Riding the metro in DC

In order to ride the metro in DC, you must buy a ticket from the machine at each station. You must look at the map and it will tell you how much you have to pay for a one-way trip. The cost to travel to different places is different-there isn't one price to ride the metro. You should be able to read the directions to buy a ticket, but there is a person in the booth in the station to help you (if they're in a good mood).

You slide your ticket into the machine, enter the metro and ride to your destination stop. You must keep your ticket because it is what you will need to get OUT of the system. There are different prices for rush hour than for down-time travel. If you don't have enough money on your ticket, when you insert it to get out it will let you know and then you have to backtrack a few feet to add money onto your card.

If you are visiting DC for a few days; you can put a whole $10 or whatever you might need on one card and use it each time you use the metro (you just have to keep track of your balance-which shows up everytime you enter the metro system). Only one card per person.