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Navigating Washington, DC with Metro

Find out everything you need to know to ride dc’s world-class metrorail system, get a metro map, check operating hours, ride fares and more..

Washington, DC’s Metro   is one of the busiest public transportation systems in the country. Its expansive network of tunnels and above ground tracks connect all four quadrants of DC with suburban Virginia and Maryland. The system is heavily used by local commuters and it’s a popular, convenient and affordable way for visitors to DC to get around the region, now so more than ever. Metro has opened its new Silver Line extension, which allows riders to connect to Dulles International Airport and explore Loudoun County. Visit Metro's website for more information about the extension.  

Find information about the Washington, DC Metro system:

DC Metro Map

• How Metro Works & Metro Trip Planner  
• Metro Fares
• Metro Hours
• Metro Etiquette

Please download the touch-free SmarTrip app for iPhone and Android .

A Metrorail system map will help you navigate the nation's capital during your trip. Click the Washington, DC Metro map below to view a larger version.  

How does the Washington, DC Metro work? How do I plan my trip? 

The Metro consists of six color-coded lines: Red, Blue, Orange, Yellow, Green and Silver. The lines are connected to each other via transfer stations and many Metro stops are serviced by more than one color. Each train car has an exterior electronic sign that marks the color and the direction of the train. Direction is indicated by the final station of that line.

Popular sightseeing Metro stops include the Smithsonian (Orange, Silver and Blue lines), Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan (Red line) and Gallery Place-Chinatown (Red, Green and Yellow lines). You can plan your trip and find the best route using Metro's Trip Planner .

Worried about internet connectivity while traveling on Metro? Currently, most Metro stations have free Wi-Fi .

How much are Metro fares and how do you use SmarTrip?

Metro fares are calculated by how many stops you travel and vary during peak and off-peak hours. During peak hours, most fares range from $2.25 to $6 per trip. During off-peak hours, fares typically range from $1.85 to $3.85. 

Metro riders must pay via  SmarTrip card  or the  SmarTrip app on  iPhone and Apple Watch . SmarTrip cards are plastic, rechargeable fare cards that can be purchased by cash or credit at any Metro station or in advance on  wmata.com . You can calculate your fare between two stops using Metro’s  Trip Planner .

The SmarTrip app can be used anywhere the SmarTrip card is accepted, including rail, buses and Metro-operated parking lots. Metro is the first rail system in the U.S. to offer a full-service, touch-free payment option at every single stop. See below for more information about how to use SmarTrip in your Apple Wallet .

What are the Metro's hours and when does it close?

DC Metro trains run Monday - Thursday, 5 a.m. until 12 a.m.; Friday, 5 a.m. until 1 a.m.; Saturday: 7 a.m. until 1 a.m.; Sunday: 7 a.m. until 12 a.m.

Metro etiquette

The Washington, DC Metro serves thousands of commuters and visitors each day. Because the train system is so heavily used by busy local commuters, there are a number of unspoken rules that visitors should be aware of. If possible, you may want to ride at off-peak hours when the train system is much less hectic.

When riding the escalator, stand to your right, walk to your left. Standing in a twosome that blocks the left side is strongly (and often loudly) discouraged by your fellow Metro riders.

When waiting to board a train, let riders exit the train first before trying to board. If the train is particularly crowded and you are standing in a doorway, step just outside the train doorway to allow your fellow riders room to exit.

Another important note if the train is crowded: move to the middle of the car so others can board. You will have time to exit when you arrive at your stop.

During peak hours, trains arrive often. Don’t try to board a train that is too full. The automatic doors are very sensitive and if they can’t close, the train operator may offload the entire train because a door stopped working.

Each car usually has several seats for handicapped riders. Please don’t use these seats if there is a rider that needs to sit down.

Be sure and have your SmarTrip card out and ready to swipe when you go through the gate. Riders move through quickly and holding up the line is discouraged.

While the Metro can be a very busy place, most of your fellow riders are friendly and will point you in the right direction. There is also a station manager at each station. Don’t be afraid to ask if you have questions about navigating the Metro!

Now that you have read up on the Metrorail experience, learn about other ways to navigate DC. Check out the best transportation options  for getting around the District.

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DC Metro and Bus 4+

Washington dc metro - wmata, dixon mobility, llc, designed for ipad.

• #63 in Navigation
• 4.6 • 33.4K Ratings
• Offers In-App Purchases

Screenshots

Description.

Washington DC Metro and Bus is the region's most popular dedicated DC transit app. Realtime rail and bus predictions and DC Metro map directly from WMATA (Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority), ART (Arlington Transit) and DC Circulator, serving Washington DC, Northern Virginia and Maryland. -Realtime DC Metro Rail predictions (Next Train) for every Metro station in the Washington DC region with auto refresh direct from WMATA. -Realtime DC Metro Bus (Next Bus) predictions for every Metro bus stop in the Washington DC region with auto refresh direct from WMATA. -Realtime data for ART bus (Arlington Transit) -Realtime data for DC Circulator buses. -Serving the entire Washington DC Metro area. -Location based Metro station finder to locate Metro stations nearby. -Location based bus stop finder to locate Metro bus stops nearby. -Mapping for Washington DC Metro rail stations and bus stops. -Save commonly used Metro stations and stops into your Favorites list for easy access. -Look up DC Metro bus stop predictions directly by the bus stop number. -Check to see if WMATA is broadcasting any rail alerts or disruptions. -Access the WMATA DC Metro map to plan your route. -Realtime Capital Bikeshare information. View bike, e-bike and dock availability at all surrounding Capital Bike Share stations. -And of course, FREE Upgrade with a Premium Access subscription and get rid of the ads. You must have network access to use these resources. This app is not published, sponsored or approved by WMATA. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Version 2.7.1

+ A redesigned app logo + Bug fixes and performance improvements

Ratings and Reviews

33.4K Ratings

Format Probs

I have only had a problem with the “ghost busses” a couple times thankfully but the main problem is the ads. I get it, you have to have ads if you want the app to remain “free”. It’s annoying especially when you’re in a hurry, but whatever. But oh my god, the little X at the top right corner to exit the ads is so close we can barely click on it. I get irate every time. If they could at least make it to where the ad goes away after a few seconds or at least just move it down and away from the edge of the screen. Because now is not the time I’m wanting or willing to succumb to an ad, let me find my bus.

App Works Great—- then bus *disappears*

This app is fantastic, until suddenly there’s no data. This has happened multiple times when tracking the T2 bus from my home in Bethesda southbound to Friendship Heights, and northbound from Friendship Heights towards my home in Bethesda. “WMATA reporting no data” appears on the screen. So frustrating. Makes an otherwise fantastic app completely useless. Several times in Friendship Heights, my bus is tracked by the app, and I time my arrival at the stop for 10 minutes before the bus is predicted to arrive. A few minutes after my arrival, that bus disappears from the app and the next bus (which is to arrive 30 or so minutes later) is the only one showing up on the app! What happened? Did my bus show up early? No, about 8 minutes later, my bus shows up at the stop (not on the app), and the driver is oblivious to the problem. (There is also the additional problem that buses show up at the stop with Not In Service on their displays, and you have to ask the driver to identify their bus— super annoying). I want to do right by the environment by using public transportation, but WMATA and this app have not ironed out the kinks.

App is Great! Although needs emergency instant messenger

Love the app really useful and always works. Best feature is the metro map. However, there should be a way to instantly report things/alert metro police. For instance right now on the metro there is a homeless, crazy, or drunk person stumbling throughout the cart and has not gotten off. It would be nice to have an instant messenger to alert your organization when disorderly conduct that is not criminal is occurring so you will be able to remove this person from bother the paying customers. Or when for the 100th time in the hour the kids take over some of the cars, blast music and dance.

App Privacy

The developer, Dixon Mobility, LLC , indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .

Data Used to Track You

The following data may be used to track you across apps and websites owned by other companies:

• Identifiers
• Diagnostics

Data Linked to You

The following data may be collected and linked to your identity:

Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age. Learn More

Information

• Premium Access $3.99
• Premium Access $2.99
• Premium Access $4.99
• Ad Free Version $2.99
• Premium Access $23.99
• Premium Access $17.99
• Premium Access $29.99
• Premium Access $1.99
• Premium Access $11.99
• Developer Website
• App Support
• Privacy Policy

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