Getting Around the Washington DC Metro on Inauguration Day

Back to blog Inauguration Day takes place this Friday (January 20th) in Washington DC. There’s going to be a parade, road closures and 1 million visitors are anticipated to be coming to the capital. Because of road closures, parking restrictions and extra traffic, it’s not going to be the best day for driving. We advise using the Washington DC Metro instead as it’s going to be one of the easiest ways to get about.

When is the Washington DC Metro open?

The Metro will open at 4am on Inauguration Day, an hour earlier than normal, then close at midnight. To help with the large number of visitors to the area, the Metro will operate a rush-hour service from 4am until 9pm.

Are any Metro stations closed?

Yes, the WMATA has announced that 5 DC Metro stations will be closed on the day. These are Archives (Navy Memorial), Federal Triangle, Smithsonian, Mount Vernon Square on 7^th St and Pentagon.

Which Metro stations should be avoided and what are the alternatives?

Anything close to the parade route will be extremely busy. Avoid Judiciary Square, Gallery Place Chinatown, Metro Center, McPherson Square and Farragut North. L’Enfant Plaza is a useful alternative for areas South of the parade. Dupont Circle Station and Shaw-Howard Univ Station are potential alternatives if you need to be North of the parade.

What are the fares for the Washington DC Metro?

During off-peak times, the minimum fare is $1.75 and the maximum is $3.60 (when using a SmarTrip card). On Inauguration Day the peak fares will be in affect between 4am and 9pm. Peak fares are a minimum of $2.15 and a maximum of $5.90. The actual cost will depend on which stations you are travelling between.

What’s a SmarTrip card?

It’s recommended that you use a WMATA SmarTrip card to pay for journeys on the DC Metro. The SmarTrip card is a plastic card that you can top-up with money to use on the Metrorail and Metrobus. You will be able to purchase a commemoration Inaugural SmarTrip card for $10 which will come with a one-day pass preloaded on it. This will allow for unlimited travel on Inauguration Day. It’s advised that you buy and/ or top-up your SmarTrip card a couple of days before to beat the crowds at the ticket machines. You can find details about the SmarTrip card, including where to get one, here. Planning ahead will be essential if you want to avoid the crowds and experience a relatively hassle-free journey on the day. Check which stations you need to use and make sure they’re not closed or on our “avoid” list above. Walking will be a useful way to get around. A lot of DC Metro stations are just a 10 or 15 minute walk away from their neighbors so don’t be afraid to get off a stop early to stay away from busy areas. Plan journeys using Washington DC Metro map. This free app includes a clear map of the Washington DC Metro and an easy-to-use journey planner. Available to download free on iOS and Android. Back to blog