Visitor Information

SmarTrip® Cards, Farecards, and Passes

Each person needs his or her own SmarTrip® card, farecard or pass to ride Metrorail. A SmarTrip® card, pass or farecard cannot be shared with another person.

SmarTrip® cards are permanent, rechargeable, plastic farecards that are usable on either bus or rail and must be used to pay for parking at Metrorail stations. Purchase at Metro sales offices, retail outlets, and commuter stores for $5. SmarTrip® cards are also sold for $10 (with $5 value loaded) through vending machines at Metrorail stations or you can purchase SmarTrip® cards online.

Farecards hold between $2.70 and $45 and are available at fare vending machines in Metrorail stations. For more information on purchasing farecards, see farecard purchasing instructions. Groups can order farecards by mail that are tailored to their needs and in any amount. A check or money order is required. Call Group Sales at 202-962-5700 or 202-962-5716 for assistance.

If you need help determining how much fare you'll need, use Metro's Trip Planner. Not only can it help you plan your trip, including rail/bus information and walking directions, it will also tell you how much your trip will cost.

$14 One Day Pass

With a One Day Pass, you can ride Metrorail as much as you want in a day. Buy online, add to SmarTrip® card or purchase at any Metrorail station from a Passes/Farecards machine.

Purchase Passes

Online

You can purchase passes through our online store. When buying online, purchases are limited to $200 per 24-hour period.

By Mail

Decide which pass is most cost effective for you and/or calculate your fare using the Trip Planner. Then send an organizational check, certified check or money order made payable to WMATA to the address below:

Group Sales, Office of the Treasurer
Department of Financial Services
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
3301 Eisenhower Avenue
Alexandria, VA 22314

Metro does not accept credit cards or personal checks for pre-arranged bulk fare purchases, nor are any bonuses or discounts available. Indicate the type and quantity of your order, e.g. 15 One Day Passes, 16 $2.70 farecards, 20 7-day short trip passes. Before you place your order, be sure that you are ordering the correct passes and in the desired quantity. Your order will be shipped via the U.S. Postal Service, Certified Mail. Allow 10-15 business days for delivery.

At Metro Sales Offices

Metro sales offices are located at the Metro Center and Pentagon Metrorail stations as well as at Metro Headquarters at 600 5th Street, NW, Washington, DC. Metro sales offices carry all visitor's passes and senior/disabled farecards. Metro sales offices do not carry convention passes. See sales offices' location and hours.