Washington Metro

Washington Metro Information

Washington Metro, also known as Metrorail, serves Washington D.C. and its surrounding suburbs, in the United States. The network began operating on 27 March 1976 and currently has 6 lines serving 91 stations. Of these 91 stations, 47 are underground. The system has a total track length of 188 km. In terms of passenger trips, the system is the second busiest in the United States, after the New York City Subway. According to 2013 statistics, the Metro has a daily ridership of 758,489 weekday riders and 209 million annual riders. The system is managed by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA).

Plan a visit to your favourite Washington tourist attraction by taking the Washington Metro.

Washington Metro Map

Map of Washington Metro showing different lines and stations. Click on the map to enlarge it or download the Washington Metro map in PDF format.

Washington Metro Lines

There are 6 Metro lines with a total of 91 stations, and the lines run between downtown Washington and nearby suburbs. About 47 stations are underground and the rest are above ground. All Metro lines are identified by name and colour.

• Washington Metro Red Line – The Red Line opened in 1976 and runs between Shady Grove and Glenmont. The line has 27 stations and the distance between two lines is 51.3 miles. The Red Line is the oldest and busiest line in the system. The Red Line is the lowest in the system.
• Washington Metro Blue Line – The Blue Line was opened in 1977 and serves 27 stations. The subway runs between Franconia Springfield and downtown. The distance between two stations is 48.8 km. Thirteen stations are shared by the Orange Line and the Yellow Line. The Blue Line is the integral part of the Washington Metro system.
• Washington Metro Orange Line – The Orange Line was opened in 1978 and runs between Vienna and New Carrolton. The Orange Line serves 26 stations. Half of the stations are shared with the Blue Line and the Orange Line is also one of the busiest lines during rush hour.
• Washington Metro Yellow Line – The Yellow Line opened in 1983 and runs between Huntington Fort Totten and Mount Vernon Square. The line serves 17 stations and most of the route is shared with the Green Line. The Yellow Line is a fast connection between downtown Washington and National Airport.
• Washington Metro Green Line – The Green Line opened in 1991 and runs between Branch Avenue and Greenbelt. The Green Line serves 21 stations and is one of the heavy rail subway systems in Washington D.C. The Green Line runs through Maryland and the line also shares tracks with other lines.
• Washington Metro Silver Line – The Silver Line is under construction and would serve 29 stations. The first phase of the Silver Line opened to the public on 26 July 2014 between Wiehle – Reston East and McLean stations. The approximate travel time between the five stations is 14 minutes and would cost $2.85 during off-peak hours or $3.60 during peak hours. Use your SmarTrip card to save the $1 surcharge that applies to paper tickets. Click here to view the route and fares.

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Washington Metro Hours

The metro service starts at 5 am Monday-Friday. The service ends at 12.00 Sunday-Thursday. On Saturday and Sunday the service starts later, at 7 am. On Friday and Saturday nights the service ends at 3 am. The interval between trains at peak times is 3-6 minutes. The interval is longer at midday and in the evening, on weekdays and throughout the weekend. Frequency at night varies between 8-24 minutes, depending on the line.

Washington Metro Fares, Tickets and Cards

Fares are based on distance and time of travel. Drivers can use paper farecards or a SmarTrip® card. The card is a rechargeable smart card that can hold up to $300 in credit. The cost of the card is $2. A trip during peak hours (9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on weekdays and midnight to close on weekends) costs a minimum of $2.15 and a maximum of $5.90 (plus $1 for a paper farecard). An off-peak trip costs a minimum of $1.75 and a maximum of $3.60 (plus $1 for a paper fare card). A SmarTrip® card also provides a 50¢ discount for transfers from bus to rail and rail to bus within a two-hour period.

A fare card can hold up to $45 in value. They can be purchased from vending machines at stations.

Passes are also available for use on the Metrorail. A day pass can be purchased for $14.50 and allows unlimited travel on the metro. The pass expires at 3am on weekends and 12am on weekdays. A 7-Day Fast Pass can be purchased for $59.25 and allows unlimited travel on seven consecutive days. A 28-day Fast Pass is $237.

Children four and under travel free. Two children under this age group may accompany a fare-paying adult. Adult fares apply for children 5 years and older. Discounts are available for students and senior citizens over 65.

Washington Metro Parking

Metro travellers using the smart travel card can benefit from Park & Ride facilities. Daily Metro parking rates vary from station to station. Parking is free on weekends and public holidays.

Washington Metro Rules and Tips

The stations are equipped with Passenger Display Information System (PIDS), which provides real-time information on arriving trains, train delays, any emergency announcements, etc. The real-time information is also available through a smartphone application. The metro system is patrolled by transit police officers from the Metro Transit Police Department to ensure passenger safety. Eating, drinking and smoking are prohibited on the Metro. Bicycles are allowed on the Metro except during peak hours on weekdays, i.e. 7-10am and 4-7pm. They are allowed all day on weekends and public holidays.

If you lose an item, please contact the Lost and Found Department at 202-962-1195.

Subway stops near Tourist Attractions in Washington DC

• African Art Museum – Smithsonian
• Air and Space Museum – L’Enfant Plaza
• American Art Museum – Gallery Place
• American History Museum – Smithsonian
• Botanic Gardens – Federal Center SW
• Bureau of Engraving & Printing – Smithsonian
• Capitol Building – Capitol South
• Chinatown – Gallery Place
• Constitution Hall – Farragut West
• Convention Center – Mt Vernon Sq
• Corcoran Gallery – Farragut West
• D C Armory – Stadium – Armory
• FedEx Field – Morgan Boulevard
• Federal Bureau of Investigation – Metro Center
• Folger Shakespeare Library – Capitol South
• Freer Gallery – Smithsonian
• Hirshhorn Museum – L’Enfant Plaza
• Holocaust Museum – Smithsonian
• House Where Lincoln Died – Metro Center
• Iwo Jima Memorial – Rosslyn
• Jefferson Memorial – Smithsonian
• Library of Congress – Capitol South
• Lincoln Memorial – Foggy Bottom – GWU
• Lisner Auditorium – Foggy Bottom – GWU
• Martin Luther King Jr ibrary – Gallery Place
• Martin Luther King Jr Mem’l – Smithsonian
• Masonic Temple – King Street – Old Town
• Nat’l Academy of Sciences – Foggy Bottom – GWU
• National Aquarium – Federal Triangle
• National Archives – Archives
• National Building Museum – Judiciary Sq
• National Gallery of Art – Archives
• National Geographic Society – Farragut North
• National Institutes of Health – Medical Center
• National Museum of the American Indian – L’Enfant Plaza
• National Portrait Gallery – Gallery Place
• National Postal Museum – Union Station
• National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception – Brookland – CUA
• National WWII Memorial Smithsonian
• National Zoo – Woodley Park
• Nationals Ballpark – Navy Yard – Ballpark
• Natural History Museum Smithsonian
• Phillips Collection – Dupont Circle
• Renwick Gallery – Farragut West
• RFK Stadium – Stadium – Armory
• Sackler Gallery – Smithsonian
• Smithsonian Castle – Smithsonian
• Spy Museum – Gallery Place
• State Department – Foggy Bottom – GWU
• Supreme Court – Capitol South
• Verizon Center – Gallery Place
• Vietnam Veterans Memorials – Foggy Bottom – GWU
• Washington Monument – Smithsonian
• Washington National Cathedral – Tenleytown – AU
• White House and Visitor Center – Federal Triangle

Subway stops near Universities in Washington DC

• American Univ – Tenleytown – AU
• Catholic Univ of America – Brookland – CUA
• Gallaudet Univ – NoMa – Gallaudet U
• George Mason Univ – Vienna and Virginia Sq – GMU
• Georgetown University – Foggy Bottom – GWU
• George Washington Univ – Foggy Bottom – GWU
• Howard Univ – Shaw – Howard U
• Johns Hopkins Univ – Dupont Circle
• Marymount Univ – Ballston–MU
• Marymount Univ /Reston – Wiehle – Reston East
• No Va Comm Coll /Reston – Wiehle – Reston East
• Univ of the District of Columbia – Van Ness – UDC
• Univ of Maryland2 – College Park – U of Md
• Va Tech /UVA No Virginia Center – West Falls Church

Subway stops near shopping malls in Washington DC

• Ballston Common – Ballston–MU
• Connecticut Avenue – Farragut North
• City Place – Silver Spring
• Crystal City Underground – Crystal City
• Fashion Centre – Pentagon City
• Georgetow3 – Foggy Bottom – GWU
• Mazza Gallerie/Chevy Chase
• Pavilion/Chevy Chase – Friendship Heights
• Old Post Office Pavilion – Federal Triangle
• Plaza America – Wiehle – Reston East
• Shops at National Place – Metro Center
• The Mall At Prince Georges – Prince Georges Plaza
• Tysons Corner Center – Tysons Corner
• Tysons Galleria – Tysons Corner
• Wheaton Plaza – Wheaton

Subway stops near theaters in Washington DC

• Arena Stage – Waterfront
• Discovery Theatre – Smithsonian
• Folger Theatre – Capitol South
• Ford’s Theatre – Metro Center
• Kennedy Center –  Foggy Bottom – GWU
• Lincoln Theatre – U Street
• National Theater – Metro Center
• Shakespeare Theater – Archives
• Strathmore – Grosvenor – Strathmore
• Warner Theatre – Metro Center
• Wolf Trap – West Falls Church
• Woolly Mammoth Theatre Co – Archives

Other important subway stations 

1. Washington Metro Station near National Zoo
2. Washington Metro Station near US Capitol
3. Washington Metro Station near White House
4. Washington Metro Station near World War II National Memorial