Enjoy a less-crowded Metrorail trip

You know how to use Metro to get from point A to point B and that’s great. Now learn some of the tricks and tips that veteran Metro customers use to have a better, less-crowded trip.

Red Line riders

If you get on at Twinbrook or White Flint station heading downtown in the morning and you would like a seat, try getting off at Grosvenor-Strathmore and boarding the next train (which begins its trip at Grosvenor-Strathmore station).
Every other train on the Red Line from Medical Center station into downtown generally will have fewer riders in the morning rush period.
If you get on downtown in the evening rush hour heading toward Shady Grove, try taking an often less-crowded Grosvenor-bound train and switch to the Shady Grove train at Grosvenor-Strathmore station.
If you get on at Wheaton or Forest Glen station heading downtown in the morning and you would like a seat, try getting off at Silver Spring and boarding the next train (which begins its trip at Silver Spring station).
Every other train on the Red Line from Takoma station into downtown generally will have fewer riders in the morning rush period.
If you get on downtown in the evening rush hour heading toward Glenmont, try taking an often less-crowded Silver Spring-bound train and switch to the Glenmont train at Silver Spring station.
To avoid the busiest times inbound from Friendship Heights station to Dupont Circle station, ride before 7 a.m. or after 9:30 a.m.
To avoid the busiest times outbound from Judiciary Sq station to Farragut North station, ride before 5 p.m. or after 6:45 p.m.

Orange Line riders

During the height of the rush period, Orange Line trains run two-in-a-row where the Orange and Blue Line trains share the track. The second train is always less crowded. If you wait two to three minutes for the second train, your chances of a more pleasant ride are a lot better. Just check the electronic message signs on the platform to find out the order of trains coming into your station.
To avoid the busiest times inbound from Ballston station to Court House station, ride before 7 a.m. or after 9 a.m.
To avoid the busiest times outbound from Metro Center station to Rosslyn station, ride before 5 p.m. or after 6:30 p.m.

Blue Line riders

To avoid the busiest times outbound from Metro Center station to Rosslyn station, ride before 5 p.m. or after 6:30 p.m.

Green Line riders

During the height of the rush period, some Green Line trains run just two minutes apart. The second train is always less crowded. If you wait a couple of minutes for the second train, your chances of a more pleasant ride are a lot better. Just check the electronic message signs on the platform to find out the arrival time for each train.
To avoid the busiest times inbound from Anacostia station to Waterfront station, ride before 6:30 a.m. or after 9 a.m.
To avoid the busiest times outbound from Gallery Place-Chinatown station to L’Enfant Plaza station, ride before 4 p.m. or after 6:30 p.m.

Yellow Line riders

To avoid the busiest times inbound from Crystal City station to Pentagon station, ride before 7:15 a.m. or after 9 a.m.
To avoid the busiest times outbound from Gallery Place-Chinatown station to Ronald Reagan Washington National station, ride before 4:45 p.m. or after 6:30 p.m.

All riders

On any given train, one or two cars may be crowded. But that doesn’t necessarily mean the entire train is crowded. Shop around as you commute. Try boarding different cars to see if there is more room elsewhere.
After a delay in service has been cleared, it may be to your benefit to let that first, more crowded train pass. There will probably be more room on the second train after service is resumed.
Note the number of cars on approaching trains on the electronic message signs and then spread out along the platform so that you can board the train quickly.
If you have flexibility in your arrival and departure times at work, consider riding Metro outside the peak hours—after 9:30 a.m., before 3 p.m. and after 7 p.m. weekdays. You’ll save time and money as Reduced Fares are in effect during the off-peak periods.
If you have to ride during peak commuting periods, try to avoid the most crowded times, 7:45 to 8:45 a.m. and 4:45 to 5:45 p.m.
The busiest days on Metro are Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Having a round-trip farecard, a pass or SmarTrip® card with sufficient fare value for your trip will save you time as you won’t have to buy another fare when you return.
Employer-sponsored telecommuting and flextime can help reduce air pollution, traffic congestion and crowding on Metro during peak commuting times -- and increase employee productivity. If your employer supports telecommuting or flextime, take advantage of these anti-crowding measures. If not, suggest that your employer adopt such policies. A wide variety of information is available by calling 800-745-RIDE or by visiting commuterconnections.org.