Reagan Airport Parking 1: Rates, Location & How It Works

Reagan Airport Parking 1 is the on-airport parking garage attached directly to Terminal 1 at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). It costs $7 per hour (first 60 minutes free) with a $35 daily maximum, making it the most convenient — but most expensive — self-park option at DCA. Southwest Airlines, Frontier Airlines, and Air Canada Express all fly from Terminal 1, so Parking 1 is the closest garage for those travelers.

• Location: Attached directly to Terminal 1 (Gates A1–A9) via an underground walkway
• Rate: $7/hour after the first 60 free minutes; $35/day maximum (verified April 2026)
• Airlines served: Southwest Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Air Canada Express
• Pre-booking: Reserve in advance at reserve.flyreagan.com for guaranteed spots
• Construction note: The Cell Phone Lot is temporarily closed — use Parking 1's free first-60-minutes for pickups instead
• Cheaper alternatives: Off-site hotel lots start at $8.50/day, saving up to 76% vs Parking 1's daily max

Back to Complete DCA Airport Parking Guide

What Is Reagan Airport Parking 1 and Where Is It Located?

Parking 1 is the multi-level garage connected directly to Terminal 1 at Reagan National Airport. It is the only on-airport garage built specifically for Terminal 1 passengers. You can walk from your parking spot to the check-in counters without stepping outside — a real advantage in bad weather.

The garage sits just off the Airport Access Road (VA-233), which connects to the George Washington Memorial Parkway and Interstate 395. Signage for Parking 1 appears clearly as you enter the airport from the parkway. The garage is on your right before you reach the Terminal 1 departure drop-off loop.

Inside, Parking 1 has multiple levels. Public parking is available on the upper levels of the structure. An underground walkway links the garage directly to Terminal 1's ticketing and check-in area. Most travelers reach their gate within 5 to 10 minutes of leaving their car. Per the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA), the airport holds a total of 8,500 vehicles across all DCA parking facilities combined.

How Much Does Reagan Airport Parking 1 Cost? (Rates & Fees Breakdown)

Parking 1 charges $7 per hour after the first 60 minutes, which are always free. The daily rate caps at $35, no matter how long you stay that day. These are the official drive-up rates set by MWAA (verified April 2026).

A 5-day trip in Parking 1 costs $175 at the $35/day max. The same trip at the Economy Lot costs $125 — and as little as $42.50 at the Sheraton Suites Old Town Alexandria off-site lot. For longer stays, that gap grows fast. See our full Reagan Airport parking cost breakdown for rate comparisons across all options.

The first 60 minutes are free in both Parking 1 and Parking 2. This is especially useful right now — the DCA Cell Phone Lot is temporarily closed during construction. MWAA recommends using the free first-hour window in Parking 1 or Parking 2 for passenger pickup and drop-off instead.

Ready to compare DCA Parking 1 rates against off-site options? Search DCA airport parking on Triply — off-site lots near Reagan National start at just $8.50/day.

How Do You Reserve Parking 1 at Reagan National Airport in Advance?

Advance reservations for Parking 1 are available at reserve.flyreagan.com. Booking ahead locks in your spot and can sometimes offer a lower rate than driving up without a reservation. MWAA accepts credit cards and debit cards for payment both online and at the garage exit.

Here is how to book Parking 1 step by step:

1. Go to reserve.flyreagan.com
2. Select Parking 1 (Terminal 1 Garage) from the parking options
3. Enter your arrival and departure dates and times
4. Review the rate shown — compare it against the $35/day drive-up max
5. Enter payment details and confirm your reservation
6. Save your confirmation — you may need a QR code or confirmation number at the gate

MWAA recommends reserving at least 24 to 48 hours in advance for peak travel days. With the Economy Lot currently operating at roughly 40% reduced capacity during parking deck construction, demand for on-airport garages has increased. Parking 1 can fill up on busy travel weekends. Booking early is the smart move.

If you plan to stay for more than a few days, check our guide to Reagan Airport long-term parking rates and tips — Parking 1 gets expensive fast for extended stays compared to off-site alternatives.

How Do You Enter, Park, and Exit Parking 1 at DCA?

Using Parking 1 for the first time is straightforward. Here is exactly what to expect from entry to exit.

Entering Parking 1

Follow signs for Terminal 1 / Parking 1 from the Airport Access Road (VA-233). Take a ticket at the automated entry gate or tap your pre-booked reservation barcode. The gate lifts and you drive in. Public parking is on the upper levels — follow the overhead signs for available spaces.

Finding a Space

Green availability lights above each row show open spots. Parking 1 has accessible spaces on multiple levels near the elevators. If you drive an oversized vehicle or tall SUV, check clearance before entering — some covered garage levels have height restrictions. Our Reagan Airport parking height clearance guide covers exact limits for each DCA garage.

Getting to Terminal 1

Take the elevator or stairs down to the underground walkway connecting Parking 1 to Terminal 1. The walk typically takes under 5 minutes. You will emerge near the ticketing and check-in counters for Southwest, Frontier, and Air Canada Express. No shuttle required — this is one of Parking 1's biggest advantages over the Economy Lot or off-site options.

Exiting Parking 1

Pay at an automated pay station before returning to your car, or pay at the exit booth. Credit cards and debit cards are accepted. Pre-booked reservations may allow automatic gate exit using your reservation barcode. If you stay under 60 minutes total, your exit is free — no payment needed.

Which Airlines Use Terminal 1 at Reagan Airport (Parking 1 Garage)?

Terminal 1 at DCA serves three airlines operating out of Gates A1 through A9:

• Southwest Airlines — the largest carrier at Terminal 1
• Frontier Airlines — budget carrier with routes to leisure destinations
• Air Canada Express — regional service connecting DCA to Canadian cities

If you are flying any of these airlines, Parking 1 puts you as close to your gate as possible. Terminal 2 carriers — including American Airlines, Delta, United, Alaska, and JetBlue — use Parking 2 or the Economy Lot instead. Parking 1 is specifically designed for Terminal 1 travelers. Using it for a Terminal 2 flight means a longer walk or a shuttle, which defeats the purpose of paying the premium rate. Review TSA's TSA security screening guidelines for what to expect at DCA's checkpoints, and budget extra time if you have a connection.

Is Parking 1 at Reagan Airport the Best Option for Your Trip?

Parking 1 is the right choice for some travelers — but not for everyone. Here is an honest breakdown to help you decide.

When Parking 1 Makes Sense

• You are flying Southwest, Frontier, or Air Canada Express from Terminal 1
• Your trip is 3 days or fewer — the daily max of $35 is manageable for short stays
• You have heavy luggage and want to avoid shuttle transfers
• You value direct terminal access, especially in poor weather
• You are picking up or dropping off a traveler and need the free first-60-minutes

When Parking 1 Does Not Make Sense

• Your trip is 4 days or longer — costs add up to $140+ per week at the daily max
• You are flying from Terminal 2 (American, Delta, United, Alaska, JetBlue)
• You want the lowest possible rate — off-site lots start at just $8.50/day
• You have TSA PreCheck and do not mind a short shuttle ride to save money

Travelers with TSA PreCheck move through security faster, which makes arriving from an off-site lot more practical. If saving money matters more than convenience, off-site parking near DCA can cut your costs significantly.

What Are the Alternatives to Parking 1 at Reagan National Airport?

Off-site hotel parking lots near DCA offer the biggest savings. Based on verified Triply rates, travelers can save up to 76% compared to Parking 1's $35/day maximum by booking off-site. Here are the best nearby options (verified April 2026):

• Sheraton Suites Old Town Alexandria — $8.50/day, free shuttle, 10 min from DCA
• The Parking Spot (Crystal Gateway Marriott) — $9/day, free shuttle every 30 min, 5–10 min from DCA
• Crystal Gateway Marriott — $10/day, free shuttle every 30 min (5:30 AM–midnight), 5 min from DCA
• DoubleTree by Hilton Crystal City — $10/day, free shuttle included, 5–10 min from DCA
• Sheraton Pentagon City Hotel — $12/day, hourly shuttle (6 AM–11:15 PM), 5–10 min from DCA
• The Westin Crystal City — $12.90/day, free on-demand shuttle, just 3 min from DCA
• Hyatt Regency Crystal City — $15/day covered valet, free shuttle to Terminal 1 specifically

Note that most hotel shuttles are not 24/7. For very early or very late flights, check shuttle hours carefully. The WMATA Metro is a solid backup — the Yellow and Blue Lines stop directly at Reagan National Airport. The Crystal City Metro station is also walking distance from most of these hotels.

For a full breakdown of cheap parking options near DCA, see our guide on cheap DCA airport parking near Reagan National. If you want to park, sleep, and fly — especially for an early morning departure — our DCA park-sleep-fly hotel guide covers the best packages available.

The Metro is worth considering seriously. The WMATA Yellow Line takes just 10 minutes from downtown DC to Reagan National Airport directly. There is no parking cost involved at all. If you live near a Metro station, this is often the cheapest and fastest option of all.

Ready to stop overpaying for DCA parking? Compare Reagan National airport parking options on Triply — find rates from $8.50/day near DCA and book with free cancellation.