As the fall 2025 semester starts, George Mason students, faculty, and staff are reminded that traffic on and around the Fairfax 海角社区 greatly increases during the first few weeks of the semester. We hope this campus parking and transportation guide will help minimize potential parking and traffic delays.
During the first few weeks of the semester, we suggest allowing an extra 30 minutes to arrive on campus. Though some parking spaces are more convenient to your destination than others, the Fairfax 海角社区 has more than enough spaces to accommodate all vehicles. However, many general parking permit areas fill at peak class times. Lots L and K are usually the last to fill and the best places to look if arriving to campus after 10 a.m. with a general permit.
Permit Parking and Visitor Parking
A valid parking permit (virtual or hangtag) is required to park outside visitor areas. Those without permits should use visitor parking in the garages or in various lots with daily parking options. Virtual parking permits are sold online only at . Permits are sold with daily, weekly, monthly, and semester options and are available for purchase throughout the semester online at .
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Please review the regulations for individual parking permits and understand the rules for parking on campus. Make sure to check the specific guidelines that apply to your permit type.
Traffic Supervision
At times during the morning, late afternoon, and early evenings, campus police cadets will direct traffic around campus. Please be alert and follow the cadets鈥 directions.
Share the Road
Be mindful of sharing the road safely with an increased number of pedestrians and vehicles, including scooters, motorcycles, bikes, cars, and trucks. Get more tips on safely sharing the road on the . Shared mobility e-scooters should be parked in or bike racks. No matter where you go, on or off campus, never leave a scooter on a sidewalk or anywhere where it can be a tripping hazard or mobility issue for others. If you are riding a bike or scooter, be sure to wear a helmet.
Virtual Permits
. It is important that your vehicle is associated with your permit, not just your parking account. .
To remove vehicles from the parking portal that you no longer use, own, or possess, complete the .
Short-Term Parking
Students, faculty, and staff who do not regularly park on campus may want to consider daily, weekly, and monthly options:
- Parking Garage Visitor Parking: $5鈥19 daily. First 30 minutes are complimentary by using a pay station.
- Lots L/K: $11.50/day
- Lot P (Field House): $8.50/day
- West 海角社区 Lot/Rapidan River Road: $5.50/day
- General Lot Evening (valid after 4 p.m.): $8.50/day
- Science and Technology 海角社区 Daily: $8.50/day
- Lots L/K Weekly: $35
- Lots L/K Monthly: $85
Daily permits are available online at . You can purchase them in advance on the parking portal or via ParkMobile when you arrive. Pay stations are available near the exits and elevators of parking garages and decks and in Lot P only. They accept MasterCard, Visa, American Express, and prepaid validations. Visitor parking in Rappahannock Deck and Shenandoah Deck requires pre-paying for the required time when you park, rather than at the exit.
Science and Technology (SciTech) 海角社区 Parking
- Fairfax-SciTech General, Lot I, Lot J, Lot R, and reserved parking deck permits are valid in the Occoquan, King, Discovery, Hylton, and Tower parking lots at the SciTech 海角社区.
- Follow signage in these lots, as parking spaces may be designated for various uses or permits.
- The Shops parking lot in front of Beacon Hall has faculty/staff, event permit, and 30-minute parking on the northwest side. The southeast side of the lot (left side facing the building) is for retail parking only.
- At the SciTech 海角社区, daily parking permits are available online for $8.50/day or via ParkMobile for $2 for the first hour, up to a daily maximum of $8.50.
Mason Square Parking (Arlington)
You must work or attend class at Mason Square to be eligible to purchase a Mason Square parking permit. Access cards are needed for both the Van Metre and Vernon Smith garages. Hourly visitor parking is available in either garage, as well as in the Fuse garage. For more information, go to the .
Stay tuned for more information in the coming weeks, when a new parking access and visitor payment system is installed and expected to go into effect at Mason Square parking garages beginning Sept. 8.
- Fairfax鈥揝ciTech 海角社区 permits are not valid at Mason Square without authorization from Parking Services.
- In Vernon Smith Garage, Mason Square general permit faculty/staff and student parking is available on all levels in non-designated spaces.
- There is no guarantee of space in the general permit parking area.
- Please pay careful attention to signage, as some spaces are designated for non-George Mason tenant use only.
Shuttle Service
Check the for fall semester schedules. Early in the semester, allow extra time to catch your shuttle, as buses may be full at peak times.
- George Mason IDs are required; no guest riders are permitted.
- Every bus is outfitted with a bike rack, ADA accommodations, and Wi-Fi.
- : Get real-time arrival info for Mason Shuttles and local public transportation. Download the TransLoc app from or the .
- .
: Runs between Fairfax 海角社区 and Vienna Metro station with buses every 30 minutes from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday鈥揊riday, increasing to every 20 minutes from 4鈥11 p.m., and limited service on weekends from 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
: Connects Fairfax 海角社区 with the SciTech 海角社区, operating Monday鈥揟hursday from 6 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., with departures every 30鈥40 minutes, and Fridays with departures every 70 minutes. Weekend service is every two hours between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.
: Provides service between various locations including the Recreation and Athletic Complex (RAC), Sandy Creek Transit Center, and Fair Oaks Mall, among others.
: Operates between Sandy Creek Transit Center and Van Metre/Hazel Hall, with hourly service Monday鈥揟hursday from 7:15 a.m. to 11:05 p.m. and limited Friday service; no weekend service. A third bus has been added from 2:45-10:15 p.m. Monday鈥揟hursday.
: Runs between West 海角社区 Parking Lot and Presidents Park, with service every 20 minutes from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday鈥揊riday, and every 40 minutes thereafter. No weekend service; use the On-Demand Shuttle instead.
: Offers shared-ride service with designated pick-up and drop-off points focused around the Fairfax 海角社区; does not serve Mason Square or the SciTech 海角社区.
: Students and employees can ride any of the four Fairfax City CUE routes to and from the Rappahannock River Lane stop. The CUE bus travels throughout Fairfax City and to the Vienna Metro station for free.
If you have any questions, email shuttle@gmu.edu or call 703-993-2828. Follow on X.
Alternative Transportation Options
Bicycling
As a recognized bicycle-friendly university, George Mason has more than 1,400 bicycle parking spaces around the Fairfax 海角社区, as well as plenty of bike racks at the regional campuses. Go to for more information.
- Covered bike parking is available under shelters around campus and on Levels 1 and 2 of Rappahannock River Deck.
- George Mason鈥檚 offers registrants free bike locks and bike lights.
- The is available at the Recreation and Athletic Complex (RAC) and the Aquatic and Fitness Center.
- Three stations on the Fairfax 海角社区 provide connection to Fairfax City and the region. Discounted student memberships are available.
There is a dismount zone in the center of the Fairfax 海角社区 from the East Building to Enterprise Hall. Golf carts are not permitted in the dismount zone, and those using bikes, scooters, skateboards, or skates must dismount and walk. This is for everyone鈥檚 safety.
Carpooling Options
Students and employees may qualify for a 20鈥40% rebate on their reserved parking permits by carpooling. Go to the for more information.
The Carpool Zones provide designated locations for share riders to drop off between 7 and 11 a.m., Monday鈥揊riday. To park in a carpool zone, you must have at least two people in the car, including the driver, and a general student or faculty/staff parking permit.
- Lot A Carpool Zone: Accessed off of Mattaponi River Lane
- Rappahannock River Deck Carpool Zone: The first level of the Rappahannock River Deck General permit area
MasonCommutes: Find carpool partners or a bike or transit buddy within the George Mason community. Propose a trip or request rides on Mason Commutes, the go-to place for George Mason ridesharing.
- Sign up with your George Mason Net ID and password on .
- Carpooling can be a great way to save money and to reduce George Mason鈥檚 carbon footprint.
Electric Scooter Parking
- Electric personal scooters and shared mobility scooters do not require a permit. They must be parked at a designated scooter corral parking area located around campus or at or adjacent to a bike rack. .
- Please remember that electric bikes, scooters, and other electric personal transportation devices cannot be brought indoors at George Mason.
Zipcar
- Zipcars on the first level of the Rappahannock Deck and in Lot R and are available for rental by the hour. .
Contact Parking and Transportation
Website: |
Email
Parking: transpo@gmu.edu or parking@gmu.edu
Shuttle: shuttle@gmu.edu
Follow Mason Parking and Transportation on , X ( and ), and .