Is the DC Metro cheaper at night?

Yes. Once you tap in after 9:30 PM on a weekday, the distance-based fare is replaced by a flat cap of $2.25 to $2.50. On the longest trips that is a saving of up to $4.25 on the same journey.

Are DC Metro fares cheaper at the weekend?

Yes. Saturday, Sunday and federal holidays run at the capped fare of $2.25 to $2.50 all day, the same rate that applies late at night on weekdays.

Does the DC Metro have rush-hour pricing?

No. Metro retired the separate peak and off-peak fare split in June 2023, so there is no rush-hour surcharge. Every weekday trip from opening until 9:30 PM is priced purely by distance.

How much can you save by riding the DC Metro off-peak?

Up to $4.25 per trip. A weekday journey at the $6.75 maximum, such as Dulles to Metro Center or Shady Grove to Glenmont, costs $2.50 under the cap. Short trips already priced at the $2.25 boarding minimum save nothing, because the cap is never lower than the minimum fare.

Fares · Timing

The cheapest time to ride the DC Metro

Q: Does the 9:30 PM cutoff use your tap in or your tap out?

It uses your tap in. Enter the system at 9:28 PM and the weekday distance fare applies to the whole trip, even if you exit at 10:15 PM. Wait until 9:31 PM to tap in and you pay the capped fare.

The cheapest time to ride is after 9:30 PM on weekdays, at any hour on Saturday and Sunday, and on federal holidays. Every trip is capped at $2.25 to $2.50 in those windows, however far you travel, against a weekday range of $2.25 to $6.75.

Why does the time of day change your fare?

Weekday daytime fares are distance-based: $2.25 covers the first three composite miles, then each further composite mile adds $0.45, up to a maximum of $6.75. Once the clock passes 9:30 PM, the whole system switches to a flat cap. Weekends and federal holidays run at that cap all day. There is no rush-hour surcharge: weekday daytime travel is simply priced by distance.

Weekday, before 9:30 PM Distance-based

$2.25longer trip$6.75

After 9:30 PM, weekends, holidays Flat cap

$2.25any distance$2.50

Save up to $4.25 on a long trip

When does the cheap fare apply?

Metrorail fare by time of day and day of week
When	Fare
Weekdays, after 9:30 PM	$2.25 to $2.50
Saturday, all day	$2.25 to $2.50
Sunday, all day	$2.25 to $2.50
Federal holidays, all day	$2.25 to $2.50
Weekdays, opening to 9:30 PM	$2.25 to $6.75

The capped fare reaches $2.50 after about three and a half composite miles, so most trips outside the immediate centre pay the full $2.50. For first and last train times, see Metro hours and schedule.

Does the 9:30 PM cutoff use your tap in or tap out?

It uses your tap in. Enter the system at 9:28 PM and the weekday distance fare applies to the whole trip, even if you exit at 10:15 PM. Wait until 9:31 PM to tap in and you get the flat cap. This is the single detail that catches people out, and on a long trip it is worth over four dollars.

What does it look like on a real trip?

Example trips comparing the weekday fare with the capped fare
Trip	Weekday	Night / weekend	You save
Dulles Airport to Metro Center	$6.75	$2.50	$4.25
Shady Grove to Glenmont	$6.75	$2.50	$4.25
Dupont Circle to Gallery Pl-Chinatown	$2.25	$2.25	$0.00

Short trips are already at the $2.25 floor, so waiting for the cap saves nothing there. The saving grows with distance, which is why airport and end-of-line trips benefit most.

Check your own trip

The calculator shows the weekday fare, the night and weekend fare, and the reduced fare side by side for any pair of stations.

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WMATA Transit information provided on this site is subject to change without notice. Fares shown are sourced from the WMATA API and may not reflect temporary promotions or fare changes. For the most current fare information, visit wmata.com/fares. NextMetro is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to WMATA.