If you need to pick up a passenger at CLT Airport, use the free cell phone lot opposite the rental car lot and across the West Daily Deck - stay with your car until your party has collected bags and calls you to be picked up at the curb.

Other parking options at Charlotte Douglas Airport: Parking facilities offer one of the Country's lowest daily rates, and are arranged within the circle drive and outside of it.  Options include Hourly & Daily Decks and Daily parking lots, as well as Long Term Lots:

1. Parking Within the Circle Drive:
Right across from the passenger terminal are Hourly Decks West & East (first 30 minutes free); behind them is the Daily Lot, followed by Daily Decks West and East, and beyond is the Daily North facility divided into K, J & H areas.
Curbside Valet parking is available (tel. 704-350-8253).

2. Parking Outside the Circle Drive:
Long-Term 3 lot can be accessed via Old Dowd Road, which also connects you to the Long-Term Lots 1 & 2, accessible also from Wilkinson Blvd/Little Rock Road; while the Business Valet and the Overflow Lot 4 are accessible via Wilkinston Blvd/ Harlee Avenue. The new Business Valet Deck is right off SR 29/74 (tel. 704-394-6224).
The Long-term lots offer free shuttle service 24/7 with frequent stops.

Payment options: As of December 2011self-service parking checkout via SmartPark Express is available, via the Take.Pay.Go machines.

For more parking information call 704-359-4038.

NOTE:  It is strongly advised that you allow yourself more time to park on peak travel days (Tue, Wed, Thu), as well as on Sundays and days before/after holidays!

Long Term Parking

Rates:
daily: $4

Valet Parking Business

Rates:
daily: $10

Curbside

Rates:
daily: $19

Cell Phone Lot Parking

Rates:
daily: free

Contact/Info Parking

704-359-4038

Daily Parking

Rates:
daily: $6

Hourly Parking

Rates:
daily: $16

As an alternative to on-site parking, there are off-airport parking at Charlotte Douglas airport options which may offer significant discounts. Most have shuttle vans or buses which operate from their facilities to the terminals, and feature secure facilities with security guards and cameras 24 hours.

Many local hotels offer up to 2 weeks free parking with one night stay. This can be especially convenient if you have an early flight and need to park at Charlotte Douglas airport. They provide shuttle service too. Check Stay and Park options for CLT Airport.

Nothing is more frustrating than circling an airport parking lot looking for space when you're already running late for a flight or paying an exorbitant amount for parking when you return from a trip. You can avoid these common predicaments by doing your homework before leaving to park your vehicle at the airport.

Most airports offer multiple parking lots at various rates (hourly, daily and economy). Some airports even offer costly, but convenient valet parking. Visit the airport website or call the airport to determine the location and rates for each type of parking garage or service. During peak travel times, it's also prudent to check the short-term and long-term parking lot availability before leaving for the airport, so you can make other arrangements if lots are full. Parking in a daily garage (short-term parking) instead of an economy (long-term parking) lot for multiple days will burn a big hole in your wallet.

You’ll find commercial off-site parking lots near most major airports. These parking lots are farther from the airport, but the distance is often compensated with lower prices, 24-hour security, car-to-terminal shuttle services and other perks like frequent parker programs. Aside from off-site commercial parking lots allow you to reserve a parking spot in advance, which can be a real timesaver during peak travel times. In addition, many airport hotels offer stay, park and fly deals in which you stay at the hotel the night before your flight and then you can park your car at the hotel for free or a low daily rate. Just make sure the hotel parking lot is secure as some aren’t monitored around-the-clock like airport and commercial lots.

It’s too easy to forget where you parked or where you put the parking ticket after an extended trip. Even if you’re running late, take the time to note where you parked in your cell phone, PDA or on the parking ticket if you take it with you. Just make sure you don’t lose the parking ticket, because most airports charge a hefty fee for missing tickets. For that reason, it may be safer to leave the ticket in your car.