Where to park car in DC while commuting to NYC
 

Hi - planning trip July 27 - 31 to NYC. Interested in spending one night in DC and taking the night trolley tour, then commuting into NYC to avoid traffic/driving problems. Unfamiliar with both places. Any advice on where to park vehicle for one - two nights while in NYC. Would then commute back to DC, pick up car, and head home.

Will you be getting on the train at Union Station or at Lanham?

If it's Lanham you can probably park right there at the station or at the subway station next door. I do believe that there is a daily charge of approx $6. but it's quite secure there.

You might want to try the PRIVATE lot right next to the New Carrollton metro station. It's under surveillance and you need a ticket to get out so take your ticket with you. Do not park in the public New Carrollton lots as you might not find your car when you return or else you might have a window broken out and valuables stolen. I've known people who have had both things happen.

Assuming you are taking Amtrak, why not just leave your car at Union Station???

Hi Bardo

I wasn't sure if you could park at Union Station. If so where is the lot? I guess I didn't know about the Lanham Subway lot having these problems - I thought it was patrolled. Learn something new every day.

There is a large milti-level lot connected to Union Station. I'm not sure of the parking rates, but I can't imagine there is anyplace more convenient.

In two years of parking at New Carrollton, I've seen three or four cases of heavy pilfering at the public lots. Typical is one memory of seeing five or six cars with windows broken out and their owners' standing along side their damaged cars waiting for the Metro police to get to them and fill out a report. Fortunately for me, I drive a battered red Toyota pick-up with 325,000 miles on it--nobody would want to pick on my truck. As for robbery, I had a workmate park at the lots in 1986 for a weekend trip and never see his car again.

Union Station Parking is $16 for 12-24 hours, less for shorter periods. Sounds like the most it will cost in your case is $32 (two nights).

http://www.unionstationdc.com/intro_fm.html