Metro050

The DC Metrorail system is one of the best in the country, and closely resembles the Paris Metro in ease of use.

On the street, Metrorail stations are marked by large brown columns, with colored strips that indicate the lines served by the station. You need a farecard, pass, or SmarTrip card to ride Metrorail. Farecards and one day passes can be purchased at the stations. Passes can be bought at selected locations around the area.

Flashing lights at the platform's edge let you know a train is coming. The train's destination is displayed over the train's front and side windows. The line color is displayed on the front and back of the trains.

Five lines comprise the Metrorail system in DC:

The Orange Line runs east/west, beginning at Vienna/Fairfax-GMU and ending at New Carrollton (or vice versa). Major stops include Foggy Bottom, Farragut West, Metro Center, Smithsonian, L'Enfant Plaza, Federal Center, Capitol South, and Stadium-Armory.

The Blue Line runs north, then east (or west, then south), from Franconia-Springfield to Largo Town Center. Major stops include King Street, National Airport, Crystal City, Foggy Bottom, Farragut West, Metro Center, Smithsonian, L'Enfant Plaza, Federal Center, Capitol South, and Stadium-Armory.

The Green Line runs northwest/north/northeast, from Branch Avenue to Greenbelt (or vice versa). Major stops include Navy Yard, Waterfront, L'Enfant Plaza, Gallery Place/Chinatown, Columbia Heights, and Fort Totten.

The Yellow Line runs north (or south) from Huntington to Fort Totten. Major stops include King Street, Crystal City, National Airport, L'Enfant Plaza, and Gallery Place/Chinatown.

The Red Line runs south, then north, from Shady Grove to Glenmont. Major stops include Bethesda, Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan, Dupont Circle, Metro Center, Gallery Place/Chinatown, Union Station, and Silver Spring.

Maps in the stations near the farecard machines and inside the trains can help you find your way. Note the name of the last stop of the line going in the direction you are traveling and the stations where you want to transfer. Transfer stations are identified on the map with a double black circle.

All Metrorail passes are gate-activated. The faregate activates the pass the first time it is used and prints the last valid date on the pass.

In addition to buying a regular farecard, there are several pass options: One Day Pass, 7-Day Short Trip Pass, and 7-Day Fast Pass. Other ways to pay include: Metrocheks, Transit Link Cards, and SmarTrip cards.

With over 100 routes in DC alone, the Metrobus system can get you to a lot of destinations in DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Metrobus doesn't use farecards; you need exact change or a SmarTrip card. Metrobus stops have red, white and blue signs. The route number destinations are displayed above the windshield or on the boarding side of the bus. The Metro website has maps and schedules that can be printed out, or try the Trip Planner feature to help plan getting from A to B to C...