After purchasing tickets and making reservations comes the next step: How will I get to the (fill in the appropriate host. Cruise ship? Airplane? Train?) For many people caught between 15 and 150 miles from the airport, the answer comes with many choices. Here they are in a nutshell.

You park at the airport SHORT TERM: Is not cost friendly but depends upon your needs. Might be $20 a day or $40 a day. Convenient - drive up and go to your gate. If only parking 2 days, it's cost effective if you are in a hurry. Not a great long term strategy however.

You park at the airport: LONG TERM LOTS: More cost friendly except longer trips can get expensive. Most off airport lots will have a daily-weekly-monthly rate plan and they offer coupons most of the time, either printed or online available. Most lots at SFO charge $12 a day but have specials for up to $8 day. Assume a 10 day trip at $10 day - $100 to park but you have to catch a shuttle to and from. Security hint: Always take lot ticket stub/receipt with you. DON'T leave it in the car where thieves can get it and get your car.

You park at a HOTEL: Unbeknowst to many, most airport hotels offer Stay and Ride packages. You can easily score a room, shuttle in the morning and upon return as well, continental breakfast for the same it costs to park for 10 days. Advantages: you get a decent nights sleep and only have to get up for a shuttle (or breakfast). Your car stays behind, you sleep in. User friendly. You can even stay on the END of the trip and not at the beginning. Not cost effective if staying 3-4 days only UNLESS you have to arrive at the airport at 4 a.m. and don't want to hassle with long term lots at that hour. Some hotels will simply rent parking at perhaps $5-$8 per day. You still get the shuttle and it is often cheaper than for off airport long term lots.

Some airports themselves have cost effective long term rates in addition to their short term parking, It may be in a different location but the 25 day stay could be a lot more doable if the rate was at $12 or below and you could park right at the airport. Since airports differ so greatly, it is recommended that you search on the internet for your particular airport and examine the options.

Do your research BEFORE you leave and you just might save time, money and aggravation.