It’s all about supply and demand when it comes to airport parking, and SeaTac is no exception. The busy Seattle airport has just 12,100 public parking spots, and anyone who has parked there knows they fill up quickly. 

SeaTac airport parking rates rose on July 1, 2019, with short-term parking going from $30 to $32 maximum per day, and long-term parking going from $140 to $149 per week. Those wanting to get as close as possible to the terminal doors can park on Floor 4, but it’s slightly more expensive than Floors 1-3 and 5-8 (but there’s no weekly rate available for Floor 4). 

What it comes down to is paying for convenience. SeaTac airport public parking is super close to the terminals, so spending time and energy grappling with luggage can be kept to a minimum. 

So, while no one likes to pay more to park at the airport, there are some benefits. Here are pros and cons of SeaTac airport parking rate increases:

Pro: Seattle airport parking management expects that the price increase should help free up spaces for those who want to park in the public parking area closer to the terminals. That’s good news for those who want to park quickly, rather than follow people around and wait for a spot to open up. 

Con: Airport parking is still a hefty price tag for some, especially when you factor in all the other costs of traveling like gas, airfare, baggage fees, airport food, etc.

Pro: Raising rates typically means other parking options will come about to compete. Near SeaTac, there are private lots that have parking spaces, plus they shuttle customers to the terminals. Hopefully they’ll keep their price points competitive. 

Con: Depending on where you live in the Seattle area, ride sharing may not be less expensive than airport parking. If you are in Everett, for example, a Lyft or Uber ride to SeaTac could be upwards of $80. 

Pro: Seattle has some public transportation options. For example, the light rail is quick and cheap at $3, if you can catch a ride downtown to hop on. 

Con: Depending on when you fly in or out of SeaTac, public transportation may not be an option. 

Pro: The SeaTac Parking garage is covered, which means your car will stay nice and dry while you’re out of town. 

Con: Traffic in and out of the airport can get pretty crazy sometimes, and who wants to deal with that when you’re already stressed about flying? 

It’s always a bummer to have to pay more for airport parking, but when you factor in the different pros, paying a higher fee just might be worth it. But if the cons outweigh the procs and it’s not worth it to you, at least you still have plenty of ways to get to SeaTac. Maybe a friend will give you a ride? You could offer them lunch in return, which would be a sweet deal for both of you. 
 

1. Airport Management
2. Pros and Cons of Seattle Airport Parking
3. Sea-Tac airport parking