; the exclusive entrance and underground walkway lead straight to the terminal. Complimentary luggage assistance is available upon request and various auto care options are available as well. You can ask your attendant for details. The cost for Valet parking is $35 per day and you can save up to 60% by booking your parking space online.
Express Deck. Travelers who want a premium parking experience, but don’t want to pay Valet prices, can take advantage of the Express Deck parking option. Similar to valet service, someone will drive your car away and park it for you. When you arrive at the airport, you’ll leave your keys with an attendant. After you’ve gathered your luggage (luggage assistance is also available), your car will be driven to a covered parking area. EV charging stations are available in this area and you can also request to have your car washed while you’re away. Check with the attendant for details on different car care services offered before you depart. At $16 per day, this luxury parking option is a steal!
Daily. If you’re parking your vehicle for at least 24 hours you’ll want to consider one of the Daily parking lots. There are two to choose from and each offers different amenities. The Daily Deck is garage-style, covered parking. This lot costs $12 per day, but note that credit cards are the only form of payment accepted.
If you don’t mind leaving your vehicle outside, the Daily Lot is an uncovered parking area. This lot also costs $12 per day and is a great option if you need to park your vehicle for 24 hours or longer.
Long-term. If you’re planning to leave your vehicle parked at CLT for an extended period of time, your best option would be long-term parking. There are two different long-term parking lots and each will cost you around $10 per day. This lot is definitely the most economical parking solution.
Coupons
Who doesn’t love a great deal? Parking a vehicle at an airport, especially for an extended amount of time, can get expensive really quickly. The best thing to do is look around for the best deal before booking your parking. A simple internet search will yield coupon codes that can be used for a discount off of your parking cost.
CLT also offers the option of booking parking directly through the airport website. Travelers can save up to 60% on parking simply by booking through the website. You can also join their email mailing list for exclusive parking offers and deals.
Shuttles
One of the biggest concerns when traveling is worrying about how much luggage you have and how to get all of that luggage to the check-in area to catch your flight. Don’t worry; Charlotte Douglas International Airport has you covered. There are complimentary shuttles that run from each of the parking areas right to the terminals.
Shuttle buses are in operation 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and run approximately every 10-15 minutes. Please note that traffic can delay shuttles so be sure to plan to arrive in plenty of time to get checked in and make it to your gate.
The Express Deck shuttle is exclusive to travelers who are parked in that particular parking area. This shuttle can be boarded at the Express Deck parking area and outside the terminal’s upper level.
All other shuttles are located outside the terminal’s lower level and run between the shuttle and all other parking areas. Because space on the shuttles is limited, if you’re traveling with a large party and/or a lot of luggage, it’s usually recommended that you drop off your passengers and luggage at the curbside outside of the terminal’s upper level.
On Air Parking
As you can see, you have plenty of options for parking when you visit Charlotte Douglas International Airport. You can choose from Daily or Hourly lots and Charlotte airport Long-term parking. Most parking options come at a reasonable price and you get additional discounts by booking online through the website. Shuttles run regularly so you’ll never have a problem getting from your vehicle to the terminal or back to your vehicle once you return. OAP truly makes it easy to get a great deal on parking with no hassle.
