As the fall 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. This campus parking and transportation guide includes resources for the Fairfax Campus, Mason Square, and the Science and Technology Campus to help minimize potential parking and traffic delays.
During the first few weeks of the semester, please allow an extra 30 minutes to arrive on campus. 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.
Virtual permits are available online at parking.gmu.edu with daily, weekly, monthly, and semester options.
Visitor parking is available in Shenandoah and Rappahannock Decks, as well as daily parking in Lots K/L, Lot P, and West Campus.
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.
Due to ongoing maintenance, there will be NO visitor parking in Mason Pond Deck during the fall semester. A new hourly option has been added at the Ángel Cabrera Global Center lot next to Lot K.
Be mindful of sharing the road safely with an increased number of pedestrians and vehicles, including scooters, motorcycles, bikes, cars, and trucks.
Bikes and 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.
Explore a variety of programs and services and stay up to date on all parking and transportation information around the campuses.
Some Tips to Help You Get Started
Always contact Parking Services with any questions or concerns! We look forward to assisting you. Parking Services is located next to the Sandy Creek Transit Center.
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.
Parking permits or visitor payment is required to park on Mason property. Most Fairfax permits can be used at SciTech Campus but not at Mason Square. If you have classes at Mason Square, you can obtain a Mason Square permit which can also be used to park in most Fairfax and SciTech general permit areas.
Hourly parking is available at most parking decks and garages as well as most General permit surface lots across the Fairfax, SciTech and Mason Square campuses. Parking can be purchased at the pay stations or via the ParkMobile app.
Fairfax Permit Holders: Fairfax-SciTech General, Lot I, Lot J, Lot R, and reserved parking deck permits are valid in the Occoquan, King, Discovery, Cannon, Hylton, and Tower parking lots at the SciTech Campus.
Parking permits or visitor payment is required to park on Mason property. Most Fairfax permits can be used at SciTech Campus but not at Mason Square. If you have classes at Mason Square, you can obtain a Mason Square permit which can also be used to park in most Fairfax and SciTech General permit areas.
At the SciTech Campus, daily parking permits are available online or via ParkMobile:
Fairfax–SciTech Campus permits are not valid at Mason Square without authorization from Parking Services.
No George Mason permit parking in Fuse garage without prior approval from Parking Services.
You must work or attend class at Mason Square to be eligible to purchase a Mason Square parking permit. Parking access is granted via one’s license plate using the Metropolis system.
Hourly visitor parking is available in Van Metre, Vernon Smith, and the Fuse garages.
Free shuttles for George Mason students, faculty, and staff. Check shuttle schedules, as there have been service changes.
Shuttle summaries below are subject to change.
Save Money and Help Lower CO2 Emissions
Operates between the Fairfax Campus and Mason Square.
Monday-Friday Service
Operates between the Fairfax Campus and SciTech Campus.
Monday-Friday & Limited Weekend Services
During Fall & Spring
Monday-Friday Service
During Winter Break & Summer
Provides service to area shopping centers with additional stops on Ridge Top Road and Fair Lakes Parkway
Monday-Friday & Limited Weekend Services
During Fall & Spring
Limited Monday-Friday Service
During Winter Break & Summer
Operates in a loop from West Campus to Rapidan River Road, Field House, the RAC, and Cabrera Global Center with stops at Patriot Circle (EagleBank Arena side), Presidents Park, Masonvale (Patriot Circle & Staffordshire), and Rappahannock River Lane.
Monday-Friday Service
No Service in Summer
The shuttle operates between Sandy Creek Transit Center and Vienna Metro, with stops at Masonvale, Rappahannock River Lane, the Commerce Building, Fairfax Circle, and the Vienna Metro (Northside, Bay C).
Monday-Friday Service
A shared ride service between established stops on and around the Fairfax Campus. It does not serve the SciTech or Mason Square campuses. Use the TransLoc app to request rides and track the shuttle stops. You cannot pre-book a ride, and the wait time for the shuttle is based on request volume.
Saturday-Sunday Service
No Service in Summer
George Mason offers convenient, cost-saving, and environmentally friendly travel options for students and employees, along with add-on incentives such as permit rebates, pre-tax benefits, and complimentary gear. Check below for program highlights and click the links to learn more.
Register your bike, join our Faculty/Staff Bike Commuter Choice program, receive student bike-sharing discounts, and more!
Explore many carpool options and save 20-40% on eligible parking permits for George Mason students, faculty, and staff. Save your commute cost and go green.
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 ridesharing.
Register your personal scooter and receive a complimentary lock and other related giveaways; learn more about safety guidelines, where to ride, and where to park.
“It’s a nice way to reduce our driving and our carbon footprint. Especially on rainy or cold days, it makes walking inside a little bit nicer.”
Erin Geiger
Assistant Professor
Inclusive Early Childhood Education Program
Limited on-campus transportation services for students, faculty, and staff who need assistance getting around campus.
Hop on the Metro and explore the Washington, D.C., and area communities. Patriots can get to Vienna Metro station via George Mason Shuttle’s Sandy Creek/Vienna Metro Route or the Fairfax City CUE Bus.
Discover your best ride! Take our short quiz to find out the easiest ways to get around George Mason University.
If you plan to be away from the campus, check out the transportation options below. Public transit is accessible via the George Mason shuttle Sandy Creek/Vienna Metro route or the CUE Bus.
Area airports are accessible via public transportation, Super Shuttle, Uber/Lyft, or taxi. Follow the link below for details on how to get to and from the airports in the area.
Propose a trip or request rides on Mason Commutes. Share travel costs and build connections with fellow Patriots.
Union Station is a hub for train and regional bus services. Students can take the George Mason Shuttle or CUE Bus to Vienna Station (orange line) and transfer to the red line at the Metro Center to reach Union Station.
Rent a Zipcar for an errand run or a long trip with a discounted membership. Zipcars are located in the visitor parking section on the first floor of the Rappahannock Parking Deck.
