DC Metro Fares 2026: Prices, Passes and Discounts
What the DC Metro costs, how the distance-based fare works, and every pass and discount available.
DC Metro fares at a glance
Unlike most US subways, the DC Metro does not charge a flat fare. What you pay depends on how far you ride and when you ride, which is why the same trip can cost $2.25 or $6.75.
| First 3 composite miles | $2.25 |
| Each additional composite mile | +$0.45 |
| Cap, weekday until 9:30 pm | $6.75 |
| Cap, after 9:30 pm and all weekend | $2.50 |
| Senior and disabled riders | 50% off |
Rates from WMATA Tariff #49, effective 2026-07-01. Source
Reduced fares
Seniors 65 and over and riders with a disability pay half the standard fare, rounded down to the nearest five cents. You must enroll and use the card you are issued – the discount is attached to the card, not applied on request at the gate. A government-issued photo ID with proof of age is needed to enroll; anyone under 65 with a valid Medicare card qualifies on that basis.
Metro Lift gives 50% off to riders enrolled in SNAP in DC, Maryland or Virginia. It applies to individual trips but not to passes.
DC students aged 5 to 21 enrolled at a school in the District ride free through the Kids Ride Free program, administered by the school rather than by Metro.
DC Metro passes
| Pass | Price |
|---|---|
| 1-Day Unlimited | $13.50 |
| 3-Day Unlimited | $33.75 |
| 7-Day Short Trip | $40.50 |
| 7-Day Unlimited | $60.75 |
| Monthly Unlimited | $72.00 to $216.00 |
| 7-Day Regional Bus Pass | $13.50 |
Fares valid July 2026. Source: WMATA Tariff #49, effective 1 July 2026.
All of these include unlimited regular Metrobus as well as Metrorail. Two things to know before you buy: passes are not eligible for transfer discounts, and a monthly pass bought after the 15th of the month is valid for the following month rather than the current one.
Monthly passes are sold at a range of fare levels between $72.00 and $216.00, matched to the length of your usual commute. WMATA does not publish the individual tiers – their trip planner tells you which level your journey needs.
Transfers between bus and rail
Tap the same card for both and you get up to $2.25 off the second fare within two hours. Bus to bus is free and unlimited in that window. Changing between Metro lines is always free with no time limit, because you never leave the paid area.
Pass holders do not receive transfer discounts – the pass already covers both modes.
If you tap in and change your mind
Exit through the same station within 15 minutes of entering and the fare is refunded automatically. This does not apply to pass holders.
Miss a tap and Metro charges a base fare to correct it: enter without tapping in and you are charged on the way out; leave without tapping out and you are charged the next time you tap in.
Frequently asked questions
Between $2.25 and $6.75 on a weekday, depending on distance. After 9:30 pm and at weekends the maximum is $2.50.
The card itself costs $2.00, on top of whatever value you load onto it. The fee is waived for senior cards. You can skip the card entirely by tapping a contactless bank card or phone.
Yes – a 1-Day Unlimited pass is $13.50 and covers unlimited Metrorail and regular Metrobus. Whether it saves you money depends on how many trips you make; three medium-length weekday trips is roughly the break-even point.
There is no separate rush-hour surcharge any more. The distinction is between weekday travel up to 9:30 pm and everything after that, which is capped much lower.
Yes. Tap your phone or watch at the faregate and pay the standard fare. Use the same device to tap out – the system matches your entry and exit by the card used.