The easiest way to travel longer distances fastest would have to be the Metro system, not only do they have a rail system, but they also have a bus system with relatively low cost for both of them. The bus system frequently stops by Metro Stations so they work seamlessly together, and help transport many people both in and out of D.C. to its surrounding areas.
Rail System
This is the map of all the metro stations in DC and the surrounding area:
Once you reach a metro station, simply pay the fare, find the color coded track of which train you are going on, make sure its end destination is going the right direction along the colored track, and board the train until your stop arrives.
Although you can plan your route by looking at the map, the most convenient way is by entering your destination and starting point into google maps where it will tell you which lines to go on and when/where to transfer. If you have a personal device, you can use it to look it up on any web browser, or you can use a library’s computer and print out/write down the directions.
How to pay for them
- Either purchase a SmarTrip card from kiosks in the metro station or add a SmarTrip to your digital wallet. You can add money to SmarTrip cards yourself, or you can set them up online to automatically refill via a bank account.
- SmarTrip passes are also an option. They can be purchased online or through the app, and provide unlimited access to Metrorail and Metrobus. They are offered for 1-day, 3-day, 7-day, and monthly.
- Kids-Ride-Free cards are offered to students ages 5-21 who are DC residents and attend school in DC. Learn more here: https://ddot.dc.gov/page/kids-ride-free-program
- At the gates, scan your digital wallet or your physical SmarTrips card. It will automatically take the money from the card. Once you finish your trip, scan your card again on the way out of the gates.
- Tip: Don’t pay for multiple trips! If you are changing trains at a station, you shouldn’t have to leave and reenter the same station. As long as you only change trains within stations, you should only pay once for the trip.
Metro: https://www.wmata.com/
Bus System
You can use Google Maps on your phone or access it on a library computer to figure out what buses to use to get to your destination. At a bus stop, when a bus comes you can get on and scan a SmarTrip card or pay with cash (keep in mind they don’t give change!). If you don’t have the funds to pay for your trip, the bus driver may allow you to ride anyways.
Other bus options outside of DC
Outside of DC there are still many public bus options you can find below:
Maryland: https://www.mta.maryland.gov/schedule?type=commuter-bus
Virginia: https://vatransit.com/How_to_Ride_the_Bus
