GETTING AROUND DC
A SmarTrip® card is an easy-to-use, rechargeable card used to pay Metrorail and local bus system fares. SmarTrip® is accepted on the following area transit providers: DASH, Ride On, Fairfax Connector, ART, CUE, Loudoun County Transit, Omniride, TheBus, DC Circulator, Maryland Transit Administration Local Bus, Light Rail, and Metro Subway.
You can plan ahead and buy a SmarTrip® card online with any major debit or credit card. Or, you can purchase a card at any Metrorail station or select sales location for $2.
You can add value to your SmarTrip® card and check your balance at any Metrorail station. Or, you can create an account to manage your card online. Fares vary.
If riding the Metrorail, tap your card on the target at the fare gate upon entry and exiting. If riding the Metrobus, tap your card on the farebox only as you enter.
Know before you go. Our Getting There guides are tailored to make your travel experience simple and stress-free.
With more than 24 million visitors from around the world each year, the Mall is an international stage where people gather for celebrations and commemorations. A popular destination with limited parking, the best way to access the Mall is by public transit.
Download PDF
The DC United franchise has a new home! Audi Field is a soccer-specific stadium at Buzzard Point just a few blocks from Nationals Park. To make sure transportation is a breeze, goDCgo has put together a guide with different options for you to travel sustainably to the field.
Learn More
A century-old DC landmark, Union Station is located just blocks from the U.S. Capitol and is considered the city’s top transportation hub. Whether traveling into or out of the District, you’ll be surprised how many transit options are available at this leisure destination.
Learn More
Located just three miles south of Washington, DC, the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is the nearest commercial airport to the capital city and serves the metro DC area. It is directly accessible by Metrorail and Metrobus, as well as a multitude of other shuttle and rideshare options.
Learn More
Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport may be located about 30 minutes east of DC, but don’t let the distance fool you—there are plenty of affordable transportation options available. From light rail to bikeshare, this international airport has been ranked one of the top 10 easiest airports to get to.
Learn More
The biggest and busiest airport in the metro DC area, the Washington Dulles International Airport is located 45 minutes west of DC in Virginia. Currently, the best way to access IAD is by bus, but Metrorail’s Silver Line will service the airport upon it’s completion in 2020.
Learn More
DC is said to be a city of neighborhoods, each with its own unique history, culture, architecture, demographics and geography. These neighborhoods are the heart of the city—beyond the museums and marble-clad monuments. Select a neighborhood below to explore popular destinations in that area:
Home to numerous museums and theaters, highlights of this centrally-located area include the Verizon Sports and Entertainment Center and designated Historic District.
Known for its diverse mix of independent businesses, bars and lounges, this neighborhood is a cultural hub with a burgeoning restaurant scene.
From the front yard of the White House to Dupont Circle, this neighborhood encompasses most of Washington’s central business district.
This northwest neighborhood hosts a unique mix of restaurants, shops and high-rise apartments, as well as DC’s Convention Center.
One of the oldest residential neighborhoods in DC, Capitol Hill is home to more than just politics. Street fairs, secondhand shops and michelin-starred restaurants reside in this neighborhood.
Home to the Washington Nationals, this new and upbeat neighborhood is located just south of the Capitol, between Capitol Hill and the Anacostia River.
Known for its ivy-league status, Georgetown’s cobblestone sidewalks take visitors to a wide range of retail and restaurant options along the C&O Canal.
Located just east of the Potomac River, this newly revitalized neighborhood is steeped in both history and heritage. Not to mention the views!
Explore all of your DC transportation options using our Get Around Guide.
