Metro announces July 4 service plans and free fares after 5 pm

Ring in the Fourth of July with Metro! Heading to a barbecue or fireworks on the National Mall? Don’t stress about holiday travel. Let Metro get you where you need to go. To mark the occasion, fares will be FREE on Metrorail, Metrobus, and MetroAccess from 5 p.m. until the rail system closes.

During the afternoon, Metro is also ramping up service to rush hour levels on rail to get tens of thousands of customers to events across the region.

“What better way to celebrate America’s birthday than with free fares on America’s Metro System,” said Metro General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Randy Clarke. “We are proud to serve residents, families from across the United States, and global guests visiting the National Capital Region.”

Keep your eye out for our special July 4-wrapped train, buses and MetroAccess vehicle debuting today. These Independence Day themed vehicles will run on the system through July. You can track the train and bus in real time at WMATA.com/live and click on “special edition.”

Metrorail customers traveling to fireworks and activities on the National Mall are encouraged to enter and exit from a station near your destination on the same line as your origin to avoid transfers and reduce crowding. Customers should also consider using a station other than Smithsonian, which may become overcrowded, with extremely long lines and waits after the fireworks end. Metro has nearby stations on all lines including the following within a short walk of Smithsonian:

• Metro Center
• Foggy Bottom 
• Federal Triangle
• Archives
• Gallery Place
• Judiciary Square 
• Union Station
• L’Enfant Plaza
• Capitol South
• Federal Center SW

No track work is scheduled on the holiday, however Metrobus and MetroAccess customers are advised to expect possible detours and delays due to road closures. Summer construction work on the Blue Line begins on July 5 and is expected to continue until July 26.

Metrorail operates 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. on the Fourth, but last train times vary by station, so check Trip Planner for more information.

Service Information

Metrorail

Metrorail will open at 6 a.m. and close at 2 a.m. Regular weekday fares will be in effect until 5 p.m. All trips after 5 p.m. will be fare-free, and parking will be free all day at Metro-owned garages and lots.

Red Line: Trains every 6 minutes until 5 p.m. From 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., trains every 5 minutes. After 11 p.m., trains every 10 minutes

Blue, Orange, and Silver lines: Trains every 12 minutes until 5 p.m. From 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., trains every 10 minutes. After 11 p.m., trains every 15 minutes

Green and Yellow lines: Trains every 8 minutes until 5 p.m. From 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., trains every 6 minutes. After 11 p.m., trains every 8 minutes.

Metrobus

Metrobus will operate on a Sunday schedule. Service varies by route, check timetables for details. Regular fares will be in effect until 5 p.m. All trips after 5 p.m. will be fare-free. Customers traveling near the National Mall are advised to expect detours and delays, or some routes may be truncated due to road closures.

Customers should consider Metrorail as an alternative if traveling through this area. Impacted routes include:

• A49, A58, C11, C53, C55, D10, D1X, D30, D40, D4X, D44, D50, D6X, D74, D82, D94, D96

MetroAccess 

MetroAccess customers may make a reservation to travel on the holiday; however, pre-scheduled subscription trips will be cancelled. Separate reservations can be made online or by calling 301-562-5360 (TTY 301-588-7535). Regular fares will be in effect until 5 p.m. All trips after 5 p.m. will be fare-free.

Travel Tips

• Customers riding Metrorail can skip the fare machines and simply tap a credit or debit card to enter and exit the faregates.
• Metro’s Smithsonian Station is typically the most crowded and trains may bypass the station, passing through without stopping if crowding becomes dangerous. After 5 p.m. the station may become ‘exit only,’ to accommodate crowds traveling to the National Mall, and ‘entry only’ after 9 p.m.
• After fireworks end, it may take up to an hour or more for lines to clear at Smithsonian Station. If possible, delay return travel or use an alternate station.
• Avoid traveling with items prohibited by the National Park Service on the National Mall, including weapons, alcohol, glass bottles or containers, fireworks, folding chairs, and coolers larger than 36 quarts (23”x15”x1micros5”). Click here to view the full list of prohibited items. 

Customer Service

Metro’s customer service team can assist customers with questions, trip planning, and more via chat, email, phone or our social media channels. Visit the contact page for details.

Follow @wmata, @metrorailinfo and @metrobusinfo on X or @wmata.com, @metrorailinfo.bsky.social, and @metrobusinfo on Bluesky for the latest service information.

Customers can call 202-GO-METRO (TTY 202-962-2033). Automated information available 24/7.

For service alerts via text or email, sign up for MetroAlerts , download the MetroPulse app, or visit wmata.com/metropulse for real-time service information.