Navigate the Washington D.C. Metro System
The Washington D.C Metro (or Metrorail) - the most common form of the longer form Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority - is a quick transportation system in D.C, with many stops near common tourist attractions and businesses. Sometimes, as with many subway systems, navigation can be tricky.
Steps
- Find out what and where your destination is. Without this information, there is no purpose in riding the metro.Make note of the Metro stops in the relative area of the location in which you are travelling to. Read the map to find this information.
- There will a sign indicating where Metro exits will be located on the street, but it saves a lot of time and guesswork to plan out your trip and to be familiar with the surrounding stops before you enter the city.
- Be familiar with the Metro hours. The Washington Metro isn't open 24/7, so be sure to make other travel arrangements if you need to travel in DC outside of operating hours.
- Make sure you leave plenty of time to return to your final stop before the Metro closes.
- Check for expected closures and disruptions in the Metro operating schedule using their website.
- Enter the Metro station, arriving by personal vehicle and parking in the designated area. In some locations outside the city, you can expect to find outside parking lots that aren't covered with an overhang, while those inside you'll need to find their parking garage or nearest parking area that is designated by Metro. (You will need to pay to exit). You may also ride the Metro bus or a taxi to and from the Metro station.
- Note which entrance you used to enter the Metro station so you can exit the same way. There are multiple exits in the Metro.
- Determine your specific destination once in the station.
- Use the map near the ticket purchasing area to determine:
- Which color line your destination is on
- How many stops until your final destination
- If and when you will need to switch to a different color line
- Use the map near the ticket purchasing area to determine:
- Obtain a Metro pass(paper ticket or a plastic SmartTrip card)
- The SmartTrip card is durable, reusable, card that can be used to purchase fares for Metro rides. A balance may be kept on the card, which cuts down travel time, but the rides are a bit pricier so buy it only if you intend to use the Metro frequently.
- To purchase a ticket, follow the directions on the display window of the ticket machine. You can buy a Smartcard with a machine next to the ticket machine.
- Determine the amount that needs to be on your Metro pass
- On the ticket machine there is a table that corresponds to the amount it will cost to travel to a specific stop at specific times. Use this table to determine the exact amount of the trip by adding together the cost of the trip into DC and the trip back from DC.
- Go through the ticket gate using your Metro pass. Put your pass in a safe spot, as you'll need it at your exit point. Only use the gates which have a lit-up green arrow. The gates which have a red circle on them are used for exiting and will not accept your pass.
- Insert your paper ticket, or swipe your Smartcard. Be ready to retrieve your ticket from the top-side of the machine. (It'll go in one side and straight out the other.)
- Observe the digital screen by the ticket slot in the gate to be certain that your ticket was read. If the ticket is not read on entry, you will not be able to exit the Metro station. Do not hesitate to walk through it because it will close fast.
- There is an information booth with sometimes a station attendant (Stationmaster) near the ticket gate where you can ask for assistance or further information.
- Find the correct platform. There are signs that state the color of the line and the last stop of that line to indicate with direction the Metro train is travelling in. These signs have arrows that indicate in which direction you should proceed.
- On the platform there are digital signs that state which train is coming on which line and how long it will be until the train arrives. It'll also say when the train boards, and will also tell you when it departs, though you can tell by the way the train looks at that time, when these other actions have taken place.
- Some metro stops are a part of multiple lines. The color of the line will be displayed digitally on the Metro train. Pay attention to what color the line the train you are about to board belongs to. This will ensure that you board the right train and reach your final destination without having to backtrack.
- If the station has the red line in addition to any other lines, the red line will be upstairs, and the others will be on the lower platform.
- At L'Enfant station - the station with the most lines running through it - the green and yellow lines are upstairs, while the blue and orange are downstairs.
- Board the Metro train. When the train comes, the lights on the platform next to the track will begin to blink. This would be a good time to take a few steps back if you are close to the track, because the train comes in at a high speed.
- Find a place to sit or stand. If you are getting off within a couple of stops, try to find a place near the door.
- Note the direction that the train came in. If you are prone to motion-sickness, it may be beneficial to sit in the direction the train is moving.
- Get off at the stop you determined earlier by using the map.
- The next stop is announced by overhead speakers (but is not always clear) or use the map located in each Metro car.
- By looking through the car windows, note the signs on the platform or on the wall of the tunnel that indicate the stop you're at.
- Exit the car quickly to the station exit.
- Follow all exit signs, but be sure you are not reading the signs to exit in case of fire, as this can get you a ride in the back of a police car (unless there really is a fire). Following the crowd in this case can actually be beneficial for finding the exit area, but do not follow the crowd blindly, or you may end up exiting at the wrong exit.
- Note the street on which you are exiting before you exit the ticket gate. If it is not the street exit you had planned on, it may be difficult to orient yourself or find the street you need.
- Only use the gates which have a lit-up green arrow. The gates which have a red circle on them are used for entering and will not accept your pass. Insert your ticket or swipe your Smartcard.
- If you do not have enough money on your card to exit there should be a few ticket booths located on the train side of the station platform that you can purchase additional fare or buy another ticket or add money to your pass.
Tips
- Always stand to the right and walk to the left on the escalator.
- Metro etiquette allows for those exiting the car to pass through the doors first before others enter the train.
- No food or beverage is permitted on the Metro. Plan accordingly.
- Riding the Metro can be done as a solo activity or with a group.
- The streets of DC are not organized in a simple grid system. Metro stops correspond with the layout and the street maps of DC.
- To add more money to or check the balance on the Smart card, use the ticket machine. There will be a circular Smart card area in the middle of the machine that you place the card against that will tell you the balance and give you the option to add more money.
- If there is a train from a different line expected before the train from the line you are waiting for, step back so as to allow easy access to the train for those who need to board that train.
- Seat priority goes to the elderly and those with disabilities.
- The DC Metro is not a grid system
- Your Smart card may be used as payment to exit the parking area, but a ticket may not.
- There is a map located on each car.
Warnings
- Metro stops are usually located in highly populated areas, making these locations safer. However it is still important to be aware of your surroundings traveling to and from the metro.
- Never jump onto the tracks. The trains arrive at high speeds, and the tracks have a "3rd rail system" where the 3rd rail is electrified, and dangerous voltages will electrocute you.
- Keep your belongings near you at all times. Although officers usually patrol the platforms rare instances of pick-pocketing and assault do occur.
- Do not place the Smart card directly next to your credit cards, because the magnetic strip will be deactivated, rendering your Smart card useless.
Things You'll Need
- Money (dollar bills or credit card) for fare cards
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Metro map
