Is it worth paying for parking in Reagan National Airport DCA?
Well, to answer this question we should study parking prices in Reagan Airport. According to their website, parking cost ranges from the lowest $12 a day to the highest $36.
Option 1. Economy parking, located away from the terminals. You have to take a shuttle to get to your car. The cost is $12 a day.
Option 2. Daily parking which is closer (parking garages are located within a 4 or 5-minute walk from the Terminal) but costs $20 a day.
Option 3. The most expensive one: hourly garage at $36 a day.
Now that's called Rip Off. So let's do some simple math here: you go for a 10-day vacation and settle on Option 2 which is used by 70% of travelers who choose to leave their car in the airport. 10 days times $20= $200! WOW! Note, this is only for parking. We should add gas which at today's price is $4.13 a gallon. Let's assume you will drive 30 miles for a round trip, that's another $6-$9, depending on what kind of vehicle you own. If you live in NOVA, you will most likely pay a toll $2.75 each way. Let's sum up what we know so far: a person going from Reston VA to Reagan National Airport DCA will pay $200 for parking + $7 for gas + $5.50 tolls = $212.50.
What if you say, "I will use the economy parking." No problem, that adds up to $120 + $7 + $5.50 = $132.50, let alone the nerve-racking drive today on 495 or 66, with all the construction, lane closers and, of course, inexperienced drivers. Sometimes you wonder how they got their driver's license, or even want to have a few words of wisdom with the person who took their driving exam.
But all this aside, as you see getting to the airport is not cheap at all in today's day and age. If you don't pay tolls, you are still paying a whooping $207 or $127. Now what if I said you could get a Black car service and pay $150 for the same trip?
This is not a taxi with an unprofessional driver who is always asking you to pay cash even though there are 15 signs on his car, stating that they accept all major credit cards. Your driver will not call his family or friends and talk to them all the way on his Bluetooth. If you think I am exaggerating, it's been a while since you used a cab. Please take the time and get a few cabs for your next trips. I bet you will have more stuff to share with us than the ones I have listed. Just to name a few, used a DC taxi to get from Georgetown to Alexandria VA. The driver was eating a burrito while driving and when he finished he put his foot on the dashboard and continued to drive in this position. Yes, this does happen and more often than you think.
OK, back to the main point. Yes, you can get a Limo (Town Car Service) for $150 round trip. Your driver is polite and professional, wearing a suit. The car is clean and does not smell like cigarettes (I forgot to say that cabs mostly smell like an ashtray).
You have complementary bottled water, magazines. The driver meets you inside the terminal, close to your baggage claim, holding a sign with your name on it and assists you with your luggage. Most importantly, he tracks your flight, so if it's late or early, he will still be waiting for you.
I think the aforementioned was enough for you to make a wise decision, my friends.
Well, to answer this question we should study parking prices in Reagan Airport. According to their website, parking cost ranges from the lowest $12 a day to the highest $36.
Option 1. Economy parking, located away from the terminals. You have to take a shuttle to get to your car. The cost is $12 a day.
Option 2. Daily parking which is closer (parking garages are located within a 4 or 5-minute walk from the Terminal) but costs $20 a day.
Option 3. The most expensive one: hourly garage at $36 a day.
Now that's called Rip Off. So let's do some simple math here: you go for a 10-day vacation and settle on Option 2 which is used by 70% of travelers who choose to leave their car in the airport. 10 days times $20= $200! WOW! Note, this is only for parking. We should add gas which at today's price is $4.13 a gallon. Let's assume you will drive 30 miles for a round trip, that's another $6-$9, depending on what kind of vehicle you own. If you live in NOVA, you will most likely pay a toll $2.75 each way. Let's sum up what we know so far: a person going from Reston VA to Reagan National Airport DCA will pay $200 for parking + $7 for gas + $5.50 tolls = $212.50.
What if you say, "I will use the economy parking." No problem, that adds up to $120 + $7 + $5.50 = $132.50, let alone the nerve-racking drive today on 495 or 66, with all the construction, lane closers and, of course, inexperienced drivers. Sometimes you wonder how they got their driver's license, or even want to have a few words of wisdom with the person who took their driving exam.
But all this aside, as you see getting to the airport is not cheap at all in today's day and age. If you don't pay tolls, you are still paying a whooping $207 or $127. Now what if I said you could get a Black car service and pay $150 for the same trip?
This is not a taxi with an unprofessional driver who is always asking you to pay cash even though there are 15 signs on his car, stating that they accept all major credit cards. Your driver will not call his family or friends and talk to them all the way on his Bluetooth. If you think I am exaggerating, it's been a while since you used a cab. Please take the time and get a few cabs for your next trips. I bet you will have more stuff to share with us than the ones I have listed. Just to name a few, used a DC taxi to get from Georgetown to Alexandria VA. The driver was eating a burrito while driving and when he finished he put his foot on the dashboard and continued to drive in this position. Yes, this does happen and more often than you think.
OK, back to the main point. Yes, you can get a Limo (Town Car Service) for $150 round trip. Your driver is polite and professional, wearing a suit. The car is clean and does not smell like cigarettes (I forgot to say that cabs mostly smell like an ashtray).
You have complementary bottled water, magazines. The driver meets you inside the terminal, close to your baggage claim, holding a sign with your name on it and assists you with your luggage. Most importantly, he tracks your flight, so if it's late or early, he will still be waiting for you.
I think the aforementioned was enough for you to make a wise decision, my friends.
DCACAR provides Luxury car service to all major airports in DC area. Give them a call and you might stop wasting your hard-earned money on parking, gas, etc, and getting irritated because of traffic. Sit back, relax and enjoy your ride: after all this was supposed to be a vacation!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Davit_Zakaryan 
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