Logan/subway/parking question

I am currently visiting Boston for the first time. I am staying at the Hyatt Place in Medford. My flight home on Saturday is in the early evening. I would like to spend the day on Saturday in downtown Boston before going to the airport. I have a rental car to return to the airport. If I check out of the hotel early Saturday morning, does it make sense to drive to the airport and park in their lot for the day so I can store my luggage in the car, then take the subway back to downtown. Later, take the subway back to the airport, return my rental car, then to the terminal. Or, should I park at one of the subway stations in the morning, then just drive once over to the airport? Which station? I was concerned about the late afternoon traffic over to Logan. Other options? Thanks for any input.

Logan/subway/parking question

First, do you really need your rental car? Certainly not for Boston or to go to places where the subway goes. Then you won%26#39;t have to worry about parking either.

Now, to your question. Your plan sounds very convoluted to me. Why not just drive Downtown and park in a garage? Many weekend parking rates are low. Rates at the Boston Common Underground Garage, for example, are $11. Keep your luggage out of sight in the trunk (that would apply to Airport parking as well). You won%26#39;t have any traffic problems going to the Airport.

Logan/subway/parking question

Since you are talking about a Saturday, parking in town is very doable for the day. So I would say drive in to the city in the morning, park, and then go to the airport from there. I think the parking lots in Northern Ave. area would be good for you. My concern with that is the safety of your luggage. I am sure I%26#39;m stating the obvious that wherever you decide to park make sure it is not visible in the car. Boston will be humming this weekend as there is a Sox game at 7 p.m., the Bruins quarterfinal at 8 p.m., marathoners coming to town, school vacation week, etc. So definitely leave yourself enough time for traffic.

Off this topic, we%26#39;d love to hear your impressions of your visit here when you have the time.

Wow AlanM we have the same line of thought here!

In your situation, my first choice, if the airline will accommodate it, would be to return the car to the rental agency at the airport first thing in the morning, check my luggage at the ticket counter, and then use the T to get into town and back to the airport later. Have you consulted the airline about how early you can check your bags?

Editorial comment: It%26#39;s pathetic that Logan does not have lockers or a baggage storage facility. There%26#39;s an entry on their Web site, ';Lockers: Not currently available for use.'; Actually, I think airports in general leave this little nicety out of their offerings. I don%26#39;t see why.

I think the reason there are no lockers at airports is because since Sept. 11 they are afraid of what might be left in them.

I like wpsaukee%26#39;s suggestion about trying to check the luggage early. Don%26#39;t know if this is possible, but you could get your boarding pass, be rid of the car and rid of the luggage and will just have to get yourself to the airport and walk on the plane.

You could be right, Cabinet, and it%26#39;s a fair point, but did they ever have lockers at airports?

Also, I don%26#39;t know why the security concern would be less at train stations, which generally have lockers. Or, for that matter, in any place that does have left luggage facilities.

I%26#39;m w/ Mahj and Alan ... park in the Common Garage for $11 ... you%26#39;ll have more time to see the city and will probably save $$. Which car rental agency did you use? Some aren%26#39;t even in the airport anymore, so you%26#39;d need to go into the airport, park for big $$, and then leave the airport to return the car.

Forgot, not really. Return the car, take the shuttle (with luggage) to the terminal, check in, leave. No need to pay to park at the airport.

Is there a chance you could save any money by returning the car in the a.m.

I like the suggestion of just parking it in town and then heading to Logan. But if you want to be done with the rental then drop it at Logan, and have the rental shuttle dop you at The Water Shuttle. Before getting on the boat, walk over to the Logan Hyatt and leave your luggage. Because you stayed at the Medford location, this will not be a problem.

The Logan Hyatt is next to the Water Shuttle. On the way back you have the choice of the massport bus or the Hyatt shuttle to the terminal...both are free.

If you get back early to logan, the walk in back of The Hyatt is very nice. The water shuttle leaves you at The Boston Habor Hotel and minutes from Quincy Market.