The Parking Spot DCA: 2026 Rates, Shuttle & Alternatives

The Parking Spot DCA is an off-airport garage at the Crystal Gateway Marriott, located at 1700 Richmond Highway in Arlington, Virginia — about 1.25 miles from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Its listed daily rate is $9/day, with a free shuttle running every 30 minutes from 5:00 AM to 11:30 PM. This page compares The Parking Spot DCA with bookable alternatives on Triply, so you can choose the right option for your trip.

• The Parking Spot DCA lists at $9/day — one of the lower published rates near Reagan National (verified October 2026).
• Shuttle runs every 30 minutes, 5:00 AM–11:30 PM only — no overnight service for red-eye or early morning flights.
• Triply shows two bookable alternatives: The Westin Crystal City at $12.57/day and the Sheraton Suites Old Town Alexandria at $8.93/day.
• On-airport parking costs $25–$35/day, per official MWAA rates — off-site lots can cost significantly less.
• The DCA Economy Lot is under active construction in 2026, with up to 1,100 of 2,680 spaces unavailable — book any option in advance.
• The Parking Spot is not bookable on Triply — book directly at theparkingspot.com.

Back to Complete DCA Airport Parking Guide

The Parking Spot DCA vs. Booking on Triply: The Short Answer

The Parking Spot is a national off-airport parking brand. At Reagan National, the verified location is The Parking Spot (Crystal Gateway Marriott) — a garage in the hotel's parking structure on Richmond Highway. It lists at $9/day and is booked directly through The Parking Spot's website. It does not appear in Triply's DCA search results.

Triply's DCA search currently shows two verified off-site options: The Westin Crystal City at $12.57/day and the Sheraton Suites Old Town Alexandria at $8.93/day. Both include a free shuttle and free cancellation. Triply displays an all-in price — parking, taxes, and Triply's service fee — so there are no surprises at checkout. Compare DCA off-site parking rates from $8.93/day on Triply and see what's available for your dates.

If you want the lowest possible listed rate and your flight departs between 5:00 AM and 11:30 PM, The Parking Spot DCA is worth considering. If you prefer to book everything in one place with upfront all-in pricing, the Triply options are a strong alternative. Both are far cheaper than parking in the on-airport garages.

What Does The Parking Spot DCA Offer?

The Parking Spot (Crystal Gateway Marriott) uses the hotel's covered garage structure on Richmond Highway in Arlington — roughly 1.25 miles from the airport terminals. According to published rates, it lists at $9/day. That makes it less expensive than the nearby Westin Crystal City at $12.57/day, and cheaper than several other hotel lots in the Crystal City corridor.

The shuttle runs every 30 minutes between 5:00 AM and 11:30 PM. Note that carefully: there is no overnight shuttle service. If your flight departs before 5:00 AM or you land after 11:30 PM, you will need another way to reach or return from the terminal. The Crystal City Metro station is nearby, and the WMATA Yellow and Blue Lines serve Reagan National directly — a practical backup for off-hours travel.

Before you book, check Waze's live traffic map — Richmond Highway can slow during peak commute hours, and a 5-minute drive can stretch longer.

DCA Lots You Can Book on Triply

Triply's live DCA search (as of October 1, 2026) shows two verified off-site lots. Both include a free shuttle and free cancellation. Listed prices below are per day — the actual checkout price on Triply includes taxes and the service fee.

The Westin Crystal City

The Westin Crystal City is a covered hotel garage about 0.8 miles from Reagan National — the closest of the three options compared here. It lists at $12.57/day. No hotel stay is required to use the parking. The shuttle runs frequently; the Westin is also near the Crystal City Metro station, giving you a Metro backup if your flight schedule is unusual. Covered parking is a meaningful perk in winter or during DC's summer heat.

Sheraton Suites Old Town Alexandria

The Sheraton Suites Old Town Alexandria lists at $8.93/day — the lowest verified rate in this comparison. It is a hotel surface lot about 2.6 miles from the airport, farther than the Crystal City options. The shuttle runs with limited availability, so booking early is essential. The lot offers 24/7 access, security, and wheelchair access. If rate is your top priority and you can manage the slightly longer shuttle ride, this is the cheapest bookable option on Triply.

The Parking Spot DCA vs. Westin Crystal City vs. Sheraton Suites: Side by Side

Here is a direct comparison of the three lots based on verified data (verified October 2026). Listed daily rates are published rates — confirm current all-in pricing at checkout.

The Sheraton Suites wins on listed price. The Parking Spot wins on the combination of covered parking and low rate. The Westin wins on proximity to the terminal. None of these lots offer 24/7 shuttle service, so Metro remains your backup for very early or very late flights.

How Do These Compare With DCA's Own Garages?

Reagan National's on-airport parking is operated by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA). Published rates as of 2026: Parking 1 (Terminal 1 Garage, Gates A1–A9) caps at $35/day. Parking 2 (Terminal 2 Garage, Concourses B–E) caps at $29/day. The Economy Lot costs $25/day with a free shuttle to both terminals.

Based on our analysis, the three off-site lots in this comparison are priced 64% to 75% below Parking 1 and 55% to 70% below Parking 2. The Economy Lot is the closest on-airport value — but its capacity is currently reduced by approximately 40% due to active construction on a new $40 million parking deck. Up to 1,100 of 2,680 Economy Lot spaces are unavailable during peak construction phases in 2026. For the full construction picture, see our article on DCA airport parking construction in 2026.

The first 60 minutes are free in both terminal garages — useful for passenger pickup and drop-off now that the DCA Cell Phone Lot is temporarily closed during construction. Do not use the free grace period as a substitute for long-term parking.

Is The Parking Spot DCA Right for Your Flight Schedule?

The shuttle hours are the deciding factor for many travelers. The Parking Spot shuttle runs 5:00 AM to 11:30 PM only. If your flight departs at 6:00 AM, you will need to arrive at the lot well before 5:30 AM to catch a shuttle — which may not be possible. Travelers with very early or very late flights should consider an option with longer shuttle hours, or plan to use the Metro as a backup.

Checking TSA security screening guidelines helps you calculate how early to leave the lot. At DCA, TSA recommends arriving at least 90 minutes before domestic departure. Factor in shuttle frequency when planning your departure from the parking lot.

If DCA parking is sold out or you want a full backup plan, our sibling article on what to do when DCA airport parking is sold out covers every option in detail, including Metro, rideshare, and same-day alternatives.

How Booking Through Triply Works

Triply shows an all-in price upfront in search — that includes parking fees, taxes, and Triply's service fee. You see the final number before you book, with no hidden charges at the gate. You can compare the Westin Crystal City, the Sheraton Suites Old Town Alexandria, and any other available DCA lots side by side on one screen.

At checkout, you can add ParkGuard damage and theft protection. Three tiers are available:

• Plan C: $4.95 for $250 of coverage
• Plan B: $7.99 for $500 of coverage
• Plan A: $12.99 for $1,000 of coverage

Cancellation policy: Free cancellation with a full refund up to 24 hours before check-in. No online cancellation is available inside the 24-hour window. Reservations cannot be modified — to change your dates, cancel and rebook. These terms apply to all Triply DCA bookings.

Which DCA Parking Option Should You Pick?

The right choice depends on what matters most to you. Here is a direct recommendation by traveler type:

• Lowest listed rate: Sheraton Suites Old Town Alexandria at $8.93/day — book on Triply. Best if price is the top priority and you can handle the slightly longer shuttle.
• Low rate + covered parking: The Parking Spot (Crystal Gateway Marriott) at $9/day — book direct at theparkingspot.com. Good balance of price and covered garage protection.
• Closest to the terminal with covered parking: The Westin Crystal City at $12.57/day — book on Triply. Best for travelers who want the shortest shuttle ride and don't mind paying a bit more.
• Early morning or late night flights: Consider the Metro. The Crystal City station (Yellow and Blue Lines) is close to the Crystal City hotels and connects directly to Reagan National.
• Flying from Terminal 2 (Alaska, Delta, United, American, JetBlue): All three off-site options shuttle to both terminals — no preference difference here.
• Flying from Terminal 1 (Southwest, Frontier, Air Canada Express): Same — all shuttles serve Terminal 1.

The Parking Spot DCA is a fair option at $9/day with covered garage parking and a 30-minute shuttle frequency. Its main limitation is shuttle hours — 5:00 AM to 11:30 PM only. If your schedule fits those hours, it competes well. If not, compare the Westin Crystal City (shuttle from 4:30 AM) and the Sheraton Suites — both bookable on Triply — against your flight times.

For a full breakdown of every DCA parking rate, see the Complete DCA Airport Parking Guide. Compare DCA off-site parking options and lock in your rate on Triply — spots fill fast during construction in 2026.