Reagan Airport Parking Garage: Rates, Locations & Tips

A Reagan airport parking garage is a covered, multi-level structure at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) where travelers can park close to their terminal — with rates starting at $29/day for Parking 2 and $35/day for Parking 1. Both on-airport garages offer the first 60 minutes free, making them useful for quick pickups and drop-offs too. If you want the most convenient covered parking at DCA, the two terminal garages are your best on-site options — though off-site hotel lots offer significantly lower rates.

• Two on-site garages: Parking 1 (Terminal 1, max $35/day) and Parking 2 (Terminal 2, max $29/day)
• First 60 minutes free in both garages — ideal for quick pickups while the Cell Phone Lot is closed
• Economy Lot is the cheapest on-site option at $25/day, but capacity is reduced ~40% during ongoing construction
• Off-site hotel lots start at $8.50/day — saving you up to 76% compared to Parking 1
• Reserve in advance at reserve.flyreagan.com — spots sell out during peak travel periods
• DCA's total capacity spans 8,500 vehicles across all parking facilities, per the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA)

Back to Complete DCA Airport Parking Guide

What Parking Garages Are Available at Reagan National Airport?

Reagan National Airport has two on-site parking garages: Parking 1 and Parking 2. Each garage sits directly adjacent to its terminal, giving you a short, covered walk to check-in. There is no long-haul hike across exposed lots — both garages are connected to their terminals.

Parking 1 (Terminal 1 Garage)

Parking 1 serves Terminal 1, home to Gates A1–A9. Airlines there include Air Canada Express, Frontier Airlines, and Southwest Airlines. This garage is the pricier of the two, with a daily max of $35/day (verified April 2026). The hourly rate is $7/hour after the first free 60 minutes. It's the right pick if you're flying Southwest or Frontier and want to roll your bag straight from the car to the check-in counter.

Parking 2 (Terminal 2 Garage)

Parking 2 serves Terminal 2, covering Concourses B, C, D, and E. Airlines there include Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, American Airlines, JetBlue Airways, and American Eagle. The daily max is $29/day, and the hourly rate is $6/hour after your first free 60 minutes. Most DCA travelers use Terminal 2, so Parking 2 is the busier of the two garages.

For a deep dive into each garage's entry process, lane layout, and reservation steps, see our guides on Reagan Airport Parking 1 and Reagan Airport Parking 2.

Reserve your DCA garage spot now — compare Parking 1 and Parking 2 rates at Reagan National on Triply before spaces fill up.

How Much Does Reagan Airport Garage Parking Cost in 2026?

Both garages charge by the hour up to a daily maximum. The first 60 minutes are always free — a real advantage if you're picking someone up or dropping them off. Here's the full rate breakdown (verified April 2026, per Reagan National's official parking page):

A week in Parking 1 costs $245. A week in Parking 2 runs $203. The Economy Lot caps at $175/week. For trips of 5+ days, the savings between garages add up fast. If budget is your top priority, check our full Reagan Airport parking cost guide for a complete rate comparison including off-site options.

Which Reagan Airport Garage Is Closest to My Terminal?

The garage match-up at DCA is straightforward. Parking 1 connects directly to Terminal 1, and Parking 2 connects directly to Terminal 2. There is no need for a shuttle or bus between your car and the terminal building.

• Flying Southwest, Frontier, or Air Canada Express? Use Parking 1 — it's steps from Gates A1–A9.
• Flying American, Delta, Alaska, United, or JetBlue? Use Parking 2 — it serves all of Concourses B, C, D, and E.
• Not sure which concourse? Check your boarding pass. Concourses B and C are closest to the Parking 2 entrance. Concourses D and E are slightly further inside Terminal 2, but still reachable on foot without leaving the building.

Budget extra walking time if you're heading to Gates D35–D45 or the American Eagle gates at E46–E59. These are the furthest from the Parking 2 entry point, though the walk is covered and straightforward. Plan to arrive at least 90 minutes before your flight if you have bags to check — and review TSA's official screening rules to know what to expect at security.

How Do You Reserve a Parking Spot at Reagan National Airport?

You can reserve both Parking 1 and Parking 2 online before you arrive. Booking in advance locks in your rate and guarantees a space — especially important right now, with the Economy Lot running at reduced capacity.

1. Go to reserve.flyreagan.com — the official MWAA reservation portal.
2. Select your lot: Parking 1 or Parking 2 (or Economy Lot if available).
3. Enter your travel dates and vehicle information.
4. Pay by credit or debit card — the reservation is confirmed instantly.
5. On arrival, use your QR code confirmation at the garage entrance to enter without stopping at a booth.

Walk-up access is also available — just pull up and pay by card at the entry lane. But during busy travel weeks, pre-booked spaces go first. If you want to compare prices across multiple DCA parking options in one place, search DCA parking on Triply to see garage and off-site rates side by side.

How Does the Economy Lot Construction Affect Reagan Airport Parking?

The Economy Lot is currently the most disrupted part of DCA parking. A $40M, three-story parking deck is being built on top of the existing lot — and up to 1,100 of the lot's 2,680 spaces are unavailable during peak construction phases, per MWAA. That's a reduction of roughly 40% of Economy Lot capacity (verified April 2026).

Phase 1 of the new deck added 939 spaces in February 2026. Phase 2 will add another 1,230 spaces in May 2026. Until Phase 2 wraps up, the Economy Lot is tighter than usual. The Cell Phone Lot is also temporarily closed during construction — use the first 60 free minutes in Parking 1 or Parking 2 for passenger pickups instead.

The two terminal garages are not directly affected by the Economy Lot construction. However, overflow demand from Economy Lot closures can push more travelers into the garages during peak periods. Booking in advance at reserve.flyreagan.com protects you from arriving to find the garage full. For the latest updates, check the DCA construction advisories page. Our Reagan Airport Economy Parking guide covers the full construction timeline and current shuttle details.

What Are the Best Off-Site Parking Alternatives Near Reagan Airport?

Off-site hotel lots near DCA offer covered parking with free airport shuttles — at a fraction of the on-site garage price. Based on current rates, you can save up to 76% compared to Parking 1 by booking an off-site lot. All nine verified lots include free roundtrip shuttles to the terminal.

One important note: most hotel shuttles are not 24/7. If you have an early morning flight (before 5:30 AM) or a late-night arrival, check the shuttle schedule before you book. The good news: most of these hotels are near Crystal City or Pentagon City Metro stations, giving you a Yellow or Blue Line backup to DCA. For the full breakdown of long-stay savings, see our Reagan Airport long-term parking guide.

Is There Free or Discounted Parking at Reagan National Airport?

Truly free parking at DCA is limited — but there are two legitimate ways to avoid paying full price at the garage.

The 60-Minute Free Grace Period

Both Parking 1 and Parking 2 offer the first 60 minutes at no charge. This applies to all vehicles entering the garage. Use it for quick pickups, drop-offs, or if your passenger's flight is delayed and you need to wait inside. Just exit within 60 minutes and you pay nothing.

Pre-Book for Lower Rates

Booking in advance through reserve.flyreagan.com or comparison platforms often unlocks discounts below the drive-up rate. Off-site lots through Triply's DCA parking search frequently offer pre-book savings and free cancellation. Our Reagan Airport parking coupon guide lists the best current codes and discounts — including deals that cut rates by up to 76% at verified off-site lots.

Is TSA PreCheck Worth It at DCA?

TSA PreCheck won't cut your parking bill, but it can cut your time inside the airport. If you're parking in a garage and carrying a single carry-on, PreCheck lets you move from car to gate faster — meaning you can arrive later and avoid extra parking hours. It's worth factoring in if you park at DCA regularly.

Reagan Airport Parking Garage: Tips to Know Before You Drive

A few practical details that save time and money at DCA's garages:

• Match your garage to your terminal. Parking 1 for Terminal 1 (Southwest, Frontier). Parking 2 for Terminal 2 (American, Delta, Alaska, United, JetBlue).
• Reserve ahead during summer and holidays. DCA sees peak demand June through August and around Thanksgiving and winter holidays. Garage spots sell out.
• The Cell Phone Lot is closed. Use the first 60 free minutes in Parking 1 or Parking 2 for pickups instead — no extra charge if you exit in time.
• Check real-time traffic before you leave. George Washington Memorial Parkway and I-395 both feed into DCA and can back up badly during rush hour. Use the Waze live traffic map to time your departure.
• Credit and debit cards are accepted at all DCA garage entry lanes. No cash required.
• EV charging is available inside DCA's parking facilities — check current stall availability when you arrive, as the number of charging bays is limited.
• The Metro is a real alternative. The WMATA Yellow Line reaches DCA in about 10 minutes from Crystal City. If you're coming from DC or Arlington, skipping the garage entirely can save you $29–$35/day.

For hourly parking needs — like meeting a flight or a quick airport errand — see our DCA airport hourly parking guide for a full breakdown of short-stay rates and tips.

Ready to lock in your spot? Compare Reagan National airport parking garage rates and off-site alternatives on Triply — find the best DCA parking deal and book with free cancellation.