Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) is a major airport in Dulles, Virginia, handling all the domestic and international flights and passengers in the Washington DC area. Being a major international hub, it is not easy for the passengers to reach the airport on time without traveling in their vehicle, the majority of the passengers bring their cars and park them at the airport for the time they are traveling.
Dulles Airport parking includes Terminal Lot, Garage 1, Garage 2, Economy Lot, Valet parking and a Cell phone lot for pickups. All these parking options vary in space, distance, and cost. So it is very important to understand the details of parking and then select the right one.
Like, I recently parked my car at the economy lot at Dulles parking to catch an early morning flight. I waited for a few minutes for the shuttle to arrive, and then I reached my terminal. On my way back I followed the same pattern, landed at the airport, boarded the airport shuttle, and I was at the economy lot within a few minutes. With this I understood the economy parking lot is a good option to save some money, all you need is to spare some extra time on shuttle services. I am going to cover every parking option in this guide at Dulles International Airport, also explaining the benefits and cost of economy parking, and this will help you in choosing the right parking option for yourself.
Dulles Airport Parking: Locations, Hours & 24/7 Availability
Let's look at the structured table first to understand the availability and location at Dulles Airport and then we will get into the details.
| Facility | Location/terminal access | Rates | Hours 24/7 availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garage 1 | This is right next to the metro station. The passengers need to take an underground terminal, there is no need for a shuttle. | $7 per hour, $25 for 24 hours | It is a self-park garage with a round-the-clock airport facility |
| Garage 2 | The passengers get access to the sheltered walkways to the terminal, and no shuttle is required. | $7 per hour, $25 for 24 hours | It is a self-park garage with a round-the-clock airport facility |
| Terminal Lot | It is right across the main terminal and is connected. by a walkway. | $7 per hour, $40 for 24 hours | It is a self-park garage with a round-the-clock airport facility |
| Economy Lot | Provides free shuttle services from curb 2F | Starts with $20 | Free shuttle service, available 24/7 |
| Valet Parking | At the terminal | $10 per hour, maximum $39 per day | Available 24/7 |
Dulles parking is available every day of the year, with free garages and economy shuttles, which run 24/7. Some specific services have set hours:
Valet curbside drop-off: 4:00 AM to 10:00 PM (Departures Zone 3)
Valet Service Center: open 24 hours for drop-off and pickup
Shuttles (Garages and Economy): 24/7, arriving about every 10-15 minutes
Good to know: When you have an early morning or late night flight, make sure to use the Valet Service Center or a Self-Park Lot rather than a curbside valet.
What are different types of parking at Dulles Airport?
Dulles Airport offers various parking options according to the convenience and budget of the passenger. Starting with the terminal parking lot, Garage 1 and Garage 2, the economy parking lot, the valet parking lot, the Pass Park premium, and last but not least, the cell phone lot, which allows you to wait at the lot for the arriving passenger.
Terminal Parking (Closest Self-Parking)
The terminal lot is situated right across from the main terminal. It is considered to be the closest self-parking option at the airport. It is an outdoor parking lot, you can access the terminal through a covered walkway or use the underground pedestrian, which can be done by using the elevator in Rows 20 and 21.
The parking rates start with $7 per hour, $40 for 24 hours.
The vehicle height allowed is 10 ft 6 inches, and there is no covered space at the parking lot.
Terminal Lot is best for quick drop-offs and pickups, and it is also good for the travelers who do not mind walking and paying a bit more money.
If the terminal lot is packed, quickly exit the lot using the ramp on the left.
Follow the signs and park your vehicle at Garage 1 or Garage 2, which is not that far from the terminal lot.
Or if you want to park in the economy, follow the airport return signs, followed by the economy parking signs, and then you can park there.
Garage 1
Take a 5-minute walk from the terminal to reach Garage 1. This is the closest garage to the east side of the terminal, which makes it very convenient for the passengers who have a flight to catch using that terminal. Use the underground pedestrian walkway where there are sidewalks, escalators, or elevators, or else you can also use the garage shuttle, which moves around 24/7.
The parking rate starts with $7 per hour, $25 for 24 hours.
The vehicle height allowed is 8 ft 2 inches.
It is best for the travelers who have domestic flights and need sheltered parking.
Garage 2
Garage 2 is about a 5-minute short walk from the terminal, best suited for the passengers who have a flight to catch from the west side. You will find a covered walkway that is connected to Level 3 of Garage 2 (Departures/Ticketing level). You can access the complimentary shuttle services from the terminal as well.
The parking rate starts with $7 per hour, $25 for 24 hours.
The vehicle height allowed is 8 ft and 2 inches.
Best suited for the international traveler who wish to park their cars in the covered parking area near the shuttle.
Economy Parking Lot
This is considered the money-saving option, which is budget-friendly for every passenger. The parking is situated outside with covered bus shelters. For the passengers' convenience, an ‘Economy’ shuttle runs, which is completely free. It runs all around the clock and takes 15 minutes to reach the terminal.
The parking rate starts with $20 up to 24 hours.
There is no height limit.
The economy parking lot is best suited for the long vacations, business travelers, and travelers who do not want to spend a lot of money.
Valet Parking
Valet parking is considered to be the most comfortable parking for its passengers. You simply need to give your keys to parking authorities and just focus on boarding the flight. No need to worry about your car.
| Drop-off Option | Hours | Day 1 | Later Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Curbside (Departure Zone 3) | 4:00 AM - 10:00 PM | $45 | $10 per hour, the maximum rate is $45 a day |
| Valet Service Center (Terminal Lot) | 24 Hours | $39 | $10 per hour, maximum $39 a day |
For pickup services, go to the Valet Service Center in the Terminal Lot. It is just a short walk outside the baggage claim level.
Right after landing, text your valet ticket number to (703) 214-4455, and your car will be ready for the pickup.
If you want to opt for extra car care services, check the website for that.
This is best suited for passengers catching early morning flights, who have extra heavy luggage, and travelers who are traveling with kids so they can't allot extra time for check-in.
This is best suited for families and people who carry heavy luggage and travelers who want to travel according to their suitable time.
Pass Park Premium
Pass Park Premium helps you with getting a premium parking space for your vehicle. The space will be closer to the terminal and check-in counters and is available by reservation only for the passengers' convenience.
You can find the Pass Park Premium on Level 2 of Garage 1, Level 3 of Garage 2, and the Terminal Lot.
The biggest benefit of using this service is that a parking spot is guaranteed, you won't have to roam around with your car, plus there is easier access to check-in and security.
The prices are a bit more than the standard reserve parking. But they keep on changing, so make sure to keep an eye on the reservation table before changing.
Cell Phone Lot
The cell phone lot is made for the people who visit the airport for picking up an arriving passenger. You won't have to circle around waiting for the passenger to come, you can park your car and wait for them.
The Cell Phone Lot is at the corner of Rudder Road and Autopilot Drive.
Once the passenger has collected their bags and is done with the immigration, they will contact you on your given number.
According to the airport guidance, the wait limit is about an hour. So make sure to check the posted signs on your arrival.
How to reserve parking at Dulles Airport?
By reserving your space beforehand, you can lock in your space, and you can get it at a lower price. By doing this, there will be no stress for finding a parking space. Let's see how it works.
Visit the official website for parking reservations (https://www.flydulles.com/)
Enter the date of arrival and exit with the timings.
Make sure to compare the options and prices shown on the website and click Reserve
Now after selecting your suitable spot, enter your contact number, information about the vehicle, and payment details.
The last step is to click Reserve and Pay.
You will receive a confirmation email with a QR code on your given email.
A quick note: Make sure to keep the QR code safely with you whether digital or printed. If you have the QR code saved up in your phone, keep the brightness up and keep it in front of the scanner. If it doesn't work, don't panic or buy a ticket. Just press the HELP button and you will receive assistance with your reservation.
Good to know: Make sure to book weeks before, with that, you can get the spot at lower rates. Since during busy periods the spaces fill up pretty fast, reserving early is the best option.
How to pay for parking at Dulles Airport (without a reservation)
Follow some simple steps to make a reservation at Dulles Airport parking.
On your entry, press the green button to take a ticket.
For exit, put the ticket at the exit lane and make the payment by debit or credit card. If you wish to pay with cash, enter the cash lanes, or to get more information, press HELP at an automated lane.
If you are unable to find your ticket, press HELP or enter the cash lane to get the remote assistance.
To get the online receipt, you can go to the airport’s website.
How to get from your parking spot to the terminal?
It does not take very long to reach the terminal from the parking spot. Most of the parking spots have covered walkways and free shuttle services, which will help you to reach your designated terminal in a few minutes. Check the points below to see how to reach the terminal from your parking spot.
To get to the terminal lot, use the underground pathway.
To get to Garage 1 and Garage 2, use the pedestrian walkways, or you can also take the free Garages shuttle.
The shuttle stops on Level 1 outside both the garages and at the terminal curb.
To reach the Economy Parking lot, take the shuttle service, which is for free. The shuttle arrives in every 15 minutes and takes another 15 minutes to reach the parking lot.
On returning, the shuttle will drop you off at the terminal at Curb 2F, which is on the ground level.
Just follow the ramp and escalator or elevator till the ticketing level to reach your gate.
Accessible Parking, EV Charging & Special Vehicle Facilities
Dulles Airport also provides extra parking facilities for passengers with special needs, parking spots for electronic vehicle charging, and special vehicle facilities. Let's look at that in more detail.
Accessible Parking
You can find it at Terminal 1, which is at the end of Rows 2 to 30. This parking lot is closest to the terminal.
You can find it at Garage 1, which is on Level 1, Rows L and N, just next to the terminal and Shuttle stop 2.
Dulles Airport parking does not provide any discounts for the parking for the disabled, and the spots can’t be reserved as well.
Electronic Vehicle Charging
Dulles Airport provides several spots for EV changing, like Garage 1, which provides 96 charging spaces (Level 1 Row N and Level 3 Rows H, N, and R)
Garage 2 provides 66 charging spaces (Level 1 Row U and Level 3 Rows C, D, G, and R)
Make sure to reach early if you have an electric vehicle, since the parking follows the first-come, first-served rule, you might not get a spot.
Oversized vehicles, motorcycles, and bikes
For special vehicles, Dulles strictly follows some rules, for example, for height limits, if you want to park at the terminal lot, make sure that your vehicle height is 10 ft 6 inches, for garages, it should be 8 ft 2 inches.
No rules are followed for economy parking.
All vehicles should fit in one parking space.
If you have an oversized vehicle or campers, kindly contact the parking office at 703-572-4500 beforehand, do not make it late.
For the passengers with motorcycles, they can park their vehicle in any parked space within a standard rate.
The parking lot does not have any designated parking space for motorcycles or bike storage.
Safety, Security, and Help
The parking lots are always under the surveillance of the staff and police. However, it clearly mentions that the airport is not responsible for any of your vehicles or belongings. So make sure to take all the belongings with you and lock the vehicles properly, and double-check them.
If you are struggling with any information or cannot find your car, contact this free-of-cost helpline at 703-572-4500.
If you want to contact the police regarding any insurance issue, call MWAA police at 703-417-2400.
If you are planning to leave your vehicle for more than 45 days, make sure that it is registered with the parking office, since it can be confiscated or treated as abandoned.
Tips to save money
While traveling through Dulles Airport, I came across a few challenges, and after overcoming them, I have noted some of the tips that might help while parking or reserving your spot at the Dulles Airport Parking.
Please reserve your spot early. Make your booking through the official online website. You might get different discounts and offers, plus there’s no booking fee.
The economy is specially made for long stays, so if you are planning to travel for longer days, then choose economy. It will only cost $20 on a daily basis, which also means that you are saving more money than spending.
Be a member of PassPark Rewards, through which you will earn points by reserving in advance and can use them during discounts or upgrades.
Always check the parking availability before leaving for the airport. Everything is available on the website, so check through that.
Quickly take a photo of your parking spot. Make sure to save all the details about your parking lot, the level the vehicle is on, and the row so you can easily find your car when coming back from the trip.
The biggest tip is that if you are commuting to the airport from the train or you are nearby a metro station, take the Silver Line, which goes to Dulles Airport. So you won't have to worry about commuting through a car.
Conclusion
Selecting your suitable parking spot at Dulles International Airport always depends on your budget, the length of the trip, and your convenience. In this guide above I have mentioned all kinds of parking, starting with the Terminal Lot and Valet Parking, which offers hassle-free access, and the terminals are within a short distance from these parking lots, which will make it easy for you to travel with heavy luggage. But on the other hand, when we talk about Garage 1 and Garage 2, they have their own pros, like sheltered parking with shuttle access available after every 15 minutes. However, hands down, Economy Lot is the best, it gives the best value for parking plus free shuttle services.
Lastly, I have also added some helpful tips, including the security number, which works as the cherry on top. So enjoy reading this blog and prepare yourself to select the best parking lot next time you are travelling through Dulles.
Frequently Asked Questions
The parking cost at Dulles starts with $7 for self-parking and goes up to $40 for valet parking.
It completely depends on your convenience and budget because every parking lot has its own benefits. However, Economy Lot is considered to be chosen by most of the travelers since it is budget-friendly and provides complimentary shuttle services.
Both of the garages are better with their services, and the cost is the same. However, they just differ in the layouts and parking spots.
Yes, Dulles Airport follows the first-come, first-served rule, which means if you reach early and find an empty parking space that is not reserved already, you can park your vehicle there. But during heavy traffic and seasons it gets very difficult to find an empty space, which is why it is recommended to reserve beforehand.
No, you cannot walk from the economy lot to the terminal. You would have to take the shuttle, which runs after every 15 minutes and is for free. It drops you right in front of the terminal.
