Travelers react to higher parking rates at ALB
ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -Albany International Airport (ALB) rang in the new year with increased parking rates. Some of its lots going up $4 per day since price hikes in 2019 and 2021.
“I just paid my ticket right now. We were gone for ten days and it was around $14 a day but it was alright," said Ahmed El-Agroudy, who didn't have to pay the new rate of $18 per day to park in the garage.
Similarly, the long-term and economy shuttle lots went up to $12 and $7 respectively as of January 1, 2025. That’s anywhere from a $4 to $1 increase. A decision the airport made after a recent study.
"To keep up with inflation but also those parking garages, which are very, very popular throughout the year," explained Steve Smith, Director of Communication at ALB. "Cost a lot to maintain so it’s just a very incremental increase and we also put out some information about some of the comparable airports to show that we’re still below the average:"
| Airport | Garages | Long Term | Short Term | Economy | Remote Lot | Daily Lot |
| Albany | $18.00 | $12.00 | $24.00 | $7.00 | -- | -- |
| Buffalo | $32.60 | $15.20 | -- | $13.10 | -- | -- |
| Rochester | $16.00 | $12.00 | -- | $8.00 | -- | -- |
| Syracuse | $22.00 | $14.00 | -- | $11.00 | -- | -- |
| Bradley | $28.00 | $9.00 | -- | $7.50 | -- | -- |
| Stewart | -- | $12.00 | $35.00 | -- | -- | -- |
| Newark | $60.00 | -- | $70.00 | $35.00 | -- | -- |
| LaGuardia | $84.50 | -- | -- | $40.00 | $25.00 | $75.00 |
Smith added that money coming in is being used only for parking operations and to 'prioritize the passenger experience.' Not, he says, for the airport renovations going on now.
"It seems reasonable. It’s a bit expensive but the way things are these days, it’s a pretty good service to offer. If you’re comparing it to any other parking garage it’s actually not a bad rate," thought El-Agroudy.
One traveler told NEWS10's Anthony Krolikowski that it’s silly to even leave your car at an airport to begin with. "Where I lived, which was closer to Kennedy Airport and LaGuardia, no one ever thinks about taking their car to the airport. They either get a ride or they take a taxi. No one would ever pay the rates."
For anyone who parked their car at ALB and didn’t pick it up before 2025, don’t worry; You will still be charged the previous rate. The one lot rate that hasn't changed there is for short-term parking. It is $24 per day.