Washington, DC is one of the easiest cities to navigate and a terrific city for touring, once you understand the basics. Our city boasts the second largest rail transit network and the fifth largest bus network in the country, one of the safest, cleanest and most efficient public transportation systems serviced by Metrorail (subway) and Metrobus, making Washington, DC's many attractions and neighborhoods are easily accessible.
Metrorail's system of 86 stations and 106.3 miles of track includes locations at or near almost every sightseeing attraction and extends to suburban Maryland and northern Virginia. There are five lines in operation: Red, Blue, Orange, Yellow, and Green. The lines connect at several points, making transfers easy. All but Yellow and Green Line trains stop at Metro Center; all except Red Line trains stop at L'Enfant Plaza; all but Blue and Orange Line trains stop at Gallery Place/Chinatown. The year 2005 saw the extension of the Blue line further into Prince George's County, MD, and the opening of a new station on New York Avenue, between the Union Station and Rhode Island Avenue stops on the Red line.
Metro stations are indicated by discreet brown columns bearing the station's name and topped by the letter M. Below the M is a colored stripe or stripes indicating the line or lines that stop there. When entering a Metro station for the first time, go to the kiosk and ask the station manager for a free Metro System Pocket Guide. It contains a map of the system, explains how it works, and lists the closest Metro stops to points of interest. The station manager can also answer questions about routing or purchase of fare cards. You can download a copy of the pocket guide and obtain plenty of information, including schedules, from Metro's website, www.metroopensdoors.com.
USING THE METRORAIL
To enter or exit a Metro station, you need a computerized fare card, available at vending machines near the entrance. The machines take nickels, dimes, quarters, and bills from $1 to $20. The vending machines labeled "Passes/Farecards" accept both cash and credit cards. At this time, the minimum fare to enter the system is $1.35, which pays for rides to and from any point within 7 miles of boarding during nonpeak hours; during peak hours (Mon-Fri 5:30-9:30 am and 3:00-7:00 pm), $1.35 takes you only 3 miles. The maximum fare to the furthest destination is $3.90.
Once you're on the platform, you'll figure out your correct side of the track by finding your desired station stop on the list of upcoming stops posted on the brown pylon for trains headed in your direction. A display board overhead flashes the number of minutes anticipated before the next train pulls into the station. Lights embedded in the platform floor pulsate to alert you to the train's impending arrival. The only tricky part of traveling on Metro concerns transferring to a different line. Metro has 8 transfer hubs andprobably the busiest hub is at Metro Center, where tracks crisscross on upper and lower levels and passengers can switch to a red, blue, or orange line train; read and follow the signs carefully, or ask someone for help, to make sure you get to the right track.
When you insert your card in the entrance gate, the time and location are recorded on its magnetic tape, and your card is returned. Don't forget to grab it and keep it handy; you will have to reinsert your fare card in the exit gate at your destination, where the fare will automatically be deducted. The card will be returned if any value is left on it. If you arrive at a destination and your fare card doesn't have enough value, add what's necessary at the Exitfare machines near the exit gate.
Metrorail opens at 5:30 am weekdays and 7:00 am Saturday and Sunday, operating until midnight Sunday through Thursday, and until 3:00 am Friday and Saturday.
METRO PASSES & DISCOUNTS
If you plan to take several Metrorail trips during your stay, put more value on the farecard to avoid having to purchase a new card each time you ride. For stays of more than a few days, your best value would be the 7-Day Fast Pass, for $33 per person, which allows you unlimited travel; 1-Day Rail Passes are available for $6.50 per person, allowing you unlimited passage for the day, after 9:30 am weekdays, and all day on Saturday, Sunday, and holidays. You can buy these passes online now or use the Passes/Farecards machine in the station. There is also a sales office at the Metro Center station, located on 12th and F streets NW.
Other passes are available by going to the website or calling the main number for further information. Up to two children ages 4 and under can ride free with a paying passenger. Seniors (65 and older) and people with disabilities ride Metrorail and Metrobus for a reduced fare.
Click here for a full map of Washington, DC's Metrorail stations!
