Guide for Commuters and Frequent Riders
This guide includes information that will help you if you use Metro to commute to work or school, or if you ride frequently.
Getting to and from your Metro Rail station
Walk, bike, or drive to your nearest station, sit back, and enjoy the ride.
Parking
- Park a car, motorcycle, or bicycle in any of our station garages or lots. (Bicycle parking is free.)
- Find accessible priority parking near every station entrance.
- Reserve a monthly space, available at most stations for the daily rate plus a fee.
- Pay for daily parking with Tap.Ride. Go., or Smart Trip and get a rider discount, or use a credit card.
- Pay at short-term hourly lots with coins, credit card, or use the ParkMobile® app.
Bikes on Metro
- You’re welcome to bring your bike or scooter on Metro Rail and Metro Bus.
- Bikes must be smaller than 80" long, 48" high and 22" wide. E-bikes are OK, but gas-powered bikes are not allowed.
- Children under 16 may bring bikes, but must be accompanied by an adult.
- Please do not ride your bicycle inside stations, on platforms, or on trains.
- Use the extra-wide fare gates and elevators for easy boarding with your bike.
- Try to board the first or last car, as these are typically the least crowded.
- For safety, there is a limit of four bikes per car — two at each end.
- In an emergency evacuation, place your bike on the seats and leave it behind.
Saving money as a frequent rider
If you’re a commuter or frequent rider, you can save money with a pass.
7-Day Regional Bus Pass: $13.50
- Save up to 40% or more if you ride every day
- Take unlimited trips (up to $2.25) on Metro Bus and on ART, CUE, DASH, DC Circulator, Fairfax Connector, Ride On, and TheBus
- Get a $2.25 credit toward higher-cost bus rides
7-Day Short-Trip Pass: $40.50
- Save money on short commutes, like trips within the District of Columbia
- Includes unlimited Metro Bus trips, unlimited Metro Rail trips on nights and weekends, unlimited $4.50 Metro Rail trips at all times, and $4.50 credit toward longer Metro Rail trips
- Covers the first $2.25 of Metro Bus Express and Airport Express routes
7-Day Unlimited: $60.75
- Save money on longer commutes
- Includes unlimited Metro Bus and Metro Rail trips
- Covers the first $2.25 of Metro Bus Express and Airport Express routes
Monthly Unlimited: $72 - $216 (depending on distance)
- Pay for 32 trips a month and get unlimited free weekends plus bonus trips
- Includes unlimited Metro Bus travel
- Includes unlimited Metro Rail travel at your fare level, and fare credit toward longer trips
- Pays the first $2.25 of Metro Bus Express and Airport Express routes
- Buy online or in the Smart Trip app
Fare programs
If you’re a student, senior citizen, person with a disability, or person with low income, you can ride for less.
Managing Smart Trip online
Smart Trip is your ticket to ride. How smooth is it?
- Manage your account online or in the Smart Trip app.
- Track all the cards for your family in one convenient place.
- Add fare values and passes as you go or set up Auto Reload.
- Use Smart Benefits from your employer for savings and convenience.
Working late? Get home safe.
While Metro Bus and Metro Rail service is available late at night (and some routes even run 24/7), there are even more ways to travel at night, sometimes free or at a reduced cost.
Guaranteed Ride Home
For unexpected illnesses, emergencies, and overtime, there’s the Guaranteed Ride Home program, sponsored by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. Call 1-800-745-RIDE (7433) to learn more.
Learn more about Guaranteed Ride Home (and sign up)