DCA to Downtown DC by Metro: Time, Fare, Route
Reagan National Airport has its own Metro station beside the terminals. Here is how long it takes and what it costs.
Getting from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport into Washington
Reagan National is the easy one. The Metro station sits directly beside Terminal 2, connected by covered pedestrian bridges, so you walk from baggage claim to the platform in a few minutes without going outside. It is on the Blue Line and the Yellow Line.
For downtown, the Yellow Line is usually the faster choice: it crosses the Potomac on a bridge straight to L’Enfant Plaza and the center of the city. The Blue Line loops west through Arlington and Rosslyn first, which is what you want if you are heading to Arlington, Georgetown or Foggy Bottom. Metro Center is about 17 minutes away and costs $2.85 on a weekday, $2.50 in the evening or at the weekend.
Fares and travel times into the city
| To | Time | Weekday to 9:30pm | Late night & weekend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metro Center | 17 min | $2.85 | $2.50 |
| Gallery Pl-Chinatown | 13 min | $2.80 | $2.50 |
| Union Station | 22 min | $3.10 | $2.50 |
| Smithsonian | 17 min | $2.55 | $2.50 |
| L'Enfant Plaza | 10 min | $2.40 | $2.40 |
| Foggy Bottom-GWU | 13 min | $2.85 | $2.50 |
| Dupont Circle | 24 min | $3.30 | $2.50 |
| Rosslyn | 10 min | $2.55 | $2.50 |
Travel times and fares published by WMATA. Fares valid July 2026.
Which terminal is the Metro at?
The station serves Terminal 2 directly, with pedestrian bridges from the concourse level. From Terminal 1 it is a slightly longer walk or a short ride on the free airport shuttle.
Follow the signs for “Metro” rather than “Transportation”, which leads to taxis and ride-share pickup instead.
When you cannot take the Metro
The Metro does not run overnight. If you land after the last train – around midnight most nights, around 2 am on Friday and Saturday – you will need a taxi or a ride-share. The airport is close enough to downtown that this is not an expensive trip, but it is worth knowing before you plan a late arrival.
Paying for your trip
You do not need to buy anything before you travel. Tap a contactless credit or debit card, phone or watch at the faregate, and tap the same one again on the way out. The fare is identical to a Smart Trip card.
If you would rather have a Smart Trip card, vending machines in the station take cash and cards. Up to two children under five travel free with each paying adult.
Frequently asked questions
Take the Metro. Reagan National has its own station connected to Terminal 2 by covered walkways, on the Blue and Yellow lines. Metro Center is about 17 minutes away for $2.85.
$2.85 to Metro Center on a weekday until 9:30 pm, and $2.50 after that or at weekends. Fares to other stations vary with distance – use our fare calculator.
Yellow for downtown and the Mall – it crosses the river directly to L’Enfant Plaza. Blue if you are going to Arlington, Rosslyn, Foggy Bottom or Georgetown, since it loops west first.
It is right beside Terminal 2 and connected by covered pedestrian bridges, so you do not go outside. From Terminal 1 allow a few extra minutes on foot.
No. Last trains are around midnight Sunday to Thursday and around 2 am on Friday and Saturday. After that you need a taxi or ride-share.