Anyone familiar with the metro in Washington DC?

[Jeafl]

Does anyone know if you can buy a pass of some kind for unlimited rides over a period of time? Or how much is it for a single ride? Are there maps readily available? Do all of the lines intersect at some point?

We plan on doing a lot of sightseeing this summer and would like to use the metro as much as possible. Thanks in advance!

 

[caitycaity]

yep i take it every day.

http://www.wmata.com is their website and it is really helpful.

you can buy a pass ($5 i think) for unlimited rides that day. i'm not sure if you can do it for longer periods of time. how much it costs you will depend on where you are starting from and where you are going, but it should be between $1.20 - about $3.00. unless you are staying out in the suburbs, your fares will be much closer to $1.20 per person.

oh and a word of advice. when using the metro escalators, stand to the right if you are not walking up them so people can pass you.

let me know if you have any more dc questions.

eta, i found more info about he special passes:

http://www.wmata.com/riding/passes.cfm

Metrorail passes
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.


One Day Pass $6
Valid for one day of unlimited Metrorail travel on weekdays after 9:30 a.m. or all day on Saturdays, Sundays or federal holidays. Pass expires at the end of the operating day—3 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, midnight on other nights.


7-Day Short Trip Pass $20
Valid for seven consecutive days for Metrorail trips costing up to $2 between 5:30-9:30 a.m. and 3-7 p.m. on weekdays. Pass is valid for any rail trip at other times. If trip costs more than $2, you must use the Exitfare machine to pay additional fare. Pass will be returned for continued use during valid period.


7-Day Fast Pass $30
Valid for seven consecutive days of unlimited Metrorail travel.

 

[ucralum]

We bought the 7-day passes for our vacation in October. They worked out great! We never had to worry about how far we were going or how much was left on the pass. We just WENT! If you are staying long enough, this is the way to go.

 

[ErikdaRed]

ANd just remember to buy a ticket for each rider. I don't know how many tourists I've seen walk into the turnstyles after trying to get more than one through on the same ticket.

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

Hi all. I am going to Washington DC the week of March 7 and am traveling alone, never been there and a little nervous about the Metro system. Everyone is telling me that it is very simple and almost near impossible to get lost. What are your thoughts? I was also wondering how convenient it is to take going to the airport, someone said I was near Foggy bottom. Will that be under $2?

 

[caitycaity]

pooh_friend, first of all try not to worry. when i first moved here i found people to be more friendly than they were in the NE where i grew up. the metro system is very easy. if i were you, i would print out a map of the system (which can be found on their website) and carry it with you (though there are maps in every metro station and car too). it's a pretty straightforward system. some places i've been to the systems are more complex but in dc you just need to know the station you are going to and what line it's on...and there are signs everywhere.

as for the airport, which airport are you flying into? if you are flying into national, the airport is actually directly connected to the metro system, so it's really convenient. you can take the blue line from national airport directly to foggy bottom, and it's pretty close (about 15-20 minutes, i'd say). the fare will be either $1.20 or $1.50, depending on when you go (rush hour or not).

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

We found that Metro site about 2 weeks ago and decided to buy the 7 day for our 6 day trip this summer. Not sure if we will use it from the airport though. A taxi may be better?
We have used various sub systems in Europe and I hope this one is as easy!
Be sure to call your senator's office ahead of time (now!) for Whitehouse or Capital tours! We are on a list now and told it should be no problem.