If you are traveling to Washington DC for a few days and plan to use the Metro often, buying a One-Day Pass, a 7-Day Short Trip, or a 7-Day Fast Pass is a cost effective solution because it provides unlimited Metro travel during specific periods of time.
Metro Passes are gate-activated. Faregates at metro stations activate the pass the first time it is used and prints the last valid date on the pass. Metro Passes contain a set value, which is subtracted from the pass upon exiting a metro station.
Metro Passes cannot be used on Metrobus.
Metro Passes and Metrobus Passes are completely separate. Also, Metro does not have a monthly pass.
Metro Passes can be purchased online at wmata.com using a credit or debit card. If ordering oline, allow 5 business days for passes to arrive.
Metro Passes can also be purchased in person using a credit card, debit card, or cash at Blue vending machines labeled "Passes/Farecards" inside metro stations.
Note: Metro Passes can be damaged if the magnetic strip comes into close contact with cell phones or other electronic devices.
One-Day Pass ($8.30)
The One-Day Pass is valid for one day of unlimited Metro travel. On weekdays, the pass is good after 9:30 a.m. On weekends and most holidays, they can be used all day. The only holidays when unlimited Metro travel begins after 9:30 a.m. is on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Columbus Day, and Veterans Day.
The One-Day Pass expires at 4:00 a.m. on the day following first day of use. The pass is ideal for tourists or travelers planning to visit many sites around Washington DC in one day.
7-Day Short Trip Pass ($27.90)
The 7-Day Short Trip Pass is valid for seven consecutive days from the first day of use for Metro trips costing up to $2.65 from 5:00-9:30 a.m. and 3-7 p.m. on weekdays. If the trip costs more than $2.65, you will have to use the farecard vending machine at the exiting metro station to pay the additional fare. The Metro Pass will be returned for continued use during the valid period.
7-Day Fast Metro Pass ($40.50)
The 7-Day Fast Metro Pass is valid for seven consecutive days for unlimited Metro travel. Remember that Metro does not run 24 hours a day, so the pass will only work when Metro is running.
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