DCA Parking Alternatives?
 

Next month I have a trip planned out of DCA. I'll be gone almost a week and the daily garage looks to be expensive and I hate leaving my car at an economy lot...I've had too many bad experiences. I know SunPark had a location at DCA but now their website no longer lists it, did it close? Are there any other off-airport options for National? I'm trying to avoid a Park and Fly deal at a hotel but may have to resort to that if no other options are avialble. Thanks.

Following is cut from a recent Washington Post article:

Leave the car at home and take Metro, which goes right to the airport's doorstep; catch a cab or a shuttle; or bum a ride from a friend. Another option: Nearby hotels with park-and-fly deals that are only slightly more expensive than the airport's $9 daily economy rate. Some possibilities:

• Crowne Plaza Hotel in Arlington, about five minutes from the airport, offers $12 parking per day to nonguests. It also has a park-and-fly package for $199, including seven days of free parking. Free shuttle. 703-416-1600, www.ichotelsgroup.com.

• Holiday Inn National Airport in Crystal City, minutes from the terminals, offers $10-per-day parking. Free shuttle. 703-684-7200, www.hinationalairport.com.

• Best Western Old Colony Inn in Alexandria, two miles from National, doesn't offer parking-only, but for one night's stay ($109-$149) you can park free for three days (after that, it's about $10 a day). Free shuttle. 703-739- 2222, www.bestwestern.com.

There's a garage at the Costco shopping center adjacent to the Pentagon City metro. It is unmetered on Saturdays and Sundays, though I have no idea what happens to your car overnight during the week.

I've found that the best place to park for long jaunts out of DCA (especially if you live in the western suburbs of NoVa) is the Ballston parking garage in Arlington. Take the elevator into the Ballston Common Mall and use the enclosed walkway from the mall into the Metro Orange Line station. Then transfer to the Blue Line at Rosslyn for DCA.

Ballston is the cheapest overnight garage parking in Arlington that I've found. Fees are $8 max per day Monday-Friday and $1 Saturday and Sunday (cash only) and overnight parking is permitted since the garage is operated by Arlington County rather than by Metro.

There's a map and more info here.

Alternatively, there may be some free street parking available in parts of Arlington accessible by Metrobus or rail (side streets near the Fort Georgetown Apartments in Rosslyn come to mind) but be careful that it's not permit-only or time restricted.