Arlington National Cemetery is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Parking is $3 an hour, and the guard changes hourly in winter and every half hour in summer.
Last checked Oct. 19, 2026. Facts come from Arlington National Cemetery’s visitor information, parking, security, tours and Changing of the Guard pages, and from the National Park Service for Arlington House.
Arlington National Cemetery is open every day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is the county’s best-known place and an active military cemetery, so expect funerals during your visit. Visitors enter through the Welcome Center at 1 Memorial Ave., a five-minute walk from the Arlington Cemetery Metro station. The cemetery’s information line is 877-907-8585.
What this means for you
- Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. The garage closes at 6 p.m.
- Parking: $3 an hour, $12 a day maximum, in the Welcome Center garage.
- Metro: Arlington Cemetery station, a five-minute walk.
- Screening: everyone goes through security in the Welcome Center. Bring as little as you can.
- No pets, except service animals and military working dogs.
Getting there and parking
- Metro: the main entrance at 1 Memorial Ave. is a five-minute walk from the Arlington Cemetery station.
- Driving: use 1 Memorial Ave. as the GPS address. The Welcome Center garage is next to the Welcome Center at the Memorial Avenue entrance and is open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
| Vehicle | Rate | Daily maximum |
|---|---|---|
| Passenger vehicle | $3 an hour | $12 |
| Tour bus or RV | $10 an hour | $40 |
Pay by card at the exit lanes or at two pay stations that take cash and cards: one inside the Welcome Center near the bookstore and one on the garage’s mid-level. A lost ticket costs the daily maximum. You can also prepay online through Parking.com.
- Rideshare: drop-off and pickup are directly in front of the Welcome Center.
- Bikes: personal bikes may be parked at the racks outside the Welcome Center. Shared bikes and scooters must be left at the Arlington Cemetery Metro station.
- Cars inside the cemetery are generally not allowed, except with a gravesite visitation pass or for funerals.
Security and rules
All visitors go through physical security screening in the Welcome Center. You will be asked to put phones, hats and pocket items in a bin; you can ask for a pat-down instead. Tell the screener about medical devices first. Depending on security levels, adults may be asked for REAL ID-compliant photo identification, and REAL ID is required for anyone over 18 entering in a vehicle.
- Pets: not allowed, except service animals and military working dogs.
- Bags: allowed, but bring as few as you can. Tripods must fit in a purse or small bag.
- Drones and unauthorized media equipment are prohibited.
Changing of the Guard
Soldiers of the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment, The Old Guard, guard the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier 24 hours a day. The Changing of the Guard takes place:
| Season | How often |
|---|---|
| Oct. 1 to March 31 | Every hour on the hour |
| April 1 to Sept. 30 | Every half hour |
When the relief commander addresses the crowd, stand and stay silent until the ceremony ends.
Getting around inside
The tram is the alternative to walking. Arlington National Cemetery Tours, the only authorized tour bus service, runs trams every 20 minutes from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, stopping at John F. Kennedy’s gravesite, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and other sites. Tickets are sold on the operator’s site. Visitors with a valid disability placard may ride free with one companion. To find a specific grave, use the cemetery’s ANC Explorer.
Arlington House
Inside the cemetery grounds is Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial, run by the National Park Service. The house and grounds, the museum and the Enslaved People’s Quarters North and South are open 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily; last entry to the house is 4 p.m. The park service describes it as a place to study military service, sacrifice, citizenship, slavery and freedom.
Big days at the cemetery
- Memorial Day: Flags In, when The Old Guard places about 250,000 flags, is just before Memorial Day weekend, and two national ceremonies are held at the Memorial Amphitheater. See our Memorial Day guide.
- Wreaths Across America: Saturday, Dec. 19, 2026. See our Wreaths Across America page.
- Public wreath ceremonies at the Tomb can be requested through the cemetery and have a dress code.
Related guides: history and landmarks, free things to do and getting around Arlington.
Frequently asked questions
What are Arlington National Cemetery’s hours?
The cemetery is open every day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Welcome Center parking garage is open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and closes promptly at 6.
How often is the Changing of the Guard at Arlington?
Every hour on the hour from Oct. 1 through March 31, and every half hour from April 1 through Sept. 30, at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
How much is parking at Arlington National Cemetery?
The Welcome Center garage charges passenger vehicles $3 an hour, up to $12 a day. Tour buses and RVs pay $10 an hour, up to $40 a day.
Can I bring my dog to Arlington National Cemetery?
No. Pets of any kind are not allowed, except service animals and military working dogs.
Is there a tram at Arlington National Cemetery?
Yes. Arlington National Cemetery Tours runs the only authorized tour tram, departing every 20 minutes from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, with stops including the Kennedy gravesite and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
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