Taking off Travel blog

Making the right offsite airport parking choice save not only time but money. Here are some tips for getting the best from off airport parking.

Tips for choosing offsite airport parking

Research The Facilities

Before you even think about booking, check out the airport parking lot online. Is it located close enough to the terminal you will be traveling from? What facilities does it have? Accessibility, the availability of a cell phone lot and other amenities will all make a difference to the overall experience of using the parking lot. Check whether the offsite airport parking provider offers a choice of parking options, plus useful services like turning on the heat or air conditioning before you come back to the car. Read more »

Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama in terms of population. The county seat of Jefferson County, the city has a population approaching 1.2m (according to 2007 estimates). The major airport is Birmingham-Shuttleworth International Airport (BHM). This link tells you more than you may want to know about its runways, but I’m going to focus on some of its other amenities.

The airport is located 4.5 miles east of downtown Birmingham, making it a breeze to get to, as well as putting the city within easy reach of travelers on a layover. It’s well served for parking, including our Birmingham airport parking lot and a cell phone lot. If you’re not driving yourself, then the major car hire companies are all easy to get to from the main terminal. The airport is fully accessible for disabled travelers too. Last year, BHM carried more than three million passengers.

Other facilities in the airport include:

• a food court
• two ATMs between concourses B and C on the upper level
• free WiFi
• shops
• a business centre
• international medical assistance

Venturing out of the airport, there’s lots to see in and around Birmingham itself.

Birmingham, Alabama Attractions

See lions, gorillas, rhinos, geckos and more at the Birmingham Zoo. You can tour the zoo on the Zoo Express train and enjoy a range of educational activities. There’s even overnight camping if you choose to pass up a stay in a hotel.

It stays warm in Birmingham, which means that plants really thrive at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Check out the tropical plants in the huge glass greenhouse and visit themed gardens to enjoy the sight and aroma of thousands of plant species. There are more than 10,000 to view on this 67.5 acre site.

Get a taste of Birmingham’s industrial history by visiting the Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark. The furnaces date back to the 1880s when they were a major part of the city’s steel industry. There’s a park and sculpture garden to see as well and, unless there’s an event on, admission is free.

The McWane Science Center is an interactive science museum, where visitors can experiment with the laws of physics, explore space, construct machinery and more. Whether you’re interested in coral, dinosaurs or robots, you will find something of interest here.

Combine shopping with sightseeing by visiting the Riverchase Galleria, which boasts the western hemisphere’s largest skylight. The huge glass atrium adds to the appeal. You can shop, eat and enjoy indoor fountains and gardens.

Finally, find out about Alabama’s contributions to jazz history at the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame. It’s amazing how many jazz greats got their start here.

Summer is just around the corner, with the Memorial Day and Fourth of July weekends not far away. Here are some tips to help you make the most of your summer vacation.

Planning

If you haven’t already booked your vacation, then now is a good time to start. If you plan to fly, then the earlier you make your reservation the better your chances of getting the deal you want. If you can be flexible on travel dates, then you stand an even better chance of snagging a travel bargain. Forward planning is also useful for booking hotels, restaurants and rental cars, because once the peak holiday season is here, it will be harder to get the reservations you want. Don’t forget to book offsite airport parking from your departure airport so you can have a hassle free journey. Read more »

There’s never been a better time to save on summer travel. The realities of the credit crunch and economic recession mean that travel industry professionals are offering discounts on all their services so it could be the time to get a great deal. Here are our tips for making savings on your summer vacation.

Miles Of Miles

Sign up for a frequent traveler program. You don’t just get these from airlines, but from offsite airport parking firms, car rental companies, hotel chains and more. Many of the programs have their own credit cards and offer discounts on shopping and related travel products such as insurance. If you already belong to such a program, look out for the deals they offer from time to time. If you don’t, then sign up now - you may get a bonus for joining which will help you save on other parts of your trip. Read more »

Chicago O’ Hare Airport is one of the busiest in the US, with more than 70 million people a year passing through its terminal doors. If you’re going to fly through there, then it pays to know what’s on offer when it comes to flights, amenities and parking.

Terminals And Airlines

O’Hare Airport uses four terminals, each with restaurants, shops, ATMs and business services. Most of the international carriers use Terminal 5, while other flights are routed through Terminals 1, 2 or 3. You can find the airport layout here (PDF).

Most domestic carriers and a wide range of international ones fly though O’Hare Airport. In general, the airline you travel with will determine your gate, though there are occasional exceptions. The normal boarding gates for airlines flying out of O’Hare are listed in this O’Hare airport guide.

Amenities

As well as the services listed above, O’Hare Airport has other useful amenities including:

• facilities in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, including a visual paging system and accessible transport between terminals.
• Taxi service
• Wi-fi internet and several power workstations where passengers can recharge electronic devices free of charge.
• Touchscreen virtual concierges

Read more »