Reagain National Airport (DCA) Parking Alternatives
 

I will be flying out of DCA over the 4th of July holiday weekend. It's looking like all the airport lots are just about full (with the exception of the $36/day daily lot), and will probably only get worse as the holiday nears. Short of taking Metro (which I'd prefer not to do), are there parking alternatives at/near DCA? I'm looking at Sleep/Park/Fly packages, but they seem already to be full -- though if you have particular suggestions, I'm all ears.

Where are you coming from and how long will you be gone?

Leaving from Anne Arundel County/Fort Meade area, and leaving the car for 6 days. My outbound flight is very early in the morning.(I've priced the valet parking -- which is $175 -- and coincidentally about the same price as a round trip sedan service from my location.)

P.S. I'm boycotting Super Shuttle (blue van), but may have to re-think that.

Go to Reagan!!!!!!

...and hope the economy lot if full.

If the economy lot is full, they will give you a vouicher to stay in the short-term garage (MUCH closer) at the economy lot price. No shuttle, no hassle.

Anoterh option is to park at a friends house near REagan DCA abnd take a cab.
Or you could park at the Pentagon City MAll and take a cab from the Mall
or if not carrying too many bags park in the Pentagon Mall close to the Ritz Carlton Hotel and use the Ritz taxi stand...

Is your flight today? Otherwise, how do you know the lot will be full a 10 days from now?

No, my flight isn't today. I was just researching my options, and found that the airport website shows real-time parking availability. With over 8,000 available spots, there have been fewer than 50 spots open at any given time today -- and I imagine that it will get worse as the holiday approaches (and have heard of instances where the lots have been completely full over a holiday). So, I want to know my options in case that happens. Unlike BWI or Dulles, there are no private parking services and no distant satellite lots, so choices are few. Travel over a holiday is crazy enough; I don't want to have to worry about parking too.

Okay, that makes sense.

I think everyone has laid out the options for you. I'm not even sure parking at Pentagon City is an option since they may not permit 24-hour parking.

And there's no private parking at Dulles; just a lot more space.

Though those lots do fill up, if your flight is first thing in the morning you may be ok - some spots should open up from people returning late the night before. I've actually had the most trouble mid-week, midday, with all the business travelers.

A couple of other options in addition to those suggested already:

1) The Ballston Mall garage is 24 hours and has parking for only $8/day. Downside is that you have to change metro lines, and this assumes you don't leave before metro starts running.

2) You may want to call some of the hotels in Crystal City that have their own garages and see if you can just pay to park in one and take the hotel shuttle over. I am pretty sure the Holiday Inn allowed that, at least as of a few years ago. There are also a few garages in Crystal City but I'm not sure what their hours are and whether they allow overnight parking.

3) Finally, this MIGHT work for you, depending on the time of your return flight...there is a garage at Pentagon Row (NOT Pentagon City mall) from which you can walk to metro (also, as someone else mentioned, there are always cabs at the Ritz Carlton, if you are departing before metro starts running). The cost is $16/day, however, once the attendants leave (midnight most days, 11 p.m. Mon-Weds) the arm at the exit is opened so people can just leave. The only thing I don't know is whether there would be any problem with parking there for a several day stretch. I don't think there would - I park in that garage pretty often and have never seen anyone patrolling it, and there are cars there pretty much at all hours, as there is a 24-hour Harris-Teeter and a Ballys Gym with extended hours there, along with all the restaurants that are open late. Also, I used to live in the apartments there, and as the residents' parking area has no guest parking, guests would park for several days in the main garage area without a problem. I suppose you could call and ask just to confirm.

I think the Marriott Crystal Gateway at one time allowed nonguests to park longterm. Worth calling them; they're in Crystal City (on S. Eads at 15th), and sit right atop the Crystal City metro, which is one stop from DCA.

Callaloo,

I'm not sure if I was clear: if the economy ($9) lot is full, the attendant will give you a slip that lets you park in the daily garage (normally$36/day) for only $9/day. The garages don't fill up.

This is an ideal situation. When, I fly out of Reagan, I pray the economy lot <b>IS</b> full for this reason.

Hey, you can park in my driveway and I'll take you over to the airport...I'm only a few minutes away in North Arlington...but I think the rec that you get there early and you'll be fine...be prepared to cruise for a space though.

bardo, actually the garages do sometimes fill up, so it's a legit concern - I've been there when all garages and lots were reading &quot;full&quot; and they'd even blocked off the first entrance to the B/C garage so you couldn't even go in and try to find a spot. Although the second B/C entrance also read &quot;full,&quot; it wasn't blocked off and I was able to enter and eventually find someone leaving but it took some time. This was not over a holiday (except maybe spring break), and was a Wednesday, around 2 p.m. Since the OP is leaving very early this should not be a problem, but it does happen.

Thanks for all the good ideas. I've got back-up plans now (e.g. have confirmed that the Holiday Inn - Crystal City allows non-guests to park ($16/day) and use their complimentary airport shuttle). We'll just give ourselves extra time.