Updated On: October 22nd, 2024
Any trip that involves flying requires considerable planning. You have to plan your flights, layovers, hotel check-in times and more, all often down to the last minute. You have to think about things like rental cars, house-sitters and carry-ons. In all this shuffle, it’s essential to address another critical detail — where will you leave your car while you travel?
For many people, the most practical option is to leave their car parked at or near the airport. Every decent-sized airport has lots reserved for this purpose, though they can be costly. You park your car, lock it and proceed to your flight. When you return, your car will be waiting for you. Another popular, and cheaper, option is to rent a parking space at a nearby parking facility, often located just down the street from the airport.
But is it safe to leave your car at the airport? Is there a limit to how long you can leave your car there? What advantages do off-site parking facilities offer? And for those traveling out of the Boston area, what are some tips for leaving your car in long-term parking at Boston Logan Airport?
If you’re planning a trip through Logan or any other airport, we can help answer these questions. We’ve pulled together this guide on preparing your car for long-term parking, how to keep your car safe at the airport and much more.
There are plenty of reasons a person might park at the airport and leave the vehicle there until they get off their return flight days or even weeks later. This is an extremely common practice.
If you’ve never left your car at an airport before, you might feel hesitant about the idea. Leaving your car parked somewhere that isn’t your home for multiple days can be nerve-wracking. However, keep in mind most people who regularly fly do this, and their cars stay safe.
And while it may seem risky to leave your car in a public place such as an airport, the security at on-site or off-site airport parking is greater than most people have at their own homes. If you’re comfortable leaving your car parked at home, then the airport will be equally as safe or even safer.
Many travelers find it most convenient to drive themselves to the airport, especially if they have to drive a long distance, and most airports have a long-term parking lot. At BOS, you can choose between on-site terminal and economy parking.
On-site parking isn’t your only option. Logan and other high-traffic airports around the country have off-site parking facilities as well. These are not run by the airports but are located close by. They often offer shuttle rides directly to the airport to save you the trouble of walking after you park your car. The best place to leave your car at Logan Airport should be a secure yet affordable option.
You can park your car at the airport for hours, days or weeks. Fees will be assessed accordingly.
Let’s use Logan’s terminal parking as an example. It charges per-hour fees up to the first 24 hours. Then, it has a flat rate for a day and will prorate a portion of the next 24 hours. After 48 hours, it goes to straight daily rates. Some airports do restrict how many days you can leave a car there, and this varies by airport.
Most off-site parking lots charge per day only and have no time limit. Your car will remain safe and won’t be towed if your trip gets delayed. Be sure to check with your local airport or off-site parking facility for hourly rates.
At both on-site and off-site airport parking facilities, your safety and security are paramount. Facility managers know your car is important, and they take their responsibility to protect it very seriously. They practice various security measures to protect your vehicle and belongings, including supplying:
Logan Airport offers complimentary services such as lost car searches if your vehicle gets misplaced or stolen. Off-site airport parking services are extremely security-conscious. Park Shuttle & Fly, for instance, provides free valet services, so you don’t have to walk through the parking lot to find your car. Our employees are also present to keep an eye on the vehicles and assist you with any concerns. Your vehicle will never leave our lot.
It’s totally safe to park long-term at BOS, especially if you’re working with a reputable BOS parking lot servicing company. You only need to weigh existing BOS long-term parking options by:
By following these tips, you can enjoy the safest long-term parking at BOS, even if it’s your first time searching.
We’ve discussed whether airport parking lots are safe. But there’s another valuable question to ask — what you can do to keep your car safe while it waits for you at the airport. While the airport is certainly responsible for creating a safe environment, you can take extra steps to ensure your car’s safety and security while you’re away no matter where you park.
One of the best ways to protect your car from theft or vandalism is to remove all valuable items from your car. Don’t leave jewelry, technology or money in the car, even if it’s locked and secured. That includes things like phone chargers, aux cords, Bluetooth devices, CDs and more. Don’t forget about essential documents you might have stowed in the glove compartment, either.
Likewise, you should not leave your trip itinerary sitting in your car. This will tell someone looking into the car exactly how long you will be gone and give them a window to plan. It’s best to remove anything related to your flight, even a receipt from a fast food restaurant you snacked at along the way, since the date can tell someone if you just parked the car today.
You should also take the parking ticket stub, if you have one, along with you on your trip. Put it in a safe place, such as a purse or laptop case. This way, if someone does try to steal the car, they will not have the ticket they need to leave the lot — a red flag to a parking lot attendant that something isn’t right. It’s doubtful a thief would want to pay the high penalties for a lost ticket.
Plenty of people leave an extra key somewhere in or on their car. This is OK under most circumstances, as it offers a solution to lockouts and other inconveniences. If you park your car at the airport, however, you should remove this key. Car thieves know where people typically hide these keys and may find yours, making it easy for them to steal your car.
Arrive at the airport well ahead of time so you don’t have to rush through tasks like gathering your luggage, cleaning out your car and securing everything. By going slow and performing these tasks methodically, you’re more likely to remember everything you need to do and less likely to forget something simple, like locking your doors.
Consider writing a list of all the things you need to do, including locking your doors and making sure all the interior lights are off. The physical act of checking things off a list may help you be more confident you hit every point of concern when leaving the car.
No, would-be car thieves aren’t interested in your crumpled receipts or old takeout containers. However, a neat car is less likely to get broken into. Burglars are drawn to dirty vehicles, as they suggest you don’t pay too much attention to your surroundings and may not notice something is missing until much later. Also, if you have blankets or jackets strewn on the backseat, thieves may assume you are trying to cover something of value and break in to see what that thing might be.
A clean car, on the other hand, shows you are a conscientious person who stays on top of your car’s appearance. You will notice immediately if something is out of place, reporting it to airport security right away and increasing the chances of the thief getting caught.
Plus, it’s much more pleasant to get off the plane to find a clean, fresh car waiting for you, instead of one full of old hamburger wrappers.
When you step off the plane and head out to the parking lot to find your car, do a thorough once-over of your vehicle. Double-check any items you left in the car are still there. Look for scratches, dents or other signs of tampering that weren’t there before. Make sure nothing is obviously missing from either the interior or exterior of your car, such as the radio or your hubcaps.
Be thorough. Pop your trunk and check there. Hunt through the glove compartment. Look everywhere you can think of. If it does turn out something’s missing, it’s always better to realize it early on, when you can easily report it to security. They may be able to scroll through security footage and take other steps to locate your stolen belongings. If, however, you don’t notice something is missing until days or even weeks later, the trail may grow cold, and the odds of recovering the item are much slimmer.
Many airports provide several long-term parking options, including indoor and outdoor lots, economy options or deluxe 24-hour security options. There are also high-quality off-site options. As a customer, you’ll want to take a moment to consider your options and determine the best one for you.
On-site parking is certainly closer to your plane, but it is usually more expensive and busier. You could get stuck in a traffic jam trying to leave the airport. Off-site parking is often more affordable and less crowded. This makes it ideal for your budget and your stress levels.
Are you going to park in an outdoor lot? Position your car relatively close to a light. Car thieves are more likely to hit cars in dark, unattended spots, so the light may deter anyone with unsavory intentions.
Are you parking in a lot with surveillance cameras? Locate these cameras if you can, and be sure to park in full view of them. Again, this may deter thieves and, if someone tampers with your car, the camera footage can assist in attempting to recover any lost items. Another excellent solution that may be more viable at a smaller parking location is to park close to the management building.
This is one reason to make sure the parking lot you choose offers no-move parking. This ensures your car will stay where you or the valet parks it. You will feel more confident knowing exactly where the car is.
Wondering where to park your car for a few days? Whether to park at the airport or at an off-site facility depends on several factors. To help evaluate which option might be right for you, here are a few primary differences you’ll notice between the two:
Off-site long-term parking is best at BOS for many reasons. For one, it offers safer parking solutions since it’s easier to account for the fewer vehicles parked at off-site facilities than the large number at the airport.
This option is also cheaper because off-site facilities, like Logan’s Original Park Shuttle & Fly Since 1975, offer lower rates, which are ideal for long-term arrangements. You can also save a significant amount of time with off-site facilities that provide drop-off shuttle services, as you don’t compete against a large number of travelers waiting to be served.
Successful long-term parking at Boston Logan Airport depends heavily on how you prepare your car for the parking period. Preparing your car for long-term parking is an important step for your and your vehicle’s safety. You’ll want to:
Remember to note down important information, like the parking space number, before leaving.
If you’re traveling through Boston Logan Airport and want a safe and affordable parking option, consider leaving your car with Park Shuttle & Fly at Logan. We offer secure parking and a short shuttle ride to the airport, allowing you to fly without worrying about what might happen to your car while you’re away. Our parking lot is fully fenced and secure, and our reliable shuttle service means you don’t face the hassle of hiking to the airport after you park.
We offer the best long-term parking near Logan Airport so you can relax and enjoy your travels, knowing your vehicle is safe in our secure parking lots. Enjoy various rewards with our Frequent Parker Rewards Program, and save big by frequently parking with us to earn one point for every dollar you spend on parking. Every 300 points you earn equals one free parking day. We can even clean and detail your car while you are away.
To reserve your parking space with us, get your quote today.
Traffic Notice:
The Sumner Tunnel closures from 11pm Fridays – 5am Mondays has caused an increase in traffic from Logan Airport to our parking facility during the afternoons and evenings on Saturdays & Sundays. Please give yourself extra time if traveling to and from Logan during Sumner Tunnel closure weekends.