As the fall 2025 semester starts, George Mason students, faculty, and staff are reminded that traffic on and around the Fairfax Campus 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 Campus 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 parking.gmu.edu. Permits are sold with daily, weekly, monthly, and semester options and are available for purchase throughout the semester online at parking.gmu.edu.
Permit regulations: “Where can I park?”
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’ 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 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website. Shared mobility e-scooters should be parked in scooter corrals 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
Your license plate will serve as your parking permit. It is important that your vehicle is associated with your permit, not just your parking account. Read step-by-step instructions on how to assign your license plate to your permit here.
To remove vehicles from the parking portal that you no longer use, own, or possess, complete the Vehicle Deactivation Request form.
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: $5–19 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 Campus Lot/Rapidan River Road: $5.50/day
- General Lot Evening (valid after 4 p.m.): $8.50/day
- Science and Technology Campus Daily: $8.50/day
- Lots L/K Weekly: $35
- Lots L/K Monthly: $85
Daily permits are available online at parking.gmu.edu. 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) Campus 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 Campus.
- 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 Campus, 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 Mason Square parking webpage.
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–SciTech Campus 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 Mason Shuttles webpage 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.
- Shuttle Tracker: Get real-time arrival info for Mason Shuttles and local public transportation. Download the TransLoc app from Google Play or the App Store.
- View an overview of fall semester shuttle service.
Sandy Creek–Vienna Metro Shuttle: Runs between Fairfax Campus and Vienna Metro station with buses every 30 minutes from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday–Friday, increasing to every 20 minutes from 4–11 p.m., and limited service on weekends from 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Fairfax–Science and Technology (Manassas) Campus Shuttle: Connects Fairfax Campus with the SciTech Campus, operating Monday–Thursday from 6 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., with departures every 30–40 minutes, and Fridays with departures every 70 minutes. Weekend service is every two hours between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Gunston Go-Bus: Provides service between various locations including the Recreation and Athletic Complex (RAC), Sandy Creek Transit Center, and Fair Oaks Mall, among others.
Fairfax/Mason Square (Arlington) Shuttle: Operates between Sandy Creek Transit Center and Van Metre/Hazel Hall, with hourly service Monday–Thursday 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–Thursday.
West Campus Shuttle: Runs between West Campus Parking Lot and Presidents Park, with service every 20 minutes from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday–Friday, and every 40 minutes thereafter. No weekend service; use the On-Demand Shuttle instead.
On-Demand Shuttles (weekends only): Offers shared-ride service with designated pick-up and drop-off points focused around the Fairfax Campus; does not serve Mason Square or the SciTech Campus.
Fairfax City CUE Bus: 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 @MasonShuttles 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 Campus, as well as plenty of bike racks at the regional campuses. Go to bike.gmu.edu for more information.
- Covered bike parking is available under shelters around campus and on Levels 1 and 2 of Rappahannock River Deck.
- George Mason’s bicycle registration program offers registrants free bike locks and bike lights.
- The Patriot Bikes check-out program is available at the Recreation and Athletic Complex (RAC) and the Aquatic and Fitness Center.
- Three Capital Bikeshare stations on the Fairfax Campus provide connection to Fairfax City and the region. Discounted student memberships are available.
There is a dismount zone in the center of the Fairfax Campus 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’s safety.
Carpooling Options
Students and employees may qualify for a 20–40% rebate on their reserved parking permits by carpooling. Go to the carpool/vanpool webpage for more information.
The Carpool Zones provide designated locations for share riders to drop off between 7 and 11 a.m., Monday–Friday. 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 MasonCommutes.
- Carpooling can be a great way to save money and to reduce George Mason’s 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. Get more information.
- 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. Get more information and sign up for George Mason discounts for Zipcar.
Contact Parking and Transportation
Website: Transportation website | Office Hours and Locations
Email
Parking: transpo@gmu.edu or parking@gmu.edu
Shuttle: shuttle@gmu.edu
Follow Mason Parking and Transportation on Facebook, X (@MasonParking and @MasonShuttles), and Instagram.