Cheap Parking in Washington DC: How to Compare Meters, Garages, Hotel Parking, and Metro
Last reviewed: June 28, 2026. Prices and rules change often. Always check current posted signs and garage rates. Cheap parking in DC is usually a tradeoff. You can save money with street parking, but you take on more sign-reading, time limits, and ticket risk. You can reduce stress with a garage, but it may cost more. The right answer depends on how long you will park and how flexible your schedule is. Quick Answer For a short stop, a legal meter may be cheapest. For all-day or overnight parking, a garage or parking near transit may be cheaper than a ticket. For a hotel stay, compare the hotel rate with nearby garages before you arrive. Option 1: Metered Street Parking DDOT says it manages approximately 18,000 metered parking spaces and advises motorists to carefully check the days and hours of enforcement posted on meters and curbside signs. DDOT's parking meter page says the citywide meter rate structure was set at $2.30 an hour for commercial and passenger vehicles as of June 1,...