If you’ve flown recently, you’ve probably asked whether parking at the airport or a rideshare is most cost effective.
The answer is it depends on a whole bunch of variables: Whether you’ll be hit with surge pricing, where and how far you
live from the airport, how long you’ll be gone, and how many people are going with you.
How Rideshares Work at Airports
With a rideshare, you’ll pay a base rate, plus a surge multiplier based on congestion, high demand, or
bad weather, plus an extra fee if you need a larger vehicle. You’ll also be charged for drop-off and pickup fees, which, depending on your airport, could range between $1 and $5. For pick up, many airports
require rideshare drivers to wait in a particular spot, which can quickly become congested. Chicago
O’Hare and Atlanta Hartsfield airports have had issues with congested rideshare areas leading to long
delays for pick-ups.
Rideshares with Kids
If you’re flying with preschool-age children, a rideshare can quickly turn into a major hassle as you deal
with booster and car seats. Drivers may decline to transport you if you go without car seats, as they’re
the ones who will be liable or risk getting a ticket.
How Much Does a Rideshare to the Airport Cost?
The cost of a rideshare to the airport depends on many things, including how far from the airport you
live, congestion or demand level, and other factors like weather. And it might take longer to get to the
airport using a rideshare; during peak times and at high congestion times, your pick up may be delayed.
Using RideGuru, we estimated the cost of a family going to the airport in the cities we operate in.
Cost of a family going to the airport in an SUV varies greatly depending on location and surge pricing.
1-Way Price to ORD |
LaGrange |
Naperville |
Tinley Park |
1X Price |
$40 |
$74 |
$103 |
1.5X Price |
$59 |
$109 |
$152 |
1-Way Price to BOS |
Brookline |
Waltham |
Lexington |
1X Price |
$40 |
$57 |
$78 |
1.5X Price |
$58 |
$83 |
$115 |
1-Way Price to ATL |
Forest Park |
Fayetteville |
Marietta |
1X Price |
$31 |
$48 |
$81 |
1.5X Price |
$47 |
$72 |
$122 |
1-Way Price to HOU |
Pasadena |
Cloverleaf |
Atascocita |
1X Price |
$25 |
$44 |
$82 |
1.5X Price |
$38 |
$66 |
$123 |
1-Way Price to PHL |
Swarthmore |
Havertown |
Fort Washington |
1X Price |
$21 |
$50 |
$78 |
1.5X Price |
$32 |
$75 |
$117 |
1-Way Price to PHX |
Tempe |
Glendale |
Apache Junction |
1X Price |
$33 |
$48 |
$81 |
1.5X Price |
$50 |
$72 |
$122 |
Cost of Parking at PreFlight
At PreFlight, the cost of your reservation will vary by how long you stay, how far in advance you book,
and where you choose to park. Reserving guarantees your spot and your pricing. Check what your rate
at a PreFlight Airport parking location would be.