Need suggestions for safe airport parking (BHM) (Birmingham, Huntsville: hotels, safe neighborhood)

[denkirk]

We live in the Huntsville area where Southwest Airlines does not fly. We usually drive up to Nashville and fly Southwest out of BNA. For the duration of our trip, we're able to leave our car at a local hotel at no charge as long as we spend one night at the hotel before our departure.

Thought we'd try Birmingham airport for an upcoming trip to Tampa. Is there safe long term parking near the airport (long term = 5 days approx). Or any hotels that are located in a relatively safe neighborhood?
I identified a few hotels, but there are some negative reviews (car broken into, etc.)

Thanks for any suggestions.

[cpg35223]

Why wouldn't you just park in the long-term parking deck at the airport? It's about as convenient and secure as can be.

[denkirk]

Originally Posted by cpg35223

Why wouldn't you just park in the long-term parking deck at the airport? It's about as convenient and secure as can be.

We could certainly do that... I am not familiar with the Birmingham airport at all so I didn't know it existed. I look into it. Thanks.

[denkirk]

cpg35223... are you talking about this? (from the flybirmingham.com site):

Daily Parking:
$1.00 per hour or $12.00 per day
Daily parking is intended for persons parking more than 4 hours at the airport.
Daily parking is located on level 2 and 4 through 7. Also a small number of daily parking spaces are located on level 3. Oversize handicap vehicles may enter the parking deck at the designated entrance located at ground level.

[cpg35223]

Originally Posted by denkirk

cpg35223... are you talking about this? (from the flybirmingham.com site):

Daily Parking:
$1.00 per hour or $12.00 per day
Daily parking is intended for persons parking more than 4 hours at the airport.
Daily parking is located on level 2 and 4 through 7. Also a small number of daily parking spaces are located on level 3. Oversize handicap vehicles may enter the parking deck at the designated entrance located at ground level.

Yep. There is parking down the road for $9 a day with a shuttle. Airport Parking Birmingham, Discount Airport Parking Birmingham Alabama, Birmingham Municipal Airport, Valet Parking Birmingham Alabama Airport

And here's the skinny on parking AT the airport: http://www.flybirmingham.com/passenger-parking.html

But I like the BHM because you literally cross over to the terminal building. And, upon your return, you're not sitting there waiting on the airport shuttle. It really is convenient.

One other thing. The airport is undergoing MAJOR renovations. The result is that one entire terminal is shut down, so all traffic goes through the second terminal. Because of so many flights first thing in the morning, there can be a logjam at security. So I recommend getting there an hour and a half before an early-morning departure. If it's after 8 a.m., you should be fine.

[denkirk]

Originally Posted by cpg35223

One other thing. The airport is undergoing MAJOR renovations. The result is that one entire terminal is shut down, so all traffic goes through the second terminal. Because of so many flights first thing in the morning, there can be a logjam at security. So I recommend getting there an hour and a half before an early-morning departure. If it's after 8 a.m., you should be fine.

Thanks for your response! With the renovations, is the parking affected? In other words, do we need to get there early to ensure a parking space or if we arrived noonish are the odds good that there's plenty of room left in the garage? We haven't booked our flights yet and there's plenty to pick from, so I can book early or mid-day.

Appreciate your help!

[cpg35223]

Originally Posted by denkirk

Thanks for your response! With the renovations, is the parking affected? In other words, do we need to get there early to ensure a parking space or if we arrived noonish are the odds good that there's plenty of room left in the garage? We haven't booked our flights yet and there's plenty to pick from, so I can book early or mid-day.

Appreciate your help!

Odds are good that there will be plenty of parking. From mid-morning on, you should encounter a big problem. And the parking deck is not affected by the renovation. However, there is a lack of decent places to eat in the BHM, so grab something before you come.

[denkirk]

Originally Posted by cpg35223

From mid-morning on, you should encounter a big problem.

Eeek! "a big problem" ?? Hope this was a typo Can you confirm? Thanks again for the help!

[cpg35223]

Originally Posted by denkirk

Eeek! "a big problem" ?? Hope this was a typo Can you confirm? Thanks again for the help!

Yes, it was a typo. Read "shouldn't".

[hlsess]

We were at BHM last week- had a 6:30 AM flight-arrived at 5:30 and security line was VERY long BUT moved quickly- we were thru secrity in 20 minutes- make sure you are def there 1:15 minutes before flight...