Metro Plans for Inauguration Day
Metro is preparing to be the transportation mode of choice for hundreds of thousands of visitors on Inauguration Day 2013.
On Inauguration Day:
- Metrorail will open at 4 a.m. and close at 2 a.m.
- Metrorail will provide 17 consecutive hours of rush-hour service — from 4 a.m. until 9 p.m. Peak fares will be in effect during that time.
- Normal weekday parking rates will apply at Metrorail parking facilities. Parking fees will be charged as you exit the garage and may be paid by SmarTrip® or credit card.
- Metrobus will operate weekday rush hour service in the morning, followed by an early rush hour in the afternoon. Many routes will operate on detours due to Inaugural events.
- MetroAccess will operate identical hours to Metrorail and Metrobus. MetroAccess customers are encouraged to plan extra time due to increased traffic throughout the service area.
Important Travel Tips
Follow these simple tips to make your Inauguration Day travel experience a smooth one.
Metro expects high ridership to Inaugural events. Be prepared for long lines, crowded trains and buses and intermittent delays.
Sign up for Metro Inauguration Alerts by entering your email address and phone number in the box to the right. By email and text message, we will provide real-time updates of any service changes over Inauguration Weekend, as well as important news about traveling on Metro prior to the event.
Follow us on Twitter. Our special Inauguration Twitter account is @MetroInaug. You can also follow our main Metro account @wmata.
Plan your Metrorail trip so that you do not have to transfer between rail lines. There is a station near the National Mall on each of Metro’s five rail lines. Pick a destination station on the same line as your origin, or use our “What’s my best route” tool on the right side of this page.
Washington is a walkable city. On Inauguration Day, consider avoiding crowded stations and trains by walking up to two miles to reach your destination. View walking map.
When traveling to events, factor in your ability to walk, stand and tolerate cold temperatures for an extended period. Be sure to dress warmly.
The four Metrorail stations closest to the Capitol should only be used by those with Inauguration tickets. They are: Union Station, Judiciary Square, Capitol South and Federal Center SW.
We strongly recommend purchasing your farecard or SmarTrip® card in advance to avoid long lines on Inauguration Day. Each traveler age 5 or older needs his or her own card to enter and exit the Metrorail system. You can buy cards online at wmata.com, transit store or at any Metrorail station, Metro sales office or local CVS, Giant or Safeway stores. If you’re not using a One Day Pass, be sure to load enough value on your SmarTrip® or farecard for your entire trip – in advance – for each member of your group. If you use a paper farecard, a $1 surcharge applies for each Metrorail trip you take. Metrobus fares can be paid with cash (exact change) or with a SmarTrip® card. Visit the station information page for your origin station to determine your fare. Remember to add $1 to the fare for each trip if you use a paper farecard.
Bicycles, large coolers or containers will not be permitted aboard Metrorail during Inauguration Weekend (Saturday through Monday). Prohibited items at Inauguration events include weapons, explosives, backpacks, laser pointers, alcohol, sticks and poles. For a complete list of prohibited items, check the website for your event. Also, smoking, eating and drinking are prohibited within the Metro system, including trains, buses and stations.
See something? Say something. Report unattended packages or suspicious activity to a Metro employee or call Metro Transit Police at 
202-962-2121 or 911.
Service Changes and Closures
Information about station closures and other service adjustments on Inauguration Day.
Archives, Mt. Vernon Square and Smithsonian stations will be closed on Inauguration Day. Use the “What’s my best route” planner on the right side of this page to find recommended stations. Sign up for Metro Inauguration Alerts for updates on station closures and other possible service changes.
The “Rush+” service pattern will not be in effect, and Yellow Line trains will operate only between Huntington and Gallery Place, due to an event at the Convention Center. View Metro service map for Inauguration Day.
Several downtown Metrorail station entrances will be designated as “entry only” or “exit only” to safely manage crowds.
Some escalators will be intentionally turned off to regulate the flow of customers.
Pennsylvania Avenue will be closed between the Capitol and White House for the Inaugural parade. You will not be able to cross Pennsylvania Avenue, even on foot. View walking map of Downtown DC on Inauguration Day.
Many Metrobus routes will operate on detours or will operate in segments due to road closures near the National Mall.
Daily Hours and Service
Metro will operate expanded service on Inauguration Day. Here is a daily breakdown of service hours.
Saturday, January 19
Metrorail open 7 am – 3 am on a regular Saturday schedule. Off-peak fares in effect.
Metrobus service on a regular Saturday schedule.
Sunday, January 20
Metrorail open 7 am – midnight on a regular Sunday schedule. Off-peak fares in effect.
Metrobus service on a regular Sunday schedule; expect some detours around the Mall area.
Monday (Inauguration Day)
Metrorail open 4 am – 2 am with rush-hour service and peak fares until 9 pm
Rush+ service will not be in effect. View Metrorail service map for Inauguration Day
Metrobus service on a regular weekday AM rush hour schedule, followed by an early PM rush hour in the afternoon. Expect major detours and turn-backs in the Mall area.
Last train times vary by station. Please check the train times posted at the stations you plan to use, or visit wmata.com/stations for details.
Metrobus Service on Inauguration Day
Inauguration Day road closures will result in service changes for more than 50 Metrobus routes. However, taking Metrobus may still be your best way to get to the National Mall.
Where to board the bus
Look for red, white and blue Metrobus stop signs along major roadways. The sign will tell you which Metrobus routes serve that stop. On Inauguration Day, buses traveling to or near the National Mall will display a special sign in the windshield, and you can always ask the bus operator if he or she is going to stop near the National Mall.
To check bus arrival times or get more information, visit wmata.com or call 202-637-7000.
Metrobus will operate on a regular weekday schedule (frequent rush-hour service) prior to the Inauguration and then operate PM rush-hour service earlier in the afternoon to get you home. However, due to road closures, many routes that normally cross the secure area will turn around near the National Mall. That means you may not be able to use buses to travel to destinations on the other side of the National Mall, but you can use them to get to the Inauguration. There will be temporary bus stops around the security perimeter of the event where bus routes will end. Look for the symbols on the map on the opposite side for routes’ turn-around locations. From there, you can walk to the National Mall or ask your bus operator for an emergency transfer to cross the Mall on Metrorail.
These major bus service corridors will provide your best way into the National Mall Area. View map showing temporary bus pick-up/drop-off locations near the National Mall.
- 31, 32, 36, 37 Wisconsin Ave NW
- N2, N3, N4, N6 Massachusetts Ave
- L1,2 Connecticut Ave
- S2, S4, S9 16th St NW
- 52, 53, 54 14th St NW
- 70, 79 Georgia Ave/7th St
- 80 North Capitol St
- X2, X9 H St/Benning Rd
- 32, 34, 36, 39 Pennsylvania Ave SE
- V7, V9 M St SE/SW
- A2, A6, A8 MLK Jr Ave
- A9 South Capitol St
- 96, 97 East Capitol St
- 64 11th Street NW
- G8 Rhode Island Ave
- D6 MacArthur Blvd
- P17, P19 Oxon Hill
- 16Y, 16X Columbia Pike
- 38B Wilson/Clarendon Blvd
- 3Y Lee Hwy
- 7Y Line Lincolnia/North Fairlington
- 42, 43 Mt Pleasant
Enhanced airport bus service
Metrobus 5A provides service between Washington Dulles International Airport and L’Enfant Plaza in downtown D.C. with a stop at Rosslyn station on the Orange and Blue lines. Metrobus B30 provides service between Baltimore Thurgood Marshall International Airport and Greenbelt station on the Green Line. Metro will provide enhanced service on both routes from Thursday, Jan. 17, through Tuesday, Jan. 22.
Other important tips
Coming in from east of the Anacostia River? Metrobus routes A2, A6, A8 will extend to Waterfront station to provide direct access to the National Mall and eliminate the need to transfer to Metrorail.
Detours and special terminals will be in effect throughout downtown DC all day Monday and into the late evening to accommodate the security needs of Inaugural events and celebrations.
You are encouraged to sign up for Metro Inauguration Alerts at wmata.com/inauguration to receive additional bus service information as it becomes available.
Keep it moving
To board as quickly and safely as possible, we recommend using a SmarTrip® card. If you use a Commemorative Inaugural SmarTrip® card, simply show it to the bus operator to ride free on Inauguration Day. If you use a regular SmarTrip® card, load enough value on your card before the Inauguration. On all regular routes, Metrobus fare is $1.60 when using a SmarTrip® card. If you use cash, the fare is $1.80 (exact change).
For more Transit details, check out my folks at the trusty Metro department!
I need your help! Any updates or any issues you have tweet me @GiovanniZeus so I can report the happs on air this morning! Bless you! Be safe & Congratulations to our President, Barack Obama.
