Washington DC's Metro is one of the busiest metros in the world. Its network
of lines crisscross the nation's capital connecting virtually all of the Capital
Region. For visitors it is a great way to get around DC and this step-by-step
guide will help you look like a local. Before we get started though please, like
subscribe, comment and share and do not forget to ring the notification bell, so
you will always be in the know. With six lines, 91 stations and covering over 117
miles of track the DC metro is the second busiest rapid transit system in
the United States, just after New York. The lines are color coded 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 has an exterior electronic sign that marks the color and the
direction the train is going direction is indicated by the final station of the
line. Popular sightseeing's metro stops include the Smithsonian, Metro Center,
Gallery Place Chinatown, Archives and E'lfant Plaza. You can plan your trip and
find the best route using metros trip planner.
Here are five steps to riding like a pro. Step 1 locate a metro station look
for a large tower with an M on top this indicates the entrance to the DC metro.
Step 2 Buy your smartrip card. When you arrive at your first metro station look
for one the blue and orange colored fare machines, if you're traveling with a
family you'll need multiple cards every person in the group needs their own.
smartrip card up to 2 children under 5 may travel free with each fare paying
adult. Smartrip cards cost $10 $2 for the cart itself and they come pre-loaded
with 8 dollars of credit. There are two prices for rides peak and off-peak.
peak hours for DC Metro are 5 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
on weekdays there are no peak hours and weekends each vending machine will show
you what it cost to go to any station in the system trips within the urban core
the average price ends up being about $3 per trip during peak hours and about $2
per trip during off-peak hours for a full fare trip for the typical truss
The eight dollar default value and topping up as you go tends to works best. Note you can
only use the same debit or credit card three times in one day before the
machine will stop taking it. Unless you're riding the Metro all the
time a pass probably won't be worth the money but do the math there are a number
of passes from one day to a month long and many in between. You can purchase
your smartrip card at the vending machine using either cash credit or
debit card. Once you've got your card walk up to the fare gate tap it against
the target and go through once the gate opens. When you get to your destination
they'll do the exact same thing to exit Step 3
finding your way Metro has excellent signage that displays the last stop for
Train Set right on the line and the stops in order until the end of the line
with this example you know both the yellow green lines pass through the
station this is indicated at the top Archives is the station we are in we
know this because it is listed at the top of both lists of stations the trains
and left are heading to Huntington station on the yellow line in Branch
station on the green. The trains on the right are heading for Fort Totten
station on the yellow line and Greenbelt station
on the Green Line. At stations where tracks are right in the center of the
platform on either side directional signs are near the escalators to reach
the platforms as stations where the tracks run along the outer wall the
directional signs are available on the platform
Step four When on our escalator always stand on the right and pass on the left.
Step 5 when you arrive at your destination pull
out your smartrip card, you need it to go through the turnstiles. If you do not
have enough money on your card look for the black-and-gray vending machine to
add more money to your card. Metros do's and don'ts. Let people exit the train
first, if you try to barge onto a train before people exit you're a fool.
Delays happen deal with it. If you need to talk on the phone do it at a
respectful volume, the rest of us don't want to hear it, with that, please, like,
subscribe, comment and share and do not forget to ring the notification bell, so
you'll always be in the know. Happy and safe travels.