Overnight parking around DC--Ballston Parking Garage?

[torinsmom]

I am going to DC June 15-18 and am not willing to pay the $32/night my hotel charges. I was planning on parking at Union Station, but now I read that they don't allow overnight parking. I found Ballston Parking Garage in Arlington online, and it is right by the metro station. It doesn't say if they do overnight parking, but says maximum daily charge is $8. Does anyone know about this? In doing a search for "Ballston overnight parking", I saw posts by people who said you can park there overnight, but I would like to be sure.

Marsha

 

[agnes!]

I am going to DC June 15-18 and am not willing to pay the $32/night my hotel charges. I was planning on parking at Union Station, but now I read that they don't allow overnight parking. I found Ballston Parking Garage in Arlington online, and it is right by the metro station. It doesn't say if they do overnight parking, but says maximum daily charge is $8. Does anyone know about this? In doing a search for "Ballston overnight parking", I saw posts by people who said you can park there overnight, but I would like to be sure.

Marsha

Holy COW, which hotel charges $32/night?

agnes!

 

[torinsmom]

We're staying at the Marriott Wardman Park, but most of the hotels that I have looked at in DC are charging at least $25/night. I got a great rate of $95 night(rack rate is $299/nt), but I still don't want to pay that much for parking when we will NOT be driving once we're there. I also think that I can avoid some of the worst traffic snarls if I park in Arlington vs. downtown. We'll have to lug our luggage onto the metro, but it's a 3 day trip, so we shouldn't have too much.


Marsha

 

[Christine]

I think you will need to call the parking office as Ballston Commons mall directly to get an answer.

As for Union Station, I'm shocked. My friend parks their overnight all the time when she takes the train to Philly. Hmmm...I wonder how she does that. Plenty of people travel out of there and there is parking for that.

 

[Cindy B]

32 really isn't that bad for DC parking. Philadelphia parking prices are much worse... The building where my DH works is about 38 a day and it isn't anything special. Other major cities are much worse that DC.. have you ever looked at Chicago parking?

It will be a huge hassle to find the garage, find the metro station (remember it may or may not be far away and if it is you will have to get a cab) haul all the luggage and go to your hotel. Think of your cost and time with that.

Plus, my DH likes to know his car is in his general proximity if he decides to go somewhere and also to know that nothing is wrong with it. Only you can decide if you as a tourist want to leave your car that far away from yourself.

 

[torinsmom]

32 really isn't that bad for DC parking. Philadelphia parking prices are much worse... The building where my DH works is about 38 a day and it isn't anything special. Other major cities are much worse that DC.. have you ever looked at Chicago parking?

It will be a huge hassle to find the garage, find the metro station (remember it may or may not be far away and if it is you will have to get a cab) haul all the luggage and go to your hotel. Think of your cost and time with that.

Plus, my DH likes to know his car is in his general proximity if he decides to go somewhere and also to know that nothing is wrong with it. Only you can decide if you as a tourist want to leave your car that far away from yourself.

From the parking garage's website, they are connected to the metro through a skyway. THe Woodley Park station is right beside my hotel. I am thinking we will have one rolling duffel each plus my sling pack. Worst thing will be transferring to get from the blue line to the red line, but I would have to do that from Union Station as well.

I'll call the garage today and make sure they do overnight parking.

Marsha

If it is truly $8/day, I think saving the $24 a day(more for valet) will be worth it. They have security 18 hours a day, and my car is a pretty basic little sedan, so I don't think anyone would bother it.

 

[Cindy B]

From the parking garage's website, they are connected to the metro through a skyway. THe Woodley Park station is right beside my hotel. I am thinking we will have one rolling duffel each plus my sling pack. Worst thing will be transferring to get from the blue line to the red line, but I would have to do that from Union Station as well.

I'll call the garage today and make sure they do overnight parking.

Marsha

If it is truly $8/day, I think saving the $24 a day(more for valet) will be worth it. They have security 18 hours a day, and my car is a pretty basic little sedan, so I don't think anyone would bother it.

I wouldn't be to sure. I'm a fairly frequent DC visitor (in fact had my honeymoon in DC!) and I just don't like not having my car nearby just in case. Changing trains is a snap at the Metro-- have you ever used the Metro before?

It probably isn't 8 a day.. that sound too low even for the suburbs. Now I don't live there but I wouldn't be suprised if the OVERNIGHT rate is much higher. I would call and verify what the overnight rate is. See that is the parking trick around here, the maximum daily rate and the overnight rate are two totally different animals.. so it is your best interest to check and see.

You may have a small sedan, but I just really don't like not knowing where my car is. Security doesn't do much and even though DH and I both have older cars, we still like to know what is going on.

 

[Christine]

Too bad I'm 30 miles out. I'd let you park outside my house!!

The only bad part about parking at Ballston is that it's a bit of pain to get to. Not impossible and with good directions you will be fine.

 

[Christine]

Have you looked at this link for Union Station: http://www.unionstationdc.com/

It indicates there is parking 24-7 and parking rates of up to $19 for 24 hour parking.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Union Station Garage definitely does allow overnight parking. Most people who park there are taking trains out of town and will be gone for several days. (I used to work right across the street and had a monthly parking contract until I got a space in my office building.)

Anbd I think there are special restrictions (and permits) concerning overnight parking at any of the Metro Station parking lots. Basically you have to be a commuter that works nights and cannot leave it in the space for more than 24 hours.

 

[Christine]

Anbd I think there are special restrictions (and permits) concerning overnight parking at any of the Metro Station parking lots. Basically you have to be a commuter that works nights and cannot leave it in the space for more than 24 hours.

There are restrictions but the OP is trying to park at a mall close to a Metro, not at the Metro station itself.

 

[Tina]

Have you considered parking at National Airport? I think it about $10 per day and its on the blue line. It would be a short ride into the District from there.

 

[pl71]

I've been to that garage and used that metro a few times (my company has a branch office at that mall). The parking garage is large and I've never seen it full, especially if you go near the top levels. Assuming they allow overnight parking, and from their website I think they do, I think it would work for you.

The walk from the parking area to the metro is maybe as far as a city block. You'll have to take an elevator and an escalator. It is a fairly confusing, but, as long as you aren't in a rush and follow the signs it's not a bad walk at all. The walk is entirely inside because the of the skyway which is great in case of rain and I don't think it would be a problem at all to roll luggage through there.

Here's the link our office provides us about parking there:
http://www.arlingtonva.us/Departmen...ic/parking/EnvironmentalServicesBallston.aspx

 

[agnes!]

Have you considered parking at National Airport? I think it about $10 per day and its on the blue line. It would be a short ride into the District from there.

That's what I've been thinking too, park at National Airport. Here are some links:
General info (lot locations AND real-time parking-space availability)
http://www.metwashairports.com/reagan/parking_transportation_4/parking_2

Parking rates
http://www.metwashairports.com/reagan/parking_transportation_4/parking_2/parking_rates
The Economy Lot has a $12 maximum for 24 hours, the Daily Lots have a $20 maximum for 24 hours, the Hourly lots has a $36 maximum.

How about your drive your car to the Hotel, dump your stuff there after or as you check-in, then hop in your car & park it over at Reagan National? You can take the Metro back to the hotel and not have to lug your lugagge .

Cheshire Figment's idea about parking at Union Station is another good idea - easy access to Metro, centrally located.

Ballston might look like it's close on the map, but I'm not sure it's all that close in real life.

From the parking garage's website, they are connected to the metro through a skyway. THe Woodley Park station is right beside my hotel. I am thinking we will have one rolling duffel each plus my sling pack. Worst thing will be transferring to get from the blue line to the red line, but I would have to do that from Union Station as well.

I'll call the garage today and make sure they do overnight parking.

Marsha ...

According to the WMATA website, Woodley Park/Zoo is on the Red Line and Ballston is on the Orange Line.
http://www.wmata.com/

agnes!

 

[torinsmom]

Okay, just talked to someone at the garage and it IS $8 maximum per day. You can park overnight on levels 4 and above and that would be $8 for each 24 hour period. Looks like that would be the best deal for us. I don't really want to deal with getting in and out of the airport; I get lost at Raleigh Durham's airport, LOL. I am borrowing a navigation system, and bringing directions as well, so I should be fine.

I don't know about dropping our things off at the hotel first. I think that would be a waste of time and gas. I don't mind taking the luggage on the metro; it rolls, so it will be fine. I have NEVER ridden the metro before, but have been reading a lot of books, LOL. (Thanks, whoever corrected me on the color of the Ballston line) I am hoping there are fare machines at the Ballston station, so I can just get my cards there. I don't know how much to put on them, but I am thinking $20 for each of us. I am assuming you can check your balance somehow and I can add more if needed.

We are getting excited! I am especially excited about the zoo, the Air and Space Museum and the Washington monument! DS is excited about the International Spy Museum and the Natural History Museum.

Marsha

 

[Tina]

All metro stations have self-serve machines selling tickets. The remaining balance is always printed on the ticket. You'll want to remember that you'll need to insert your tickets both when you get on the train and again when you get off. They work sort of like a turnpike ticket. The balance comes off when you exit the station, printing your remaining balance each time.

 

[Cindy B]

the Metro is super easy... no worries there.