Off-airport lots are private car parks near the airport, most with their own shuttle to the terminal. We priced 9 private lots against the airport's own lots for the same stay: all 9 cost less than the airport's garage, but only 4 less than its cheapest lot (private posted rates before the taxes and fees they add). 5 of the 9 private lots we track show a price only for your exact dates. Below, the real numbers side by side.
The difference in one table
| Official airport lots | Off-airport lots | |
|---|---|---|
| Who runs it | The airport (or its contractor) | A private company |
| Getting to the terminal | Walk from the garage; shuttle or long walk from economy lots | Of the 9 we track: the operator's shuttle at 7, a walk at 1, valet at 1 |
| Prices | Posted rates: a daily maximum, often with hourly steps for short stays | 5 of 9: a quote for your dates only; the rest post a daily rate |
| Reservations | Not offered at SMF and IND; optional at PVD | Online or by phone, depending on the operator |
Official vs off-airport prices at real airports
Albuquerque Sunport (ABQ)
- Cheapest official lot: Basic Economy Lot — $24 for 3 days, $56 for 7 days.
- Fast Park & Relax: Sample online quote: $32.02 for Oct 21, 8:00 AM – Oct 24, 6:00 PM, including the taxes and fees the quote listed (quoted Oct 14). The $4.95 reservation fee comes on top: $36.97 in all (waived for Relax for Rewards members). The airport's Basic Economy Lot for the same dates: $32 by our estimate from its posted rates.
- Airport Parking – Open Parking (Airport Parking LLC): $13.50 for 3 days, $31.50 for 7 days from its posted rate. Extra charges: “plus tax & airport fees”.
- Airport Parking – Covered Parking (Airport Parking LLC): $27 for 3 days, $63 for 7 days from its posted rate. Extra charges: “plus tax & airport fees”.
- Park & Shuttle – Uncovered Parking (Park and Shuttle): $16.44 for 3 days, $38.36 for 7 days from its posted rate. Extra charges: “plus taxes and fees”.
- Park & Shuttle – Covered Parking (Park and Shuttle): $20.94 for 3 days, $48.86 for 7 days from its posted rate. Extra charges: “plus taxes and fees”.
Indianapolis Airport (IND)
- Cheapest official lot: Economy Lot — $27 for 3 days, $63 for 7 days.
- Fast Park & Relax: Sample online quote: $44 for Oct 21, 8:00 AM – Oct 24, 6:00 PM, including the taxes and fees the quote listed (quoted Oct 14). The $4.95 reservation fee comes on top: $48.95 in all (waived for Relax for Rewards members). The airport's Economy Lot for the same dates: $36 by our estimate from its posted rates.
T. F. Green Airport (PVD)
- Cheapest official lot: Lot E (Long-Term Express) — $66 for 3 days, $154 for 7 days.
- Red Beam Garage C (Propark Mobility): Sample online quote: $101.95 for Oct 21, 8:00 AM – Oct 24, 6:00 PM, including the taxes and fees the quote listed (quoted Oct 14). Extra charges: “Rates do not include applicable taxes and fees”. The airport's Lot E (Long-Term Express) for the same dates: $88 by our estimate from its posted rates.
- Target Park Valet: Sample online quote: $60.79 for Oct 21, 8:00 AM – Oct 24, 6:00 PM (quoted Oct 14). The airport's Lot E (Long-Term Express) for the same dates: $88 by our estimate from its posted rates.
Cincinnati Airport (CVG)
- Cheapest official lot: CVG Economy Lot — $30 for 3 days, $70 for 7 days.
- Fast Park & Relax: Sample online quote: $46.64 for Oct 21, 8:00 AM – Oct 24, 6:00 PM, including the taxes and fees the quote listed (quoted Oct 14). The $4.95 reservation fee comes on top: $51.59 in all (waived for Relax for Rewards members). The airport's CVG Economy Lot for the same dates: $40 by our estimate from its posted rates, or $31.20 booked online (quoted October 14, 2026).
What you trade for the lower price
The shuttle
With most off-airport lots you add a shuttle ride each way. Check how often it runs and whether it runs at the hour your flight lands.
- ABQ, Airport Parking – Open Parking: 24/7 (operator's information).
- ABQ, Airport Parking – Covered Parking: 24/7 (operator's information).
- ABQ, Park & Shuttle – Uncovered Parking: 24 hours (operator's information).
- ABQ, Park & Shuttle – Covered Parking: 24 hours (operator's information).
Cover
Covered parking at the airports' own lots:
- ABQ: Parking Garage; partly covered: Premium Economy Lot.
- SMF: Garage 1.
- IND: Hourly Parking and Valet Parking; partly covered: Daily Parking (Terminal Garage).
- PVD: Garage A and Garage B.
Private lots with covered spaces:
- ABQ: Fast Park & Relax.
- ABQ: Airport Parking – Covered Parking (Airport Parking LLC).
- ABQ: Park & Shuttle – Covered Parking (Park and Shuttle).
- IND: Fast Park & Relax.
- PVD: Red Beam Garage C (Propark Mobility) — some spaces.
The total, not the rate
Private lots can add taxes and fees to the posted or quoted price, and a few hours past full days may be charged as one more day. Compare the final total for your dates with the airport's own economy lot.
Before you choose an off-airport lot, check
- The total for your dates, with taxes and fees.
- Shuttle hours and how often it runs — especially for very early or late flights.
- The cancellation rules if you prepay.
- Whether it is the operator's own site or a reseller — the price and the rules can differ.
Compare everything for your dates: ABQ · SMF · IND · PVD · CVG