How to save money on PHL Airport parking

Philadelphia - the home of the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and Rocky! It’s no wonder the city is crowded year-round. With so many iconic places to visit, Philadelphia is a visitor’s paradise. The Philadelphia Airport does a great job of providing connectivity to the city. As one of the busiest airports in the United States, it’s often more convenient for residents to drive to the airport rather than take public transport. However, once at the airport, they’re likely to face a challenge to find convenient PHL Airport parking. 

Let’s clear things up for you. While there are several on-site parking lots at PHL Airport, they’re likely to be snagged quickly. If they haven’t, they’re likely to be too expensive for you to afford. The trick is to beat the competition for PHL Airport parking. The better you understand how to find the best spots, the more money you’ll save! 

Here’s some common information you can use to find what you’re looking for. What’s the way out? Once you’ve committed this to mind, PHL Airport parking will be a piece of cake.  

Where to find PHL Airport parking 

Passengers can park in the easily accessible official PHL Airport parking areas. The lots are as follows: 

• Short-term (ground level) 
• Garage (upper level) 
• Credit card lot - Aadvantage® Aviator® Mastercard® p 

The pricing and amenities available vary depending on where you park and whether you want hourly or daily parking. The lowest parking is at the Garage lot, which costs $16 per day. The Short-term lot is the most expensive, costing up to $44 for a day's parking. 

Are you surprised by the significant price difference? Continue reading to learn more about the prices, including how to save money by selecting the best PHL Airport parking lot. 

Understand the rates for PHL Airport parking 

Short-term parking is ideal for journeys lasting less than a day and requiring quick turnarounds. That means you'll just have to pay based on how many hours you park, rather than a fixed daily charge. All three PHL parking lots provide short-term parking.  

The Short-term lot will set you back $4 for 0-30 minutes, and $2 for every 30 minutes after that up to a daily maximum of $24. The Daily Garage lots will also cost you almost the same. The credit card lots start at $3 for the first 30 minutes and add $2 every half-hour until they reach a maximum of $36. 

If your trip is longer than a day, long-term parking at PHL is recommended. You can save money by paying flat daily prices. Long-term parking will set you back $24 in the Short-term lot, $16 in the Garage, and $36 in the credit card lot. 

Where to find free parking at PHL Airport during a pick-up 

You can park for free at the Cell Phone Waiting Lot. If you're picking up someone and need a location to wait without paying an arm and a leg, this is where to park. It has 150 parking spaces and is conveniently accessible from I-95 and Route 291. Vehicles must have a driver at all times or they will be towed at the owner's expense. 

Be on the lookout for cheaper off-site options 

Yes, there are a number of off-site parking places within a short distance of the airport that provide significantly lower parking rates. These lots are owned by airport hotels near PHL airport. They offer you affordable parking prices of up to 60% off! 

While parking inside PHL airport starts at $19 per day, off-site lots have rates as low as $4 per day! Additionally, they offer extra services such as car washes, oil changes, detailing, and more. 

You can access these amazing deals and much more via sites or apps like Way.com or the Way app. Apart from a range of off-site parking options, you can even get vouchers and parking coupons to reduce your cost even further!  

Leave early to get the best spots 

Philadelphia airport is 11 miles from downtown Philadelphia. A leisurely drive to the airport will take 30-40 minutes. Be prepared for any delays, and leave at least an hour before your check-in time. 

Other tips for Philadelphia Airport Parking 

• Philadelphia Airport address: 8000 Essington Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19153, United States 

• Parking coupons are often available for parking at PHL and can be availed through sites like Groupon, RetailMeNot, and Ebates. 
• For parking assistance, call the Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA) Airport Operations Division at 215-683-9840. 
• EV and hybrid vehicle owners can use seven EV charging stations, totally servicing 14 vehicles.