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 a daily maximum of $35/day at both Parking 1 and Parking 2. 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 the two off-site hotel lots Triply sells near DCA cost far less per day.

• Two on-site garages: Parking 1 (Terminal 1) and Parking 2 (Terminal 2), both with a max of $35/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 about 40% during ongoing construction
• Triply sells two off-site hotel lots near DCA: Sheraton Suites Old Town Alexandria at about $9/day and Westin Crystal City at about $11/day, roughly 57% to 64% less than the Economy Lot and 69% to 74% less than the garages (rates are for a 7-day stay booked ahead and change by date)
• Reserve on-airport parking in advance at reserve.flyreagan.com, the airport's own booking site, since spots can 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. The daily max is $35/day and the hourly rate is $7/hour after the first free 60 minutes, the same as Parking 2. 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 $35/day, and the hourly rate is $7/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 at reserve.flyreagan.com, the airport's own booking site, before spaces fill up. If you'd rather park off-site for less, compare the two hotel lots Triply sells near Reagan National.

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 free, a real advantage if you're picking someone up or dropping them off. Here's the full rate breakdown (checked October 2026 on Reagan National's official parking page):

A week in either Parking 1 or Parking 2 costs $245 at the daily max. The Economy Lot caps at $175/week, about $70 less. For longer trips, the savings between the garages and the Economy Lot 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'd rather skip the garage, search DCA parking on Triply to compare the two off-site hotel lots it sells near the airport.

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?

Triply sells two off-site hotel lots near DCA. Both park you in a covered, underground garage with a free shuttle to the terminal. Sheraton Suites Old Town Alexandria at about $9/day is roughly 74% less than the $35 garages and 64% less than the $25 Economy Lot. Westin Crystal City at about $11/day is roughly 69% less than the garages and 57% less than the Economy Lot. The on-airport rows below are for comparison only and are booked with the airport, not Triply.

One important note: neither shuttle runs 24/7. The Sheraton Suites shuttle does not run from 11 PM to 7 AM, and the Westin shuttle does not run from 10:30 PM to 4:30 AM, so for an early flight or a late-night arrival you will need your own ride. At the Westin, registered hotel guests board first. At the Sheraton Suites, park on garage Level P2 and put the tag from the front desk on your dashboard; at the Westin, register your car at the front desk or the exit gate will not open. The Metro is another way to reach DCA if the shuttle schedule doesn't fit. 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

The airport says its lowest rates come from reserving ahead at reserve.flyreagan.com. Off-site lots through Triply's DCA parking search run about $9 to $11/day and come with free cancellation with a full refund up to 24 hours before check-in. Our Reagan Airport parking coupon guide covers current codes and discounts.

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, with 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 in Parking 2 (72 stations on the ground level and 29 on level 2), first come, first served and not reservable.
• 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 up to $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 off-site Reagan National airport parking on Triply and book with free cancellation with a full refund up to 24 hours before check-in.

Compare DCA parking rates. The 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.