Ruth Haines
If you're looking to get into Washington, D.C. from Reagan National Airport, the most cost-effective way to travel is by using the Metrorail system. The Metrorail station is connected to the concourse level of Terminal 2, with elevators at each station. You can buy SmarTrip cards at the airport, at the entrance of the station, from little blue/grey machines. SmarTrip cards cost $10 and have $8 worth of rides on them, and you can top up your card at the big blue or big orange machines.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location of the Metrorail station | Connected to the concourse level of Terminal 2 |
| Address | 2401 Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport Access Rd, Arlington, VA 22202 |
| Nearest terminal | Terminal 2 |
| Access from Terminal 1 | Exit to the street-side curb and board the "Airport Shuttle" bus. At the stops for Terminal 2 or North/South Parking 1 & 2, access an enclosed bridge to the Metrorail station |
| Alternative access from Terminal 1 | Go to either end of the train platform and exit the station towards the parking garage. Take the elevator or stairway to the street level and board any "Airport Shuttle" bus |
| Metro card availability | Available for purchase at the entrance of the station |
| Metro card type | SmartTrip Card |
| Metro card cost | $10 with $8 worth of riding |
| Accepted payment methods | Credit cards and cash |
| Top-up options | Big blue (credit card or cash) or big orange (cash only) machines |
| Contactless payment | Supported if the SmartTrip Card is loaded into Apple Wallet or Google Wallet |
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What You'll Learn
SmarTrip cards are available at Reagan Airport
SmarTrip cards are a convenient way to pay for your travel on the Metrorail system in Washington, DC. The system has an elevated Metrorail station connected to the concourse level of Terminal 2 at Reagan National Airport. The station provides a covered moving walkway to access all airline terminals.
If you already have a SmarTrip card, you can top it up at the airport. You can also use contactless payment if your SmarTrip card is loaded into Apple Wallet or Google Wallet.
When transferring between a train and a bus, or a bus and a train, within two hours, about 65 cents less is taken from your card. This integration between bus and rail makes travelling around Washington, DC, seamless and cost-effective.
If you are travelling with luggage, be aware that transferring between stations that are not on the Blue or Yellow lines can be stressful. This usually involves exiting the train and navigating the station's escalators and platforms.
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Purchase at vending machines or newsstands
You can purchase SmarTrip cards at vending machines or newsstands at Reagan National Airport. These blue "Fare Vending" machines are located at all entrances to the Airport Metrorail station and sell up to six SmarTrip cards at a time. You can add up to $300 in value to each SmarTrip card, which can be used to pay your fare on the Metrorail, Metrobus, or one of Metro's Regional Partners. You can also add a Metrorail pass to the card, such as a One-Day Pass, 7-Day Short Trip Pass, 7-Day Fast Pass, or 28-Day Fast Pass.
The SmarTrip card itself costs $10 and comes with $8 worth of rides. The vending machines accept cash, major credit cards, and debit cards. However, they only provide up to $10 in change, and this is returned in coins. If you encounter a broken machine, it's recommended to have a $10 bill per person as backup.
In addition to the vending machines, you can also purchase SmarTrip cards at newsstands or other locations within the airport. These may include dedicated SmarTrip machines, which are blue or grey, and accept credit cards.
The Metrorail station at Reagan National Airport is conveniently connected to the concourse level of Terminal 2. If you are arriving at Terminal 1, you can take an "Airport Shuttle" bus to Terminal 2 or North/South Parking 1 & 2, where you can access an enclosed bridge to the Metrorail station.
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The cards cost $10 with $8 of credit
If you're looking to purchase a Metro card at Reagan National Airport, you're in luck. Metro fare cards are available for purchase at the entrance of the station at the airport. The cards cost $10 with $8 of credit, and you can buy them from the little blue/grey machines. These machines accept both credit cards and cash, but if you're paying with a $20 bill, be aware that they don't give change. It's a good idea to have a $10 bill on hand just in case.
The Metro card works like a rail and bus debit card. You can top it up at the big blue or big orange machines when your balance gets low. The blue machines accept both cash and credit cards, while the orange machines are cash only.
You can also purchase a SmarTrip Card, which is available at every Metro station, including Reagan National Airport. SmarTrip machines also accept credit cards, except when they are out of order, so it's always useful to have some cash on hand.
The Metro is a cost-effective way to travel to and from downtown DC to Reagan National Airport, but it can be stressful for visitors with luggage during rush hour.
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Use for rail and bus travel
SmarTrip cards can be used to pay for fares on all Metrorail stations in DC, Maryland, and Virginia, as well as Metro parking garages and lots, Metrobus routes, MTA, and partner regional bus providers. They are also accepted on ART, DASH, Fairfax Connector, Cue, RideON, TheBus, Loudon Country Transit, and Potomac and Rappahannock Transit/PRTC. The SmarTrip card works like a rail and bus debit card. You can add money to it at big blue (credit card or cash) or big orange (cash only) machines.
When transferring between a train and a bus (or vice versa) within 2 hours, about 65 cents less is taken from your card. SmarTrip cards can be purchased at fare vending machines located in Metrorail stations, including Reagan National Airport. The station at Reagan National Airport is connected to the concourse level of Terminal 2. To get to the station from Terminal 1, exit the terminal to the street-side curb and board any "Airport Shuttle" bus. You can also take the elevator or stairway to the street level and board the bus from there.
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Top-up at big blue or orange machines
Once you have your SmarTrip card, you can top it up at the big blue or orange machines. These machines accept both cash and credit cards, so you have a choice of payment methods. It is worth noting that the machines do not give change for $20 bills, so it is advisable to have a $10 bill per person when topping up.
The SmarTrip card is like a rail and bus debit card. You use it to enter and exit the Metro train system, so the system can calculate your fare and deduct the correct amount from your card. This means that each person travelling will need their own SmarTrip card. Children under five years old do not need one.
You can purchase the SmarTrip card at Reagan National Airport, at the little blue/grey machines. The card costs $10 and comes with $8 worth of credit for travelling. You can only buy one card at a time from these machines, and they accept credit cards.
The SmarTrip card is also useful for bus travel. You use the card when you enter the bus, and the flat bus fare is deducted. If you transfer between buses within two hours, the second, third, etc. rides are free. When you transfer between a train and a bus (or a bus to a train) within two hours, about 65 cents less is taken from your card for the second journey.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can buy SmarTrip cards at Reagan National Airport. They are sold at little blue/grey machines for $10 with $8 worth of rides. Credit cards are accepted.
The MetroCard is available at the entrance of the station at the airport.
The SmarTrip machines accept credit cards. However, they do not give change for a $20 bill, so it is recommended to have a $10 bill per person.
Some newsstands in the terminals sell pre-valued MetroCards.
