Hi. We're going to Italy for two weeks and will be leaving our car in Atlanta. Delta direct to Rome and back. I'm looking for a lower rate than long-term parking at the airport without compromising security for the car.
Problem is, I see terrible reviews for all the off-site parking providers I've found. Does anyone have a tried and true alternative to the airport garage - that you've used recently? Thanks!
I have not used this service but have seen it advertised. https://www.way.com/parkingdetails/6385707/Holiday-Inn-Express-Suites-ATL-Airport-Parking
People seem to like the Holiday Inn location in Hapeville. I know that there has been a lot of construction and the airport which has meant a lot of hassles in trying to park.
Another option would be to park in midtown Atlanta and take the Marta to the airport.
I have been using FastPark and Relax for several years for both domestic and international. I've never had a problem and they have CONSISTENT service to the International Termianal. I just used them last month with no problems! Will be using them again for a business trip next week.
So here's my big question. Do you fly directly back to Atlanta from Europe or are you clearing immigration somewhere else. If you come directly to Atlanta this is a no brainer IMHO- use Fast Park and Relax. If you are clearing immigration elsewhere it gets more complicated... If you are checking bags then I don't recommend Fast Park because they don't service the domestic terminal. You would have to take the AWFUL shuttle between the terminals that I avoid at all costs. If you are doing carryon then you can still use Fast Park and Relax because you can walk out of the International terminal regardless of where your flight lands! It's just picking up luggage that creates an issue IMHO.
I can't tell if I'm replying to one of you, or both of you. So thank you both! I believe I checked out both of these services in March, and the reviews gave me the yips. I see Park & Relax is better these days, and I'll look at the Hapeville Holiday Inn again, too.
Yes, I'm direct from Delta to Rome and back again. And very excited! Parking is the last arrangement to conquer. And yes, I'd vastly prefer to park at MARTA and take it straight to the airport, but the chance of my husband agreeing to that is about five percent. LOL!
Thanks, all!
I think these reviews are just like airlines.. people only review if they want to complain. I've used a lot of offsite parking in Atlanta... never had any problems with my car's security in over 30 years of travel including long periods of weekly travel. I just use Fast Park because it's easy and the service is good!
Marta is an option. That's probably your least secure option however
Carol, just curious who is Martha? That's also my grandma's name and, regrettably, there are not many people by that name any more. Like Bertha, Gertrude, or Agnes. I miss the old school names.
My coaches had nicknames like Cage Ball, Otis (after the drunk in Mayberry), Big Mack (because he was built like a Mack truck), The Sheriff (because on the first day of football camp, he said to us, "Boys, there's a new sheriff in town." He then proceeded to run us until we puked. Caveman because he didn't shave and was so hairy he could jump into a pool and not get wet. Cool Hand Luke: "What we have here is a failure to communicate." What came after he said that was ... not good.
I agree, Carol. What I try to watch for is trends with reviews. Months ago I was seeing nothing but terrible reviews on some of these providers. That tells me that management is probably the issue. Then months later I'll see a vast improvement, which tells me they brought someone in to straighten it all out. My husband has low tolerance for "gotchas" when traveling (I just roll with it), so I'm being very judicious when picking parking. LOL!
I live in Atlanta and always use the parking spot 2 for domestic, and the parking spot for international. Never had any trouble, but the shuttle to international only runs on the hour and half hour, so plan accordingly. Sign up for coupons.
Would not recommend Marta parking, it’s not secure at all.
We've used Park n Fly several times and like them a lot. They have two locations; the shuttle from one of them does not go to the International terminal. They note that prominently several times on their website, so it's hard to miss.
Definitely do not recommend leaving your car at a MARTA lot for two weeks.
We use Peachy Parking indoor lot. Very secure for you car.
“ Carol, just curious who is Martha? That's also my grandma's name and, regrettably, there are not many people by that name any more. Like Bertha, Gertrude, or Agnes. I miss the old school names.
If you are going on a totally off topic rant don’t blame me.
I wrote Marta. Not Martha. I have no idea what Martha has to do with anything
For those who don’t know, “MARTA” is the acronym for Atlanta’s rapid transit system: Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority.
You really have three ways to park at ATL.
You can go online and park at one of the off airport hotels. Your car won't be very secure however.
Or you can park at one of the fenced secured lots off site--east of the airport. They bus you into the north end of the terminal.
We used to live northeast of Atlanta, and would park at the MARTA station parking garages @ Chamblee--riding the train to and from the airport. We would only do this when our flight returned during daylight hours. MARTA at night is not the place to be.
EVERYONE: I am THRILLED that there's so much advice in this thread!
I just want to assure all of you that I'm looking at each piece of input. I've just started a new job this week, and I'm under water, frankly. I'm reading every piece of feedback, and I appreciate it so much. If I haven't responded to you directly, it just means that I'm fighting with installing this work app or that - or learning a 20 step process to accomplish a basic task - and haven't had the opportunity yet. I welcome all continued feedback. Thanks so very much!
A couple of notes. You obviously have many options at the Atlanta airport. There’s the parking on site at the airport. There’s parking at hotels and businesses that you can reserve and there’s the offsite parking lots (of which there are a lot) and of course there’s the parking at MARTA and take the train.
One note the earlier poster says they park at the Chamblee Marta station. I would not recommend that - that lot is not for overnight parking. It is not secured at all and your car could be towed if you leave it there for two weeks while you go to Europe I have parked quite often at the Brookhaven lot which is secure and the person that works the lot is pretty close to all the cars because it’s not a big lot so that would be my choice. It’s five dollars a day - very reasonable.
Also MARTA after dark is not inherently dangerous if was getting in at eight or 9 o’clock. I wouldn’t have any hesitation to take Marta. I take it to and from work quite often - I’m still alive. Now if you’re arriving at midnight - It’s going be you and the homeless people on the train so you might want to pick another method.
The problem with the parking at the airport is that if you are going during a busy time travel time it can be full. They have opened this west lot to try to deal with that problem. Try if all possible to avoid the west lot. It looks good - it’s on the little train that goes to rental cars. But it uses their new technology that reads license plates No that’s not right - .it uses their new technology that doesn’t work so you will sit in line for about 45 minutes trying to get out while people struggle to get the system to let them out because it can’t read the license plate. And then, when you get to the gate, they will try to charge you extra because you didn’t exit in time after you paid. My response to the person on the other end of the talking box was not exactly polite. tried it twice I won’t be back - epic fail
FINAL VERDICT: Fast Park & Relax on 251 Charles W Grant Pkwy. for the WIN!!!!
These people were incredible. The shuttle driver picked us up RIGHT AT OUR PARKING SPACE within a couple of minutes.
Upon return, the shuttle was right there at the curb when we exited the terminal. The driver put our bags on the shuttle, even though we would have been happy to do that ourselves. Even though we weren't full yet, she got in and turned up the air conditioning, which was much appreciated. She was super friendly and very methodical dropping off everyone on the shuttle in order of parking rows. She delivered us right to our car and wished us a good rest of our day.
A+++++++ for these folks. We'll definitely use them again next time. Thank you, @CAROL, for your recommendation. Safe and happy travels, everyone.
Glad it worked out for you.
For those of you traveling to Atlanta soon we have made a bad situation worse. We have closed the south economy lot for the next 3 to 4 years. That took away a big chunk of on site airport parking. And as soon as we fix that we will close the north economy parking so we are looking at a significant Decrease in parking availability for the next 10 years. Assume every place else will be more crowded and plan ahead. Thank you and welcome to Atlanta “Where we are determined to make our airport hard to deal with”
Honestly, it’s a great airport to connect in. But if you live here and you have to deal with the chaos, that is parking and security, you wonder why you bother
The responses to this post aren't making me too excited for my flight to Atlanta later this week. LOL. First time to this airport since 1978...I guess it has changed a little bit... I'd also thought MARTA would get me closer to my destination, but I've been put off that by my local contact who would rather pick me up, and this post. Oh well. I used to love airports. LOL
How about a Park Stay and Fly Package where you spend the night before and after your trip? A lot of hotels have secure parking. Or get a flight to and from Knoxville. Who wants to drive 3.5 hours after a long flight?
Daniel , if you keep reading, you’ll discover the original poster has already taken the trip and returned. And a lot of people do drive to Atlanta from Knoxville because flights from Knoxville are not cheap. (I know this because I grew up there and have family there. I drive because it’s a lot cheaper.)
