katiekate

Okay, I need some help. When flying from DFW, do you think it saves time to park in the terminal of your departing gate or at off property site i.e.. The Spot parking, etc. BECAUSE when you fly back in you never know what gate you'll be coming back to. For instance, if you leave out of B12 your could possibly come back to B30 which is a whole other building or heaven forbid a completely different terminal all together. Makes it tough to get back back to your car with all your luggage. I know they offer ariport shuttles, but sometimes those are a hassle and hard to find. Do you think it is simpler to just have The Spot shuttle whisk you back to your car??? Does this even make sense?? This has happened to us on several occasions and by the time we get to our car, we seemed to of lost the "vacation joy". Do you have a better solution. I remember one hot, July returning from a flight at gate B24; thinking my car was in that particular section, went out to get car while daughter waited for luggage, I looked and looked for over 20 minutes and decided car had been stolen! Then it hit me, I was in the wrong section!!!! I was so hotttttttttt and frustrated.
Lastly, what about if you need to over night at one of the airport hotels. Is it better to leave car there or move to termial needed. I understand Grand Hyatt is in Termianl D which is all connected, but Hyatt DFW is in terminal C.
Does this bother anyone else, or it just me?????

jcb

Katiekate -

Here's my two cents. I personally never park at the gate b/c it is something like $17 a day.

My preference is Parking Spot or DFW remote parking (but only if you arrive in plenty of time for your flight - I had a bad experence once on a Saturday morning, so now I leave plenty of time for any possible problem when parking in remote.)

Here is the link to the DFW parking which gives a link to DFW hotel overnight parking.

http://www.dfwairport.com/parking/

BeachGirl247

We use Parking Spot. It is so much easier for me as I'm not rushing around trying to find a parking space and don't worry about what gate I arrive on my return. Plus, you can go online and print a coupon which saves a few $$.

txgirlinbda

We use remote parking and leave plenty of time - I just jot down our parking area so once we get back to the remote lot, I know where to look. I can't see paying for terminal parking if it stresses you out that much to worry about where you're coming back in.

Are you referring to the on-airport hotels? I ask because our dive group always left out of DFW at the crack-of-dawn, so we would drive up from Waco the night before, and all stay at one of the off-airport hotels - almost all of them allow you to leave your vehicle for free if you spend one night there, and they shuttle you right to and from your gate. All for the cost of a clean place to sleep and no worries about parking, Dallas traffic, etc. And probably cheaper than the hotels inside the airport.

katiekate

I was able to get a decent rate including free parking at the Hyatt. Since we will be flying international it's a pretty good bet we'll fly in and out of Terminal D. Thank you everyone for your responses.

A_Traveller

I don't think there's a set answer to your parking question. It depends on your priorities. Usinfg the close-in "gate parking" is your most costliest option but you do run the risk of departing/arriving from different terminals, however, the SkyLink tram is quite efficient and only takes a few minutes to go from one terminal to the other. As for remembering where section you parked the car there's an easy solution if you have a faulty memory - simply jot down the section number on a piece of paper and keep it in your wallet or purse.

Of course, if the daily rate for close-in parking is too much for your budget than you have no alternative but to use the remote parking area or one of the off-site parking services. There are advantages and trade-offs for each one so select the option that works best for you.

If you over night at the Hyatt I'd choose the Grand Hyatt in Terminal D - it's newer, right at Terminal D and only a minute or two from the Sky Tram if you have to go to another terminal. Obviously, if the Grand Hyatt is booked the regular Hyatt is an acceptable alternative. Honestly, I think you are worrying too much about the "little things" as neither parking or which hotel you stay at makes any real difference. Choose what works best for your budget.

jcb

A_Traveller - have a quick question for you since I've only used Skylink a few times. If you arrive and depart at different terminals and have checked luggage, I assume Skylink is not an option b/c you have to leave the terminal to collect your bags. Am I incorrect? Thanks.

A_Traveller

The Sky-Link tram stations are "inside" the secure area of the terminals so, yes, if you have to claim luggage that's not an option. In that case you have to use the "free shuttle" busses to get between terminals.

sandy_b

I fly out of DFW often and for the past year have been parking at Fasttrack (formerly PCA). If you book on line and in advance, you can get indoor, covered parking for $7.50/day.

www.fasttrack.com

I've had very good luck with them.

Sandy (in Denton)

katiekate

Good advise, thank you.

Tess_Durberville

I like to park at "Park Air Express", which is off 114 - Esters Blvd, across from Sheraton. In fact, the shuttle picks up/drops off at both the parking lot & the Sheraton Hotel.

If you go to their website, you can usually print out a discount coupon, OR, if you're an AAA Member you can also get a discount on parking. Make sure you show them your AAA card when paying & checking out.

http://www.4airportparking.com/dfw/