Upcoming holiday service: Downtown construction work may affect travel; extended hours, free fares on NYE
Published: 12/20/2024
Metro running modified service on Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day
12/22/2024 revision: Included ADA information for Red Line customers traveling towards Glenmont, who wish to exit the station at Metro Center.
12/29/2024 revision: Updated to reflect earlier completion date of downtown construction.
Metro is ready for the holidays, running modified service for Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day.
On New Year’s Eve, fares will be free after 8 p.m. thanks to a partnership with Miller Light and Coors Light’s Free Rides Program, which will help revelers get home safely and responsibly. Faregates will be open from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. and no SmarTrip card will be needed. Bus customers will not need to tap between those hours either.
Metrorail will also stay open until 2 a.m., an extra two hours of service. Please be aware that some stations will see last trains before 2 a.m.. Check the stations page and add two hours to the Sunday last train time, or use the trip planner at wmata.com for last train times at your specific station.
Customers can also take advantage of Metro’s 24-hour bus service in D.C.
Rail Service
Date | Holiday |
| Hours |
Wednesday | Christmas Day | 7 a.m. - midnight | |
Tuesday | New Year's Eve | 5 a.m. - 2 a.m.** | |
Wednesday | New Year's Day | 7 a.m. - midnight |
*Red Line trains will arrive every 10 minutes. Green and Yellow Line trains will arrive every 8 minutes. Blue, Orange, and Silver line trains will operate every 15 minutes in two segments due to construction through Dec. 29. (See below for more details.)
** Later service runs until 2 a.m. on Jan. 1.
*** Red Line trains will arrive every 10 minutes. Green and Yellow Line trains will arrive every 8 minutes. Blue, Orange, and Silver line trains will operate every 15 minutes.
A reminder, downtown construction on the Blue, Orange, and Silver Lines runs from Dec. 20-29. Shuttle buses will replace trains at closed stations.
- Dec. 20-26: Farragut West, McPherson Square, and the lower level (Blue, Orange, Silver service) at Metro Center will be closed.
- Dec. 27-29: Farragut West, McPherson Square; lower level (Blue, Orange, Silver service) at Metro Center, Federal Triangle, and Smithsonian; and the lower level of L'Enfant Plaza (Blue, Orange, Silver service) will also be closed.
- Dec. 30: All stations reopen.
Buses will run Sunday schedules on Christmas and New Year’s Day.
MetroAccess customers will be able to travel on the holidays, however, subscription trips will be canceled. Customers may make a separate reservation to travel on the holiday online or by calling 301-562-5360 (TTY 301-588-7535).
On holidays, regular weekday fares will be in effect (except for free fares after 8 p.m. on New Year’s Eve). Parking is free at all Metro-owned parking garages and lots on holidays.
Downtown construction work may impact trips Travelers heading out of town can connect to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport via the Yellow and Blue lines, Washington Dulles International Airport on the Silver Line, and Union Station via the Red Line.
But be aware, if you are traveling through downtown D.C. on the Blue, Orange, or Silver lines from Dec. 20-29, please build in plenty of extra time to travel by shuttle between closed stations. On weekdays, the shuttles will be coach buses that can store luggage and other items underneath the bus. On weekends, the shuttles will be regular Metrobuses with more limited space.
****Red Line customers traveling towards Glenmont cannot access the Metro Center elevator to exit the station, due to construction occurring on the lower level platform. Customers needing to use the elevator to exit must continue on the train and exit at Gallery Place, where a shuttle van will transport them to Metro Center.
Metro completes vital construction work during the holiday season when ridership is 40% lower than usual, however we realize this may impact customer trips to airports and regional train stations and apologize for the inconvenience.
More information can be found on our Major Construction webpage. Get help planning your trip by using the trip planner at wmata.com.
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 wmata.com/contact for details.
Follow@wmata, @metrorailinfo and @metrobusinfo on X or@wmata.com, @metrorailinfo.bsky.social, and @metrobusinfo on Bluesky.
Customers can call 202-637-7000 (TTY 202-638-3780). Automated information available 24/7.
For service alerts via text or email, sign up for MetroAlerts or visit wmata.com/MetroPulse for real-time service information.
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