Parking & Transportation

Author: Zi Wang

Additional Student Parking Permits Now Available

Parking permits for students, faculty and staff, visitors.

Additional student parking permits are now available in limited quantities:

  • Lot R Reserved Student Permit
  • Shenandoah Parking Deck Student Permit
  • Resident General Lite Student Permit
  • Lot M & P Student Permit

Permits are available on a first-come, first-served basis and may sell out quickly. Students interested in purchasing a permit should log into their Parking Services account to view current availability and complete their purchase.

If you have questions or need assistance, please contact Parking Services at [email protected] or (703) 993-2710.

George Mason University Receives Award for Best Workplace for Commuters for All Three Campuses

Best-Workplaces-2023George Mason University has once again been recognized by Best Workplaces for Commuters (BWC) for its commitment to providing employees with high-quality commuter benefits and transportation options. For 2026, all three of George Mason’s campuses –  Fairfax, Mason Square, and SciTech – have earned BWC recognition, marking an important milestone for the university. 

This year is especially notable as the SciTech Campus has received BWC recognition independently for the first time, highlighting its continued growth and expanded commuter-focused programs that support faculty and staff. 

Best Workplaces for Commuters is a national program that recognizes organizations offering comprehensive commuter benefits that help reduce environmental impact, improve commuting experiences, and support employee well-being. George Mason’s continued inclusion reflects its ongoing investment in sustainable transportation, flexible commuting options, and a campus culture that prioritizes accessibility and quality of life. 

“This recognition reflects the intentional work happening across all of our campuses to make commuting easier, more flexible, and more sustainable for our employees,” said Josh Cantor, Director of Parking and Transportation at George Mason University. “We are especially proud to see the SciTech Campus recognized independently this year and to continue advancing innovative solutions, including new technologies at Mason Square, that improve the daily experience for our campus community.”

Auxiliary and Business Services, including Parking and Transportation, supports these efforts across all campuses through innovative commuter programs and technology-forward solutions. At Mason Square, this includes the implementation of the Metropolis parking system, which streamlines parking access and enhances the overall commuter experience. 

For more information about commuter programs and transportation options, visit the Parking and Transportation website.

 

Spring 2026 Permit Prices and Sales Information

Starting January 5, 2026, spring parking permits will be available for purchase on the Parking Portal. A complete list is available below and on the parking website. See below for sale starting dates:

Spring 2026 Permit Sales Dates

  • Monday, January 5, 8 am ET: Faculty & Staff, Graduate Students, and Senior
  • Tuesday, January 6, 8 am ET: Juniors and Sophomores
  • Wednesday, January 7, 8 am ET: Freshmen and Others

Virtual Permits

As a reminder, most permits are virtual permits, meaning one will not be issued or mailed a physical hangtag permit. Your license plate serves as your permit. Your permit will be valid once purchased. Instructions on how to add and change your vehicles are available online. Please note that your license plate must be attached to your permit, not just your parking account.

Spring Permit Validation Period

  • Student semester permits are valid until August 15, 2026.
  • Faculty/staff semester permits are valid until August  31, 2026.
  • Non-Student Wage and Adjunct semester permits are valid May 22, 2026

Change/Deactivate Your Permit

To Upgrade Your Permit:

  • You will be charged the difference between the current value of your existing permit and the current value of your existing permit (See the Refund Rate Table).
  • Parking Services will review eligibility and availability, and you will be notified when to visit the Parking Services Office to complete your upgrade. All upgrade requests will need to be completed in person.
  • Please allow 2-3 business days for processing.

To Downgrade Your Permit:

  • Submit the form online: Use the Permit Exchange/Deactivation form if the permit was purchased with a credit card.
  • Visit a Parking Services Office: if the permit was purchased with cash or check.
  • The refund is calculated by taking the current value of the parking permit you own (see the Refund Rate Table), subtracting the current value of the parking permit you are purchasing, and adding a $15 administrative fee.
  • Requests to downgrade a parking permit are not finalized until you have been notified by Parking Services and given a new permit number.
  • Please allow 2-3 business days for processing.

To Deactivate Your Permit:

Helpful Links

 

Fairfax and Science & Technology Campuses

Faculty/Staff Permit Options
Permit Type Permit Price
West Campus $125
Lot M&P $200
Fairfax/SciTech General $290
Lot J Reserved $350
Shenandoah Parking Deck Evening (After 4 pm) $365
Mason Pond Parking Deck Evening (After 4 pm) $365
Lot I Reserved $375
Rappahannock Parking Deck (Levels 4 & 5) $440
Mason Pond Deck (Levels 3-5) $465
Shenandoah Parking Deck $465
Off-Campus Student Permit Options
Permit Type Permit Price
West Campus $125
Lot M&P $200
Fairfax/SciTech General $290
Lot J Reserved $350
Shenandoah Parking Deck Evening (After 4 pm) $365
Mason Pond Parking Deck Evening (After 4 pm) $365
Lot I Reserved $375
Rappahannock Parking Deck (Levels 4 & 5) $440
Mason Pond Deck (Levels 3-5) $465
Shenandoah Parking Deck $465
On-Campus Resident Student Permit Options
Permit Type Permit Price
West Campus $125
Resident General Lite $220
Townhouse1 $220
Fairfax/SciTech General2 $340
Cabrera Global Center $340
Lot J Reserved $380
Beacon Hall3 $390
Lot R Reserved4 $395
Lot I Reserved $405
Rappahannock Parking Deck (Levels 4 & 5) $440
Mason Pond Deck (Levels 3-5) $465
Shenandoah Parking Deck $465

1 Townhouse residents only
2 Only Available to Non-Freshman Resident Students
3 Beacon Hall residents only
4 Only available to residents of Potomac Heights and Liberty Square

Mason Square

Faculty/Staff and Student Permit Options
Permit Type Permit Price
Vernon Smith General $290
Van Metre Reserved Faculty/Staff $440
Van Metre Reserved Student $440
Van Metre Reserved Day (Until 6 pm) $320
Van Metre Reserved Evening (After 2 pm) $320

Adjunct/Non-Student Wage

Adjunct Faculty and Non-Student Wage Employee Permit Options
Permit Type Permit Price
Adjunct/Non-Student Wage Rappahannock Deck (Rooftop Only) $65
Adjunct/Non-Student Wage Tower Lot (SciTech Campus) $65
Adjunct/Non-Student Wage Mason Square (Level B3 of Vernon Smith Garage Only) $65
Adjunct General Lite (Lots K, M, O, P, & PV Only) $120
Adjunct Mason Pond Deck (Levels 1 & 2) $150
Adjunct/Non-Student Wage Shenandoah Deck (Rooftop Only) $150

Motorcycle Permits

Motorcycle Permit Options
Permit Type Permit Price
Motorcycle Surface Lot Permit $75
Motorcycle Deck Permit $140

 

Mason Square Campus to Launch AI-Driven Parking Access System

Mason Square Fuse

George Mason University announced a new advanced parking management system to be adopted at the Mason Square Campus, effective September 8, 2025. The system will transition to Metropolis, an advanced parking management system that leverages AI-powered license plate recognition (LPR) technology to streamline garage access at the Van Metre, Vernon Smith, and Fuse garages.

As part of this modernization effort, physical parking credentials will no longer be required. Instead, a vehicle’s license plate will serve as the parking credential, allowing for seamless and contactless entry and exit from designated garages.

“Our goal has always been to make parking on campus as efficient and user-friendly as possible,” said Josh Cantor, Director of Parking and Transportation at George Mason University. “The transition to Metropolis reflects George Mason’s commitment to innovation and technology that enhance the daily experience for our students, faculty, staff, and visitors.”

This enhancement improves the overall parking process by streamlining short-term permit purchases, reducing entry and exit times, and decreasing parking citation occurrences through automated, accurate license plate verification.

In partnership with SP+, George Mason Parking has migrated existing user information to the new Metropolis system to ensure a frictionless transition for current permit holders. Upon activating their Metropolis account, drivers can drive directly in and out of the garages. The system will automatically scan the license plate and lift the gate, eliminating the need for physical devices or cards. For visitors, the AI-powered LPR technology will automatically detect the vehicle’s plate and verify access or process payments through the user’s Metropolis account.

Spring Shuttle Start Dates and Major Changes

Mason Shuttles from Fairfax Campus to Mason Square, SciTech Campus, area shopping malls, metro stations, and more!
Shuttle Banner

George Mason Shuttles’ spring service is set on the starting dates with some schedule changes. All shuttles are free for George Mason members with valid Mason IDs. No visitors are permitted until further notice. Please see the details below regarding each shuttle route update. Visit the shuttle page for a schedule overview (PDF version).

Monday, January 19-No Service

All George Mason Shuttle services will not be available except for the following:

  • On-Demand Shuttle will be available between noon – 11 pm. Rides must be requested by 10 pm for pickups between 10-11 pm.
  • City of Fairfax CUE Bus will also be available with a modified weekday schedule. Free for the Public.

Fairfax/SciTech

Start Date: Saturday, January 17

Route Update:

  • Weekend service begins on Saturday, January 17; weekday service begins on Tuesday, January 20.

Gunston Go-Bus

Start Date: Saturday, January 17

Route Update:

  • Weekend service begins on Saturday, January 17; weekday service begins on Tuesday, January 20.

Sandy Creek to Vienna Metro

Start Date: Saturday, January 17

Route Update:

  • Weekend service begins on Saturday, January 17; weekday service begins on Tuesday, January 20.

On-Demand Shuttle

Start Date: Saturday, January 17

Route Update:

  • A special service will be available on Monday, January 19, between noon and 11 pm. Rides must be requested by 10 pm for pickups between 10-11 pm.

West Campus Shuttle

Start Date: Tuesday, January 20

Route Update:

  • Shuttles will operate every 20 minutes Monday through Thursday between 8 am – 8 pm and 40 minutes otherwise.
  • Shuttles will operate every 40 minutes on Fridays.

Fairfax/Mason Square

Start Date: Tuesday, January 20

Route Update:

  • There is a shift in the evening departure times beginning at Sandy Creek and Hazel Hall at 7:35 pm.

Parking and Transportation Guidance for the Spring 2026 Semester

Parking & Transportation Services
Fairfax campus in the fall. Photo by: Sierra Guard/Creative Services/George Mason University

As the spring 2026 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 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 on campus after 10 a.m. with a general permit.

Event Parking Impacts, January 21-23

Lot L will be closed starting at 11 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 21, until Friday, Jan. 23, at 2 p.m. due to a large event at EagleBank Arena. On Thursday, Jan. 22, limited overflow General parking will be available on the roof of the Rappahannock Deck, at the Ángel Cabrera Global Center, the Field House, and West Campus. Allow extra time if using the general parking areas. Note: A small section of Lot L will be open on Thursday morning for permit holders, as long as they exit by 3 p.m. Any vehicles parked in Lot L after 3 p.m. on Thursday will be towed at the owner’s risk and expense.

Parking Permit & 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. 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.

 

Announcement Topics

Shuttle Service

Check the Mason Shuttles webpage for spring 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 TransLocapp 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 3:00 p.m. and approximately every 30 minutes from 2:45 p.m.- 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 from 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.- 11:00 p.m. 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.

Contact Us: [email protected]  |  703-993-2828
Follow Us on X (@MasonShuttles)

 

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 pm): $8.50/day
  • Lots L/K Weekly: $35
  • Lots L/K Monthly: $85
  • SciTech Campus Daily: $8.50/day
  • Mason Square garage visitor parking: $5-19 daily

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 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, 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. 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 Mason Square parking webpage.

  • Fairfax–SciTech Campus permits are not valid at Mason Square without authorization from Parking Services. To request access, please submit this form: Mason Square Supplemental Permit/Access Request 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 retail use only.
  • No George Mason permit parking is allowed in Fuse garage without prior approval from Parking Services.

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.
  • Three Capital Bikeshare 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 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 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 George Mason community. Propose a trip or request rides on MasonCommutes, the go-to place for George 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

 

Contact Us

Website: Transportation website  |  Office Hours and Locations

Email
Parking: [email protected] or [email protected]
Shuttle: [email protected]

Follow Us on Facebook, X (@MasonParking and @MasonShuttles), and Instagram

Global Center Student Permit Regulations

Parking & Transportation Services
Fairfax campus in the fall. Photo by: Sierra Guard/Creative Services/George Mason University
  1. Permit is valid in the Mason Global Center Garage and Lot, Lots K, M, O, P, & West Campus at all times.
  2. This permit is valid in the Fairfax General permit areas from 5 pm to 11 pm, Monday – Friday, and all day on weekends. The Fairfax General parking areas include lots A, C, K, L, M, O, P, PV, Townhouse, West Campus, and the back half of Lot J closest to Global Lane (new).
  3. This permit is also valid in the SciTech General permit areas, including the King, Occoquan, Discovery, Hylton, and Tower lots. It is not valid in the Freedom Center and Beacon Hall parking lots.
  4. The permit is not valid for service/repair, state vehicle, administrative, reserved, or faculty/staff spaces.
  5. The permit is not valid at Mason Square without prior approval from Parking Services.
  6. Permit holders are always responsible for their vehicles and must pay attention to any special signs regarding lot closures and other temporary restrictions or changes to parking regulations.
  7. The permit is for use by the authorized owner only and cannot be transferred to other people.
  8. Permit is not allowed to be resold, duplicated, or altered in any manner.
  9. Your license plate is your parking permit. The license plate must be associated with a virtual permit. May only register vehicles that the permit owner owns or possesses. Vehicles without a front license plate must be parked with the rear license plate facing the drive aisle to avoid a citation.

Parking and Transportation Update Fall 2023

Mason Parking

As the beginning of the Fall 2023 semester rapidly approaches, Mason students, faculty and staff are reminded that traffic on and around the Fairfax Campus greatly increases, especially 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.

At times during the morning, late afternoon and early evenings, campus police cadets will be directing traffic around campus. Please be alert and follow the cadets’ directions.

As the new academic year begins, please remember that campuses will be busier. Please be mindful of sharing the road safely with an increased number of pedestrians as well as vehicles including scooters, motorcycles, bikes, cars and trucks.  Get more tips on safely sharing the road at the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration website.

Virtual Permits

You must have associated your license plate with your parking permit by August 1 or when you purchase a new semester permit. Starting with the fall 2023 semester, Mason transitioned to a program in which your license plate serves as your parking credential. Hangtag permits will no longer be issued (with very few exceptions).

For guidance on how to associate vehicles to a permit, follow the step-by-step instructions on the Parking and Transportation website. 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.

Virtual parking permits will be sold online only at parking.gmu.edu. Permits will be sold as daily, weekly, monthly, and semester options.

Shuttle – Fall 2023 Shuttle Service

Check the Mason Shuttles page for Fall 2023 semester schedules. This information is also available on the shuttle schedules overview.

  • Shuttles are free to students and employees.
  • Mason IDs are required; no guest riders until further notice.
  • Every bus is outfitted with a bike rack and Wi-Fi.

Mason Shuttles uses a real-time transit service called RideSystems. Download the RideSystems app from Google Play or the App Store or visit the track your shuttle website to see when the next shuttle is arriving. The real-time arrival info for shuttles and local public transportation can also be viewed in the Mobile Mason app.

 

Sandy Creek – Vienna Metro shuttle

  • Operates from Fairfax Campus to the Vienna Metro station and runs continuously with buses every 30 minutes from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday and every 20 minutes from 4-11 p.m. Prior to 7 a.m., please use the CUE bus.
  • Limited service 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. on weekends 

Fairfax-Science and Technology Campus shuttle

  • Provides service between the Fairfax Campus and the Science and Technology Campus (Prince William/Manassas).
  • Shuttle service Monday-Thursday between 6 a.m. to 11:35 p.m. (last departure from Colgan Hall at the SciTech Campus, with departures every 40 minutes and between 6 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. on Fridays (with departures every 80 minutes).
  • Weekend service every two hours is also available for the Fairfax-Science and Technology (SciTech) shuttle between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. (last departure from Colgan Hall).
  • Manassas Mall shuttle stop is located between doors 3 and 4 (between Wal-Mart and the former Sears). Park’n’ride parking is available at the mall in designated areas only.
  • Commuters also have the option to park at the Science and Technology Campus with a valid parking permit or use pay-by-space visitor parking and ride the shuttle.

Gunston Go-Bus

Provides service between the Recreation and Athletic Complex (RAC), Rappahannock River Lane, Masonvale, Sandy Creek Transit Center, Fair Lakes, Whole Foods, Fair Lakes Promenade, Fair Oaks Mall, Fairfax Corner, and Ridge Top Road.

 

Fairfax/Mason Square (Arlington)

  • The Fairfax/Mason Square shuttle operates between Sandy Creek Transit Center (Fairfax Campus) and Van Metre Hall (Mason Square) with stops at Rappahannock River Lane on the Fairfax Campus and at Fairfax Circle (intersection of Route 29 and Circle Woods Drive).
  • Shuttle service on an hourly basis Monday-Thursday between 7:15 a.m. and 11:05 p.m. (last departure from Mason Square) and from 7:15 a.m. to 8:25 p.m. (last departure from Mason Square) on Fridays. No weekend service.

West Campus

  • Provides service between the West Campus Parking Lot and Presidents Park, with stops at the Field House, the RAC, Ángel Cabrera Global Center, Patriot Circle/Mason Pond Drive, and Rappahannock River Lane.
  • Monday-Thursday: 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. (Service every 20 minutes from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; all other times every 40 minutes); last departure from Presidents Park at 10:40 p.m.
  • Friday: 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. , with service every 40 minutes; last departure from Presidents Park at 10:40 p.m.
  • No scheduled weekend service. Use On-Demand Shuttle instead.

On-Demand Shuttles (weekends only)

  • Mason Shuttles offers an on-demand shuttle service. This is a shared-ride service with designated pick-up and drop-off locations on the Fairfax Campus and at nearby locations off-campus. Does not serve Mason Square or the Science and Technology Campus.
  • The stops that the on-demand shuttle serves for fall 2023 are more focused on and immediately around the Fairfax Campus.

How it works:

  • Download the Transloc app.
  • Click View On-Demand Services and choose Mason Shuttles on Demand
    • Create your account using your Mason email address
    • Enter a textable phone number; it’s how the app will contact you if needed.
  • On the app, select from a range of pick-up and drop-off locations to request your ride.
  • The app will provide an estimated pick-up time and will adjust the time if conditions change.
  • For more information, go to the On-Demand shuttle page.

View a complete list of changes for fall 2023 Mason Shuttles. If you have any questions, reach out to [email protected] or by phone at 703-993-2828.

Alternative Transportation Options

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.

Short-Term Parking

For students, faculty, and staff who do not require parking on campus on a regular basis, there are daily, weekly, and monthly options available online.  Hourly visitor parking is available in all parking decks at Fairfax and in Van Metre Garage at Mason Square. 

Visitor Payment Methods

  • Mason Pond Parking Deck accepts Mason Money, MasterCard, Visa, prepaid validations and cash. For a quicker exit, use one of the two pay-on-foot machines located on Levels 1 and 3 which accept MasterCard, Visa and prepaid validations only.
  • Shenandoah Parking Deck pay-by-space machines are located adjacent to the elevators on Levels 1 and 3 and accept MasterCard, Visa, and prepaid validation codes. Avoid lines by using ParkMobile. Visitor parking is allowed on Levels 1, 4, and 5.
  • Rappahannock Parking Deck pay-by-space machines are located adjacent to the elevators on Level 1 and accept MasterCard, Visa, and prepaid validation codes. Avoid lines by using ParkMobile.
  • The Pay and Display machine at the Field House accepts MasterCard and Visa. ParkMobile payments are also accepted.

The West Campus lot is the lowest priced daily parking at $5.50/day and can be purchased online or by using the ParkMobile app. A daily permit and ParkMobile options are available for the Field House lots at $7.50/day and Lots L and K for $11.50/day as well as Lot C for $13/day.

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.
  • Beacon Hall resident parking permit holders may only park in the Beacon Hall resident lot or the Tower Lot.
  • 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 (left side facing the building) of the lot is for retail parking only.

At the SciTech Campus, there are daily parking permits online for $8.50/day or, utilizing ParkMobile, $2 for the first hour with 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, depending on the permit. Hourly visitor parking is only available in the Van Metre garage.

Please use caution when approaching both garages with the ongoing construction of the new Fuse building, scheduled to open in 2025.

  • Fairfax-SciTech Campus permits are not valid at Mason Square without authorization from Parking Services.
  • In Vernon Smith Garage for Mason Square general permits, 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.
    • For more information, go to the Mason Square page.

Bicycling

  • As a recognized bicycle-friendly university, Mason has more than 1,400 bicycle parking spaces .
  • Covered bike parking is available under shelters around campus and on Levels 1 and 2 of Rappahannock River Deck.
  • Mason’s bicycle registration program offers registrants free bike locks and bike lights.
  • A bike check-out program called Patriot Bikes is available at the RAC and the Aquatic and Fitness Center.
  • Go to bike.gmu.edu for more information.
  • There is a dismount zone from East Building south 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

  • The Carpool Zone in Lot A, accessed off of Mattaponi River Lane, and the Carpool Zone on the first level of the Rappahannock River Deck General permit area are available for those who carpool with at least two people in the car including the driver.
    • To park in a carpool zone, arrive between 7 a.m. and 11 a.m., Monday-Friday with two or more people in your car and a general student or faculty/staff parking permit.
    • Visit the carpooling webpage for more info.
  • Students and employees may qualify for a 20-40% rebate on their reserved parking permits by carpooling.
  • To find a carpool partner, use MasonCommutes, a ridesharing network that helps match people with similar commutes.
    • Sign up with your Mason Net ID and password on MasonCommutes.
    • Carpooling can save thousands of dollars per year.

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 Mason.

Zipcar

 

General Parking and Transportation Information

Faculty/Staff Reserved Lot I Permit Regulations

Parking & Transportation Services
Fairfax campus in the fall. Photo by: Sierra Guard/Creative Services/George Mason University
  1. Permit is valid in the reserved area/undesignated interior parking spaces of Lot I at all times.
  2. This permit is also valid in non-restricted General and faculty/staff parking spaces at the Fairfax and Science and Technology campuses. The Fairfax General permit areas include lots A, C, D, K, L, M, O, P, PV, Townhouse, West Campus, the back half of Lot J closest to Global Lane (new), The perimeter of Lot I and the Rappahannock Parking Deck (which includes level 2, the ramp up to level 3, the half of level 1 not designated for pay-by-space visitor parking), and level 3 of the Rappahannock Parking Deck that contains designated Faculty/Staff parking spaces. Please note that parking is not allowed in the Rappahannock Parking Deck general parking areas of levels 1 and 2 and the ramp up to level 3 from 2 am to 5 am, Monday through Friday.
  3. This permit is also valid in the SciTech General permit areas which include the King, Occoquan, Discovery, Hylton and Tower lots. This permit is valid in the Beacon Hall event lot when attending an event in Beacon Hall.  It is not valid in the Freedom Center, Beacon Hall resident or retail parking lots.
  4. The permit is valid in the West Campus lot.
  5. The permit is not valid in the Faculty/Staff-designated spaces of Lot I.
  6. Permit is not valid in service/repair, state vehicle, administrative, and reserved spaces.
  7. A permit is not valid at the Mason Square campus without prior approval from Parking Services.
  8. Permit holders are always responsible for their vehicles and must pay attention to any special signs regarding lot closures and other temporary restrictions or changes to parking regulations.
  9. The permit is for use by the authorized owner only and cannot be transferred to other people.
  10. Your license plate serves as your parking permit. It must be associated with your virtual permit. Vehicles must be parked with a license plate facing the drive aisle to avoid a citation.
  11. Permit is not allowed to be resold, duplicated, or altered in any manner.
  12. Please note that on rare occasions, due to university-sponsored events, Parking Services cannot guarantee space availability in Lot I. Permit holders will be notified in advance of these events and provided with alternative parking guidance.

Faculty/Staff Reserved Lot J Permit Regulations

Parking & Transportation Services
Fairfax campus in the fall. Photo by: Sierra Guard/Creative Services/George Mason University
  1. This permit is valid in the reserved section of Lot J (front half closest to Patriot Circle).
  2. This permit is also valid in non-restricted General and faculty/staff parking spaces at the Fairfax and Science and Technology campuses. The Fairfax General permit areas include lots A, C, D, K, L, M, O, P, PV, Townhouse, West Campus, the back half of Lot J closest to Global Lane (new), The perimeter of Lot I and the Rappahannock Parking Deck (which includes level 2, the ramp up to level 3, the half of level 1 not designated for pay-by-space visitor parking), and level 3 of the Rappahannock Parking Deck that contains designated Faculty/Staff parking spaces. Please note that parking is not allowed in the Rappahannock Parking Deck general parking areas of levels 1 and 2, and the ramp up to level 3 from 2 am to 5 am, Monday through Friday.
  3. This permit is also valid in the SciTech General permit areas which include the King, Occoquan, Discovery, Hylton and Tower lots. This permit is valid in the Beacon Hall event lot when attending an event in Beacon Hall.  It is not valid in the Freedom Center, Beacon Hall resident or retail parking lots.
  4. This permit is valid in the West Campus lot.
  5. This permit is not valid in service/repair, state vehicle, administrative, or reserved parking spaces.
  6. This permit is not valid at the Mason Square campus without prior approval from the Parking Services department.
  7. Permit holders are always responsible for their vehicle and must follow any posted signage for lot closures or temporary restrictions.
  8. This permit is for use by the authorized owner only and may not be transferred to others.
  9. Your license plate serves as your parking permit. The license plate must be linked to your virtual permit. Vehicles must be parked with a license plate facing the drive aisle to avoid a citation.
  10. Permits may not be resold, duplicated, or altered in any way.
  11. Please note that on rare occasions, due to university-sponsored events, Parking Services cannot guarantee space availability in Lot J. Permit holders will be notified in advance of these events and provided with alternative parking guidance.

Patriots Thanksgiving Break

Travel Guide

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