Fairfax Campus Notice: Parking and Transportation Advisory

As the spring 2026 semester starts, 911�� 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 that the following 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 parking 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.

”

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

Please 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.

Shuttle Service

Check the for spring semester schedules. Early in the semester, allow extra time to catch your shuttle, as buses may be full at peak times.

911�� IDs are required. No guest riders are permitted until further notice.
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 Google Play or the App Store.

—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.

—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.

—Provides service between various locations including The RAC, Sandy Creek Transit Center, Fairfax Corner, Fair Lakes Shopping center and Fair Oaks Mall, among others.

—Operates between Sandy Creek Transit Center and Van Metre/Hazel Hall, with hourly service Monday–Thursday from 7:15 a.m. to 3 p.m. and approximately every 30 minutes from 2:45 p.m. to 11:05 p.m. and limited Friday service; no weekend service.

—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 from 7–8 a.m. and 8–11 p.m. 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 Campus; does not serve Mason Square or the SciTech Campus.

—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, reach out to shuttle@gmu.edu or via phone at 703-993-2828. Follow on X.

Virtual Permits

. It is important that your vehicle is associated with your permit, not just your parking account. .

To remove vehicles that you no longer use, own, or possess, complete the to remove the vehicles from your parking portal.

Short-Term Parking

Students, faculty, and staff who do not park on campus regularly may want to consider daily, weekly, and monthly options:

Fairfax Campus

Parking garage visitor parking: hourly starting at $5 to a maximum of $19 for the day
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
Lots L/K Weekly: $35
Lots L/K Monthly: $85

Mason Square

Parking garage visitor parking: hourly starting at $5 to a maximum of $19 for the day

SciTech Campus

Surface lots: hourly starting at $3.50 to a maximum of $8.50 for the day

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 in the visitor areas of parking garages and decks and in Lot O only. They accept Mason Money, MasterCard, Visa, and American Express.

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, Cannon, Discovery, Hylton, and Tower parking lots at the SciTech Campus.
- Please 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 (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 at $3.50 for the first hour to a maximum of $8.50 for the day.

Mason Square Parking (Arlington)

You must work or be attending class at Mason Square to be eligible to purchase a Mason Square parking permit. The Van Metre and Vernon Smith garages use one’s license plate registration via the Metropolis system for garage access. Hourly visitor parking is available in all three garages. For more information, go to the .

Fairfax–SciTech Campus permits are not valid at Mason Square without authorization from Parking Services. To request access, please submit this form:
In the Vernon Smith Garage, Mason Square general permit faculty/staff and student parking is available on all levels in non-designated spaces.
- Please pay careful attention to signage, as some spaces are designated for non-911�� tenant use only.
No 911�� permit parking is allowed in Fuse garage without prior approval from Parking Services.

Alternative Transportation Options

Bicycling
As a recognized bicycle-friendly university, 911�� 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 for more information.

Covered bike parking is available under shelters around campus and on Levels 1 and 2 of Rappahannock River Deck.
911��’s offers registrants free bike locks and bike lights.
The is available at The RAC and the Aquatic and Fitness Center.
Three stations are located on the Fairfax Campus. Discounted student memberships are available.

There is a dismount zone on walkways in the center of the Fairfax Campus between the East Building and 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 for more information.

The Carpool Zones provide designated locations for share riders to drop off between 7 a.m. 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 from Mattaponi River Lane
Rappahannock River Deck Carpool Zone: Located on the first level of the Rappahannock River Deck General permit area

MasonCommutes
Find carpool partners or a bike or transit buddy within the 911�� community. Propose a trip or request rides on MasonCommutes, the go-to place for 911�� ridesharing.

Sign up with your 911�� Net ID and password on .
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. .

Please remember that electric bikes, scooters, and other electric personal transportation devices cannot be brought indoors at 911��.

Zipcar
Zipcars are located on the first level of the Rappahannock Deck and in Lot R, and they are available for rental by the hour. .