What happens if you forget to tap out on the Metro?

The gate holds the maximum fare it took at entry and you can be charged more than the trip was worth, so always tap out with the card you tapped in with. If the gate will not open because your balance is short, add value at an Exitfare machine near the gates and then tap out.

Is a Smart Trip card cheaper than contactless?

No. A Smart Trip card and a contactless credit card, debit card or phone wallet are charged exactly the same fare. The difference is that passes, reduced fares and employer transit benefits have to sit on a Smart Trip card.

Does the DC Metro take cash?

Not at the rail faregates. You can load cash onto a Smart Trip card at a fare vending machine in any station, and Metrobus accepts exact-change cash on board.

Can two people share one Smart Trip card?

No. Each rider needs their own tap in and tap out. The one exception is children: up to two children age 4 and under ride free with each fare-paying adult.

Fares · First Ride

How to pay for the DC Metro

Q: Do you tap out on the DC Metro?

Yes, on Metrorail. You tap the same card at the faregate on the way in and again on the way out, and the exit tap is what calculates your distance-based fare. On Metrobus you tap once, when you board.

Tap a Smart Trip card or a contactless card or phone at the faregate. On Metrorail you must tap the same card in and out, because the exit tap is what sets your fare. On Metrobus you tap once, as you board.

How do you ride the Metro, start to finish?

01
Get a card

Buy a Smart Trip card for $2.00 at any station fare machine, or just use a contactless card or phone you already carry.
02
Tap in

Hold the card flat on the faregate target. The gate opens, but the fare is not charged yet.
03
Ride

Take your train. Changing between Metrorail lines is part of the same trip and costs nothing extra.
04
Tap out, same card

Tap the exact same card to leave. The distance between your two stations sets the fare, so skipping this step costs you money.

Metrobus works differently: one tap as you board, no tap on the way off. Rail to bus and bus to rail transfers carry a $2.25 discount within two hours when you use a Smart Trip card.

Smart Trip or contactless: which should you use?

Smart Trip

$2.00 for the card, plus the value you load

Physical card or a card in your phone wallet
Required for passes and reduced fares
Reload with cash at any station machine
Cards printed "SmarTrip" still work; the name changed, the card did not

Contactless

Same fare, no card fee

Any Visa, Mastercard, American Express or Discover card
Apple Pay and Google Pay both work at the gate
Best for visitors and one-off trips
Cannot hold a pass, so it is pay-per-ride only

Contactless and Smart Trip are charged the identical fare. The only real difference is that passes, reduced fares and employer transit benefits need a Smart Trip card.

Questions people ask

Do you tap out on the DC Metro?

Yes, on Metrorail. The exit tap is what calculates your distance-based fare. On Metrobus you tap once, when you board.

What happens if you forget to tap out?

The system keeps the maximum fare it held at entry, so you can pay more than the trip was worth. Always leave with the same card you entered with.

Can two people share one card?

No. Every rider needs their own tap in and tap out. The exception is children: up to two children age 4 and under ride free with each fare-paying adult.

Does the Metro take cash?

Not at the rail faregates. Load cash onto a card at a station fare machine instead. Metrobus does accept exact-change cash on board.

What if your balance is too low to exit?

Add value at an Exitfare machine, which sits near the faregates on the paid side, then tap out as normal.

Is Smart Trip cheaper than tapping a credit card?

No. Both are charged the same fare. Smart Trip only wins when you need a pass, a reduced fare, or employer transit benefits, and it saves you the $2.00 card fee if you already have a contactless card.

Know your fare before you go

Check what any trip costs, including the late night and weekend price and the reduced fare, before you tap in.

Open the fare calculator

Related fare guides

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.