Parking at MAGFest last year was a bit of a nightmare. For MAGFest 9 we've talked to the hotels and the city about ways to improve parking for attendees. Please help us keep parking problems down by reading this (entire) page.

Carpool!

We set up a page where you can share a ride to MAGFest. You'll need an account here on the site to do it, but many have had success using it. We don't clear it yearly because some of these folks go to MAGFest every year, and others need to be reminded to go (again). If you are staying with or have friends nearby, we highly recommend you carpool -- or better yet, take mass transit like the metro or the bus -- to avoid any issues.

If you're staying at a hotel

After a (very) long chat with the Hilton (where MAGFest is) and the Courtyard (our overflow hotel) we have arranged with both of them for one parking space per sleeping room, but only one, free of charge, based on availability. The thing is, there are only as many rooms as there are parking spaces, so we really really want to encourage you to carpool. With that in mind, here is an easy-to-digest bulleted list:

• Arrive early to ensure a parking spot. Parking is first-come, first-serve.
• Once you're parked, don't leave or there is a good chance you'll lose your spot.
• If you're anywhere nearby, consider taking the metro in.
• If you park more than one car in the lot, know your extra parking spot costs you money, and costs someone else money too.

NOT staying at a hotel? More than one car? Use the OVERFLOW PARKING LOT

Not parking at the hotel?

Regardless of whether you're staying at a hotel or not, it's a good idea to heed the following guidelines:

• Don't park in a fire lane near the hotel. The Hilton had to tow at least a few dozen vehicles from fire lanes last year.
• Don't park at apartment complexes. People live there. You'll be towed, and the local towing companies aren't terribly friendly.
• Don't park at any shopping centers. The property managers want people to shop there.

Last year, there was decent success parking on the street outside the hotel and we are working with the city of Alexandria. Note that we aren't finished talking to them but we will do our best to make sure you don't get towed from the street. Across the street from the Hilton on both Nottingham and Mark Center Drive are parking garages. They do not want to work with us. Please remember to use caution and common sense (if you don't have any, ask someone who does) whenever you do not park on-premises.