DC Metro User's Guide What is the DC Metro?

Subway stations in DC's Metro system are designed with ambient lighting and wide, open spaces. This can be a welcome surprise if you are used to more cramped subway systems, such as New York's. photo by smaedli (CC BY 2.0)

As far as transportation in Washington DC is concerned, there is nothing quite as iconic or popular as the city’s Metrorail subway system. Commonly known as "Metro", the system's five lines and 86 stations provide over 700,000 trips every weekday, covering Washington DC, Northern Virginia, and parts of Maryland. Its 106 miles of track make it one of the easiest ways to visit the most famous attractions of the nation’s Capitol.

The DC Metro subway system provides easy access to many major landmarks in DC, including the National Mall, the National Zoo, the White House, National’s Park, the Kennedy Center, Arlington Cemetery, and much more. Metro provides easy access to several other forms of transportation as well. Parking is available at many stations, and trains stop at Ronald Regan Washington National Airport, and Union station (with Amtrak, MARC, and VRE train service). Metrobus service is available from many stations, including express routes which direct service to the area's two other major airports, Washington Dulles International Airport and Baltimore Washington International Airport.