We utilized the Metro transit system for the majority of our transportation needs while visiting DC for a long weekend. I personally adore this system, which I have used for multiple visits since the 1980s and found to be easy to navigate, convenient, and very affordable. I prefer it over other options to get from point A to point B when visiting DC. We purchased Metro cards and reloaded them as necessary during our stay. read more

Metro Center Station - Metro route map - Metro Stations Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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The metro system is such a convenient option to access the sites in DC. It's so easy to find parking, grab a ticket and and avoid the traffic, congestion and parking in DC. The all day pass is such a bargain if you are looking for a way to see multiple locations and get in and out of the city with ease. read more

12/1/2025 - very clean and easy to use. A person in a large kiosk to assist if needed. You can get anywhere in DC here. It's the hub. Working escalators as well. Not like NY, See photos. read more

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Clean, easy to navigate once you understand how the trains move and how the lines are called. Got a card from the hotel and moved around d the city pretty easy! read more

This station is the heart of the metro in DC with all of the metro lines connecting here. It's a massive place and pretty cool if you're from out of town and never had to commute via train/subway/rail/etc. Very clean as well. read more

I write to praise the DC Metro. I am familiar with mass transit in Chicago, San Francisco, and New York City, among American cities, with a bit of experience on the People Mover in Detroit, a sincere but useless system in the Motor City defined by the automobile; and Los Angeles, which I ride despite its inefficiency, in another sprawling metropolis dependent on private motor vehicles. Of all these systems, the DC Metro is the best, measured by its efficiency, scope, design, and operation. I also wish to bring to people's attention the definitive book on this specific subject. Written by a Professor Schrag of George Mason University, which is within the extended geographic area, it is entitled The Great Society Subway: A History of the Washington Metro. read more

What exactly is this place? I know that this is a Metro station. I know the purpose of it. But what is this place? On a recent trip around DC I needed to finally head back home. This station is quite possible, how another reviewer has put it, "the most impersonal Metro station in the entire DC Metro system." It's like when you exit the train into the station you just become a part of this blob that just flows around the station. If you are not careful, or strong enough to move about by yourself, you might just end up somewhere you don't want to be. That's what happened to me. I wasn't quick enough to get to the right platform and I just went with it. Don't worry, if you missed the most obvious way to the platform of your need there are other ways to get there. Albeit not the most direct. And if you are not in a rush, you will get there faster than you think, or maybe just in time for the next train to roll on through. read more

The metro here is so easy to use an inexpensive. There were men in the station to help me get started For two dollars I purchased a MetroCard that's good for 10 years. There is also an app on my phone. I can fill up my card with money and tap on and off when I get in and out of the station. The metro are clean and run quickly. The DC metro stations & trains are all accessible to those in wheelchairs. The system is significantly smaller than New York with a red orange, orange silver blue green and yellow line. The Metro goes out of DC to Maryland and Virginia. read more

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Today the train isn't crowed because it's not rush hour. I saw a security officer which made me feel safe. It used to to be safe to ride the metro in the old days. I plan to ride more often when I go down to visit a museum. I went to the Renwick to see a fiber art exhibit. What a wonderful outing. I didn't have to worry about my car. Next time I will add more money to my smart card. read more

Metro Center Station - Riding metro - Metro Stations Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

This was another transfer point station. Some stations are easier access than others. Do expect to walk. You should be able to climb stairs, lots of them. There are few elevators and escalators. Management are slowly working to improve the 100 year old system. Some of the stations that are located further out now have access other than stairs. read more

Metro Center Station - Station - Metro Stations Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

A much nicer system than what we have seen in New York and some other cities. Easy to keep up with the schedule. Very good signage and all of our rides from the station were successful. Loved that there was such a good police/security presence and not much loitering for sure. read more

Metro Center Station - The Silver Line - Metro Stations Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Access to downtown and also access to different train routes. Be sure to have a metro pass or can purchase one at the security boot . read more

Metro Center Station - Metro Stations Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Nice enough station. Staff is friendly. Everything ran on time during our stay. The station all have a cohesive look. Pretty nondescript but efficient I suppose. read more

As public transportation stations go, this is definitely one of the best in the world. Very easy to navigate. Great signage. Extremely clean. And absolutely imperative for switching between the Metro Blue line and orange line and silver line and red line. read more

Not being from a major city, I was apprehensive about using the subway. I visualized a complex, crowded, crime ridden, rude environment. After a few days of record setting pedometer counts. I relented and we tried the subway system. The metro center station was our main point of entry due to proximity to our hotel. It was clean and well run. I was impressed. They were clean. Felt safe. Cover a tremendous amount of the city. Fast. Cheap. They need to incorporate cost estimates (available on their website but not app that I could tell) into their app and improve the routing in the app. I personally stopped using it and used the CityMapper app instead for planning. read more

Metro Center Station - Metro Stations Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

It is ridiculous that DC for the most part, is a gun free zone. Law abiding moms and dads should absolutely be allowed to carry as proscribed by the 2nd amendment of the US Constitution. I would like to thank Metro Transit Police. They are a wonderful group of men and women, who do all they can to keep this and other stations safe. At night this one seems to have fights, public intoxication, and unique characters. That's actually quite common on transit, in the United States and around the world. Metro Center is huge, as orange, red, and blue lines meet here. You can transfer anywhere here. During the weekday commutes, this is a busy station. I will say today it appears to have been cleaned up substantially. Also WMATA seems more efficient with its trains. That is a promising sign. There's a lot within walking distance of this station. It's a worthwhile way of getting around the nations capital. I'm glad to see it looks better than before. read more

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well public transportation does have its benefits, certainly has its downfall, I'd like to think metro station covers a lot of that. sure, seeing the city is part of the experience, getting back out is another! metro center makes it somewhat easy. once inside, you can store luggage, get some moderately priced grub, or even buy some sundries! i will say DC has some good infrastructure, so take advantage when you come to visit. review on platform 4 read more

Great way to get around Washington, DC. On the weekends, each trip is a bargain at $2. Masks are required and the Metro was not crowded on our most recent visit. Grab a reloadable card and add money as needed. Thanks to the nice Metro Station worker who helped us through the process the first time. Although 60% of the metro trains are currently out of service, the online schedule was perfect to plan our trip. Easy way to travel avoiding traffic delays and pricey parking fees in DC. read more

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It's better than gallery place and L'Enfant. But it's still dirty and can attract unpredictable individuals

This is one of the most busiest stations and a transfer point to the other stations. Pay attention though because you could get lost or end up in the opposite direction, now if you wanna save time, Gallery Pl, Chinatown metro is a fee blocks away if you don't wanna walk. It's well kept and clean unlike other neighboring stations. read more

The Metro Center connects you to the Red, Orange, Blue and Silver Lines. This is one of the stations I stop at the most because it connects me to most of my favorite places around DC. There is a lot of foot traffic around here because it's a transfer point. Be aware of your surroundings like all other metro stations in DC and elsewhere. read more

Metro Center Station - Orange, Blue and Silver Lines - Metro Stations Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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We love a good metro experience! The metro in the DMV makes it easy to maneuver around town and get to exactly where you need to go. It does not run 24/7 so be weary of early closing hours. read more

It was an easy access to the Event place we attended last night 2/22, so a plus. I can't say the same of today's lenfant station where there was some incident cops were inside the train that was not moving and held for 40minutes. Then it was single tracked but my line was not coming through at all and was delayed 30 minutes..Lots of anxious passengers and tension was apparent. There was a sense of uneasiness even despite or perhaps due to the presence of authorities... but alas, my train arrives 30 minutes delayed. Still I was relieved it even came.., read more

My travels back and forth was great. Everyone was so helpful. It was so clean and I loved all the new signage. The app is a pain it could use some work. Thank you! read more

If you're looking for the main Metro station, consider this it. Metro Center has every train passing through here. This is the most popular place for a transfer. Almost always this is busy. One confusing thing is the setup if you've never been here. It serves the Blue, Orange, Red, Silver, and Yellow Lines. It's just tricky getting around if you're not paying attention, because it has two levels where half of the trains stop on one, and the other half on the other. The lower level has the Blue, Orange, and Silver Lines. Just pay attention and you'll find it. The upper level has the Red Line. It seems pretty clean for how busy it is. The workers do a good job. A few attractions are close by. It's right by the Hyatt. This is also close to Ford's Theater. read more

Metro Center Station - Station - Metro Stations Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

The station is convenient. I didn't see staff members behind the window when I walked by the exit. It is useful to check the web site or social media before arriving at the station for planning. read more

Beautiful station.. Metro Center is what Times Square is in NYC. You can transfer here for most lines. The info desk is courteous and professional. Shout out to Mr. A. Washington for giving informative directions. read more

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I've been riding the metro for a long time and I would have to say that this is one of the busiest and most confusing stations on the WMATA system! Granted, I've never been to every single station, but this one is a very popular transfer station and you really have to know where you're going. There are multiple entrances/exits. This station has red, blue, orange, and silver line trains! It gets really busy sometimes, especially during peak hours, either in the mornings or evenings or if there's a game or major event going on. Be prepared for the crowds. This station is connected to Macy's and close to many shopping options and restaurants. read more

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Rude and aggressive metro employee (who was texting!) at information desk at Potomac station accosted me and my sister when I informed him I was having trouble scanning my metro app at the turnstiles. Dorsey(?) came out and was so aggressive my sister and I feared for our safety so we did not react to his behavior. He then mocked me after I figured it out on my own!! After telling a similarly rude and disinterested customer service agent about this over the phone and being promised a callback months ago, I never received one. I will not be riding metro and will be going public until this is addressed. read more

This was my first time riding the subway. We don't use subways as our main transportation where I live. It was a fun experience and the best way to get around DC considering the hassle of parking. You will need to purchase a metro card to get pass the gates. They have maps around so you know which stop you need to get off of. The Metro station system was very efficient. Takes off the stress of driving around DC and to find parking. This station will take you to what I call the tourist district with all the historical scenery. It's not too bad of a walk to the National Mall. You will be doing a lot of walking anyways in DC. read more

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I've always had a soft spot for the DC metro system and along with that is respect to their train stations, such as the Metro Center Station. It is *the* hub of the DC rapid transit system as every train line passes through here. In other words, this is literally the most ideal area to transfer or catch a train. Since I've become used to loathing the MTA up north, I have always admired DC's ability to keep stations like Metro Center relatively clean. That's not to say there isn't some occasional nastiness that happens, but it's certainly way more rare here than other public transit friendly cities. One could even argue the design of the station is cool, despite it being a bit dark at all times. Pre-pandemic, it was one of the busiest stations during the week. Attendants were always helpful in navigating directions or helping folks find where to purchase tickets. I've found that the estimated times for arriving trains were more accurate on their website than in the actual station itself. read more

Another good spot to get on and off, switch Metro trains, and have the ability to get to just about anywhere you'd like to go in and around D.C. read more

For a public transit system this is a very clean metro station! There are several locations supplying hand sanitizer as well as signs requiring masks. It also isn't very busy right now currently Cherry Blossom Festival. The only draw back is that I didn't actually see law enforcement monitoring. Quick, easy to navigate, and COVID safe! read more

Metro Center Station - Inside - Metro Stations Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Coming from the Bay Area, we found the DC metro stations to be so much cleaner and safer. The cars and stations have lots of security people patrolling, and the upkeep of the metro is extremely well done. While we were there, we saw people cleaning all areas, and also repairing anything that was broken. Our bay area rapid transit (BART) could learn a lot from the DC Metro system. read more

This is the hub of the DC Metro system. This is the only station where you can buy a senior smart trip card. You cannot do this online nor at any of the machines in the station since they require proof of birth date. You must enter at F and 12th St entrance to find the Metro office. The senior smart trip card costs $2.00 which is the same as a regular card and you can add value to it. The perk of having this pass if eligible is that you can ride the Metro for 1/2 of the peak fare costs regardless of time of day and where you are going. Unfortunately it will not discount the off peak fare but it is still as savings. The top level is the red line and if you want to take the orange, silver, or blue lines you can ride the escalator at the center one level down. The system is very organized. You tap your card to get in. Electronic signs let you know of an approaching train. Some of the trains have a recorded announcement of the next stop or even an electronic map to indicate where you are headed. If you are confused as I was on my visit don't hesitate to ask someone behind the service windows. Upon exiting at your chosen destination you signs point out the various exits and points of interest. You then go the direction you are headed, tap your card again and you can leave. Note they do have at all stations an "add value" machine if your card does not have enough for fare payment. Finally I would advise creating an account with Metro so you can register your card in case of loss. You can also transfer stored value from a previous card you may no longer need to go to your new card. It is another perk for seniors. This station does get very crowded since it is their hub. Still it is clean and well organized. read more

Metro Center Station - Entrance - Metro Stations Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

This is an important station to know as a visitor as it connects the red, orange, blue and silver lines. It's also a hop skip and a jump away from the National Portrait Gallery, the International Spy Museum (which isn't actually very hidden), Freedom Plaza and the White House. The station is on a couple of levels which is a little daunting at first but if you look at a map (either on your smart phone or if you're like me, on an old fashioned paper map) and learn the end of the line stations for the different color lines, you'll be all over D.C. like a native. All the locals who thinkt that the workers here are rude, it's all relative. The WMATA workers are soooooo much nicer than Chicago Transit Authority workers. Don't litter. read more

Metro Center Station - Looks line a hangar deck from Star Trek - Metro Stations Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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This is the station where you can just transfer to any of the other metro lines. It is the hub of the metro, therefore, it is a busy station. Not much to say about the transit system. I mean, it's the metro and it takes you where you need to go. read more

It works. Lots going on here with lots of connectors. Signage could be better, but not so bad. read more

Bottom Line: Metro Center is not as glamorous as it seems it should be but the station serves its purposes and is a transfer point for the Orange, Silver, Blue and Red lines. With a name like Metro Center I kinda expect this to be some star-stunning Metro station where all seven lines intersect; however, that is not the case. For one, all of the Metro stations are rather pedestrian and for two, only four lines connect through here. (L'Enfant holds the title for the most connections since five lines cruise through there.) While some Metro stations are a single level, its important to note that Metro Center has an upstairs and downstairs. Orange, Silver and Blue trains are downstairs while the Red Train is upstairs. You may need to go upstairs or downstairs to cross to the other side of the tracks depending on where you are going. read more

I must give a shout to Station Manager RL Jones as his friendless makes the late work night commute much better. Each time I pass by going home, he's always grinning his Colgate smile & beaming out such positive customer service. He doesn't hide in his manager bubble aka office as some do, & is quick to his feet to lend a hand. So many exits from this station, so pay attention or you'll end up somewhere different than planned. When your spending money never mind the amount, it's always extra worthwhile when you encounter positive & user friendly customer service...especially when it comes to public transportation. read more