kwren

We'll be away for the last 2 weeks of February, leaving from JFK Airport in NY. We are considering parking in the (expensive) indoor lot but are wondering if there are other indoor options in case there is another big snow when we are gone.

Any hotels in that area which do park and fly might work for us, but I am not finding any with indoor lots. I also don't find any regular parking lots with indoor parking. Recommendations?

What if we go to one of the off-site lots and it snows? Do we come back to a car covered in ice or do the lots clear the cars off for you? Does anyone have any experience with long-term parking in the winter?

What would you do?

gb944

If you park at one of the outdoor lots, like the rest of us hoi polloi, you are subject to the vagaries of weather. There might be snow, there might be rain, there might be neither. Pack a snow shovel in your trunk in case you have to dig out. I've done it, it's not too bad, unless you are at the end of one of the plowing routes and there is a mountain of snow to dig out from.

If you car is that valuable that you don't want to leave it outdoors, you might consider a car service instead. It will most likely be cheaper than indoor parking for two weeks.

gb944

If you can get one of the lot attendants to clear your car for you, clearly hell will have frozen over!

kwren

Love that last remark....and it's what I figured as I worry about my car and everything else freezing over. And don't worry...I'm one of the normal hoi polloi too! It's usually the cheapest parking for us.

Never worried about this before - I guess over 30 inches of snow in that one day a week ago has influenced my thinking a bit! We just don't want to dig through a pile or wall of snow after travelling all day from Europe, and then having to drive another 4 hours on top of that.

doug_stallings

I'm not aware of any hotels that offer covered parking, and I doubt you could find any other indoor parking that's cheaper than the garages at JFK. Be sure to check the garages to see how full they are. They've been running very full this winter, and if the garage looks pretty full, make a reservation for a space.

But there's no way to get the car cleared off if you park outside. As everyone says, you're at the whim of the weather gods then. And the long-term lots are huge.

tomfuller

If you do reach your car and it is hopeless, head back to the car rental counter and rent a car for about 16 hours.
Go home, sleep and then take 3 strong guys with you and 3 shovels and 1 broom.
Other tips are to leave the wiper blades up when you leave, arrive at the lot with a full tank of gas with a dose of Drygas and back into the parking spot if it is allowed.
One wild idea I just came up with would be to bring an inflatable boat, a 12X20 tarp and a few bungee cords.
Inflate the boat, put it on the roof, stretch the tarp over the car and boat and secure.
This would keep the car from being coated with ice and will save a lot of work uncovering the car.
I'm so glad I have a garage and a new electric snowblower to clear my driveway. If my road is not plowed, I just stay home.

gb944

One other option is to do a one way rental from your home base to JFK and the same on the way back. Depends on what the one way charges are, but could be a viable alternative.

kwren

I had another idea and was wondering if anyone has experience with lots that have valet parking? I read one review that said the car was ready and waiting and warmed up when the family got back from their trip. Sounds like they would have to dig the car out if there would be snow.

BUT, is this a reliable way to go? Has anyone had a negative experience with this? Does anyone have a lot with valet parking that they recommend?

kwren

Booked off-site parking at JFK since the upcoming weather seems to be good. JFK Lingenious Parking had a good deal and good reviews and as soon as we got there we realized we had already used it and were happy with it. As we left, we received the instructions on how to catch the shuttle back and the man mentioned that they would have the car waiting and warmed up for us. I asked if it snowed would they clear it off and he said yes! Success! I also asked what they did with the big blizzard a week ago and he said they had to clear up all the cars. Yikes!

kwren

That is JFK Longterm Parking! My phone does some strange things! !!