As the fall 2024 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. 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 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.
Parking Permit 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.
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 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website.
Please never park or leave a scooter or bike on any sidewalk or blocking any pathway.
Event Parking Impacts
Campus Drive between Global Lane and Patriot Circle will be closed on Thursday, Aug. 29, from 6–11 p.m. for the IVth Night event at the RAC Field. Follow detour signs.
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.
- Mason IDs are required; no guest riders are permitted until further notice.
- 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 RideSystems app from Google Play or the App Store.
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 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 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.
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 stop for free.
If you have any questions, reach out to shuttle@gmu.edu or by phone at 703-993-2828. Follow @MasonShuttles on X.
Virtual Permits
Your license plate will serve as your parking permit. No more hangtags. 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 that you no longer use, own, or possess, complete the Vehicle Deactivation Request form to remove the vehicles from your parking portal.
Short-Term Parking
Students, faculty, and staff who do not require parking on campus regularly may want to consider daily, weekly, and monthly options:
- Parking garage visitor parking: $5-19 daily
- 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
- SciTech 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 of parking garages and decks and in Lot P only. They accept Mason Money, MasterCard, Visa, prepaid validations, and cash.
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. 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 (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 at $2 for the first hour and an additional $1 per hour, to the $8.50 daily maximum.
Mason Square Parking (Arlington)
You must work or be attending 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 only available in the Van Metre Garage. For more information, go to the Mason Square parking webpage.
Please use caution when approaching both garages with the ongoing construction of the new Fuse building.
- 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 levels B3–P1 and on level B4 after 6 p.m.
- There is no guarantee of space in the general permit parking area.
- Please pay careful attention to signage, as some spaces are designated for retail use only.
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 RAC and the Aquatic and Fitness Center.
- There is a dismount zone 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 carpool/vanpool page 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 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 Mason community. Propose a trip or request rides on Mason Commutes, the go-to place for Mason ridesharing.
- Sign up with your Mason Net ID and password on MasonCommutes.
- Carpooling can be a great way to save money and to reduce 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 Us
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.