Pay for Metro
Fares
Metro Rail
Fares vary based on the service, ride length, day, and time you ride. Metro's Trip Planner is the best way to calculate your fare.
To pay to ride Metro Rail, tap your Smart Trip or contactless payment at the faregates at both the start and end of your trip.
Remember to use the same payment when you enter and exit.
Metro Rail Fares
| Fare Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Weekday (5 am-9:30 pm) $2.25 - $6.75 | |
| Weekday (5 am-9:30 pm, Reduced Fare) $1.10 - $3.35 | |
| Weekday Evening (after 9:30 pm) $2.25 - $2.50 | |
| Weekday Evening (Reduced Fare) $1.10 - $1.25 | |
| Weekend $2.25 - $2.50 | |
| Weekend (Reduced Fare) $1.10 - $1.25 |
Metro Bus
Metro Bus fares are the same no matter where you go or when you ride. The only exceptions are the four express routes (F19, F28, F81, and F83.) Otherwise, whether is a regular or limited stop route (the ones that end in X), the fare stays the same.
To pay to ride the bus, tap your Smart Trip or contactless payment when you get on.
You can pay with cash, using exact change.
Metro Bus Fares
| Fare Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Regular and limited stop (X) routes $2.25 | |
| Regular and limited stop (X) routes (Reduced Fare) $1.10 | |
| Express routes (F19, F28, F81, F83) $4.80 | |
| Express routes (Reduced Fare) $2.40 |
Metro Access
Metro Access is a door-to-door shared-ride paratransit service. Learn more about Metro Access.
Metro Access Fare
| Fare Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Cost to ride Up to $4.50 |
If the fastest, fixed-route, equivalent trip is a locally-operated transit service whose base fare is less than $2.25, Metro Access customers can expect to be charged under $4.50.
Riding Metro with children
Up to two children age 4 and younger can ride free with each fare-paying adult.
Children age 5 and older pay the regular fare, and need their own payment method.
Metro Rail and Metro Bus trips are free for DC students who attend public, private, charter, or parochial schools through the DC Kids Ride Free program
Transfer discounts
Metro to Metro
- Metro Bus to Metro Bus: Free, unlimited transfers within a 2-hour period
- Metro Bus to Metro Rail or Metro Rail to Metro Bus: Free transfers ($2.25 discount) within a 2-hour period. $2.25 discount does not cover the cost of transferring to/from express routes
- Farragut Crossing: Free transfer between the Red line and Orange, Silver and Blue lines by exiting and entering through Farragut West and Farragut North
Pass product usage is not eligible for a transfer credit.
Transfer discounts are only available when using Smart Trip and contactless payments.
Metro to regional transit partner transfers
ART - Arlington Transit
- Metro Rail to ART: Free
- ART to Metro Rail: $2.25 discount | Seniors/K-12 Students: $1.10 discount
Fairfax Connector - includes the Reston Internal Bus System (RIBS)
- Metro Rail to bus: $2.25 discount (making most rides free)
- Bus to Metro Rail: $2.25 discount on Metro Rail fares
- Bus to bus: free (if Express, $2.25 then pay step-up fare)
Regional transit partner transfer discounts are currently only available for customers using a Smart Trip card.
More payment options
Fare programs
Certain riders such as seniors and those with disabilities may be eligible for a reduced fare.