Metro Connections
Connecting between Metro and D.C.-Area Airports and Other Transportation Services
The Metro system is great for getting around the Washington, D.C. area, but it's also an important link to transportation facilities and services: three major airports, MARC Train Service (MARC), Virginia Railway Express (VRE), Amtrak passenger rail service, Greyhound bus service, and local bus systems. Union Station is a key transportation hub, as well as being a popular destination in itself.
Connections between Metrorail and Metrobus are available at all Metrorail stations. An easy way to find your connection is to use Metro's online Ride Guide.
For information about the many local bus systems in the region, see the Local Bus Systems page.
Click on a section head below to expand the section.
- Overview: Metrorail, Other Rail and Bus Services, and Airports
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The map below shows the Metrorail system in relation to other transportation systems serving the Washington, D.C. area. (The map is not to scale.)
- Connecting Between Metro and Washington D.C. Area Airports
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The three airports serving the Washington, D.C. area are Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), and Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI).
Metrorail goes directly to Reagan National Airport (Blue Line, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport station). Reagan National is also a short taxicab ride from Washington and close-in suburbs, and Washington, DC, Virginia and Maryland taxis are available at the exits of each terminal.
Rail transportation between BWI Airport and Union Station, on Metrorail's Red Line, is provided by Amtrak and MARC trains.
Metrobus Service to BWI and Dulles Airports
Metrobus route B30 provides express service between Metrorail's Greenbelt station and BWI Airport. Full fare for a one-way trip is $6.00. See Metro's B30 timetable (PDF, Adobe Reader required). More on Metrobus fares and discounts.
Metrobus also serves Dulles Airport, operating between L'Enfant Plaza station and Dulles, with stops at the Rosslyn station and Herndon-Monroe Park and Ride. See Metro's 5A timetable (PDF, Adobe Reader required).
Washington Flyer Coach Service
Washington Flyer Coach Service provides a bus link between Dulles Airport and the West Falls Church Metrorail station. Visit the Washington Flyer web site for more information.
Directions to the Airports
Directions for driving to the airports, as well as public transportation options:
BWI Airport Ground Transportation
Reagan National Location/Directions
Washington Dulles Airport Location/Directions - Connecting Between Metrorail and Other Rail Services
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Amtrak passenger rail service, MARC and VRE Commuter Rail Services, and Metrorail all meet at Union Station. In addition to Union Station, Metrorail connects with these services at these Metrorail stations:
Amtrak: King Street (Yellow and Blue Lines), New Carrollton (Orange Line).
MARC: Rockville (Red Line), Silver Spring (Red Line), Greenbelt (Green Line), College Park-U. of Md.(Green Line).
VRE: Crystal City (Yellow and Blue Lines), King Street (Yellow and Blue Lines) Franconia/Springfield (Blue Line), L'Enfant Plaza (Yellow, Blue, Orange, and Green Lines).
For more information about the Metrorail stations listed above, see Metro's interactive system map.
Connecting Between Metrorail and Greyhound Bus Service
The Greyhound Bus Terminal in Washington D.C. is located at 1005 1st St NE, Washington, DC 20002, directly behind Union Station, on Metrorail's Red Line. Union Station is quite large, so the trip around the station to the Greyhound terminal amounts to about four blocks.
- Union Station
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Union Station combines a busy urban railroad station with over 130 retail shops and restaurants in a magnificent Beaux-Arts building. Union Station was opened in 1907 and beautifully renovated in the 1980's. The most visited destination in the nation's capital, Union Station plays host to exhibitions, cultural events and private special events such as the Presidential Inaugural Ball and citywide galas. It's a special treat to visit when the station is decorated for the holidays.
Union Station is also a stop on Metrorail's Red Line, connecting Metrorail with Amtrak and the MARC and VRE rail systems. More about the Union Station Metrorail station.
The station is located just a few blocks from the Capitol building, at 50 Massachusetts Avenue, NE, Washington D.C.