Huntsville is most expensive place to fly in/out (Birmingham: hotel, to buy)

[Charles]

Originally Posted by HB2HSV

Well... for this Christmas holiday we're flying out of HSV airport to California. I did the online shopping and Southwest out of Nashville (or B'ham) is not any cheaper, plus the cost of airport parking.

Don't you still have to park at HSV airport? Or, can someone drop you off.

Also, about parking at Nashville, there's a Residence Inn or Homewood Suites (I forget which) close by that will let you park there and they will shuttle you for free and pick you up. So, if traveling for a pretty long time, like more than a week, it might be cheaper (and definitely more convenient) to stay one night at the hotel (or don't stay but pay for it anyway) and park your car there and get the shuttle ride right to the curb. Beats the hassle of the long term parking bus.

[skinem]

Originally Posted by Charles

Don't you still have to park at HSV airport? Or, can someone drop you off.

Also, about parking at Nashville, there's a Residence Inn or Homewood Suites (I forget which) close by that will let you park there and they will shuttle you for free and pick you up. So, if traveling for a pretty long time, like more than a week, it might be cheaper (and definitely more convenient) to stay one night at the hotel (or don't stay but pay for it anyway) and park your car there and get the shuttle ride right to the curb. Beats the hassle of the long term parking bus.

Great advice. I've done this in several cities and it can save a chunk of change. The vehicle has always been where I left it in (often unfortunately) the same condition I left it in...

[HB2HSV]

Originally Posted by Charles

Don't you still have to park at HSV airport? Or, can someone drop you off.

Also, about parking at Nashville, there's a Residence Inn or Homewood Suites (I forget which) close by that will let you park there and they will shuttle you for free and pick you up. So, if traveling for a pretty long time, like more than a week, it might be cheaper (and definitely more convenient) to stay one night at the hotel (or don't stay but pay for it anyway) and park your car there and get the shuttle ride right to the curb. Beats the hassle of the long term parking bus.

We plan to take a taxi. It's not far from where we are in Madison to the airport.

Yes, I've heard the same from others. Many hotels in Nashville nearby the airport do this. We'd figure the airfare alone was competitive (in this case) so we don't need to drive to Nashville.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by HB2HSV

We plan to take a taxi. It's not far from where we are in Madison to the airport.

See, that's what happens when you aren't friends with your neighbors. I had this one neighbor who once needed a ride to the airport. Guess what? No way. You know why? Because he used to scare us while we innocent little kids were riding our scooters in the neighborhood. He gave us dirty looks and waved a golf club at us.

[HB2HSV]

Originally Posted by Charles

See, that's what happens when you aren't friends with your neighbors. I had this one neighbor who once needed a ride to the airport. Guess what? No way. You know why? Because he used to scare us while we innocent little kids were riding our scooters in the neighborhood. He gave us dirty looks and waved a golf club at us.

OK Charles, I can expect you come to give us a ride now ?

We are cordial with our neighbors but we also know, by not burden either our friends or neighbors with little things like a ride to airport, we can keep them as friends & good neighbors longer

[tammie2]

We just priced out flights to Costa Rica, we will be saving just over $2000 flying out of Atlanta. The prices for Birmingham, Nashville, and Huntsville were all relatively comparable and wouldn't have been worth the small difference to drive/park....$2000 is another story, we won't be taking a taxi and although we are friendly enough with our neighbors, we won't be asking for a ride

[Charles]

Originally Posted by tammie2

We just priced out flights to Costa Rica, we will be saving just over $2000 flying out of Atlanta. The prices for Birmingham, Nashville, and Huntsville were all relatively comparable and wouldn't have been worth the small difference to drive/park....$2000 is another story, we won't be taking a taxi and although we are friendly enough with our neighbors, we won't be asking for a ride

Try to find a hotel near the Atlanta airport and do the park there and shuttle in thing rather than pay for parking. You might find something for $80/night which might be cheaper than parking and they will drop you off right at the curb.

[HB2HSV]

Originally Posted by tammie2

we won't be taking a taxi and although we are friendly enough with our neighbors, we won't be asking for a ride

Ask Charles to give you a ride

[skinem]

Just saw a travel "expert" on the CBS morning show talking about most expensive and cheapest airports in the nation. "The most expensive airport in the nation will shock you." Huntsville, Alabama." According to the figures he gave, people flying into or out of Huntsville paid $417 a ticket, right about twice what the average cost was out of the nation's cheapest airport (Long Beach). Of course, it being the show it is, there was no reason given. (Meaning, it just hits the high points, not analysis, got to hurry to the entertainment.)

It is markedly higher than soooo many other places...and we're not as isolated and have a bigger population as some other airports I've had to use for less money. I don't understand it...

[djmaxwell]

Originally Posted by skinem

It is markedly higher than soooo many other places...and we're not as isolated and have a bigger population as some other airports I've had to use for less money. I don't understand it...

govt. sponsored business travel.