Guide for New Riders
Welcome to Metro! We're ready to take you where you need to go.
Metro basics
Metro is a transit system that covers the National Capital Region, including Washington, DC (the District of Columbia).
- Metro Rail is our rail (train) system. It has 98 stations in Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Parts of it run in tunnels underground, and other parts run above ground.
- Metro Bus is our bus system. It serves communities throughout our region. Many of our bus routes connect to our rail stations, so you can start your trip on the bus and continue it on the train.
Most Metro Rail and Metro Bus services operate during these GENERAL hours; use rider tools for specific first and last train times:
- Monday - Thursday: 5:00 am - 12:00 am
- Friday: 5:00 am - 2:00 am
- Saturday: 6:00 am - 2:00 am
- Sunday: 6:00 am - 12:00 am
All Metro services and all Metro Rail stations are fully accessible. If you use a wheelchair or have another disability, you are welcome on Metro.
If you don’t know which train or bus to take, you can use the rider tools on this website to find out. You can see which rail stations and bus stops are near you, and where each train and bus can take you. And you can find out when your train or bus is coming.
If you have questions about how to use Metro to get where you are going, you can contact us and we will help you. Assistance is available in English, Spanish, and many other languages.
Call, text, or chat
Call or text 202-GO-METRO (202-466-3876) | TTY 202-962-2033.
Or chat with us.
Live Customer Support is available Monday-Friday, 7 am-8 pm; Saturday and Sunday, 8 am-8 pm.
Where Metro goes
Metro Rail
This map shows where Metro Rail goes. Metro Rail lines are named using colors, like Blue Line, Orange Line, and Green Line. Usually, you’ll also see the colors on signs.
Look for a tall brown column with a large M near the station entrances. You can see colored stripes or dots on the column that tell you which lines serve the station. For instance, you’ll see a yellow stripe for the Yellow Line.
You’ll see the locations of Metro stations in most map apps on your phone, such as Metro Pulse, Google Maps, and Apple Maps. Some map apps show you where all the station entrances are, too.
Inside the station, follow the signs to the platform for the line you want. In some stations, the trains going in different directions are on different platforms. There are electronic signs telling you how long until the next train arrives.
Metro Bus
Metro has over 120 bus routes serving locations all across the DMV region. Bus routes begin with a letter to indicate the area served:
- "A" for Arlington/Alexandria
- "C" (crosstown) or "D" (downtown) for DC
- "F" for Fairfax City, Fairfax County, and Falls Church
- "M" for Montgomery County
- "P" for Prince George's County
- Limited-stop Routes are indicated by an "X" at the end of their names
Visit our System Maps page to learn where Metro Bus can take you. Or head to Rider Tools to plan your next Metro Bus trip.
How much it costs to ride
- Metro Rail: It costs between $2.25 and $6.75 to ride Metro Rail. You pay more if you ride a longer distance. At night and on weekends, all trips are $2.50 or less.
- Metro Bus: On most lines, Metro Bus rides are $2.25 ($1.10 reduced);
- Our Express Bus Routes are the F19, F28, F81, and F83, and the fares are $4.80 ($2.40 reduced).
To find out exactly how much your trip will cost, use Trip Planner.
You can bring up to two children under 5 years old on Metro for free.
Some people (like people 65 and older, and people with disabilities) can pay less. Other people (like most students) can ride for free.
Paying your fare with Smart Trip
Tap Smart Trip to pay your Metro Rail or Metro Bus fare:
- On Metro Rail, tap at the faregate when you enter the station, and then tap again when you exit.
- On Metro Bus, tap when you enter. You can also pay in coins or $1 bills instead. Bus drivers can’t make change.
Smart Trip in Wallet, on your phone or watch: You can get Smart Trip in Wallet on your phone or watch right now, so you can tap it to pay your fare. Learn how
Smart Trip card: Or, you can get a Smart Trip card before you ride, and tap it to pay. If you need to, you can get a Smart Trip card from a fare vending machine at a Metro Rail station.
Paying your fare with Tap. Ride. Go.
You can also pay for Metro Rail and Metro Bus by tapping your contactless credit or debit card at the faregate.
- No need to sign up, register, or purchase a Smart Trip card.
- Skip the fare vending machines.
Some restrictions apply. Currently, Tap.Ride. Go. is credit or debit and full-fare only
Learn more about how to pay your fare.
Transferring to another bus or train
You might need to take more than one train or bus to get where you’re going.
You can transfer from one Metro Rail line to another (for example, from the Yellow Line to the Blue Line) inside a station for free. Follow the signs to the line you are looking for.
If you use Smart Trip or Tap. Ride. Go to pay, you can transfer for free within two hours:
- From Metro Bus to Metro Bus
- From Metro Rail to Metro Bus
And you can get $2.25 off transfers:
- From Metro Bus to Metro Rail
- From Metro Rail to Express Bus
- From Metro Bus to Express Bus
Farragut Crossing: Free transfer between the Red Line and Orange, Silver and Blue lines by exiting and entering through Farragut West and Farragut North.
Learn more about transfer discounts.
Saving money with a pass
If you travel often, you can save money by adding a pass to Smart Trip. You can take as many trips as you want during the time the pass is active; you won’t have to pay each time. Passes work with both Smart Trip in Wallet (on your phone) and Smart Trip cards. Passes are currently only available for customers using Smart Trip.
Short trips
- 7-Day Regional Bus: $13.50
- 7-Day Short Trip Bus & Rail: $40.50
Unlimited bus & rail
- 1-Day: $13.50
- 3-Day: $33.75
- 7-Day: $60.75
- Monthly: Starting at $72
Traveling with a big group?
Bulk Sales
There is no discount for group sales. However, as a convenience, groups may order Smart Trip cards by mail tailored to the group's needs.
Use Metro's Trip Planner to calculate fares and determine which fare or pass products will suit your needs.
Include the following with your order:
- Your name, address and contact information.
- The type and quantity of each product, e.g., 15 Smart Trip One Day Metro Rail Passes.
- Your organization's check, cashier's check or money order made payable to WMATA. (Credit cards and personal checks are not accepted for group sales.)
Mail your order to:
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
Bulk Sales
3301 Eisenhower Avenue
Alexandria, VA 22314
Note: This is a mailing address only and is not a walk up customer service location.
Your order will be shipped via the U.S. Postal Service, Certified Mail. Allow 10-15 business days for delivery. You may also call Bulk Sales at 202-962-5700 for assistance.
Accessibility
All Metro Rail stations, Metro Rail trains, and Metro Buses are fully accessible. Riders with wheelchairs and other riders with disabilities are welcome. Metro Rail stations have elevators and escalators.
If you can’t use Metro Rail or Metro Bus for accessibility reasons, you may be able to use Metro Access, a paratransit service that is wheelchair-accessible. Metro Access vans can pick you up and drop you off anywhere that is near a Metro Rail or Metro Bus line.
Bicycles
Your bicycle is always welcome on Metro Rail and Metro Bus. Every Metro Bus has a rack on the front that can carry two bicycles. Most Metro Rail stations have bike parking racks and some stations have bike lockers for rent.
Parking
Metro operates parking facilities at 51 Metro Rail stations.
- Parking is free at Metro-operated lots on weekends and federal holidays, except during special events. On most weekends, it's easy to find a space at Metro parking lots.
- Parking fees are collected during the following hours:
- Monday-Thursday 7:30 a.m. - 12:30 a.m.
- Friday 7:30 a.m. - 2:00 a.m.
- Saturday-Sunday and federal holidays: no fares collected except during special events
- Metro-operated lots accept Smart Trip cards and major credit cards to pay for parking.