Boat show, taxi or car rental?

[chris mac]

We are landing in Baltimore late Thursday,and most likely staying on Kent Island. From what I can find, taxi bills are gonna add up quick. But if we rent a car will we be able to actually find parking? And how expensive will that be?
I'm open to other suggestions as well.
Thanks

[Lifes a beach]

My wife and I went last year from Thursday through Monday. We parked right across the bridge in East Port a couple of days and in local parking garages between city square and halfway down the hill towards the boat show. Cost was $10 or $15 per day. We always got there well before the gates opened to ensure parking availability.

There were links to the local visitors bureau in the advertisements for the boat show and we used those to find the parking garages.

[Steve_C]

I also am flying in the Baltimore. I have always rented a car in the past and it has been somewhat of a pain finding and paying for parking. This year I am going to use Uber or Lyft. looks to be about $30 from the Airport to Annapolis. and only $5 or $6 dollars locally to the show and back to the hotel.

It seems like its worth a try Time will tell

[chris mac]

Taxi from Kent googles at about 60$ each way. The only place we can find to stay in Annapolis quoted close to 500$ per night.i can't justify that much.

[Capt n Ron]

Originally Posted by chris mac

We are landing in Baltimore late Thursday,and most likely staying on Kent Island. From what I can find, taxi bills are gonna add up quick. But if we rent a car will we be able to actually find parking? And how expensive will that be?
I'm open to other suggestions as well.
Thanks

2nd Uber or Lyft, much cheaper than a taxi

[Islander36Kairo]

Rent a a car and drive to the Naval Academy Stadium, (easily found ), they run shuttle busses to the boat show all day.

[tankersteve]

Easy enough to park (for free) at the strip mall along Chesapeake Ave and walk a few blocks. Be discrete and you shouldn't have a problem. However, the weather was really nice last year so YMMV.


Tankersteve

[jstevens]

It's been 4 years since my last show, but I always parked in Eastport across Spa Creek. If you arrive early (before the show starts) you can usually find on street parking, but it may be a hike and some of the areas are restricted to residents.
I usually parked at the shopping mall, whose name escapes me, on Severn Ave - just 1 block off 6th street and the bridge. Easy walk to and from the show. I don't remember what it cost to park all day, but you don't have to worry about being penned in at the pop-up parking areas such as the school in Eastport.

John

[NorthSea]

Try Airbnb if the hotels have absurd prices.

[Scubableu]

We parked here last year for a low daily price. Never had a problem getting in.
https://goo.gl/maps/fVzxzTZLMP42

[jstevens]

Of course I was always a local from Falls Church, VA or Solomons, MD. I never had to deal with the traffic across the Bay Bridge. Even if you opt for a rental car it may be money well spent to use Uber, Lyft or even a taxi rather than fight that traffic. Instead of working up a case road rage trying to get back to your hotel, you could be enjoying a glass of wine while perusing the brochures for stuff you will never be able to afford. You could even enjoy the view while crossing the bridge.

John

[WSMFP]

First post here. This will be our first boat show. Flying in from Florida and planning on parking at the Stadium. Website says the gates open at 10. How early can we park at the stadium and how early do the shuttles run?

[David Mark]

Just don't go by Boat !!!, we thought being a boat show in our harbor [ Los Angeles ] we could go by boat ? wrong ! First thing we did was buy tickets , next thing was docking in a empty dock were the public pump out station is , Wrong ! ok we moved , One mile walk or 100 feet in our Dinghy , Wrong ! open space everywhere but couldn't dock a 10 foot dinghy . Obviously what is wrong with our country is whats wrong with boat show management out here in California . they cant think out of the box . I am sure your boat show will be fun , it's just to bad that this company forgot USING YOUR BOAT was why you bought it !! At a Boat Show no less !! Happy Sailing

[chris mac]

Well, I actually just got lucky, I think. When I called to confirm my reservation, they found a room at their Annapolis site(best Western) about the same price.$180 a night. It's still a little steep but now I don't need to worry about transport as much. Just to and from the airport.
Thanks for all the help and hopefully see a lot of you there.
If anyone else is staying there, let me know and we can meet up for a drink.

[wildsailor]

I would double check on the show... with Matthew likely to cross over the Chesapeake on Sunday it's not clear what will happen. I live in Annapolis and would definitely rent a car. Parking is available at a price but far cheaper and easier than trying to get over the bridge by taxi, Uber, or Lyft. Plus with a car you can get the heck out of dodge if the storm looks bad. Plus they will close the Bay Bridge if the winds exceed 40-50kts. With a car you can at least drive somewhere else if you can't get back to your hotel.