DC metro tips

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From the years that I spent living in DC I learned a thing or two. The metro is a daily occurrence for many people in the area.

My main suggestion is to keep it clean. You can have drinks or food with you on the train. You can’t eat or drink anything while on your ride though. If you must have something before either have it before or at a station where it tends to be less crowded. I would also recommend not littering in the cars. Trash does get cleaned up at the end of the day, but be a responsible rider and leave it clean for other people.

There are some unspoken rules that locals know. For instance when queuing on escalators at the metro people stand to one side. This is so people who are walking don’t get slowed down by others. People stand to the right and walk to the left.

Also know when to ride the metro. Try to avoid the peak times. These tend to be more expensive and busier. If you can avoid commuting hours on the metro. This will be easier for travelers who have some leeway with times.

I would also recommend investing in a SmarTrip card. You can save both time and money with it. This card is also accepted on many transportation in the DC metro area.

Sometimes you just need to take the next train available. Some trains will be totally packed and it would be easier to catch the next one. It isn’t worth the hassle of trying to find a spot on a crowded train where you probably will have to stand. As a short person I can’t always reach where people usually do on the metro. I was forced to sit, grab bars that were my height, or hope the train was so crowded I could wedge myself between other people on there.