dc metro trip card

Navigating Washington, DC with Metro

Find out everything you need to know to ride dc’s world-class metrorail system, get a metro map, check operating hours, ride fares and more..

Washington, DC’s Metro   is one of the busiest public transportation systems in the country. Its expansive network of tunnels and above ground tracks connect all four quadrants of DC with suburban Virginia and Maryland. The system is heavily used by local commuters and it’s a popular, convenient and affordable way for visitors to DC to get around the region, now so more than ever. Metro has opened its new Silver Line extension, which allows riders to connect to Dulles International Airport and explore Loudoun County. Visit Metro's website for more information about the extension.  

Find information about the Washington, DC Metro system:

DC Metro Map

• How Metro Works & Metro Trip Planner  
• Metro Fares
• Metro Hours
• Metro Etiquette

Please download the touch-free SmarTrip app for iPhone and Android .

A Metrorail system map will help you navigate the nation's capital during your trip. Click the Washington, DC Metro map below to view a larger version.  

How does the Washington, DC Metro work? How do I plan my trip? 

The Metro consists of six color-coded lines: Red, Blue, Orange, Yellow, Green and Silver. The lines are connected to each other via transfer stations and many Metro stops are serviced by more than one color. Each train car has an exterior electronic sign that marks the color and the direction of the train. Direction is indicated by the final station of that line.

Popular sightseeing Metro stops include the Smithsonian (Orange, Silver and Blue lines), Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan (Red line) and Gallery Place-Chinatown (Red, Green and Yellow lines). You can plan your trip and find the best route using Metro's Trip Planner .

Worried about internet connectivity while traveling on Metro? Currently, most Metro stations have free Wi-Fi .

How much are Metro fares and how do you use SmarTrip?

Metro fares are calculated by how many stops you travel and vary during peak and off-peak hours. During peak hours, most fares range from $2.25 to $6 per trip. During off-peak hours, fares typically range from $1.85 to $3.85. 

Metro riders must pay via  SmarTrip card  or the  SmarTrip app on  iPhone and Apple Watch . SmarTrip cards are plastic, rechargeable fare cards that can be purchased by cash or credit at any Metro station or in advance on  wmata.com . You can calculate your fare between two stops using Metro’s  Trip Planner .

The SmarTrip app can be used anywhere the SmarTrip card is accepted, including rail, buses and Metro-operated parking lots. Metro is the first rail system in the U.S. to offer a full-service, touch-free payment option at every single stop. See below for more information about how to use SmarTrip in your Apple Wallet .

What are the Metro's hours and when does it close?

DC Metro trains run Monday - Thursday, 5 a.m. until 12 a.m.; Friday, 5 a.m. until 1 a.m.; Saturday: 7 a.m. until 1 a.m.; Sunday: 7 a.m. until 12 a.m.

Metro etiquette

The Washington, DC Metro serves thousands of commuters and visitors each day. Because the train system is so heavily used by busy local commuters, there are a number of unspoken rules that visitors should be aware of. If possible, you may want to ride at off-peak hours when the train system is much less hectic.

When riding the escalator, stand to your right, walk to your left. Standing in a twosome that blocks the left side is strongly (and often loudly) discouraged by your fellow Metro riders.

When waiting to board a train, let riders exit the train first before trying to board. If the train is particularly crowded and you are standing in a doorway, step just outside the train doorway to allow your fellow riders room to exit.

Another important note if the train is crowded: move to the middle of the car so others can board. You will have time to exit when you arrive at your stop.

During peak hours, trains arrive often. Don’t try to board a train that is too full. The automatic doors are very sensitive and if they can’t close, the train operator may offload the entire train because a door stopped working.

Each car usually has several seats for handicapped riders. Please don’t use these seats if there is a rider that needs to sit down.

Be sure and have your SmarTrip card out and ready to swipe when you go through the gate. Riders move through quickly and holding up the line is discouraged.

While the Metro can be a very busy place, most of your fellow riders are friendly and will point you in the right direction. There is also a station manager at each station. Don’t be afraid to ask if you have questions about navigating the Metro!

Now that you have read up on the Metrorail experience, learn about other ways to navigate DC. Check out the best transportation options  for getting around the District.

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Getting to Washington, DC

• Attractions
• 10 DC Metro Tips and Tricks /
• Tip #5: Save time and money with a SmarTrip card

10 DC Metro Tips and Tricks Tip #5: Save time and money with a SmarTrip card

A SmarTrip card can save time and money, and is convenient when using other transportation options, such as MetroBus, in conjunction with Metrorail. photo by judsond (CC BY-SA 2.0)

There are two ways to pay when riding metro: FareCards, and SmarTrip cards. FareCards are paper cards with a magnetic strip which can be purchased at any station. They work well enough, but the many benefits of the SmarTrip card make it a superior option.

The SmarTrip card gives a $0.25 discount on every Metro fare, saving you money. It also also is scanned using a proximity reader, allowing you to can your card and be on your way with the wave of the hand, saving your time (in fact, you can continue on your way as soon as the gate registers your card; you don't even have to wait for it to close behind the previous rider). As an added bonus, it is accepted by many other transportation options in the DC Metro area, including DASH, Ride On, Fairfax Connector, ART, CUE, Loudon County Transit, Omniride, TheBus, and the DC Circulator.

There are two downsides to the SmarTrip card: it costs $5.00 (but it can quickly pay for itself), and it can be harder to find. If you are taking a short trip to DC, the regular FareCard may make sense, but for anybody who will be here for a while, a SmarTrip card is the way to go. You can purchase online, here , or Metro sales offices and commuter stores, local CVS, Safeway, and Giant stores, and all Metro stations with parking facilities.

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Washington DC Metro

Metro is the subway system connecting Washington DC, Virginia and Maryland. The system is operated by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA).

New riders can learn about the basics of the Metro System by visiting both the Metro and Metrobus sections of this website. You will be traveling like a Washingtonian in no time.

Need more help? The Metro Pocket Guide provides passengers with a Metro Map, points of interest near Metro stations and information on system hours, fares and passes. The Metro Pocket Guide is available in different languages.

The Metro transit information provided on this site is subject to change without notice. For the most current information, go to wmata.com

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How to Use the Washington DC Metro

This post covers how to use the Metro subway in Washington, D.C., including tips on SmartTrip Cards, tourist passes, and how to navigate the public transport system.

While the DC Metro is great for getting you around the city, it can't get you around the National Mall. Let DC by Foot be your guide on one of our pay-what-you-like tours .

• Paying for Trips
• DC Metro Rail Map, Lines, and Stations
• How to Ride the DC Metro
• Other Travel Options
• Tips from Locals and Travelers
• Things to Do in DC
• Tourist Passes

PAYING FOR TRIPS

There are a few ways you can pay for your trips on the metro.

The information below will tell you about each.

SmarTrip Cards

You will need a SmarTrip card to enter and exit the DC Metro system. 

A SmarTrip card is required for each rider aged 5 and older. Cards cannot be shared so each rider needs their own.

Note that up to two children under age five may travel free with each fare-paying adult.

SmarTrip cards with fare loaded on them can be used on the:

• DC Circulator bus
• ART (Arlington) bus
• CUE (Fairfax) bus
• DASH (Alexandria) bus
• Fairfax Connector bus
• RideOn (Montgomery County) bus

SmartTrip cards can be  ordered online  or you may buy a card at the station. They cost $15 each, with the price covering $2 for the card itself and a preloaded $13 credit.

They can be purchased from SmartTrip card vending machines like the one below, found at every Metro station.

If you don't want to carry around a physical card, you can instead add a virtual card to your phone/mobile device using Apple Wallet or Google Pay. 

There are also apps you can download onto your phone to do a number of things including purchasing cards, checking for trains, looking at maps, etc.

We recommend DCMetro Transit and  MetroHero , however all of the apps over the same services. You only need too download one.

Pay-As-You-Go On The Metro

Another way to travel is by paying as you go. 

There is no set fare for all trips as fares between stations depend on distance, the day, and the time.

Fares are based on the distance you'll be traveling between stations.

Each vending machine will show you what it costs to go from one station to another station in the system.  

As far as times go, although the system does not have peak and off-peak hours, it does charge less at certain times.

From 5:00 am until 9:30 pm on weekdays the cost will land somewhere between $2 and $6.

After 9:30 pm on weekdays and over weekends, there will be a flat rate of $2.

Important Note:  You can only use the same debit/card three times in one day before the machines will stop taking it. Metro machines do accept bills and coins though so you can always top things up that way.

1-Day and 3-Day Passes

If you don't want to worry about loading your card throughout the day, you can purchase a  1-day pass for $13/person or a 3-day pass for $28/person.

There are no travel restrictions, which means that you could use this pass anytime and without any additional charges.

While this may seem like a great deal, you'll want to do the math on how much you'll be traveling. The farther out your hotel or accommodations are, the better off this deal will be.

Passes will only work on Metrorail and Metrobus travel - passes are not accepted on regional buses, including the popular DC Circulator.

For most people, a 1 or 3-day pass really only makes sense if you plan on making more than 2 longer distance round trips per day.

Keep in mind that all Metrorail trips are a flat $2 fare on Saturdays and Sundays, so if you are mostly using Metro on a weekend, a pass is usually not the best deal. You are better off paying as you go.

If you're moving to DC or going to be spending a while in DC, there are 7-day pass and monthly commuter pass options.

These packages are specifically tailored to you and will give you unlimited rides for a set price. To learn more, click here . 

DC METRO RAIL MAP, LINES, AND STATIONS

Metro stations are dotted throughout the city some stations have multiple entrances/exits.

You can locate them easily by looking for the tall brown post with the large letter M at the top.

The name of the station will be written on the side and the color of the lines that service that station will be encircled at the top of the post.

The Metro Lines

There are six lines, each represented by a different color.

• Red: serves the northern part of the city. The main stations are Union Station, Metro Center, Chinatown, and Dupont Circle.
• Blue : runs west-east through the city and then south. The main stations are Capitol South, Smithsonian, McPherson Square (White House), Arlington National Cemetery, and National Airport.
• Silver : runs west-east through the city. You can take this line all the way to Dulles Airport .
• Orange : runs east-west through the city. The orange/silver/blue lines follow the same tracks inside downtown. You will only need to pay attention to which train you're on if you're leaving the central area of the city.
• Green : runs north-south. Take the Green line to get to Navy-Yard/Nats Park Baseball Stadium.
• Yellow : runs north-south. The yellow line shares a track with Green for most of downtown. Both lines visit L'Enfant Plaza but Yellow continues south into Virginia to the Pentagon , National Airport , and King Street for Old Town Alexandria .

Washington DC Metro Map 

HOW TO RIDE THE DC METRO

The D.C. Metro system is a reliable and safe way to get around the nation's capital city.

Below is information that will help you plan and make your trip.

DC Metro Hours of Operation

In the table below, you'll find Metro's normal operating hours.

Please note that the schedules can be different on holidays.

You can find a full Metro schedule here . 

Savings With the SmarTrip Card

Metrobus charges $2 a trip no matter the time or distance, but if you use a SmarTrip card you'll save .20 cents a ride.

Also note that if you use SmarTrip card, there's a two-hour window in which you can make as many bus rides as you want without being charged again.

And if you use the SmartTrip during a transfer from a train to a bus (and vice versa), Metro will credit back to you the fare you paid entering the system.

How Much To Put On Your SmarTrip Card

Metro’s Trip Planner will help you find the best way between destinations.

You enter the address or location of each end of your trip. For example, you might want to enter "White House" and "Capitol Hill" as the two locations you'd like to travel between.

The system also allows you to enter advanced options such as the time, date, the distance you're willing to walk, and more.

It then provides you with a few itineraries to choose from. Each itinerary includes the length of the trip, walking and riding directions, and the cost of the trip.

Note that if you parked at a Metro parking lot, you can also use your SmartTrip card to pay for that. You may want to figure that into your calculations.

How To Use Your SmarTrip Card

If you're riding a bus, you'll tap your card on the bus farebox near the driver as you enter.

For a metro ride, look for a fare gate inside a station with a green light on it. Those are the gates that are in use.

They will have a circular target on top where you'll touch your SmarTrip card. This opens the gate and allows you to go further into the station.

Note that at the end of your trip, you also have to tap the fare gate on the way out of the station. Don't forget to tap out or it will charge you extra !

When exiting, if you take a look at the small digital display on the fare gate. It will tell you how much money you still have left on your card.

Getting To Your Platform

Depending on the station, you'll usually have to go to the lower level to get to the train platform.

If the platform is in the center, there will be an escalator in the center as well.

Once you are at the bottom, you can check the signs for which side of the platform you need to stand on to access your train.

Center Platform

If the train tracks are in the center, and the platforms are on the sides, you'll need to take either or right or left escalator to get to that platform.

Again, check the signs to find which one you want to go down.

See below for more information on reading those signs correctly.

vs Center Tracks

Where to Stand To Catch the Correct Train

To decide which platform to stand on, you need to look for the name of the end-of-line.

There are maps in the stations to help you figure out the end of the line closest to your stop.

Then, find the platform that lists the corresponding final stop and head to it.

For stations with platforms on the sides, signs are usually listed at the top of the escalators so you know which side to go down to.

For stations with center platforms, you'll find signs at the bottom of the escalator.

Trains will also arrive with the end-of-the line station it's heading towards listed electronically on the front of it as well.

For example, as the picture above shows, the end-of-line for that half of the red line is Shady Grove.

You may want to get off at the Rockville stop, but you'll still need to know the name of last stop to ensure you're heading in the correct direction on that line.

If you were to get on the Red Line train to Glenmont instead of Shady Grove, you'd be going in the wrong direction and wouldn't find your stop along the way.

Trust us, it'll make sense once you're in the system!

Note: Sometimes trains don't go all the way to the end of the line but they will announce their last station stop.

As long as you're going in the right direction, and your stop is before that particular station, you'll be fine!

Reading the Signs On the Platform

When on the platform, signs will list the next three or four trains arriving.

The information tells you four things:

• LN (Line) - which color line that train is on.

This matters if there are multiple colors of lines running through a station.

For example, Arlington National Cemetery is only on the Blue Line, but you may see Orange Line trains coming through on the same tracks. You'll want to be sure you are getting on a Blue Line train.

• CAR - how many cars are on that particular train.

If you stand at the very end of the platform, a shorter 6-car train may stop a distance from you. You'll then have to run to it to get on before the doors close.

Tip: If you check the platform's floor, there are sometimes decals to show you where those shorter 6-car trains end.

• DEST (Destination) - the last stop for this particular train.

Check this to make sure you're going in the right direction and on the correct line.

• MIN (Minutes) - how long until the train arrives.

During peak hours trains will come more frequently and in the evening they will come less often.

Keep this in mind if you're staying out late, as you might have to wait up to 20 minutes for the next train.

Getting on Your Train and Finding Your Stop

When a train is approaching, the circular lights at the edge of the platform will flash letting you know the train will be arriving soon.

Go up to the door and stand to the side. This lets people departing the train get off easily. Once they are off, you can more easily enter the train.

Once you are on the train, pay attention to the stops.

There are maps in each car and you'll be able to count out how many stops there are until you need to get off.

Note that some older trains won't electronically list the next stop in the route inside the car like the newer cars will.

And although train operators will announce stops it can sometimes be difficult to hear.

However, you can see which station you're arriving at as the train pulls in because the name of the station will be on the wall outside.

Getting to and From the Airport

DCA (Reagan National) and IAD (Dulles) airports are accessible by Metro though you may need to walk a bit to reach your terminal.

Our blogs posts below will tell you more about that.

• DCA National Airport
• Dulles (IAD) Airport

While the BWI (Baltimore Washington) Airport is no longer accessible directly by metro, click here to see our blog post about getting to and from BWI.

OTHER TRAVEL OPTIONS

If you're running late or worried about being stranded thanks to a Metro breakdown, don't fret. Trains are only one piece of the complex transit system of Washington, DC.

Buses serve even more territory than trains and they are cheap, clean (mainly), and frequent. Most are operated by Metro, though the Circulator routes are operated by the DC Department of Transportation.

With that said, your SmarTrip card works on all Metrobuses. Of course, you can always opt for ride-hailing services like Uber or Lyft or Cabs.

Hop On Hop Off Buses

The Metro is a great way to get around the city, but as visitors, it may not get you everywhere you need to go.

For example, in the entire 5 square miles of the National Mall, there is only one Metro Station. And there is no station on the Tidal Basin.

Hop-On-Hop-Off buses can come in handy in this case.

There are many bus companies and ticketing options. Read our post on choosing the best one for you.

They all have stops at the main sites around the city such as the Lincoln Memorial , WWII Memorial , Jefferson Memorial , and the US Capitol Building . These four sites are at least a 15-minute walk, if not more, from a Metro station.

Most Hop On Hop Off buses are included for free with the purchase of most tourist passes.

And don't forget our walking tours!

All of our tours start and end within walking distance of a Metro station. And our guides can make sure you know the best way to get to and from any place you want to see in the most direct route.

TIPS FROM LOCALS AND TRAVELERS

While we do our best to provide all the information you'll need to ride the DC Metro, sometimes you need answers to specific questions related to your personal experience.

Free Tours by Foot has a Washington, DC Travel Trips group on Facebook with over 55,000 members. It's a great place to post a question you'd like an answer to.

Here are a few other examples of interesting and helpful tips and tricks provided by staff and travelers, ones that will make things easier for you and your fellow riders.

• Don't stand on the left side of an escalator! The motto is: stand on the right, walk on the left. Some locals like to run up the steps of the escalator, so they are likely to be irritated (and vocal) if you're blocking the left side.
• Stand to the side of a bus or train door until everyone gets off. Standing smack in the middle of the door where people will get off the train is the quickest way to signal that you are a tourist. It's also a good way to get knocked around by all the bodies departing the train.
• Don't push your stroller through train doors to hold them open so you or others can get on. Doors have closed with children on one side and parents on the other. If the doors are closing, it's best to wait for the next train.
• If you have wheels, use the metro elevator. This means strollers, bikes, and wheelchairs. You may not want to wait for the elevator but trust us, the escalators are not made for anything with wheels. It's dangerous for all. Note also that all stations have elevators, though it's best to leave them for those who need them.
• Stand back from the side of the track. Yes, it's fun to see the train light coming through the darkness of a tunnel, and people are anxious about quickly getting on the train but it's dangerous to get too close. You could get jostled and fall onto the track, or your stroller could roll onto the trains due to the strong wind that comes through the station as the train arrives.
• Give up your seat to those who need them. If you see a pregnant person standing on the bus or metro...give her your seat. If you see someone leaning on crutches...give him your seat. If you see an octogenarian struggling against the forces of inertia and gravity...give up your seat!
• On the weekends, transferring to another Metro train isn't always the best option. Weekends are for track work, and that often means delays. Instead of transferring, see if there's a stop on the line you're already traveling on that's within striking distance of your destination. For example, if you're heading to the National Mall on the Red Line, skip the transfer over to the Blue/Orange/Silver lines by getting off at Metro Center. Sure, the Smithsonian Metro stop is smack in the middle of the Mall, but by the time you make the transfer, wait for a train, and then get back up to the surface, you could have already walked down from Metro Center.
• Check the time of the last train! If you're out late, be sure you remember to check when the trains stop running so you're not waiting on the platform for a train that won't come.
• Load before you go. If you're in town for a busy event, like the Fourth of July, a sporting event, or an inauguration, go ahead and load up the SmarTrip card with enough for the return trip as well. It'll save you from waiting in a massive line after the event.

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Washington DC Metro Fares, Explained

The Washington DC Metro may seem complicated to Washington, DC visitors. However, it is actually quite simple once you get the hang of it.

How do Washington DC metro fares work?

The Washington DC Metro seems like a really confusing fare system. What you pay depends on how far you travel and whether it’s peak time or not. The longer the distance, the higher the fare. Peak periods roughly coincides with rush hour. It’s from open to 9:30 in the morning and 3:00 to 7:00 in the afternoon every weekday. And it’s worth noting that this applies to when you tap into the system, not when you tap out. This is often why you’ll see people standing around at 6:55 in the afternoon.

For example, say you’re starting at Metro Center during an off-peak hour and riding the Silver Line towards Virginia. If you ride one stop to McPherson Square you’ll pay the minimum fare: $2.00. In fact you can ride as far as Rosslyn and still only pay the minimum fare. Then the fare starts increasing, $2.10 for Court House, $2.25 for Clarendon, and it keeps going up until you hit the maximum fare of $3.85 at McLean.  So, you can go all the way to the end of the line for $3.85.

But of course that’s only during off-peak hours. If you ride during peak hours then the price goes up across the board, as high as $6.00 if you ride all the way to Wiehle–Reston East. It’s a good idea to avoid peak hours if you can. However, it is understandable that they make up about 40% of a total weekday. So, it’s not always completely reasonable to avoid them entirely.

Should I buy a 1-day or 7-day Washington, DC Metro pass?

For a typical tourist using the Washington DC Metro, your options in 2018 are: a 1-day pass for $14.75, a 7-day unlimited pass for $60.00, and a seven-day short ride pass for $38.50. The short ride pass only covers you for rides of up to $3.85 each (which is basically all non-peak fares and short peak fares).

So unfortunately, there is no universal answer to this question and you need to evaluate your own situation, figure out how many days are going to spend in DC, and how often you’re going to be planning on riding Metro.

The 1-day pass is almost never a good deal for anybody. But the 7-day pass could be a good deal if you are going to spend a decent amount of time in town and you’re going to be riding the Metro at least twice every day. Otherwise, it’s just easier to pay per ride and top up your SmarTrip card as you need to.

Should I order my SmarTrip card online before my trip?

The answer to this one is “no” with a few exceptions. In the past, you could only buy SmarTrip cards at a limited number of Washington DC Metro stations, from a limited number of vending machines ,or you had to go to a place like CVS to get one. It was a real pain.

Now, you can get a SmarTrip card at any Metro station so the transnational pain is mostly gone. If you buy a SmarTrip card online, you have to order it far enough in advance to make sure that you receive it before you leave for your trip. However,if you buy it too far in advance and then forget that you have it and don’t pack it, then you basically just bought an expensive souvenir.

There are a few exceptions. The first is if you want a commemorative SmarTrip card. They have these, for example, for the inauguration every four years, when a new museum opens and for our sports teams.

The other exception is if you want to use it to ride the bus but don’t really think you’re going to be riding the Metro. So for example if you want to ride the MetroBus from Dulles airport or BWI, and you don’t want to mess around with cash, then, you could order your SmarTrip online and have it loaded up and ready to go.

Coming to Washington DC, and want us to show you around? Trip Hacks DC was founded by Rob, a veteran tour guide in the Nation’s Capital. Trip Hacks DC provides tips, tricks and travel hacks for planning your trip; and guided tours to show you around once you get here. Our tours are family and school group friendly and our guides specialize in the major Washington, DC sites.  Click here to check out the upcoming tour options  and to book your tour here today!  Feel free to contact us if you have any tour questions.

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Metro's Oldest SmarTrip Cards Expire Tuesday: Here's What to Do

Smartrip fare cards purchased before 2012 will stop working tuesday, march 1, by nbc washington staff • published february 25, 2022 • updated on february 28, 2022 at 8:37 am.

If you've got a SmarTrip card that's more than 10 years old, be prepared to trade in that card now.

Metro's oldest SmarTrip fare cards will no longer be accepted at faregates and fareboxes starting Tuesday, March 1, WMATA says.

Why Are Old SmarTrip Cards Expiring?

Cards purchased before 2012 won't be compatible with Metro's new faregates, which have already been installed at many stations, according to the transit agency.

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WMATA says it first warned customers about 10 months ago that the old cards would need to be replaced as stations were being equipped with new faregates.

How to Transfer the Balance on an Old SmarTrip Card

Although the old farecards will stop working March 1, you'll still be able to trade them in after the deadline, and any remaining balance can be transferred to a new card.

Metro will offer free replacement cards via mail, phone (888-SMARTRIP or 888-762-7874) or online here for a limited time. You can also buy a new SmarTrip card and then transfer the balance from your old card using your online SmarTrip account.

WMATA said SmartBenefits customers and Senior SmarTrip cardholders can also use the online process to replace their old cards.

Report: Metro Needs to Improve Emergency Preparedness

Metro General Manager Paul Wiedefeld to Retire in 6 Months

How to check the age of your smartrip card.

Can't remember exactly when you purchased your SmarTrip card? That's OK: You can find out via the serial number on the back.

All newer cards start with "0167." For those cards, you won't need to do anything.

SmarTrip cards that begin with any other serial number will need to be replaced.

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Transfer what’s left on your old SmarTrip card

Sandy Kozel | [email protected]

February 20, 2022, 6:05 PM

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Old Metro cards won’t work after March 1, and the rush to replace them has led to long lines at the Metro Sales Office.

SmarTrip cards bought before 2012 are not compatible with new fare gates and fare boxes being installed in Metro stations and on Metrobuses. Anyone who has money on an old card and doesn’t want to lose it, has to transfer it to a new card by the March 1 deadline.

The only way to do it in person is to visit the Metro Sales Office, which is located within the Metro Center station and is only open from Tuesday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. D.C. resident Mary Evans went there Wednesday and had to wait in line for about two hours.

“It’s the most absurd, inefficient thing I’ve seen in a long time,” she said. “They have one window open … and about six or seven windows.”

John Ewell also lives in D.C. and was in the line of more than 50 people.

“They know that the time is running out for updating the fare cards … so they should have more stations open to do their job,” he said.

Since the sales office is only open Tuesday through Thursday, there are only three days left to replace old cards in person. A Metro employee working at the office told WTOP the hours would be extended until 3 p.m. for those final three days.

Metro riders who can’t make it to the sales office — or don’t want to — can mail in their old cards and Metro will transfer the balance to a new card and send it back within 10 business days. SmartBenefits participants can replace their old cards online.

Any Metro card that doesn’t have a set of numbers on the back that begins with “0167” needs to be replaced.

WTOP’s Thomas Robertson contributed to this report.

Sandy Kozel is an anchor at WTOP. She came to WTOP after a long career as an anchor/correspondent with the Associated Press. She also worked in local radio in the Cleveland area — and in Buffalo, where she was an award-winning anchor and reporter with WGR Radio and entertainment reporter at WGRZ-TV.

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D.C. Metro Phasing Out Older SmarTrip Cards

On April 9, 2021, Metro announced that they would be phasing out their first generation SmarTrip Card which contains outdated chip technology. The cards are being phased out due to the installation of new fare gates in Metro stations, which will begin in June 2021.

All agencies that use the SmartBenefits program are encouraged to let their participating employees use Metro’s online, self-service card replacement process.  Tens of thousands of cards need to be converted.  The online process is faster and more efficient than requiring each employee to ask their agency’s SmartBenefits administrator to manually “reassign” the benefits to a replacement card.

Here is the link to Metro's announcement:

https://www.wmata.com/about/news/Metro-begins-phasing-out-older-SmarTrip-cards.cfm

Washington, DC

Use a dc one card.

The DC One Card makes accessing services easier and more convenient for District residents. With this single identification card, children, adults and seniors can utilize multiple DC government programs and facilities.

Gain Access to Schools and Recreation Centers

Use your DC One Card to gain unlimited access to the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) programs and services. To find out what’s happening at your local recreation center, visit DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) .

Checkout Books at DC Public Libraries

Use your DC One Card like a library card and checkout books at DC Public Libraries .

Access the Metro

The DC One Card with SmarTrip® technology is a permanent, rechargeable farecard. It's plastic - like a credit card - and is embedded with a special computer chip that keeps track of the value of the card.

Each rider must have his/her own DC One Card. The benefits of using SmarTrip® include:

• Using your SmarTrip®-enabled DC One Card is easy and fast! Simply touch the SmarTrip® DC One Card to the circular target panels on top of or inside station faregates. Likewise, you can tap the SmarTrip® farebox on Metrobus to pay your fare with SmarTrip. For more information, see SmarTrip® on Metrobus .
• Your SmarTrip®-enabled DC One Card is issued with a $0 balance, but you may add money at any WMATA station , up to $300 in Metro value on a SmarTrip® DC One Card (so it can last a long time between charging). You may also add value by using a credit card or debit card.
• The remaining value on a registered SmarTrip® enabled DC One Card that is lost or stolen can be replaced when reported. Cash refunds are not available.
• Claim Your Electronic Fare Adjustment Using SmartBenefits*.
• Visit the WMATA website for more information on WMATA SmarTrip®, only.

DDOT Student Transit Subsidy Program

As of October 1, 2018, the Kids Ride Free (KRF) pass is no longer on the DC One Card. If you would like to participate in the DDOT Student Transit Subsidy Program , you can contact DDOT Customer Service Helpline at (202) 673-1740.

Contact DC One Card

You may call the DC One Card Helpline at (202) 727-6030.

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Hi I have been looking at the short trip Metro Card $28.00.

Does the card cover the buses as well or it is just for the Metro,

8 replies to this topic

More details please. Where are you staying and for how long. Most people get a $10.00 card and top off. It can be used on Circulator buses for a $1.00 rides good for two hours only on these buses.

Thank you so much for your help.

We are coming for our 2nd trip and fell this would be a very good option for us as we do not feel that we would get the use out of the 7 day pass which is $48.00,

We are staying at East Falls Church and I have google mapped everywhere we are going and gone on to the metro web site so know that in some cases we will have to add small amounts at the exit machines.

According to the dc circulator website there is a picture of a smart card being tapped. Canaan did you mean passes but the $10 card works. I don’t want to give bad advice info

Regular cards work on Circulator. Multiday passes don't. They look similar.

https://dccirculator.com/bus-basics/

Thanks Coral. Another reason to get a fare card

The 7 day short trip pass does not cover bus fares, just rail. But you can add money to the card to be used when riding a bus.

Depending on the length of your trip, a 3 day pass, which does cover bus and rail, might be a better option.

Or just carry a few dollar bills or dollar coins in your pocket and drop them into the farebox on the Circulator buses when you board. Assuming you'll be using it to get to a museum or other destination, I doubt you'll be able to take advantage of the 2-hour re-boarding window that a SmarTrip-paid fare would provide.

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