It really depends on the maturity and street smarts of the kid. My 10 yr old 4th grader just started taking mass transit on her own to school.

I can't say for others but I'd let mine ride around age 14, possibly a bit earlier if they are in a group with other kids.

Middle school kids commonly Metro alone within the District.

Anonymous wrote:My kid is still in diapers, but I had a totally random thought today: At what age should kids ride the Metro unaccompanied?

It depends on the kid. If he is brought up on a play date diet, has is whole life managed by helicopter parents, and cannot navigate his own neighborhood then it might be 15 or 16. If the kid has parents with a half a brain who have let him fend for himself then its very possible that he could take the Metro at 13 or 14.

My kid is still in diapers, but I had a totally random thought today: At what age should kids ride the Metro unaccompanied?