By Sabra Anckner, Associate Director, Policy Impact, AMCHP
Taking Metro, the DC region’s transit system, is the easiest and cheapest way to get from the airports to the conference site, The Westin Washington, DC Downtown at 999 9th St NW in Washington, DC. And depending on when you arrive, it is likely to also be the fastest!
Metro stations and vehicles are designed to accommodate all travelers. However, like all services, there are sometimes elevator outages. For real-time updates on elevator and escalator services, visit Metro’s service status page.
In this article, we will guide you step by step how to take Metro from Dulles (IAD), National (DCA), or Union Station (Amtrak, commuter trains) to get to The Westin, including how to buy a Metro card.
Paying for Metro Rides
Metro uses a distance-based system for train fares – so a longer train ride costs a bit more than a shorter one. Fares range from $2.25 – $6.75, except on the weekends when they max out at $2.50. Buses cost $2.25. Transfers (train – bus, bus – bus) are free for 2 hours.
You need a Metro card, called SmartTrip to ride. It can be a physical card, or you use the Wallet app on your Apple or Android phone. All new cards, physical or digital, cost $2, but don’t expire. Note It is almost never cheaper to purchase an unlimited ride pass – you would need to take a lot of trips in a short period to make it worth it!
Buying a Physical Metro Card
Buying a Metro card at the train station is easy! There are fare machines at each station that are pretty user friendly, and they take credit cards, debit cards, and cash. Watch this short video for step by step instructions.
Using Your Apple or Google Wallet
If you use a cell phone, you can simply add a Metro card by opening the wallet app, clicking the + sign, selecting Transit Card, and then Washington, DC or SmarTrip, and add value. Then just tap and go. This video shows detailed instructions for Google/Android phones and for Apple phones.
Now you are ready to ride!
From Washington National Airport (DCA)
Weekday fare is $2.80, 14 min ride on the Yellow Line or 19 min ride on the Blue Line.
Follow the interior signs for Metro. The entrance is on the same level as the gates – if you did not check any bags, you do not need to go down to the baggage claim level! If you did check bags, retrieve them and then head back up, following the signs for Metro.
At the station, enter by tapping your Metro card or phone. There are two escalator/elevator options. Head up the escalator or elevator to the platform that says “via Washington DC.” You can take the Yellow Line or Blue Line.
Yellow Line: Take the Yellow Line train with “Mt Vernon Sq” or “Greenbelt” as its destination. Take the Yellow Line six stops to Gallery Place – Chinatown.
Blue Line: Take the Blue Line with “Largo” as its destination. Take the Blue Line nine stops to Metro Center.
From Dulles International Airport (IAD)
Weekday fare is $6.75, 52 min on the Silver Line.
Follow the signs for Metro. At the station, enter by tapping your Metro card or phone, and head up the escalator or elevator to the platform – there is only one. Take the Silver Line train towards “Largo” 18 stops to Metro Center.
From Union Station (Amtrak, VRE, MARC)
Weekday fare is $2.25, 8 min on the Red Line.
Follow the signs for Metro. At the station, enter by tapping your Metro card or phone, and head down the escalator or elevator to the platform – there is only one. Take the Red Line towards “Shady Grove” two stops to Gallery Place – Chinatown.
Walking Map from Gallery Place – Chinatown Station (Red, Green, Yellow Line Trains)
Follow the signs in the station to 7th St & H St NW (Entrance C), noted by red arrows in the map below; the elevator accessible path is 7th & G St NW (Entrance D), noted by a blue arrow until it meets the red arrow.
- Exit the station by tapping your phone or Metro card.
- From either G St or H St, walk north to I St (sometimes written Eye St) and turn left. If you see F St, you are going the wrong way.
- Walk on I St to 9th St.
- At 9th, turn right and walk a half block to the Westin’s main entrance! Welcome!
Walking Map from Metro Center (Red, Orange, Blue, Silver Line Trains)
Follow the signs to exit via 11th St and G St NW, as noted by the red arrows on the map below. The elevator accessible entrance is located at 12th St and G St NW, noted by the blue arrows til they meet the red arrows.
- Exit the station by tapping your phone or Metro card.
- Walk north to H St and turn right. If you see F St, you are going the wrong way.
- Walk a couple blocks on H St to 9th Street and turn left.
- Walk 1.5 blocks on 9th St and you will reach the main entrance to the Westin. Welcome!
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me, Sabra Anckner at sanckner@amchp.org.
