Metrorail

Metrorail provides safe, clean, reliable transit service for more than 600,000 customers a day throughout the Washington, DC area. The system is the second busiest in the United States, serving 98 stations in Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia.

The Metrorail system has six color-coded rail lines: Red, Orange, Silver, Blue, Yellow, and Green. The layout of the system makes it possible to travel between any two stations with no more than a single transfer.

Finding the Metro Station

If you're driving, look for the large Metro signs to direct you to stations.

Look for tall brown columns with a large "M" identifying the station entrances. Colored stripes around the column show which lines serve the station.

What's the Fare?

  • To determine your fare between two stations, visit your starting station's page and click on the "Metrorail Fares" box in the middle of the page.
  • For fares on trips that involve trains and buses, use our Trip Planner, which will configure your fare with transfer discount (SmarTrip required).
  • For more details, visit Cost to Ride

How to Pay for Your Metro Fare

Waiting for the Train

Read station signs to learn which train platform to use for your destination.

Stand behind the bumpy tiles along the platform's edge.

Spread out along the platform to take advantage of the additional space of eight-car trains whenever possible. 

Watch for flashing lights along the platform's edge, which signal a train's arrival. Station signs will also alert you to a train's arrival.

Boarding the Train

Check the destination of the train, which is posted above the side windows.

Stand clear of the train car doors and let riders get off before you board.

Step over the small gap between the platform and the train.

Move into the middle of the car to allow others to board.

Listen for the chimes that signal the car doors are closing. If the train is full, step back and wait for the next train.

Do not hold or block train doors at any time - they are not like elevator doors.

Exiting the Train and Station

Use the same farecard you used to enter the system when you exit the system.

Rules

See a list of Metro rules and manners for riding smart on Metrorail.

Rail Station Schedules/Hours

First and last trains vary per station. Please use our Trip Planner and view station specific information.

Each station will open 10 minutes before the first train arrives. Click here to get station specific information.

General Rail Hours of Operation (Not Station Specific) | Effective June 22, 2025

  • Monday through Thursday, 5:00 a.m. until 12:00 a.m.
  • Friday, 5:00 a.m. until 2:00 a.m.
  • Saturday: 6:00 a.m. until 2:00 a.m.
  • Sunday: 6:00 a.m. until 12:00 a.m.

View more information on the June 22 Metrorail service changes.

View Station Specific Information

View Holiday Hours

SmarTrip Card

The SmarTrip card is a permanent, rechargeable farecard that is safe and easy to use. Put a SmarTip in your Apple or Google Wallet, Buy SmarTrip cards online, at any Metrorail station, or at many convenient locations.

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Related Information

Severe Weather in Winter

Metrorail can operate very close to a normal schedule in snowfall of up to six inches. However, once snow reaches about eight inches, above-ground service may be suspended. For more information, see Metrorail Snow Service.