Economy Lot

$9 per day is the new baseline for DAY’s Economy Lot

This is the on-airport budget play at James M. Cox Dayton International (Main Terminal), with the Economy Lot capped at $9 per day as of May 1, 2026. Before the price bump, WHIO reported it at $5 per day, which explains why regulars still talk about it as the cheap option.

The Economy Lot ties into the same Metropolis/Parking.com system the Main Terminal uses, and promo material hints you may see $8 per day plus a $0.99 online fee on advance bookings. If you’re leaving the car for 4–7 days, that delta vs garage pricing adds up fast.

This lot sits in the remote tier of DAY parking, so you’re riding the shuttle instead of walking into the Main Terminal. Shuttle frequency isn’t spelled out, but build a 10–15 minute buffer for the bus plus a few minutes to be dropped at the door. Late‑night arrivals sometimes mean a slightly longer wait.

Metropolis’ promo page pitches their DAYperks program, which covers Economy Lot stays and credits repeat visits toward rewards. If you park at DAY more than a few times a year, registration takes a couple of minutes and can shave something off your third or fourth trip.

You still get the same basic support as the garage and short‑term lots: call 937‑898‑1555 from the Economy Lot for a jump start, flat‑tire help, or help locating your car. That’s airport-backed assistance, not a third‑party roadside service.

Tip: if your outbound is early morning or your return is after 9 p.m., book Economy online at the $8 + $0.99 rate if it shows, and aim to be on the shuttle at least 75 minutes before departure to keep stress low at security.