What is airport parking?
Airport parking is any lot or garage where you leave your car while flying. Two categories:
- On-airport — lots and garages owned and operated by the airport authority (DIA, MAA, CDA). Pricier ($20–50/day) but closer to terminal.
- Off-airport — private lots within 1–5 miles of the airport with free 24/7 shuttle service. Cheaper ($7–15/day), often more secure, and frequently include amenities like covered spaces and EV charging.
Airport parking by type
Pick the type that fits your trip:
- Economy — cheapest on-airport option, $10–22/day, typically a remote lot with shuttle to terminal.
- Garage — covered, walking distance to terminal, $25–50/day. Best for short trips.
- Valet — drop at terminal curb, $32–50/day. Fastest in/out, premium price.
- Off-airport — private lots, $7–15/day with free shuttle. Best value for trips of 2+ days.
Airport parking by city
Denver International (DIA): 12 lots reviewed, ranging from Pikes Peak Shuttle ($7/day) to DIA Valet ($45+/day). Off-airport leaders: Canopy ($9), Park2Jet ($9.99), ParkDIA ($11). See Denver airport parking comparison.
Chicago O'Hare (ORD): Off-airport from $7/day at Park 'N Fly and FastTrack. On-airport economy at $22/day. Free shuttle to all 4 terminals. See O'Hare parking guide.
Chicago Midway (MDW): Off-airport from $8/day at The Parking Spot Midway and Park 'N Fly Midway. On-airport economy at $20/day. See Midway parking guide.
How off-airport shuttles work
Off-airport shuttles add 10–20 minutes each way but save $50–200/week. The process: park your car, walk to the shuttle stop (or stay at your row for ride-to-row lots), board the shuttle, ride 5–15 minutes to the terminal, get dropped at curbside departures. On return, call or text the shuttle from baggage claim. All major lots run shuttles 24/7, every 5–15 minutes during peak.
Airport parking pricing 2026
| City | Lot | Type | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denver (DIA) | Pikes Peak Shuttle | On-airport economy | $7-10/day |
| Denver (DIA) | Canopy Airport Parking | Off-airport | $9/day |
| Denver (DIA) | ParkDIA | Off-airport | $11/day |
| Denver (DIA) | DIA Valet | On-airport valet | $45+/day |
| Chicago (ORD) | Park 'N Fly O'Hare | Off-airport | $7-12/day |
| Chicago (ORD) | FastTrack ORD | Off-airport | $7-11/day |
| Chicago (ORD) | ORD Economy | On-airport economy | $22/day |
| Chicago (MDW) | Park 'N Fly Midway | Off-airport | $8-12/day |
| Chicago (MDW) | The Parking Spot Midway | Off-airport covered | $8-14/day |
| Chicago (MDW) | Midway Economy | On-airport economy | $20/day |
Booking airport parking
Pre-book through Windy Parking, SpotHero, ParkWhiz, or directly with the lot operator. Pre-booking locks in 15–30% off walk-up rates, guarantees a spot during peak periods, and lets you cancel free up to 24 hours before arrival. For DIA, ORD, and MDW, advance booking is essential during Thanksgiving, Christmas, spring break, and summer.
All airport parking sub-topics
Every airport, lot, and parking type has a dedicated guide:
Airport Parking Denver
All 12 DIA lots reviewed and ranked from $7/day.
Chicago Airport Parking
Compare ORD and MDW off-airport options.
O'Hare Airport Parking
Complete ORD parking guide and lot comparison.
Midway Airport Parking
MDW parking from $8/day off-airport.
DIA Parking Rates
Full Denver airport parking rate tables.
DIA Long-Term Parking
7+ day Denver airport parking from $49/week.
DIA Short-Term Parking
Hourly and daily DIA parking options.
DIA Parking Deals
Current promo codes and discounts.
Valet Parking Denver Airport
Curbside valet from $22/day at DIA.
Park and Fly Chicago
Hotel + parking packages near ORD and MDW.
Cheap Parking O'Hare
Lowest-priced ORD lots ranked.
O'Hare Economy Parking
ORD on-site economy lot guide.
Best Aurora Airport Parking
DIA parking from Aurora-side, no E-470 toll.
Coming Soon
Airport parking compared in one search.
DIA, ORD, MDW — Windy Parking has every off-airport lot. Join now for 25% off your first booking.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest airport parking?
Off-site airport parking is the cheapest, starting at $7/day at lots like Pikes Peak Shuttle (DIA) and Park 'N Fly O'Hare (ORD). On-airport economy lots run $20–22/day, and on-airport garages reach $35–50/day. Off-site saves $50–200 per week on a typical trip.
Is off-airport parking safe?
Yes — major off-airport lots are fenced, well-lit, staffed 24/7, and have surveillance cameras. Top operators including Canopy, The Parking Spot, Park 'N Fly, WallyPark, and Avistar all maintain insured facilities with on-duty attendants. Independent reviews on Google and Yelp average 4.0–4.6 stars.
How does airport off-site shuttle work?
When you arrive at an off-site lot, you park, grab your luggage, and a free shuttle picks you up at your row. Shuttles run every 5–15 minutes, 24/7, and drop you at your terminal curbside. On return, you call or text the shuttle from baggage claim and ride back to your car. Total transit adds 10–20 minutes each way.
How early should I book airport parking?
Book 1–2 weeks ahead for normal trips and 3–4 weeks for major holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, July 4th, spring break). Pre-booking saves 15–30% versus walk-up rates and guarantees a spot. Off-airport lots near DIA, ORD, and MDW frequently sell out during peak periods.
What is long-term airport parking?
Long-term airport parking is any stay of 4+ days. Off-airport lots offer the best value — $49–77 per week at DIA and ORD versus $140–154 per week at on-airport economy. Most lots offer a 4th-week-free promotion for 28+ day stays, dropping monthly cost to $189–247.
Can I cancel airport parking reservations?
Most airport parking aggregators including Windy Parking offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before arrival. SpotHero and ParkWhiz allow cancellation up to 1 hour before. Direct bookings with The Parking Spot and Park 'N Fly typically require 24-hour notice for refunds.