Guest and visitor parking at MIT
Spotlight |
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New visitor parking process for invited guests |
The number of parking spaces on campus is limited, and it may not be possible to accommodate every visitor or guest who wishes to park at MIT. Since MIT is easily accessible by public transportation, we strongly recommend using public transportation when visiting the MIT campus.
Another option is to explore public parking near campus, which includes metered spaces and several public parking garages.
See below for parking information if you have been invited to campus as a guest — or view additional visitor and parking info for casual visitors and prospective/admitted students.
Daily guest parking via scratch passes
A limited number of one-day scratch passes is available for employees and students to purchase for their guests. Parking Coordinators and designated employees with the ability to spend and commit funds may purchase scratch passes online. Employees and students without this ability may purchase scratch passes (credit card only) at the Atlas Service Center, Building E17-106.
- Scratch passes are only valid in the lots located at 139 Mass Ave (front), 65 Waverly St, E62, and W98.
Parking for family member, friend, or personal guest
Family members, friends, and personal guests have daily visitor parking options as described above.
Alumnus/alumna parking
An alumnus/alumna visiting MIT for the day can explore the daily visitor parking options described above. MIT alumni (including volunteers) who will be on campus for more than a few days are eligible to apply for affiliate parking on campus.
Department guest parking
To accommodate a guest invited to campus by a department, guest parking may be purchased by a designated member of a department with spend and commit authorization. The purchase process should be completed at least 24 hours before the guest’s visit, either online or by contacting Parking & Transportation.
Two kinds of parking passes are available for invited guests of a department or lab at MIT’s current visitor rates:
- Electronic visitor passes that enable time-limited parking access through the MIT Atlas mobile app
- The guest will receive an email with guidance (the pass purchaser will be copied on this email)
- The guest’s registered car will be accepted by MIT’s license plate reader technology on the day of the visit
- Scratch passes as described above; the guest must pick up the scratch pass at the Atlas Service Center in E17-106
- Note: Paper guest parking passes issued before June 9, 2025, will be honored
If you are the invited guest and parking has been arranged for you, you’ll receive an email with guidance for your next steps:
- Download the MIT Atlas mobile app (if you don’t already have it)
- Create an MIT guest account and provision a digital MIT ID (if you don’t already have these)
- Register the car you’ll be driving to campus
- Complete these steps at least 30 minutes before your visit
When these steps are completed (or if you have completed them for a previous visit), your electronic pass will be visible in the Parking section of your MIT Atlas app and will include timing information and a map for the lot.
Note that guest parking is for a department's occasional guests, not for functions with a large attendance. If your department needs to arrange on-campus parking for a large event, contact the Parking & Transportation Office for more information. Guest parking passes may not be issued to MIT employees.
If a department guest reservation is not canceled by 4:45 PM the day before the guest is due to arrive, the Parking & Transportation Office will not be able to refund the cost of the pass back to the department.
Volunteer parking
Volunteers with an MIT account are eligible to apply for affiliate parking on campus. See our affiliate parking page for more information.
DAPER member parking
DAPER members who use the athletic facilities at MIT (Johnson Athletics Center, Zesiger Sports and Fitness Center) can park at Westgate Lot or at the Albany Street Garage (fixed fee of $11.00) from 2:30-11:00 PM on weekdays and all day up to 11:00 PM on weekends. Previously-sponsored DAPER members are eligible for affiliate parking on campus; note that DAPER is not currently sponsoring additional parking accounts. Learn more about affiliate parking.
MIT Health parking lot
- The MIT Health (formerly MIT Medical) parking lot is for patient parking only. MIT Health patients can validate their tickets at a ticket validation stations within MIT Health and may exit free of charge.
- Any other visitor exiting the MIT Health parking lot without a validated ticket will be required to pay $60 by credit card at the exit gate. This $60 charge will open the gate and is nonrefundable. Signs about this charge are posted at the parking lot entrance and exit gates.
