How much too budget for DC metro

[castleview]

We'll be staying in Old Town Alexandria for Easter weekend (Fri-Mon) and I'm curious how much that will cost on the metro if we plan to go into DC every day except Monday. Two adults, three kids.

 

[prncess674]

I would buy each person an all day pass.

$7.80 One Day Pass
With a One Day Pass, you can ride Metrorail as much as you want in a day. It's good after 9:30 a.m. on weekdays and all day on weekends and federal holidays. Buy online or at any Metro station from a Passes/Farecards machine.


3 Days x 5 Persons x $7.80 per day = $117.00

A one way fare is $1.85 at non peak times to the Smithsonian Metro Stop but if you do the all day pass you can hop on and off between attractions.

 

[delmar411]

unless any of the kids are under 5. Under 5 rides for free. You have get them through the gates with you though. 2 kids per adult.

Over age 5 pays adult fare.

 

[Floridagal23]

It is 1.35 each way, per person, every time you get on the metro during non-peak times, and maybe 1.65 ish if you ride during peak times (IE in the AM, rush hour, etc). So..you need to look at the price of a day or week pass and see if it is cost effective for you.

 

[Sam's_Mom]

The cost of trip depends on the time and the distance- so you may need more on your fare card for some trips than others. When we went, we just started with $10 per card and added as it was needed. Some days we didn't use enough to equal the value of the all day card. Make sure every person over 5 has their own card. You need it to get on and off.

 

[castleview]

It is 1.35 each way, per person, every time you get on the metro during non-peak times, and maybe 1.65 ish if you ride during peak times (IE in the AM, rush hour, etc). So..you need to look at the price of a day or week pass and see if it is cost effective for you.

Thanks everyone! I still have more questions, though. Ok, so if we go to the zoo. Do we pay 1.35 for both the trip from King S. to Chinatown (I think that's where we would transfer) and another 1.35 to the zoo? And what if you stopped off at the Smithsonian on the way back? Still 1.35 to go back to King St. Sorry for stupid questions everyone.

 

[delmar411]

Thanks everyone! I still have more questions, though. Ok, so if we go to the zoo. Do we pay 1.35 for both the trip from King S. to Chinatown (I think that's where we would transfer) and another 1.35 to the zoo? And what if you stopped off at the Smithsonian on the way back? Still 1.35 to go back to King St. Sorry for stupid questions everyone.

you pay when you exit. Transfers are done inside so they are considered part of the fare. So at each exit point where you cross outside the gates you will be charged the specific fare. So King st to Smithsonian is 1 fare, Smithsonian to zoo is another, etc.

 

[delmar411]

here's where you can get the fare specifics and map out your routes

http://www.wmata.com/

 

[skjuls]

Ok.... I see Delmar and I were thinking the same thing at the same time!

First check out this site.....www.wmata.com This is Metro's website and you can price your trips!

To answer you questions, if you are just changing trains at a transfer point, you only buy one fare and the non-peak fare from King Street to Woodley Park is $1.85.

If you get travel from the zoo to the Smithsonian (and leave the station to look at the museums), that is $1.35.

Smithsonian back to King Street is $1.85......

Hopefully, this makes senses and these fares are non-peak.

 

[castleview]

They are making sense! I also heard that I shouldn't use the Woodley Park station on the way to the zoo and get off at the one before. Truth?

 

[delmar411]

They are making sense! I also heard that I shouldn't use the Woodley Park station on the way to the zoo and get off at the one before. Truth?

I've never heard that. The zoo is far enough from the metro station as is and uphill at that! LOL

 

[Disney-Bride2010]

They are making sense! I also heard that I shouldn't use the Woodley Park station on the way to the zoo and get off at the one before. Truth?

TRUE! If you're walking to the zoo from Woodley Park there is a HUGE hill to walk up (not steep, just long). Get off at Cleveland Park and walk to the zoo from there. It's about a half-mile walk to the zoo.

TIP: when you're leaving the zoo, go the opposite direction and get on METRO at the Woodley Park station. It's a much easier walk down hill, and it's only about one-third mile walk to the METRO station.

 

[flying_babyb]

We stayed outside the wooly park exit and it was great. Dont do chinatown at night. too many scary people. Also foggy bottom is a LONG LONG walk from the momunments. It dosnet look like it but when its late, its a long walk. Nothing better than three women singing "This is the walk that doesnt end" the whole way back.

 

[prncess674]

Dont do chinatown at night. too many scary people.

As a DC local I take great offense. Chinatown has lots of restaurants, a big movie theater, Lucky Strike Lanes and is walking distance to the National Portrait Gallery. Chinatown is inhabited by lots of young wealthy urbanites and is not full of vagrants as you make it sound. I guess if you are from nowhere Wisconsin young adults in designer wear is scary.

TRUE! If you're walking to the zoo from Woodley Park there is a HUGE hill to walk up (not steep, just long). Get off at Cleveland Park and walk to the zoo from there. It's about a half-mile walk to the zoo.

TIP: when you're leaving the zoo, go the opposite direction and get on METRO at the Woodley Park station. It's a much easier walk down hill, and it's only about one-third mile walk to the METRO station.

Cleveland Park is great area of town that isn't over run with bad tourist food. Too bad you are going with kiddos my favorite wine bar is in Cleveland Park.

 

[castleview]

TRUE! If you're walking to the zoo from Woodley Park there is a HUGE hill to walk up (not steep, just long). Get off at Cleveland Park and walk to the zoo from there. It's about a half-mile walk to the zoo.

TIP: when you're leaving the zoo, go the opposite direction and get on METRO at the Woodley Park station. It's a much easier walk down hill, and it's only about one-third mile walk to the METRO station.

While I'm being educated in Metro-ology, is L'Enfante Plaza far from the mall?

 

[delmar411]

TRUE! If you're walking to the zoo from Woodley Park there is a HUGE hill to walk up (not steep, just long). Get off at Cleveland Park and walk to the zoo from there. It's about a half-mile walk to the zoo.

TIP: when you're leaving the zoo, go the opposite direction and get on METRO at the Woodley Park station. It's a much easier walk down hill, and it's only about one-third mile walk to the METRO station.

ok, so the stop afterwards. I'd never heard of anyone getting off at Dupont Circle to go to the zoo! LOL

I might try that if we go see my mom in April. That hill is such a beast with the kids, they are whiny before we even get to the zoo.

 

[skjuls]

As a DC local I take great offense. Chinatown has lots of restaurants, a big movie theater, Lucky Strike Lanes and is walking distance to the National Portrait Gallery. Chinatown is inhabited by lots of young wealthy urbanites and is not full of vagrants as you make it sound. I guess if you are from nowhere Wisconsin young adults in designer wear is scary.

Agreed. Chinatown is the happening place right now. The Verizon Center is there! It's a quick walk for me from Federal Triangle.

Chinatown is not a scary place at all and I have been fine at night.

 

[Floridagal23]

Chinatown is fine at night..lots of restaurants and stores open, verizon center is hugely populated..just exercise common sense everywhere like you would in any other city!!
(I live in dupont and lived in foggy bottom for college for four years). I am continually surprised at how much dc has changed - chinatown and u street are really fun areas that are so developed now!