10 DC Metro Tips and Tricks Tip #2: Know when to ride

Knowing the best times to ride can save you time and help avoid the crowds. Photo by Mr/Smith (CC BY 2.0)

If you are riding Metro to catch a plane or make an important appointment at work, your options for when to ride may be limited. If you have a little bit more leisure, however, some planning can be helpful in making your experience as pleasant as possible. There are several factors to take into account, such as cost of the trip, when the train will be arriving at your station, and how packed the train cars are likely to be.

Metro charges three different rates for any given trip, depending on time of day. "Regular Fare" is charged during peak hours (opening to 9:30 a.m. and 3-7 p.m.). A subset of those hours (7:30-0 a.m. and 4:30-6 p.m.), called "Peak-of-peak" incur an additional $0.20 fee. All other hours have a reduced fare. If your schedule is flexible enough to avoid riding during the busiest hours of the day, you can save. Since these prices reflect ridership, you may end up saving not only money, but an unpleasant ride in a packed car as well.

During the busiest parts of the day, Metro trains do not generally follow a set schedule. They are often flowing frequently enough that arriving at the station and waiting for the train is only a matter of waiting for a few minutes. In the morning or at night, however, trains tend to follow schedules, found here, much more closely. If you need to catch a plane close to opening or closing, it is worth looking at the schedule and making sure you have enough leeway built into your schedule.