If you are in Virginia, you'll be fine. On the map above, stay away from the green line, Yellow line is fine even where it overlaps with green. For the rest of the lines, stay away from them where they are east of the green line (they aren't all issues, its just an easier rule to remember if you don't know where you are going).
Some other things about the DC Metro system:
Some stations are outdoors, others are undeground.
The stations are inconsistent about which side to get off on.
Getting out of the station can sometimes be tricky.
Some stations have multiple levels.
Do you know anyone else who is going? I would stick with them.
I personally avoid any Green Line stops past Waterfront or Fort Totten. Green Line closes earlier than other lines anyways (gee I wonder why). Orange, Blue or Silver, just avoid anything past Eastern Market.
Literally everything else is good to go. With the exception of the Silver Line, at one point or another, I have used every Metro station on every line (with the exceptions mentioned above) except Glenmont and Rhode Island Avenue on the Red Line. They are all fine. DC gets zillions of tourists all year around, and they all use Metro.
Protip: if you are not climbing the stairs on the escalators, stand to the right. Not doing so immediately marks you as a tourist. And for the love of God don't stop right at the top of the escalator.
Also, if you have a moment, visit the Wheaton station on the Red Line and behold the might of the longest escalator in the Western hemisphere. As you approach the top, turn and look back down. It is dizzying. But don't stop right at the top! :-)
Enjoy your visit, pede, you will not have any problems. Rule of Thumb: avoid NE or SE DC and PG County. Some may get offended at that statement; too bad.
I’m staying on Capitol Hill and most likely will take the yellow line from the airport. Or while I have your ear . Would you Über/taxi or take transit from the airport.
If you do not have too much stuff to lug around, and if your hotel is not too far from the metro, then metro is fine. As long as you are arriving at Terminal B or C, the metro stop at Reagan is literally right there -- I pass metro on my way to the parking garages! And many, many people take metro to/from the airport.
If I only had a backpack and single roller bag, I myself would take the metro.
If you have a ton of luggage, just cab it. There are large numbers of cabs at the airport, and the cab station is right outside baggage claim. They do give Uber a hard time there; I think there is a special area for them and it might be easier to just cab it.
Likewise, if you are arriving at Terminal A, you might want to cab it, too. I however enjoy the walk from Metro to Terminal A. You can walk through the original part of the airport, and hardly anybody ever takes that walk so you have the place largely to yourself except for staff.
Then I would take metro and would not think twice about it. It is very easy and not too much $$. Fare card machines are right at the entrance to the station, and they even have handy little signs to tell you what the fare is to your destination stop.
Purchase fare, head up the escalator, and wait for yellow train. They announce the color, plus they have little colored signs at the lead car. Just make sure you go the right direction!
Reagan is quite a small airport, and they have signs everywhere. You will not have any trouble at all.
Agree.
Yeah quit with the fear porn...it is fine to take the metro from anywhwere in Virginia
What is considered southeast DC?
Anabaptist.
Technically anything Southeast of the capitol building, but it usually refers to the part on the other side of the Anacostia river from DC.
Thank you. Reading some of these posts this morning is making me think to cancel my trip. Makes me very nervous so far from home.
If you are in Virginia, you'll be fine. On the map above, stay away from the green line, Yellow line is fine even where it overlaps with green. For the rest of the lines, stay away from them where they are east of the green line (they aren't all issues, its just an easier rule to remember if you don't know where you are going).
Some other things about the DC Metro system:
Do you know anyone else who is going? I would stick with them.
Maybe I will find someone by that time. I tried the dicscord app last night. But I have no idea how to work it.
I personally avoid any Green Line stops past Waterfront or Fort Totten. Green Line closes earlier than other lines anyways (gee I wonder why). Orange, Blue or Silver, just avoid anything past Eastern Market.
Literally everything else is good to go. With the exception of the Silver Line, at one point or another, I have used every Metro station on every line (with the exceptions mentioned above) except Glenmont and Rhode Island Avenue on the Red Line. They are all fine. DC gets zillions of tourists all year around, and they all use Metro.
Protip: if you are not climbing the stairs on the escalators, stand to the right. Not doing so immediately marks you as a tourist. And for the love of God don't stop right at the top of the escalator.
Also, if you have a moment, visit the Wheaton station on the Red Line and behold the might of the longest escalator in the Western hemisphere. As you approach the top, turn and look back down. It is dizzying. But don't stop right at the top! :-)
Enjoy your visit, pede, you will not have any problems. Rule of Thumb: avoid NE or SE DC and PG County. Some may get offended at that statement; too bad.
I’m staying on Capitol Hill and most likely will take the yellow line from the airport. Or while I have your ear . Would you Über/taxi or take transit from the airport.
If you do not have too much stuff to lug around, and if your hotel is not too far from the metro, then metro is fine. As long as you are arriving at Terminal B or C, the metro stop at Reagan is literally right there -- I pass metro on my way to the parking garages! And many, many people take metro to/from the airport.
If I only had a backpack and single roller bag, I myself would take the metro.
If you have a ton of luggage, just cab it. There are large numbers of cabs at the airport, and the cab station is right outside baggage claim. They do give Uber a hard time there; I think there is a special area for them and it might be easier to just cab it.
Likewise, if you are arriving at Terminal A, you might want to cab it, too. I however enjoy the walk from Metro to Terminal A. You can walk through the original part of the airport, and hardly anybody ever takes that walk so you have the place largely to yourself except for staff.
Nah, I’m just taking my pack. That’s all I’ll have
Then I would take metro and would not think twice about it. It is very easy and not too much $$. Fare card machines are right at the entrance to the station, and they even have handy little signs to tell you what the fare is to your destination stop.
Purchase fare, head up the escalator, and wait for yellow train. They announce the color, plus they have little colored signs at the lead car. Just make sure you go the right direction!
Reagan is quite a small airport, and they have signs everywhere. You will not have any trouble at all.