DCA Airport Parking Charges: 2026 Full Rate Guide

Quick answer

DCA airport parking ranges from about $9/day at Triply's off-site hotel lots to $35/day at Parking 1 (Terminal 1 Garage). The on-airport Economy Lot costs $25/day with a free shuttle. Both terminal garages give you the first 60 minutes free. Choose based on terminal proximity and trip length.

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DCA airport parking charges are the fees you pay to park at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, ranging from $25/day in the Economy Lot to $35/day in the Terminal 1 Garage, with off-site hotel lots on Triply starting at about $9/day. Knowing the exact rates before you arrive helps you avoid surprises and plan your trip budget accurately. On-airport parking covers three main options: Parking 1, Parking 2, and the Economy Lot. Off-site garages in Old Town Alexandria and Crystal City can cut your daily cost by more than half.

• Parking 1 (Terminal 1 Garage): $35/day maximum, closest to Gates A1-A9 (Southwest, Frontier, Air Canada Express)
• Parking 2 (Terminal 2 Garage): $35/day maximum, the same as Parking 1, and it serves Concourses B, C, D, and E
• Economy Lot: $25/day, the cheapest on-airport option, with a free shuttle to all terminals
• Off-site hotel lots on Triply: from about $9/day, about 69% to 74% less than Parking 1
• First 60 minutes free in both on-airport garages, great for quick pickups
• Economy Lot capacity is down about 40% during ongoing construction, so book early

See the two off-site DCA lots Triply sells, from about $9/day, and book your spot on Triply.

How Much Does DCA Airport Parking Cost in 2026?

DCA airport parking charges vary by lot type, proximity to terminals, and how long you park. All three on-airport facilities are managed by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA), and those rates are set officially (checked on flyreagan.com in October 2026). Off-site rates in the table are for the two lots Triply sells near DCA, for a 7-day stay booked ahead, and they change by date.

The total capacity across all DCA parking facilities is 8,500 vehicles, per MWAA. Both garages accept credit and debit cards. Pre-booking is available at reserve.flyreagan.com.

What Are the Different Parking Options at Reagan National Airport?

Near Reagan National you can park on-airport or at an off-site hotel garage. Each suits a different trip length and budget.

On-Airport Parking

• Parking 1 (Terminal 1 Garage): $35/day. Best for Terminal 1 travelers flying Southwest, Frontier, or Air Canada Express. Walk directly to Gates A1-A9.
• Parking 2 (Terminal 2 Garage): $35/day, the same as Parking 1, and it covers the bulk of airlines: Alaska, Delta, United, American, and JetBlue across Concourses B through E.
• Economy Lot: $25/day with a free shuttle to all terminals. The best value on-airport, though capacity is currently reduced. More on this below.
• First 60 minutes free: Both Parking 1 and Parking 2 offer a free 60-minute grace period, useful for quick drop-offs and pickups while the Cell Phone Lot is closed.

Off-Site Hotel Parking

Triply sells two off-site hotel garages near DCA, at about $9 to $11/day. Both include a free shuttle to the airport with online purchase. Sheraton Suites Old Town Alexandria is in Alexandria, listed 2.6 miles from DCA (about a 10-minute drive). Westin Crystal City is in Arlington, listed 0.8 miles away, the closer of the two. Both cost about 69% to 74% less per day than Parking 1.

For travelers on longer trips, the savings add up fast. A 7-day trip at Parking 1 costs $245 at the daily maximum. The same trip at the Sheraton Suites Old Town Alexandria runs about $62 at the daily rate (the 7-night checkout shows $71.40), a difference of more than $170. For a full breakdown of long-term savings, see our guide to Reagan Airport long-term parking rates and tips.

Which Parking Option Is Right for Your Airline at DCA?

Your best parking choice depends on which terminal your airline uses. DCA has two terminals, and parking in the wrong garage adds unnecessary walking time.

• Terminal 1 (Gates A1-A9): Southwest Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Air Canada Express → use Parking 1 or any off-site lot with shuttle service
• Terminal 2, Concourse B (Gates B10-B22): Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines → use Parking 2
• Terminal 2, Concourse C (Gates C23-C34): American Airlines, JetBlue Airways → use Parking 2
• Terminal 2, Concourses D & E (Gates D35-D45, E46-E59): American Airlines, American Eagle → use Parking 2

If you fly American Airlines, which operates out of Concourses C, D, and E, Parking 2 at $35/day is the closer garage, though it now costs the same as Parking 1. Off-site lots serve both terminals via shuttle, so they work for any airline.

How Can You Save Money on DCA Airport Parking Charges?

The biggest savings come from choosing off-site parking and booking in advance. Here are the most effective strategies, based on current rates.

1. Book off-site hotel parking: Rates start at about $9/day at the Sheraton Suites Old Town Alexandria, about a quarter of the Parking 1 daily rate.
2. Pre-book on-airport parking: Reserve at reserve.flyreagan.com to guarantee your spot, especially given current Economy Lot construction.
3. Book with free cancellation: Triply bookings can be cancelled free with a full refund up to 24 hours before check-in, so you can lock in an off-site lot early.
4. Skip the room: Triply sells parking only at Sheraton Suites Old Town Alexandria and Westin Crystal City, and no hotel room reservation is needed at either.
5. Use the free 60-minute window: For short stops, like picking someone up or dropping them off, both garages are free for the first hour. That's your Cell Phone Lot replacement while construction is ongoing.
6. Choose Economy Lot for multi-day trips: At $25/day, a 5-day trip costs $125, which is $50 less than either garage for the same stay.

What Are the Best Off-Site Parking Options Near DCA?

Triply sells two off-site hotel garages near Reagan National, and both cost far less per day than any on-airport lot. Both include a free shuttle with online purchase, but neither runs around the clock.

• Sheraton Suites Old Town Alexandria (801 N St Asaph St, Alexandria): about $9/day, listed 2.6 miles from DCA, about a 10-minute drive. Covered, underground garage; check in at the front desk for a reservation tag, park on Level P2 and put the tag on your dashboard. Complimentary shuttle every hour on the hour from 7:00 AM to 10:30 PM, with none from 11 PM to 7 AM. To get picked up, call 703-836-4700 and tell the desk your airline. EV charging on site (first 4 hours complimentary, then $2.50/hour). No hotel stay required.
• Westin Crystal City (1800 Richmond Highway, Arlington): about $11/day, listed 0.8 miles from DCA. Underground garage; park in any space not marked Reserved, then register your car at the front desk (name, plate, state) or the exit gate won't open. Free shuttle every 30 minutes from 4:30 AM to 10:30 PM, with none from 10:30 PM to 4:30 AM, and registered hotel guests board first. Pickups are at Terminal 1 Curbside 2, or Terminal 2 Curbside 1 at Door 4 or Door 7. No extra charge for full-size vans, pickups and large SUVs, and no hotel stay required.

Important: Neither shuttle is 24/7. The Westin runs 4:30 AM to 10:30 PM and the Sheraton Suites 7:00 AM to 10:30 PM, so for a very early flight or a late arrival you need your own ride to or from the lot. The Metro Yellow Line, which reaches Reagan National in about 10 minutes from Crystal City, is another option.

How Does the DCA Economy Lot Work — and Is It Worth It?

The Economy Lot is DCA's lowest-cost on-airport option at $25/day, with a free shuttle connecting it to both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. It's worth it for travelers who want on-airport parking without paying garage rates.

You park your own car, take the free shuttle to your terminal, and reverse the process when you return. The shuttle runs continuously. Payment is by credit or debit card.

Construction alert: A new 3-story parking deck is being built on top of the Economy Lot as part of a $40M project (contractor: Kiwi Newton). Phase 1 added 939 spaces in February 2026. Phase 2 adds 1,230 more spaces, expected May 2026. During construction, up to 1,100 of 2,680 Economy Lot spaces are unavailable — a capacity reduction of roughly 40%. Reserve your spot early through the official Economy Lot page to avoid arriving and finding it full.

How Do You Reserve DCA Airport Parking in Advance?

Reserving ahead locks in your rate and guarantees a space — especially important right now given Economy Lot construction. Here's how to do it.

1. Go to reserve.flyreagan.com (official MWAA reservation system).
2. Enter your arrival and departure dates.
3. Select your preferred lot — Economy, Parking 1, or Parking 2.
4. Pay by credit or debit card to confirm your reservation.
5. On arrival, use your reservation confirmation to enter the lot.

The two off-site lots Triply sells near DCA, Sheraton Suites Old Town Alexandria and Westin Crystal City, are booked through Triply's DCA parking search. Bookings come with free cancellation with a full refund up to 24 hours before check-in.

Is Parking at DCA or Taking Metro/Rideshare Cheaper?

For many DC-area travelers, skipping parking entirely is the smarter financial choice. Reagan National has one of the most convenient airport Metro connections in the country.

Metro Rail

The WMATA Yellow Line reaches Reagan National in about 10 minutes from Crystal City, with a direct station at the airport. The Blue Line also serves DCA. WMATA's DCA station page has current fare and schedule info. For a solo traveler, Metro is almost always cheaper than any parking option for trips of two or more days.

Rideshare

Uber and Lyft pick up and drop off at Reagan National. For a solo round trip from downtown DC, rideshare costs typically run $20 to $40 each way depending on time of day and surge pricing. Over a 5-day trip, that adds up fast compared to off-site parking at about $9/day. For longer trips, parking wins on cost. For short trips of one or two days, rideshare or Metro usually beats parking.

Quick Comparison: 5-Day Trip from Crystal City

• Parking 1 or Parking 2 garage: $175 (5 × $35)
• Economy Lot: $125 (5 × $25)
• Sheraton Suites Old Town Alexandria: about $45 (5 × about $9)
• Westin Crystal City: about $55 (5 × about $11)
• Metro (round trip): about $10 to $15 total (depending on zone)
• Rideshare round trip: $40 to $80+ depending on surge

Metro wins for solo travelers on a budget. Parking wins for groups of two or more, since splitting an off-site parking cost of about $45 over 5 days is hard to beat. Before driving, check real-time traffic on Waze. DCA sits right off I-395 and the George Washington Memorial Parkway, and rush-hour delays can add 20-30 minutes to your drive.

What Do Travelers Need to Know About DCA Parking During Construction?

Reagan National is mid-way through a major modernization. Two active projects affect parking right now.

• Economy Lot deck construction: Capacity reduced ~40%. Phase 2 adds 1,230 spaces by May 2026. Until then, the lot fills faster than usual — especially on Fridays and holiday weekends.
• Cell Phone Lot temporarily closed: The lot at 2401 Smith Blvd, Arlington, VA 22202 is shut during construction. Use Parking 1 or Parking 2 for pickups — the first 60 minutes are free.
• DCA Reimagined project: Terminal 2 is getting new concessions and restrooms. Expect some interior walkway changes but no impact on parking access.

For the latest advisories, check the official DCA construction advisories page. The bottom line: reserve parking before you travel. Walk-up availability — especially in the Economy Lot — is tighter than normal through at least May 2026.

Find the Best DCA Parking Rate for Your Trip

DCA airport parking charges range from about $9/day at Triply's off-site hotel lots to $35/day in the Terminal 1 Garage. Choosing the right option for your airline, trip length, and schedule can save you more than $150 on a week-long trip compared with the terminal garages. Book early, especially with Economy Lot capacity currently reduced during the $40M parking deck project.

Triply sells two off-site DCA lots, so you can see rates, shuttle details, and availability before you commit. Search DCA parking on Triply and find rates from about $9/day, with free cancellation and a full refund up to 24 hours before check-in.

Compare DCA parking rates. Off-site lots Triply sells near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport cost about 69% to 74% less per day than the $35/day terminal garages.