You are preparing to leave for a business trip or a visit to the family for the holidays. Everything is set, you have your tickets, and your bags are packed, but there’s the dreadful expensive parking awaiting you when you get to the airport.
However, the good news is that there are several hacks to avoid these exorbitant fees. In this guide, we have compiled some tips that will help you pay less at HOU airport, together with some of the benefits of pre-booking airport parking. Buckle up and let’s take off!
About HOU Airport
William P. Hobby Airport, popularly known as HOU is an international airport in Houston, Texas.Hobby is Houston’s oldest commercial airport and was for the longest time its main airport until George Bush Intercontinental Airport (previously Houston Intercontinental Airport) was opened in 1969.
Hobby became a secondary airport for domestic airline service, and a regional center for corporate and private aviation. The airport covers 1,304 acres (528 ha) with four runways, and it houses the 1940 Air Terminal Museum. Hobby is owned by the city of Houston and operated by Houston Airport System.
Houston Hobby offers numerous parking options – including short and long-term parking options – for travelers. Although reservations are not required for parking at HOU, you can prepay for parking online through the airport’s website. You might save some money for certain locations and travel dates by prior booking a parking space.
Parking at HOU
On-site parking at Hobby can be done at the airport’s Red parking garage, located directly across the street from the airport terminal. You can have valet parking services at the Red garage, and this will cost you $28 each day. Alternatively, you can self-park at the Red garage and the rate drops to $24 per day.
You can also park your vehicle at the airport’s Blue parking garage, located directly to the west of the Red garage. Parking services here are $24 per day, and there are no valet services offered. In essence, self-parking at HOU’s Red or Blue garage is the same and it is ultimately about the availability of parking space at the time of your travel. Both are within walking distance of the terminal and offer EV charging stations, handicap parking, and an automatic parking guidance system to aid your parking.
For long-term parking at Houston Hobby, the EcoPark is a preferred economy parking lot due to the price savings. The parking rate at HOU EcoPark is $9.24 for each day (plus tax). However, keep in mind that the EcoPark is located quite a distance from the airport terminals, so you’ll need to take a shuttle. Shuttle services run from 5:30 AM to midnight daily. The EcoPark lot is often packed or nearly full during peak travel times.
How to Park for Less at HOU
Airport parking doesn’t have to be a pocket-denting experience. Here are a couple of tips to save some money the next time you park at HOU.
Research Available/Alternative Parking Options
Every airport is different, especially when it comes to available parking options. There are some with more limited options than others, but you can only figure this out if you conduct some research in advance. You can do this through the airport’s website or using booking services like OneStopParking.com. Once you know the options, you can then decide which one best suits you.
In our experience, off-airport parking lots with shuttle services to and from the airport terminal are often a cost-friendly option when traveling on a budget. At HOU, one of the most popular off-site parking options is Marriott Houston Hobby. The hotel is located 1.5 miles (2.4 km) from the airport and is a highly rated premium location with a regular shuttle to and from the airport.
The parking rates are $3.25 per day, which is a fraction of even the cheapest on-site option at HOU. You also benefit from a free shuttle ride to and from the airport terminal at regular intervals. For convenience, you can get valet parking by adding just $1 extra per day.
Plan and Book Your Parking in Advance
Another fantastic way to avoid the stress of airport parking is to make bookings. This way you get to secure a parking spot and have absolute peace of mind without the stress and scramble last minute. Most airports have invested in creating an online presence recently, and travelers should utilize these tools. There are also booking services like OnesStopParking.com which allow you to reserve parking spots.
OneStopParking.com offers several options that suit all budgets and needs. The next time you plan on taking a trip, try them out and enjoy the convenience of prior booking. Why wait till the last minute and then complain about the stress and inconvenience of airport parking?
Utilize Booking/Reservation Services
Nowadays, a Google search for the “cheapest Houston Hobby Airport parking nearby” will only get you so far. However, OneStopParking.com offers a solution to this problem. It is a great alternative for the cheapest park-and-fly deals or even any attempt at finding the cheapest airport parking imaginable. With such an easy-to-use and optimized website, you can save both time and money when planning your next trip!
Wrapping Up
Parking at the airport doesn’t have to be an unpleasant and expensive experience. These few tips should help you avoid the hassle of airport parking. If you’re planning to fly via HOU, make use of One Stop Parking services to make the most savings in airport parking.
You’ll get the best deals and bookings through our expertly crafted website, including free cancellation, and no need for room reservations. You’ll be sure to get first-class treatment every step of the way and benefit from free shuttle services to and from the airport. If you have any questions or concerns, get in touch with us, and let’s help you save money on airport parking.