SmartTrip Metro Cards
Oct 22, 2011 | 12:49 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: BAC Silver, IHG Diamond, Finnair Silver, LH Senator
Posts: 9,423
SmartTrip Metro Cards
Are these the best option for travelling around on the Metro?
Going to be flying into Dulles and then taking the bus to West Church Falls (or some combination of those words) station. Then catching the metro to McPherson.
The following day, going to L'Enfant Plaza with trips to the DC Armory, Pentagon area and back before finally going to DCA for a flight. (7 journeys min.)
Might be some other trips if I'm too lazy to walk. Not sure how spread out things are compared to say New York. Use the subway with an umlimted travel pass whilst there and get my money's worth!
Can I buy the SmartTrip cards or passes at any station?
Going to be flying into Dulles and then taking the bus to West Church Falls (or some combination of those words) station. Then catching the metro to McPherson.
The following day, going to L'Enfant Plaza with trips to the DC Armory, Pentagon area and back before finally going to DCA for a flight. (7 journeys min.)
Might be some other trips if I'm too lazy to walk. Not sure how spread out things are compared to say New York. Use the subway with an umlimted travel pass whilst there and get my money's worth!
Can I buy the SmartTrip cards or passes at any station?
Oct 22, 2011 | 5:21 pm
#2
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: DCA or IAD (originally DUB)
Programs: UA 1K 1.8MM, Hertz PC, Marriott Platinum/Lifetime Gold
Posts: 7,657
Are these the best option for travelling around on the Metro?
Going to be flying into Dulles and then taking the bus to West Church Falls (or some combination of those words) station. Then catching the metro to McPherson.
The following day, going to L'Enfant Plaza with trips to the DC Armory, Pentagon area and back before finally going to DCA for a flight. (7 journeys min.)
Might be some other trips if I'm too lazy to walk. Not sure how spread out things are compared to say New York. Use the subway with an umlimted travel pass whilst there and get my money's worth!
Can I buy the SmartTrip cards or passes at any station?
Going to be flying into Dulles and then taking the bus to West Church Falls (or some combination of those words) station. Then catching the metro to McPherson.
The following day, going to L'Enfant Plaza with trips to the DC Armory, Pentagon area and back before finally going to DCA for a flight. (7 journeys min.)
Might be some other trips if I'm too lazy to walk. Not sure how spread out things are compared to say New York. Use the subway with an umlimted travel pass whilst there and get my money's worth!
Can I buy the SmartTrip cards or passes at any station?
Oct 23, 2011 | 4:42 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Greater DC
Programs: UA plus
Posts: 12,947
If trying to save money, look into bs 5A to Roslyn metro, then metro to McPherson from there. Agree day pass is best bet, but you would have to pay for bus with cash, i dont thimk the driver can sell you a pass and there is no machine at Dulles
Oct 23, 2011 | 7:10 am
#4
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: VA, USA
Programs: Marriott LTT, United Club Life Member, UA *S
Posts: 995
Correct - the 5A driver sells nothing; and you can't buy any passes at the airport. Note that while the One Day Pass for $9 could be useful it has restrictions: it is a rail-only pass, and it can't be used before 9:30am on weekdays.
If the OP has enough time before the trip to the DC area, you can buy a SmarTrip card in advance. It costs $30 - $5 for the card, and it includes $25 worth of fare. There are no mailing or handling fees added. The SmarTrip card can then be used for the 5A bus trip into town, and all the other Metro rail and bus travel. See: http://www.wmata.com/fares/purchase/store/
If the OP has enough time before the trip to the DC area, you can buy a SmarTrip card in advance. It costs $30 - $5 for the card, and it includes $25 worth of fare. There are no mailing or handling fees added. The SmarTrip card can then be used for the 5A bus trip into town, and all the other Metro rail and bus travel. See: http://www.wmata.com/fares/purchase/store/
Oct 23, 2011 | 7:29 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Greater DC
Programs: UA plus
Posts: 12,947
Correct - the 5A driver sells nothing; and you can't buy any passes at the airport. Note that while the One Day Pass for $9 could be useful it has restrictions: it is a rail-only pass, and it can't be used before 9:30am on weekdays.
If the OP has enough time before the trip to the DC area, you can buy a SmarTrip card in advance. It costs $30 - $5 for the card, and it includes $25 worth of fare. There are no mailing or handling fees added. The SmarTrip card can then be used for the 5A bus trip into town, and all the other Metro rail and bus travel. See: http://www.wmata.com/fares/purchase/store/
If the OP has enough time before the trip to the DC area, you can buy a SmarTrip card in advance. It costs $30 - $5 for the card, and it includes $25 worth of fare. There are no mailing or handling fees added. The SmarTrip card can then be used for the 5A bus trip into town, and all the other Metro rail and bus travel. See: http://www.wmata.com/fares/purchase/store/
Oct 24, 2011 | 2:10 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: BAC Silver, IHG Diamond, Finnair Silver, LH Senator
Posts: 9,423
Going to be there from this Thursday afternoon until Monday morning so no chance of getting a pass mailed to me.
Will probably require more than a day pass and since I've got the small matter of a marathon at the weekend, will be heading out towards the Pentagon at around 5:30am on Sunday. It's recommended to have a pass already in place due to the amount of people travelling back and forth around that time.
My flight from DCA is around 11:15am so wll probably leave my hotel before 9:30am to catch that.
Will probably require more than a day pass and since I've got the small matter of a marathon at the weekend, will be heading out towards the Pentagon at around 5:30am on Sunday. It's recommended to have a pass already in place due to the amount of people travelling back and forth around that time.
My flight from DCA is around 11:15am so wll probably leave my hotel before 9:30am to catch that.
Oct 24, 2011 | 4:14 pm
#7
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DCA ZWU
Programs: AGR WOH
Posts: 1,825
You can buy farecards at any station. For a weekend trip, I wouldn't recommend getting a SmarTrip card; they're useful for residents and repeat visitors, though, mostly for making bus transfers easier.
Rail day passes can be purchased in advance from any farecard machine; they're validated upon first use (and good until 4AM the following day, but again not valid before 9:30AM on weekdays).
Rail day passes can be purchased in advance from any farecard machine; they're validated upon first use (and good until 4AM the following day, but again not valid before 9:30AM on weekdays).
Oct 25, 2011 | 8:00 am
#8
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It's not worth getting a SmartTrip card for such a short stay. It costs $5 http://www.wmata.com/fares/smartrip/ and you really won't save that much money in 24 hours. You can buy a one-day pass http://www.wmata.com/fares/purchase/passes.cfm
Nov 4, 2011 | 8:13 am
#10
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: IAD
Programs: UA Premier Platinum; Marriott Platinum
Posts: 441
10 years is a long life for a smartcard. I personally am very careful with mine and have had it for around 10 years, but several friends have had theirs snap or simply stop working on more than one occasion.
Nov 6, 2011 | 9:56 am
#11
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Join Date: Jul 2009
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Well, used a mixture of things.
Used the Washington Flyer for $10 to West Falls Church.
Paid $3.85 to McPherson as it was peak time.
Following day bought a 1 day travel card for $9 and used that a bit.
After that, just paid as I travelled as trips were only $1.85 as it was the weekend - easy enough to put $3.70 on a card for a return.
Some Metro stops are not in the best location anyway. Found that L'Enfant to the Capitol Building is around 3-4 blocks and that takes you onto the Mall.
If you get the Metro, you've a walk slightly uphill for a few 100m to the east side / Library of Congress and the better photo opportunities are from the west in my opinion.
Used the Washington Flyer for $10 to West Falls Church.
Paid $3.85 to McPherson as it was peak time.
Following day bought a 1 day travel card for $9 and used that a bit.
After that, just paid as I travelled as trips were only $1.85 as it was the weekend - easy enough to put $3.70 on a card for a return.
Some Metro stops are not in the best location anyway. Found that L'Enfant to the Capitol Building is around 3-4 blocks and that takes you onto the Mall.
If you get the Metro, you've a walk slightly uphill for a few 100m to the east side / Library of Congress and the better photo opportunities are from the west in my opinion.
Nov 8, 2011 | 8:43 am
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Formerly HPN, but then DCA and IAD for a while, and now back to HPN!
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Posts: 10,677
99% of the time it just sits in a pouch in my briefcase, so the wear and tear is minimal. If I have a trip to DC, I put it in my wallet for that period of time. It's held up fine.
May 8, 2012 | 10:19 am
#13
formerly known as Tad's Broiled Steaks
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,424
Emphasis on Stored
Hello,
I'm in the DC area just about once a year for two days only, but have had a smartrip card for a few years now. I forget every year whether or not the card was able to be used, thus has anyone had an auspicious time on the metro with the card after nearly a year has elapsed?
Thanks,
TBS
I'm in the DC area just about once a year for two days only, but have had a smartrip card for a few years now. I forget every year whether or not the card was able to be used, thus has anyone had an auspicious time on the metro with the card after nearly a year has elapsed?
Thanks,
TBS
May 8, 2012 | 12:56 pm
#14
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DCA ZWU
Programs: AGR WOH
Posts: 1,825
You'll be fine. The cards have a service life of several years (see above), and the balance does not expire. Do register your card at wmata.com, so that the balance is protected even if you lose the card.
Metrorail's paper fare cards, though, only carry value for a year or so; the mag stripe fades. After that, you won't be able to use them at the turnstiles but you should be able to trade them in for fresh cards (or transfer their value to a SmarTrip card) at a vending machine or at the Metro Center customer service counters.
Metrorail's paper fare cards, though, only carry value for a year or so; the mag stripe fades. After that, you won't be able to use them at the turnstiles but you should be able to trade them in for fresh cards (or transfer their value to a SmarTrip card) at a vending machine or at the Metro Center customer service counters.