Visiting DC & using the metro, don't want you to hate me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Let people off before you board the train.

Don't stop right inside the doors, and don't stand by the door when people are trying to get on/off.

Stand to the right on the escalators.

It's always surly locals who do this. Most tourists know better.

One tip I have is if you see a train coming on your side of the platform or the other side of the platform, observe where the middle doors are. Trains generally stop in the same spots, so if you're waiting on the platform near a middle door, you'll feel less crushed trying to get on a crowded train.

Also, there are 6, sometimes 8, cars on every train. Don't just get on the one at the bottom of the escalator. Also, another train will be right behind this one during rush hour, so don't feel like you need to run over people to catch it.

Get a SmartPass. Paper farecards are a real annoyance for tourists (and locals who have to wait on you). They're $5 but if you use it enough, you'll easily make up the difference in fares. You can buy them in many stations now, and at some local shops like CVS.

I think they're now $2. I had to buy a new one when I forgot mine and it was just $10 for a card with $8 loaded on it.

[Anonymous]

I already love you, just because you even asked this question!

[Anonymous]

+1 to the PP.
Also, keep your kid with you. The doors close fast, and you don't want a panicked kid left behind (like mine was, age 4, after we'd just moved here) when mom or dad, occupied with a stroller, walk onto the train without the older kid.
(If this does happen, don't panic too much! Adults will make sure your kid is taken care of!)

[Anonymous]

If you're using a smart trip card you don't have to wait for the gate to close after the person in front of you to swipe your card-you can swipe immediately and the gate will stay open. So much faster than waiting for the gate to close after every person.

Apps: Hopstop is useful for traveling because you can save the directions and maps of where to exit from the station/walk to your destination to use when you're underground.

[Anonymous]

Every passenger needs a fare card.

Stand to the right on escalators, your child in front of you. (Single file. No two across!)

[Anonymous]

P.S. Yes keep your child with you. I saw a young child separated from his family once at Woodley Park. He was 10 or so. Poor fellow!

[Anonymous]

Okay, stay to the right, got it.

Another dumb question, I see on Google Maps Highway 50, is that someone that can be walked across? Where I'm from, one can not walk across highways and expect to live. Like if I wanted to walk (not metro) from Union Station to Ford's Theatre, is that possible?

Off to order our metro cards.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Okay, stay to the right, got it.

Another dumb question, I see on Google Maps Highway 50, is that someone that can be walked across? Where I'm from, one can not walk across highways and expect to live. Like if I wanted to walk (not metro) from Union Station to Ford's Theatre, is that possible?

Off to order our metro cards.

Where would you want to walk across Rt 50? If you're talking about Rt 50 going through the District from VA to MD, it's not called 50 in the city. There are no highways running through the city. Back in the 60s Congress wanted to put them in, but the people said NO. Pretty much everywhere IN the city itself is walkable... all of downtown, Georgetown, all of it (thank goodness). DC (the city itself) has a high walkability rate. Everywhere is sidewalked and has crosswalks. I don't have a car and walk all the time, so I know of what I speak.

My two cents on Metro (sorry if I've repeat what others have said):

Def. get a Smart Trip card. You'll need one for everyone in your family. Once you get here, add a substantial amount of $ to them so you won't have to keep adding or get caught on the other side of the gates due to insufficient amounts.

Stand to the right on escalators always. Once you get off the escalator, keep moving. Don't stop at the bottom or there will be a pile up.

Once you get on the train, keep moving. Don't block the door, because there are people behind you who also want to get on.

Don't sit in the Priority seating/handicap seats unless you really need them.

Don't let your kids use the poles as toys. They are not stripper poles to climb. Don't lean on the poles. Many people want to hold on to them... they're not for your body exclusively.

Let people get off the train before you get on.

A lot of times the end trains are the least occupied, so if you want a seat, move to the end of the platform while you wait.

Don't take your phone out on the train. There have been thefts.

Brace yourselves if you take rush hour trains. You'll feel like sardines. Yes, this is the way we roll in the DMV.

Hope this is helpful!

[Anonymous]

Hope you enjoy our beautiful city, OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Okay, stay to the right, got it.

Another dumb question, I see on Google Maps Highway 50, is that someone that can be walked across? Where I'm from, one can not walk across highways and expect to live. Like if I wanted to walk (not metro) from Union Station to Ford's Theatre, is that possible?

Off to order our metro cards.

Good planning ahead but most of the stations sell them. Also, there used to be special prices for rides like a week pass--that may end up costing you less depending on how often and when you plan to ride the trains. Don't know if that's still available but poke around on the wmata.com website.

[Anonymous]

Wear deodorant. Also, practice standing on a moving and turning vehicle without hand holds -- I recommend surfing?You will need to learn how to sturdy yourself w/o holding onto anything! Oh, and train your kids to do the same b/c they are even worse off if they are short...unless you guys manage to a) get a seat or b) stand next to the seats where there are handles at their height...that is, if they choose to even hold on to them!

[Anonymous]

Don't travel during rush hour i.e. don't get on the 'tro much before 10 and don't end your day @ 5.

[Anonymous]

Yes, you can walk from Union Station to Fords Theatre. It's a pretty far walk for a kid if you don't have a stoller.

[Anonymous]

Don't stand to the right. It's dangerous to walk on a moving escalator. By standing on the left, you block the walkers, reducing the chance of their injury.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't stand to the right. It's dangerous to walk on a moving escalator. By standing on the left, you block the walkers, reducing the chance of their injury.

Oh please.