When you think of Washington DC, you probably think of the White House and powerful politicians!
The nation’s capital is a busy city with a massive volume of commuters every day.
While some may choose to use the public transportation systems, others just want the convenience of jumping in their car and travelling in comfort.
Parking in DC is best researched before you go; the parking rates and fines can be steep if you don’t park correctly.
But do not worry; we have put together a guide to help you find parking options in DC.
Below are our 7 steps for finding parking in Washington DC:
- Park In A Longer Term Parking Spot
If you are trying to find long term parking in DC it can sometimes feel like looking for a needle in a haystack, but do not fret; there are loads of companies that offer long-term parking in on near the city.
They allow you to search for spaces that are safe and secure that you can reserve on a mobile app ahead of time. It is a great way to find the perfect spot for your needs.
- Find Free Parking In Washington DC
The great thing about Washington DC is that you can find free parking on Sundays and big holidays on the street.
Unfortunately, metered spots are free only during these times. Therefore, you may need to look into rules around parking permits, and it pays to plan ahead.
Free street parking overnight at metered spots is also possible but make sure you have checked before your leave your car. You can find a map of free overnight parking online that will help you find spaces.
- Park Up In A Garage Or Lot
You can park in a garage or parking lot, and you should absolutely do this in advance as it’s possible to get discounted prices.
Garages fill up quickly, so it is best either to pre-book or get there early. Some of the best parking garages available in Washington are:
- Union Station – $24 per day
- Ronald Reagan Building – $35 Mon – Fri, $15 Sat and Sun
- City Center DC – $24 per day
Always check the hours they operate, as not every garage is open 24/7.
- Get A Space On The Street
Street parking is metered and monitored closely, so ensure you pay for the correct time, or you may run the risk of fines.
Most neighborhoods with street parking require you have a permit, meaning you have to live in that area to park, so it is essential to check this.
There are usually signs that explain permitted locations and any restricted hours.
Parking is always notoriously difficult to find near any of the famous sights, so sometimes it is best to allow for a short walk to your destination. Once you’ve found street parking, remember that different neighborhoods in Washington DC may have different rules.
For example, the Capitol Hill neighborhood offers limited street parking options due to high demand and low supply.
- Overnight Parking At The Metro Stations
Many of the metro stations offer a park-and-ride facility. You can look on the WMATA’s site to find rates.
Not all of the parking lots offer an overnight option, but some do, and it can make getting into the city easier.
- Parking At The Amtrak
There are loads of Amtrak stations on the outskirts of the city that offer overnight parking. It is sometimes a lot less hassle to park and jump on the train.
There are charges for this, but they are often less than parking garages or lots and worth looking into.
- Parking in Hotels
If you are already staying in a hotel in the city, they will often provide parking at a lower cost than a garage or lot. You can then take the metro to get around the city.
Washington DC Parking Hints and Tips
We have put together some handy hints and tips to make your parking experience seamless:
- Always look for signs that explain any restrictions to hours or permits. Many streets have restrictions during different times of the day. For example, parking restrictions are usually enforced from 8 am to 6 pm, Monday through Friday.
- Find out if you need to apply for any permits.
- If you are visiting popular attractions, consider parking further away and using the metro or walking to your destination.
- Do your research before heading into the city, and avoid school holidays.
You can avoid parking if you use public transportation
If you don’t live in the city, you can avoid parking by using public transportation. The Metro is a subway system that serves DC and parts of Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia.
If you’re visiting from out of town, this is your best bet for getting around since it’s super easy to use (just buy a ticket at the station), and it runs all day long.
The other option is Uber/Lyft or other rideshare services like Via or Chariot that will pick up passengers anywhere in certain areas of DC (they will charge extra for pickup outside their service area).
If none of these options works for you because they’re too expensive or too inconvenient—or maybe because they just suck!—you could always ride a bike share service like Capital Bikeshare if your hotel has those available near it, rent a car through Zipcar or Car2Go when needed.
Conclusion
Hopefully, we’ve given you some ideas on how to avoid a stressful parking situation in DC.
The streets are crowded, and parking lots are expensive, but there are options out there.
If all else fails, just remember that public transportation is always an option for getting around this city.