Using the Washington DC metro

The Washington D.C. Metro is a rapid transit system serving the Washington metropolitan area of the United States. It is operated by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), which also operates Metrobus and Metrorail services under the same name. Opened in 1976, the network now includes six lines, 97 stations, and 129 miles of track. With links to Ronald Reagan airport, the Smithsonian and the White House, it’s a quick way to travel between the city’s well-known landmarks.

Getting around on the Washington DC metro

If you’re going to be seeing Washington DC’s famous landmarks and tourist hotspots, you’re going to need a map of the metro. Download our free Mapway app for a free map of the Washington DC metro that’s clear and easy to read (the Mapway app also includes all our other cities!), the app is available on iOS and Android. The route planner is also really useful to see the best route options and how long each journey will take. It also works offline so no need to worry about Wifi and data.

Fares

SmarTrip Cards are $2 each but you will also want to add a large enough amount of money to cover your fare. The cost of a one-way fare can be different depending on the stations you are travelling between and the time of day. The Metrorail Fares have a minimum and maximum cost that can help you decide how much to put on to your SmarTrip Card. These are:

Peak SmarTrip Fares

$2.25 – minimum

$6.00 – maximum

Off-Peak SmarTrip Fares

$2.00 – minimum

$3.85 – maximum

Peak hours start with the first train and end at 9:30am. In the afternoon Peak hours are 3pm to 7pm.

For more specific prices, all Metro stations have the useful addition of a fare board so you can see how much your journey will cost depending on which station you’re travelling to. The price will also vary depending on whether you’re travelling during peak hours or not.

Accessibility

There are many ways in which the Washington D.C. metro is accessible including:

Elevators and escalators at all stations

Audio announcements and visual displays in trains and stations

Gap fillers on all trains to bridge the gap between the train and platform

Braille signs and tactile platform edging

Priority seating for people with disabilities

Wheelchair ramps and designated seating for people using wheelchairs

Accessible fare vending machines

Audio Assistance available through the WMATA customer service centre.

If you require more information on the Metro’s accessibility features, the WMATA has a page dedicated to this.

If you are travelling with children, please note that each passenger of the metro must pay a fare; however, two children under age five may travel free with a paying passenger.

Etiquette and rules

Passengers are not allowed to eat or drink on the Washington DC Metro. This isn’t just about good manners, it’s actually illegal to do so and Metro Transit Police can even make arrests if they spot you doing it. The WMATA has a page dedicated to Metrorail Rules and Manners.

Pets aren’t allowed on the metro but there are a couple of exceptions. Service dogs and pets in secure containers are both fine.

Other public transport

Metrobus

The WMATA runs a bus service called Metrobus (Washington really likes the word “Metro”). These grey and red buses have 325 routes across the Washington DC area. They stop at most Metrorail stations and accept the SmarTrip cards making them a convenient option for onward travel. Cash payments are accepted on most routes but must be made with exact change.

DC Circulator

The Circulator buses are a cheap way to visit Washington DC’s attractions. They operate a service similar to a shuttle bus and the fare is just $1. There are 6 routes:

Dupont Circle – Georgetown – Rosslyn

Georgetown – Union Station

Woodley Park – Adams Morgan – McPherson Square Metro

Union Station – Navy Yard Metro

Potomac Avenue Metro – Skyland via Barracks Row

National Mall Route

Confusingly the Circulator buses are also red and grey so look out for the name “Circulator” on the bus.

DC Streetcar

A fairly new addition to the city, the DC Streetcar started service in 2016. The DC Streetcar travels between Union station and Oklahoma Ave NE & Benning Rd NE. It’s worth using when you can, not just because it’s a new service but because it’s currently free to ride!

Taxis

Taxis are common in central Washington and you can hail a cab if the light on the roof is on. Fares start at about $3.50 and then go up at roughly $2.16 per mile.

Operating hours

Metro trains run at fixed intervals, based on the line, time, and day, as shown below. Scheduled departures vary per station. Please be sure to check the opening and closing times for your stations.

Monday to Thursday – 05:00 to 00:00

Friday – 05:00 to 01:00 (the next day)

Saturday – 07:00 to 01:00 (the next day)

Sunday – 07:00 to 00:00

The weekday morning rush hour starts at opening and lasts until 9:30am. The afternoon rush hour is 3pm to 7pm. If it’s possible, try to avoid these times or you’ll be stuck in the crowds.

Tipping

Tipping is an important part of American culture so you’ll want to get it right. But if you follow these simple guidelines you’ll have nothing to worry about.

In restaurants and bars it’s normal for service staff to be tipped 15% to 20% of the bill. This isn’t usually added to the bill automatically, but might be for large parties. If the service wasn’t very good it’s still customary to tip at least 10%.

Other service staff (such as valet parking attendants or bellhops in hotels) can be tipped $1 or $2 at a time. For example a bellhop carrying a single suitcase can be tipped $1 for their help.

Taxi drivers are also tipped at 10% to 15% (Uber drivers and Lyft drivers are not, but may ask you to rate them on the app).