July 4th Service Information

Advisory Effective: 7/4/23 - 7/4/23

Celebrate America with Metro: Frequent all-day service and free rides after 5 p.m. on July 4.

Beginning at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, July 4, Metrorail faregates will be open, and fare-free signage will be posted throughout the stations. Keep in mind, you don’t need SmarTrip cards if using Metro after 5 p.m.

Frequent service will be provided on all Metrorail lines all day, with service increasing after 4 p.m. to accommodate crowds traveling to fireworks and other evening festivities. Orange Line customers are reminded that Vienna and Dunn Loring stations are closed due to rail replacement and fiber optic cable installation. Free shuttle buses are provided, and customers are encouraged to take advantage of free parking at West Falls Church to connect to Metrorail. More information is available at wmata.com/2023majorconstruction.

Customers should be prepared for longer lines to enter stations near the Mall after the fireworks, up to 60 minutes, and for crowding to occur. The Metro Transit Police Department may temporarily restrict entry to stations experiencing excessive crowding to prevent unsafe conditions on the platforms. That may mean staying around the station until the crowds get smaller.

Planning your trip in advance is strongly encouraged. Metro's real-time live train map will help you plan your trip and let you see when the next train is coming.

Traveling to the National Mall

The closest station to the Mall is Smithsonian, however this is not your best choice. While many passengers choose to use Smithsonian, this station can become overcrowded during larger Mall events. Smithsonian Station will become "exit only" at 5 p.m. and "entry only" after 9 p.m. to accommodate crowds. Metro recommends selecting a destination station on the same line as your origin to avoid the need to transfer. There is a station near the Mall on every line. Here is a list of suggested stations:

• Foggy Bottom Orange Line Silver Line Blue Line
• Metro Center Red Line Orange Line Silver Line Blue Line
• Federal Triangle Orange Line Silver Line Blue Line
• Archives Yellow Line Green Line
• Gallery Place Red Line Yellow Line Green Line
• Judiciary Square Red Line
• Union Station Red Line
• L'Enfant Plaza Orange Line Silver Line Blue Line Yellow Line Green Line
• Capitol South Orange Line Silver Line Blue Line
• Federal Center SW Orange Line Silver Line Blue Line
• Arlington Cemetery Blue Line
  • Arlington Cemetery Station will remain open until 11 p.m. on July 4.

Sign up for MetroAlerts or follow us on Twitter @metrorailinfo and @metrobusinfo for up-to-the-minute station information.

Hours & Service

Metrorail

• Hours: Metrorail will operate 7 a.m. – midnight. First and last train times vary by station; check wmata.com/stations to plan your trip.
• Fares: Regular fares are in effect until 5 p.m. All trips after 5 p.m. will be fare-free.
• Red Line: Trains arrive every 8 minutes from opening until 4 p.m. Train frequency will increase to every 6 minutes from 4 p.m. to close.
• Green Line Yellow Line: Trains arrive every 8 minutes, opening to close.
• Blue Line Orange Line Silver Line: Trains arrive every 12 minutes from opening until 4 p.m. Train frequency will increase to every 10 minutes from 4 p.m. to close, with trains arriving approximately every 3 minutes where lines overlap.
  Vienna and Dunn Loring stations are closed due to construction. Free shuttle buses are provided. Visit wmata.com/2023majorconstruction for more information.

Metrobus

• Check detours in advance. 
• Metrobus will operate on a Sunday schedule. View timetables for service details.
• Fares: Regular fares are in effect until 5 p.m. All trips after 5 p.m. will be fare-free.
• Additional service will be added to routes that typically experience high ridership on July 4 to alleviate crowding.

MetroAccess

• Regular fares in effect until 5 p.m. After then, all trips will be fare-free.
• Subscription trips will be canceled.
• Customers wishing to travel on the holiday should make a separate reservation online (text only) or by calling 301-562-5360 (TTY 301-588-7535)

Additional Tips

• Delay return travel after the fireworks, if possible.
• Follow guidance of Metro Transit Police and Metro Ambassadors positioned throughout the system. If a station becomes too crowded, MTPD may temporarily halt entries to ensure customer safety on the platforms.
• Avoid traveling with items prohibited by the National Park Service on the National Mall, including weapons, alcohol, glass bottles or containers, fireworks, folding chairs, and coolers larger than 36 quarts (23”x15”x15”). Click here to view the full list of prohibited items.

Customer Service

Metro's customer information line will be open on the holiday. Call 202-637-7000. Customer support will also be available from 7:00 am - midnight via @metrorailinfo and @metrobusinfo.