

Trust us, it'll make sense once you're in the system! So, if you're traveling from Metro Center to Dupont Circle you would need to board a Red Line train heading to Shady Grove. Both sides have signage on the tracks as well.įor example, on the Red Line, the end-of-line destinations are Glenmont and Shady Grove. There are signs throughout the station with the stops, and you need to find the stop where you're heading and look for the last stop going in that direction.įind the platform with the corresponding final stop, and that will be the platform you need to stand on.įor platforms with center tracks, these are usually listed at the top of the escalators so you know which side to be on.įor the platforms with center platforms, you'll find it at the bottom. To decide which platform to stand on, you need to look for the end-of-line destination. If the platform is in the center, just head down and figure out which side you need to be on when you get downstairs:
#Metro station tours update
When exiting, keep an eye on the small digital display, as it will update the cash remaining on your card.ĭepending on the station, you'll likely have to go to the lower level to get to the train platform. When the system reads your card, the gate opens. Make sure you enter the ones with green lights or it will not let you through. The fare gates have a circular target on top to touch your card. The card gets charged based on how long the ride was so don't forget to tap out or it will charge you extra! To enter the metro, you must tap your SmarTrip card and then tap in again on the way out. Riding the DC Metro is different than riding the subway in some other cities. Please note that the schedules can be different on holidays. In the table below, you'll find Metro's normal operating hours. Metro system is a reliable and safe way to get around the nation's capital city. Both lines visit L'Enfant Plaza but Yellow continues south into Virginia to the Pentagon, National Airport, and King Street for Old Town Alexandria. The yellow line shares a track with Green for most of downtown. Take the Green line to get to Navy-Yard/Nats Park Baseball Stadium. You will only need to pay attention to which train you're on if you're leaving the central area of the city. The orange/silver/blue lines follow the same tracks inside downtown. Orange: runs east-west through the city.You can take this line all the way to Dulles Airport. Silver: runs west-east through the city.The main stations are Capitol South, Smithsonian, McPherson Square (White House), Arlington National Cemetery, and National Airport. Blue: runs west-east through the city and then south.The main stations are Union Station, Metro Center, Chinatown, and Dupont Circle. Red: serves the northern part of the city.For example, Dupont Circle is only on the Red Line.

The name of the station will be written on the side and the color lines that service that station will be encircled at the top of the post. These packages are specifically tailored to you and will give you unlimited rides for a set price. If you're moving to DC or going to be spending a while in DC, there are 7-day pass and monthly commuter pass options. Keep in mind that all Metrorail trips are a flat $2 fare on Saturdays and Sundays, so if you are mostly using Metro on a weekend, a pass is usually not the best deal - you are better off paying as you go. Passes will only work on Metrorail and Metrobus travel - passes are not accepted on regional buses, including the popular DC Circulator.įor most people, a 1 or 3-day pass really only makes sense if you plan on making more than 2 longer distance round trips per day. The farther out your hotel or accommodations are, the better off this deal will be. While this may seem like a great deal, you'll want to do the math on how much you'll be traveling. There are no travel restrictions, which means that you could use this pass anytime and without any additional charges. Note: You can only use the same debit/card three times in one day before the machines will stop taking it!
#Metro station tours full
There are no peak hours on weekends.Įach vending machine will show you what it costs to go to any station in the system.įor trips within the urban core that ends up being about $3/trip during peak rush and about $2/trip during off-peak hours for a full fare trip. Peak hours for DC Metro are from opening until 9:30 am and between 3 pm and 7 pm on weekdays. There are two prices for rides, peak and off-peak. Fares between stations depend on distance as well as the time of day. One way to travel is by paying as you go.
