Submitted by Isthispoisonsumac t3_11ygdia in baltimore

We have a flight coming up and are going to park in the long-term parking lot. Does anyone know if we need to make a reservation? The website doesn’t seem to indicate that we do but I don’t want to arrive and be out of luck.

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BirdPeckOfPower t1_jd7gg91 wrote

No, there are no reservations for any of the airport-run parking lots. However, they are first-come-first-serve, so if all of the lots happen to be full, then you're out of luck, but that isn't likely to happen. The BWI Website has indicators that show how full each lot is, in addition to road signs near the lots.

Offsite 3rd party lots, like The Parking Spot and FastPark, often require a reservation. Shouldn't be a problem to get one, even last minute. I had used The Parking Spot at my last flight, and it was great.

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YoYoMoMa t1_jd7qvdj wrote

>FastPark

I always use this one and have never had a reservation. Maybe at thanksgiving?

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Suitable-Bus-4488 t1_jd7so20 wrote

I don't think they require a reservation but it's helpful to have. Plus if you have account I think you get points that can be used for future discounts. IIRC the price point is typically the same as, or slightly cheaper than the BWI long term lot, though the actual price you pay may vary slightly based on what the rates actually were while you were parked there.

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smughippie t1_jd7n7h5 wrote

My advice is skip the airport run long term and do one of the off airport lots. I have used fast park and relax for a while and much prefer it. The process of getting from the lot to the terminal is much faster than the airport run lot. I have also never gone and there not been a spot. No reservations are needed either.

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YoYoMoMa t1_jd7qzg2 wrote

The people who work there are fucking great too.

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Grick1126 t1_jd819by wrote

FastPark. Always FastPark. Next to no wait time getting from the lot to the terminal or terminal to the lot, and the pickup/drop-off at the car is so convenient. Plus the free parking points are a nice bonus.

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TheCaptainDamnIt t1_jd8aiim wrote

So what's the actually advantage of the off airport lots if you don't mind telling. Like I get off my plane, wait for a bus and go to my car either way right? Is the price that much better or something? I just don't see what they can 'offer' that differntiates something like parking lots.

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smughippie t1_jd8kgmj wrote

They are faster. Taking the airport run lot option can mean a huge wait time. One trip I took I was stressing because I waited 20 minutes for the bus just to pick me up to go to the terminal and it was another 15 or so minutes of picking up more people . With fast park I am on the bus within 5 minutes (if that - I am usually on my way by the time I have pulled my luggage out of the trunk) and it doesn't take much longer than that to leave the lot for the terminal. It is also faster getting back to my car on return.

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kurious_soul t1_jd7gg4t wrote

No reservation is needed. There is Long Term A and Long Term B. Only one will be open, so remember which lot you're in and what stop # ( there is usually a big pole with a number for reference),you'll need that when you get home

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newbeginningsMD t1_jd7v6ad wrote

I've come across this and wondered why only one is open...I've always gone to B and they past few months it's been closed 3 of 4 times

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TheCaptainDamnIt t1_jd8a1db wrote

I've always had a hunch that they do that to let one of the lots clear out to see if there's any abandoned cars just taking up space. But that's just my made up reason.

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JHBaltimore t1_jd7vgh3 wrote

Take the light rail or a taxi to the airport! #onelesscar

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tEnPoInTs t1_jd914jg wrote

Honestly the uber flat airport rates work out to kind of what you'd pay to park but with less hassle and pretty much door to door if you're coming from the city.

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Dylan552 t1_jd7gqkx wrote

One tip I have is try to park near the last bus stop, that way when the bus comes you are straight to the terminal, make note it should be close to the first bus stop at least in long term b. I’ll often get off at the first stop on my way home and take a short walk to my car so I don’t have to wait on the bus for the full loop

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Isthispoisonsumac OP t1_jd7i1c9 wrote

Great tip- thanks!

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Dylan552 t1_jd7jfzq wrote

Oh and you’ll pay with credit card when you leave so leave the ticket in your car so you don’t lose it not sure what they charge if you do lose it

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mibfto t1_jd7z6iy wrote

Use FastPark, it's really great.

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