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DC Metro Parking: Station Rates, Daily & Monthly Fees
DC Metro Parking - One of the most popular issues for daily commuters and even weekend travelers is finding a cheap and convenient parking place close to a DC Metro station. WMATA (Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority) has over 58,000 parking spaces in its Metrorail network, which include a balance between daily pay-and-park and monthly permit offerings at stations on the Red, Blue, Orange, Silver, Green and Yellow lines. Driving to or out of the suburbs of Virginia or Maryland, this comprehensive guide will include all information about the DC Metro parking rates, methods of payment, free parking hours, and the most appropriate Park and Ride staging by the line.
| DC Metro Parking — Quick Facts | |
| Daily Rate | $5.00 – $10.00 depending on station and lot |
| Monthly Permit | $65 – $105/month at most stations |
| Free Parking | Weekends & weekdays after 10:00 PM (most stations) |
| Payment | SmarTrip card, contactless credit/debit card, or mobile app |
| Overnight | Not permitted; vehicles left overnight may be towed |
| Reservations | Not available; parking is first-come, first-served |
What Are DC Metro Parking Rates? (2026 Fees by Station)
WMATA charges its parking fee depending on the location of the station, the distance to the city center, and the demand for the lot. The suburban end-of-line stations are less expensive,dailydaily whereas the inner-suburb stations are expensive daily. The following table reflects the daily and monthly rates in key Park and Ride stations throughout the system.
Daily Parking Rates at Metro Stations
| Station | Line(s) | Daily Rate | Monthly Permit | Spaces |
| Shady Grove | Red | $5.00 | $65/month | 4,109 |
| Glenmont | Red | $5.00 | $65/month | 2,230 |
| Silver Spring | Red | $6.50 | $75/month | 1,152 |
| Greenbelt | Green/Yellow | $5.00 | $65/month | 3,394 |
| Branch Ave | Green | $5.00 | $65/month | 2,680 |
| New Carrollton | Orange/Silver | $5.00 | $65/month | 3,400 |
| Franconia-Springfield | Blue | $5.00 | $65/month | 3,346 |
| Huntington | Yellow | $5.00 | $65/month | 1,725 |
| Vienna/Fairfax-GMU | Orange | $5.00 | $65/month | 5,125 |
| Largo Town Center | Blue/Silver | $5.00 | $65/month | 2,380 |
| Wiehle-Reston East | Silver | $7.50 | $85/month | 2,300 |
| White Flint | Red | $8.25 | $95/month | 1,650 |
| Rockville | Red | $6.50 | $75/month | 1,600 |
| Dunn Loring | Orange | $7.50 | $85/month | 1,940 |
| King St-Old Town | Blue/Yellow | $10.00 | $105/month | 1,050 |
Note: Rates are subject to change. Always verify current pricing on the official WMATA website or the SmarTrip app before your trip.
Monthly Parking Permits: Cost & How to Apply
Regular commuters should be given monthly parking permits to ensure that they get access to a Metro lot on a weekday basis. SmarTrip is available to buy permits via the WMATA SmarTrip portal and load them directly on your SmarTrip card. The following is the way to get one
1. Visit the SmarTrip website at smartrip.wmata.com and log in to your account.
2. Navigate to the "Parking" section and search for your preferred station.
3. Select a monthly permit and complete the purchase; the cost is charged to your card on file.
4. The permit is loaded onto your SmarTrip card and activates on the first of the following month.
5. Tap your SmarTrip card at the garage entry gate to access the reserved permit area.
Monthly permits are limited and sell out quickly at popular stations like Vienna and Shady Grove. Join the waitlist early if your preferred station is full.
Free Parking Metro Stations — When & Where
WMATA provides free parking in all Metro lots and garages at specific times. It is among the most ignored advantages of the use of Metrorail:
- Weekends (Saturday and Sunday): Free all-day parking at all WMATA-operated lots and garages.Weekday evenings after 10:00 PM: Free parking after 10:00 PM
- Federal holidays: The federal holidays are usually on a weekend/free-parking basis.
- 4th of July: WMATA usually provides free fares and free parking on Independence Day.
Important: Even during free parking periods, you must still exit the garage within the operating hours of the station. Vehicles left overnight risk being towed.
How to Pay for DC Metro Parking
WMATA has modernized its payment system significantly. There are now three accepted payment methods at Metro parking facilities:
Paying with SmarTrip Card
The SmarTrip card remains the primary payment method for Metro parking. When you drive into a Metro garage, tap your SmarTrip card at the entry gate — this registers your arrival. When you exit, tap again,, the and the daily parking fee is automatically deducted from your card balance. Benefits include:
• No need to find exact change or visit a pay station.
• Monthly permit holders tap once at entry and gain access to reserved sections.
• Balance can be reloaded online, at station kiosks, or via the SmarTrip mobile app.
Contactless Credit & Debit Card Payment
Beginning in 2022, WMATA has implemented contactless payment on numerous parking gates. Just place your Visa, Mastercard, or American Express contactless card (or your phone with Apple Pay / Google Pay) on the gate at the entrance and at the exit. The system takes into consideration your time and bills your card. Note: Not every lot and garage is upgraded yet - see WMATA site to find out what stations accept tap-to-pay parking.
How to Dispute a Parking Ticket or Charge
In case you feel that you have been wrongly fined or unjustly fined for a parking fine, then you can submit a complaint via the WMATA customer support at wmata.custhelp.com. Have your SmarTrip transaction ID or citation number handy. The resolution of disputes usually takes 10-15 business days.
Best Metro Stations for Park & Ride — Line by Line
Not all Park & Ride stations are created equal. The best ones offer large lots, reliable availability, and easy Metro access. Here are the top picks by line:
Red Line: Best Park & Ride Stations
• Shady Grove (western terminus) — Largest Red Line lot with 4,100+ spaces. Best choice for Montgomery County commuters.
• Glenmont (eastern terminus) — 2,230 spaces; ideal for residents of northern Montgomery County and Wheaton.
• Rockville — Good midline option with 1,600 spaces at a lower rate than inner-suburb stations.
Blue/Orange/Silver Line: Park & Ride Options
• Franconia-Springfield — 3,346 spaces, $5/day. Premier choice for Fairfax County and Springfield commuters.
• Vienna/Fairfax-GMU — The system's largest single lot at 5,125 spaces. Arrive before 9 AM on weekdays to guarantee a spot.
• New Carrollton — 3,400 spaces shared across Orange and Silver lines; also connects to Amtrak and MARC trains.
Green/Yellow Line: Parking Near End Stations
• Greenbelt — 3,394 spaces, $5/day. Best option for Prince George's County commuters. The University of Maryland's proximity makes it popular.
• Branch Avenue — 2,680 spaces, $5/day. Good availability even during peak hours.
• Huntington — 1,725 spaces serving Yellow Line riders from southern Fairfax County.
Airport Metro Parking: Reagan, Dulles & BWI
If you're flying out of the DC area, taking Metro to the airport and parking at a suburban end-of-line station can save you significantly over airport parking rates.
| Airport | Metro Line | Best Park & Ride Station | Approx. Travel Time | Daily Parking vs. Airport |
| Reagan National (DCA) | Blue & Yellow | Franconia-Springfield or King St | 25–40 min to the airport | Metro: $5/day vs. Airport: $22–$38/day |
| Dulles (IAD) | Silver | Wiehle-Reston East or Vienna | 50–60 min to the airport | Metro: $7.50/day vs. Airport: $17–$29/day |
| BWI (Baltimore) | MARC Train from Union Station | Shady Grove or Silver Spring | 60–75 min to BWI | Metro+MARC: ~$5–10/day vs. Airport: $10–$22/day |
Tips to Save Money on DC Metro Parking
• Park at end-of-line stations, always - It has the most of them with the lowest charges (5 dollars a day) and is geared towards Park and Ride.
• Park before 9:00 AM on weekdays - Popular parking areas such as Vienna and Shady Grove are filled between 8.30-9.30 AM.
• Free weekend parking — Park free in downtown on Saturdays and Sundays when you run your errands by Metro.
• Purchase a monthly permit when you can travel 3 or more days per week - The monthly costs 65/month and the daily costs 5/day, you break even after 13 days.
DC Metro Parking Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much does DC Metro parking cost?
A: DC Metro parking charges up to $5.00 per day at the end of the line at the stations like Shady Grove, Vienna, Greenbelt, and Franconia-Springfield. The inner-suburb stations cost between $6.50 and 10.00 a day. Depending on the station, monthly permits cost between $65 and $105 a month.
Q: Is DC Metro parking free on weekends?
A: Yes. WMATA provides a free parking service on Saturdays and Sundays as well as most federal holidays at all garages and lots operated by Metro. On these days, you do not have to pay or tap your SmarTrip card.
Q: Can I reserve a DC Metro parking spot?
A: No. WMATA does not provide reserved parking spaces to daily visitors. Parking is first come first served. Nonetheless, monthly permit holders can access special permit-only areas, which is good to get consistent access daily.
Q: Do I need a SmarTrip card to park at Metro?
A: You do not have to have a SmarTrip card only. Nowadays, at upgraded lots, you can use a tap-enabled credit or debit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay to make payments since the introduction of contactless payments. But the most dependable and universal alternative is to have a SmarTrip card.
Q: What is the cheapest Metro station to park at?
A: All the cheapest stations cost 5.00/day: Shady Grove, Glenmont, Greenbelt, Branch Ave, Franconia-Springfield, Vienna, New Carrollton, Largo Town Center, and Huntington. These are also end-of-line stations whose lots are also the largest.
Q: Is overnight parking allowed at Metro stations?
A: No. It is not possible to park overnight at any WMATA-operated garage or lot. Cars not picked up by the time the station closes may be towed at the owner's cost. Always look at the first and last train times to your station before leaving your car.
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