Do I need a card for DC Metro?

A SmarTrip® card is required for each rider age 5 and older (up to two children under age five may travel free with each fare paying adult). The blue fare vending machines are your best choice if you need a SmarTrip® card. The blue Fare Vending machines sell up to six SmarTrip ® cards at a time.



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Pay for Metro with just your phone! With SmarTrip® in your Mobile Wallet you'll be able to: Pay for your train, bus, and parking wherever SmarTrip is accepted. Know where your SmarTrip® is.

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A permanent, rechargeable farecard that can hold up to $300 in stored value to pay fares for Metrorail, Metrobus and other participating transit agencies as well as parking fees at Metro operated facilities. The card costs $2 and comes with $8 in stored fare value for a total price of $10.

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Use your iPhone or Apple Watch to pay your fare on transit providers all over DC, from Metrorail to DASH, Ride On, and more.

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There are episodic crimes on Metro, as everywhere, but it is generally safe. Some stations at some times can have specific problems.

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All told, the commute cost using the IRS rate and a more average parking rate downtown comes out to about twice the cost of Metro even riding at the most expensive times and parking at a Metro lot. The mistakes in the original reflect a miscalculation that many commuters are making on a daily basis.

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You can purchase a physical card at the Metro platform at the Smartrip kiosk or you can purchase one directly in your Apple or Google Wallet. Smartrip cards cost $10 and $8 will be loaded onto the card ready for you to use.

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