2007-02-26 01:30:59 · 10 answers · asked by zebbie g 2 in Travel ➔ United States ➔ Washington, D.C.
Yes. It's an easy system to use and is basically reliable, clean, and safe. If you're used to systems such as the NYC subway system, however, you'll probably be surprised when you look at the DC metro map to see where it *doesn't* go to -- while it's not likely you'll be interested in going to many places that would be inaccessible by metro, you should know that the metro does NOT go to Georgetown, so if you want to go to Georgetown you'll have to use the bus system, take a taxi, or hoof it from a nearby metro station.
Metrorail also offers various passes for travel which are great if you're visiting the city, such as a one day pass (for $6.50) that allows for unlimited travel on the metro during the week after 9:30am, or all day on Saturday/Sunday.
The website is helpful, and includes a trip planner -- you enter your starting and destination points, and the planner will tell you the best routes to use (metro, bus, walking, or whatever combination), relevant fares, etc. It also has maps, fares, travel times, etc. and all the information on various fares, travel passes, etc. The site is for the entire system, so it includes everything you need to know about the bus system as well. A lot of people in this city swear by the bus system, actually; I've never used it much so I can't offer you firsthand information on it, but the few times I did use it it worked out well. You can find the website here: http://www.wmata.com/default.cfm
2007-02-26 01:43:34 · answer #1 · answered by ljb 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
The only way to move about D.C. Tips 1) Rush hour fares are more expensive - see the web site for times 2) It DOES NOT run all night - do not get trapped out late with a long expensive cab ride back 3) It is very easy to navigate 4) Altho it might not go exactly where you want to go it will get you close enough for a short walk or cheap cab ride. 5) The metro DOES connect directly with National Airport. It DOES NOT connect directly with Dulles airport
6) buy round trip fare tickets to avoid delays at the fare machines. 7) You cannot get a refund for unused portions of fare cards. 8) Use care in exiting the underground stations - many have 2 entrances/exits that at street level may be far apart. As you exit the train there will be a wall mounted sign with the points of interest at each exit for that station. 9) Do not depend on understanding the on-train announcements of the upcoming station - follow your route on your Metro map or on the metro map in each car. 10) Each station has a station master in a booth near the "electronic" turnstiles. You can usually access them before you commit to that station/route.
11) Do not forget to take your fare card after it processes your entry. If you do not get the card returned that means the card had the exact fare. If you offer a card with less than the amount necessary to get to the closest station, you will be refused and you then must go to the ADD fare machine - easy not a problem. 12) Do not panic when you see the train move and the operator is not in their seat. The trains are all computer controlled and all the operator does is close the doors and announce the stations.
2007-03-01 15:03:00 · answer #2 · answered by kayak 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it's mapped out quite well to get you around the Metro D.C. area. During weekday morning and evening rush hours it can become quite a crowded ride. It's clean with no graffiti unlike you see on a New York subway car.
2007-03-01 23:30:15 · answer #3 · answered by cartiphilus 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As long as you're willing to combine it with walking, yes. Metro does a good job of serving both DC and the nearby suburbs (Arlington, Silver Spring, etc.) Tourists are sometimes surprised, though, at how far apart the stations are. You won't find entrances on every block or two like in some cities. Get a good map of the central city. It will show where all the metro stations are and how you can walk to any destination from them.
2007-02-26 09:41:39 · answer #4 · answered by dmb 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely! As pointed out, it gets people to the major tourist stops, as well as functioning as a commuter line. It's easy to understand: it's a point-to-point system (as opposed to New York City, which has express lines, timed lines and point-to-point lines). It's very safe and and maintained well for a system of this size. However, it does not run 24 hours a day. The schedules are also posted online at the WMATA's webpage http://www.wmata.com, but lately the subway schedule has been a little off.
2007-02-26 09:56:48 · answer #5 · answered by cdw763 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's great for tourists - it's very clean. It's more expensive than a lot of subway systems though and it breaks down just as much as the Boston subway, even though it's 75 years newer. I have lived in both cities and commuted every day on both subways. DC subway has no character either and people are rude
2007-02-26 11:37:10 · answer #6 · answered by Mike R 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
It's arguably the best subway system in the country. It's the best way to get around DC without worrying about traffic.
2007-02-26 09:40:35 · answer #7 · answered by whoselineguy 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
When we visited DC last year we used the subway the whole time...it got us to all the tourist sites quite easily. I would give it a thumbs up.
2007-02-26 09:39:38 · answer #8 · answered by lma0814 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes there are stops along every important part of the city and as an extra when you get on in some tunnels there are little holographic target adversiments very very nice to see
2007-02-27 16:34:54 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
When I was out there I used it all the time. I loved it and it was very convenient and safe. But that's my opinion.
2007-02-26 09:39:01 · answer #10 · answered by parsonsel 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋