Where to park to take metro (Franconia, Springfield: home, school, live)

[aidanht]

We (family of 5) will be visiting NOVA the last week of March. We're staying with friends near Fredericksburg and plan to go into DC for several days during the week. We do not want to mess with driving/parking in the District (and we'd like to show the kids the benefits of using public transportation, which we don't have where we live). We have a good handle on how to get where we want to go within the city, but we can't quite figure out where and what time we should catch the metro. We'd prefer to go after rush hour to avoid the crowds (and taking up seats that people who are going to work need) but we also don't want to find all of the parking lots full. The metro website warns that most lots are full by 8:00 a.m. and gives a list of places where they are not, but I think all of the places listed are in Maryland, so not very helpful . . . .

So -- is there anyplace we can reliably get a parking place at, say, 9:00 or 10:00 a.m.? Also are there any safety concerns if we plan to return at night?

Thank you so much!!!!!

[cdmurphy]

Metro stations have reserved parking spaces for people who pay a monthly fee. These spaces open up to anyone after 10:00 a.m. Waiting until then is probably your best bet at most Metro stations.

[slduvall]

the only station that might have parking and is right on your way up is Franconia Springfield Station. If it doens't have any, you can park over at Springfield mall and walk over. Another option is to park at Pentagon city Mall and go thru the mall to the metro station.

[bmwguydc]

For park and ride information in Springfield, look to the county's park and ride information. You need to park on a specific level in the Springfield Mall garage to be legal when using it for the Metro, IIRC.

Park and Ride Facilities*- Fairfax County, Virginia

That's a busy commercial area in Springfield, so I would not worry about your return trip, provided it's not when the mall is closed as the garage can be desolate. Sometimes the garages do feel isolated and there has been an issue with car break-ins over the years in Springfield, so I would not leave anything of value in sight, lock the doors, etc., but since you are a group, you would not have any problem. A single female late at night, returning to an isolated parking garage, might give one pause, but you should be just fine.

[dkf747]

Don't forget Huntington if Franconia-Springfield is full.

[CaliTerp07]

There's parking at the underground in Crystal City as well. If you're coming home after 5pm (might be four), it's free. The garage entrance is on 23rd street between Route 1 and Crystal Drive.

I'm honestly not sure what it looks like at 10am, but whenever we're meeting friends in the district after work or on weekends, we park there for free.

[yamota]

just remember of your'e gonna park at springfield mall parking garage you have to be careful and be really aware of your surroundings, springfield mall is a real ghetto now and you will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. You must be cautious.

[tgbwc]

We went to the DC auto show in January and parked at the Springfield/Franconia station around 10am and there was plenty of parking available on the upper level.

Springfield Mall isn't a nice mall anymore, but it isn't even close to being as yamota describes. I wouldn't be afraid to park there and walk to the metro, but I think you should be able to get a spot at the station.

[mississippimagnolia]

I've never had trouble finding parking at Springfield/Franconia. And I take the Metro into D.C. at least couple of times a month after I get the kids to school. Once you go into the parking garage, just keep going up...there are always spaces at the top.

Fares drop after 9:30am (correct me if I'm wrong...I think it's 9:30) so shoot to get to the metro after 9:30. You'll pay less in fares and won't have to deal with the crowds.

Twenty years ago, Springfield was a great place to shop. Now, it's pretty awful. I've never unsafe there during the day, but I wouldn't want to walk around at the mall or at the metro center by myself at night.

[slduvall]

Originally Posted by tgbwc

We went to the DC auto show in January and parked at the Springfield/Franconia station around 10am and there was plenty of parking available on the upper level.

Springfield Mall isn't a nice mall anymore, but it isn't even close to being as yamota describes. I wouldn't be afraid to park there and walk to the metro, but I think you should be able to get a spot at the station.

I agree..the mall sucks, but the people that stream from the metro to parking on that end of the mall are mostly businessmen and women and military, I've seen some serious looking marines making the trek, nothing to be afraid of in that group!