Located about 26 miles west of Downtown Washington DC, the Washington Dulles International (IAD) Airport was established in 1962. Named after the 52nd United States Secretary, John Foster Dulles, the IAD Airport serves the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area. The airport is spread across 13,000 acres of space and is considered the region’s largest air hub for international flights.
The IAD Airport constitutes around 90 per cent of international passenger traffic in the Baltimore-Washington region. More than 20 million passengers are served every year at the IAD Airport, with a typical day serving more than 60,000 passengers across 125 destinations across the world. There is only one main terminal within the airport, with two midfield terminal buildings known as Concourses A/B and C/D.
What are the Parking Options Available
The Washington Dulles International Airport offers two types of parking options. The first option is long-term parking, which is for customers who want to park their vehicles overnight. Long-term parking can be enjoyed at Terminal Parking, Parking Garage 1, Parking Garage 2 as well as Economy Parking. The most convenient and closest option is Terminal Parking since the parking lot is situated in front of the airport terminal. Additionally, the airport also provides Valet Parking.
On the other hand, short-term parking is ideal for passengers who are just planning to park their vehicles only for a couple of hours (not overnight) or are in the process of picking up/dropping off their loved ones at the airport. Options for short-term parking include Cell Phone Lots, Terminal Parking, Parking Garage 1 and 2. It should be known that Economy Parking is only made for long-term parking vehicles since there are no available hourly rates. Not to forget, disabled parking options are available at all the parking lots and additional assistance can be obtained by calling 703-572-4500.
It should be known that there is no designated minimum or maximum length of stay at any of the parking lots mentioned above. However, vehicles which are parked for more than 45 days must be registered with the parking office, so that those vehicles can be prevented from being identified as ‘abandoned’. Abandoned vehicles will be towed at the owner’s expense. Also, electric vehicle charging stations are located only at Parking Garage 1 and 2, out of which Garage 2 is ideally suited for international passenger vehicle parking.
The IAD Airport authorities also recommend making sure that your vehicle meets the height restrictions for each parking lot. The Terminal Parking lot has a maximum vehicle height allowance of 10 feet and 6 inches, while that of the Garage 1 and 2 are 8 feet and 2 inches. However, there are no maximum vehicle height allowances within the Economy Parking lot. Shuttle services are also available at both Parking Garages as well as Economy Parking lots, with a time interval of 15 minutes. Lastly, the IAD Airport authorities will not be responsible for any damage caused to your vehicle by others.
How to Book Parking Online at Dulles Airport
To reserve your parking slot at the Dulles Airport online, follow the steps mentioned below.
- Firstly, you need to head over to the official IAD Airport website to book your parking slot.
- Proceed to enter your arrival and departure date and time, along with the airline company you will be using for your journey.
- Once done, click on the ‘Reserve Now’ button and the online system will provide you with a range of available parking options. After deciding, click on your preferred parking option.
- A new window will open where you have to fill up your contact details, payment and vehicle information. You can either proceed to complete this step through a guest account or proceed to make an account. Do note that creating an account is not mandatory for making a parking reservation. But, creating an account will help you receive any future discounts via email.
- After that, proceed to pay the requisite amount online. Once payment has been processed, you will receive a confirmation message in your email along with a QR code, which you have to use when entering and exiting your chosen parking lot.
Parking slots can be reserved up to 12 hours before your arrival and parking for disabled patients cannot be reserved online. Disability parking is on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Any modification or cancellation to an existing parking reservation at the IAD Airport can be made up to one hour before your arrival. No modification or cancellation will be allowed after the one-hour time limit has been breached or you have already entered the parking facility.
Third-Party Websites for Booking Parking
Additionally, you can also book parking around Dulles Airport with the help of third-party websites such as Way or Parkway Parking. These aforementioned websites can help you find available parking garages within the airport’s vicinity. Some of the popular options include Embassy Suites By Hilton Dulles IAD Airport Parking, Washington Dulles Marriott Suites (IAD) Airport Parking and Crown Plaza Hotel Dulles (IAD) Airport Parking.
