These videos are GOLD my friend. God bless you. Haha. I’m the overly organized traveler that needs to have all my questions answered ahead of time so I can relax and I just found a one stop solution in your channel. THANK YOU!
I love living in DC! We live near Chinatown. I grew up here and Washington DC has gone from a sleepy 9 to 5 town to a vibrant, cosmopolitan world capital, and the best is yet to come!
Note that if you are aged 65 or over, it is possible to buy a "senior" SmartTrip card which gives a 50% discount on the normal fare. Even foreign tourists can get this card if aged 65 or over. You can't get this senior card from the station ticket machines. You have to go to the transport authority's counter at the Metro Centre station, show proof if age e.g. a passport- note they photocopy this- and fill out a form which asks for your name. address, e-mail and answers to three memorable questions. There is a $2 fee for the card, just like regular SmarrTrip cards. All this may put off many visitors, but its worth it if you're in Washington for a while and qualify for the senior card. The other snag is that unless you arrive in Washington at the Metro Centre station- highly unlikely- you'll need to pay the full fare to get there to apply for your senior card. The good news is that once you have a senior card you can use the ticket machines in stations to reload it just like the regular cards.
Mary Harvey my family and I experienced the same friendliness when we were in DC recently also! Wish this had been on his Metro vid before we we went. But as stated the station managets were always very helpful.( probably cause they could tell we were tourists, lol)
Great tip about mailing your remaining balance cards to local charities! These videos are great. I am going to DC for the first time, and I decided to learn about transit options first before booking a place to stay. The availability of transit to the attractions I want to see could have a big impact on the lodgings I choose.
I live 2,000 miles from DC. I tell myself that I will "discuss" trying to get any left over credit back, knowing full well that I probably won't. So thank you for the info on the Miriam's Kitchen charity. I will definitely mail my card to them when I'm back home!
One big tip is to make sure you actually tap your Smartrip card at the end of the transaction! One time during rush hour my father forgot to...wasted his money haha. Also, if you’re going with family make sure to keep the cards separate when reloading them. It can get frustrating if you accidentally mix them all up.
good info after all the advertisements. This is the only one I've seen telling how to get SmarTrip card balance (only at the machine in the metro station)
Thanks for the great videos, we are coming to visit aug. 2023 for two weeks. Grampa grandma my son and daughter in law and two kids age 11 and 7 I we are from Canada. I contacted he metro office to see if there is a visitor metro card (thought maybe it would save us some money) but the office really did not answer my question. Any help most appreciated. Best. Regards
I've been reloading the cards on the website without issue, but the last time I tried to do this they are telling me that I have to tap the card at the station to get the value I purchased loaded on the card. WTH?
I mistakenly paid 60 usd, I guess it was 7 days of unlimited passes, should I use it in the 7 days from the first day of activation or can I use them in different months??? Also, can I pass the card again if I go with a friend?
Me and my wife have a trip planned from April 10 to April 19 of 2020. We will be flying in and not renting a car. So a week long trip and we will be using the metro for everything and also using it (including the bus) get down the Mt Vernon also. On that kind of scenario, would that justify a unlimited smartcard pass? Also we will be staying in a Airbnb in Takoma and that almost all of our metro use will be during peak hours.
Hey Rob! I've read on some places online that the SmarTrip Metro Card can be used in Virginia and Baltimore for their transit systems too. Is this true? Thanks!
Nice helpful video's Rob! We're visiting DC with a group of six as a tourist from Europa. Two questions: First the simple one: How to buy a single fare ticket? I don't know the price for the ride. Second: Is the SmartTripcard usable for a group?
There is no single ticket. You put money on the card and it deducts as you ride. Every machine has a fare matrix that shows what your ride will cost depending on where you are going. Every person in the group needs their own card.
Hello, is the smarttrip card useable in all public transport vehicles? If I will go from Dulles aiport by bus 983 to closes metro station, can I pay by Smarttrip card? But I dont know if there is any possibility to buy smarttrip card in Dulles airport. :-)
You can use Smartrip on the 983 bus but they are not for sale at Dulles. Buy one on the wmata website if you have enough time in advance or pay cash until you can get a card.
How much would you recommend for a 7 day trip? My fiancée and I plan to visit a lot of DC landmarks. Also is the cash you put on the SmarTrip refundable?
I plan on being in DC Oct 2nd until the 7th with my spouse and my best friend, we will be in Arlington which is a few miles out of DC, I checked faires and they seem to be around $5 or $6, not sure if that's 1 way or 2 ways.. do you think we'd be wasting money to buy an unlimited pass? we'll have our car also, which means if possible we could park at places..
These are the areas I recommend to stay: ua-cam.com/video/OTv8XnSdFnM/v-deo.html I do not recommend tourists drive their own car: ua-cam.com/video/_5-USCmSpCY/v-deo.html I don't recommend unlimited ride passes.
@@TripHacksDC I already got my room, non-refundable.. I had no idea, and the reason I took it was because it was one of 2 hotels with Queen beds, the ones closer to DC had only twins and cost double the price. now that I have it what do you recommend for me as far as faire? btw I will also be there Monday-Saturday.. so will there be less traffic weekdays?
When you need your SmartTrip card to enter or exit the subway systems, is that when your charged on the card? If so then shouldn't it be the amount of time your in the station rather than the distance traveled? Time usually determines the distance, but are you charged more if your in the station longer?
Hi I would like to invite my own place Turkish caffe & tea end Turkish food .are you interesting ebout Turkish culture at Washington DC ? Let me know please.thanks
If you're looking for other Metro videos, check out the Metro video playlist here: goo.gl/G8QQ9p
Does each person need their own card?
How to register the card online? Any help
Shannon Allison yup
These videos are GOLD my friend. God bless you. Haha. I’m the overly organized traveler that needs to have all my questions answered ahead of time so I can relax and I just found a one stop solution in your channel. THANK YOU!
Happy to help!
I love living in DC! We live near Chinatown. I grew up here and Washington DC has gone from a sleepy 9 to 5 town to a vibrant, cosmopolitan world capital, and the best is yet to come!
Yes!
Note that if you are aged 65 or over, it is possible to buy a "senior" SmartTrip card which gives a 50% discount on the normal fare. Even foreign tourists can get this card if aged 65 or over. You can't get this senior card from the station ticket machines. You have to go to the transport authority's counter at the Metro Centre station, show proof if age e.g. a passport- note they photocopy this- and fill out a form which asks for your name. address, e-mail and answers to three memorable questions. There is a $2 fee for the card, just like regular SmarrTrip cards. All this may put off many visitors, but its worth it if you're in Washington for a while and qualify for the senior card. The other snag is that unless you arrive in Washington at the Metro Centre station- highly unlikely- you'll need to pay the full fare to get there to apply for your senior card. The good news is that once you have a senior card you can use the ticket machines in stations to reload it just like the regular cards.
One of those details that no one seems to tell you ahead of time. Thank you for taking the time to tell us!
Happy to help!
Metro Staff were very kind and helpful. They offer to help you with card topping and with which line to ride. So easy!
That's good to hear. They haven't always had a stellar reputation for being helpful.
Mary Harvey my family and I experienced the same friendliness when we were in DC recently also!
Wish this had been on his Metro vid before we we went.
But as stated the station managets were always very helpful.( probably cause they could tell we were tourists, lol)
Love your videos. You talk very articulately and no fluff. And the tips are very much needed!
Glad it was helpful!
Great tip about mailing your remaining balance cards to local charities! These videos are great. I am going to DC for the first time, and I decided to learn about transit options first before booking a place to stay. The availability of transit to the attractions I want to see could have a big impact on the lodgings I choose.
Thanks for your videos, i am interning in D.C. for the summer and am learning how to get from the airport to my apartment, how to travel in D.C., etc.
I live 2,000 miles from DC. I tell myself that I will "discuss" trying to get any left over credit back, knowing full well that I probably won't. So thank you for the info on the Miriam's Kitchen charity. I will definitely mail my card to them when I'm back home!
Cool. Thanks!
Don’t you can reuse it
Knowing that there are organizations that use the overloaded cards is fantastic; thx for the link
One big tip is to make sure you actually tap your Smartrip card at the end of the transaction! One time during rush hour my father forgot to...wasted his money haha. Also, if you’re going with family make sure to keep the cards separate when reloading them. It can get frustrating if you accidentally mix them all up.
Good one. Mixing them up while trying to add more money could get really frustrating really fast.
We are here now in DC. Just wish to inform that CVS and Walgreens no longer carry Smart Trip cards. We were advised to just go to the metro station.
Thanks for the update!
good info after all the advertisements. This is the only one I've seen telling how to get SmarTrip card balance (only at the machine in the metro station)
Thanks for the great videos, we are coming to visit aug. 2023 for two weeks. Grampa grandma my son and daughter in law and two kids age 11 and 7 I we are from Canada. I contacted he metro office to see if there is a visitor metro card (thought maybe it would save us some money) but the office really did not answer my question. Any help most appreciated. Best. Regards
There is no special SmarTrip card for visitors.
How do I check my value online please
Create a WMATA account and register the card. Then you can see the balance online. smartrip.wmata.com/Account/Create
Thank you! In town for a conference and this helps a lot.
Have a great conference!
If metro launches a mobile fare system will you make a video on that?
I've been reloading the cards on the website without issue, but the last time I tried to do this they are telling me that I have to tap the card at the station to get the value I purchased loaded on the card. WTH?
Hello, exelent videos, cuestión: can i buy e smartrip card en reagan airport unlimited for 3 day by 30$??
Any updates? Heading there in a month. Using metro from Reagan to Grand Hyatt
Is it still more affordable to ride the bus as a family of 5 with multiple stops?
I mistakenly paid 60 usd, I guess it was 7 days of unlimited passes, should I use it in the 7 days from the first day of activation or can I use them in different months??? Also, can I pass the card again if I go with a friend?
Thanks For these tips man! I live near Yellow line Huntington Its where i grew up.
You bet!
Does everyone in you party need a smartcard?
I still have some old school paper farecards that I just forgot to credit back to my Smarttrip card, I think it's too late now though
Yep. That window closed a while ago. Sorry!
I have a smart trip card that has $6.00 on it, I live in Michigan, can I use the card next time I come to DC?
Yes
Me and my wife have a trip planned from April 10 to April 19 of 2020. We will be flying in and not renting a car. So a week long trip and we will be using the metro for everything and also using it (including the bus) get down the Mt Vernon also. On that kind of scenario, would that justify a unlimited smartcard pass?
Also we will be staying in a Airbnb in Takoma and that almost all of our metro use will be during peak hours.
If you plan to use Metro every day then yes, probably.
Can you add money to your card on the wmata website?
Yes.
what is the best choice to do coming from crystal city all the way to shady grove? What is the cheapest route?
The current price is $6.00 during peak hours and $3.85 during off peak hours. Ride during off-peak hours for the cheapest fare.
@@TripHacksDC goodness! N I wish I could but my house is far 😭 I will have to leave b4 7pm
Hey Rob! I've read on some places online that the SmarTrip Metro Card can be used in Virginia and Baltimore for their transit systems too. Is this true? Thanks!
Correct. You can see the full list here: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SmarTrip#Participating_systems
Thanks Rob
Nice helpful video's Rob! We're visiting DC with a group of six as a tourist from Europa. Two questions: First the simple one: How to buy a single fare ticket? I don't know the price for the ride. Second: Is the SmartTripcard usable for a group?
There is no single ticket. You put money on the card and it deducts as you ride. Every machine has a fare matrix that shows what your ride will cost depending on where you are going. Every person in the group needs their own card.
Trip Hacks DC Oké thanks Rob. So we all need to go for a SmartTripCard and load it up. 👍 We’ll stand right on the escalator! 😀
Hello, is the smarttrip card useable in all public transport vehicles? If I will go from Dulles aiport by bus 983 to closes metro station, can I pay by Smarttrip card? But I dont know if there is any possibility to buy smarttrip card in Dulles airport. :-)
You can use Smartrip on the 983 bus but they are not for sale at Dulles. Buy one on the wmata website if you have enough time in advance or pay cash until you can get a card.
How much would you recommend for a 7 day trip? My fiancée and I plan to visit a lot of DC landmarks. Also is the cash you put on the SmarTrip refundable?
Start with $20 and top up as needed.
Regarding refunds: 03:55
Is there a maximum amount that can be loaded onto a smart trip card?
$300 I believe.
I plan on being in DC Oct 2nd until the 7th with my spouse and my best friend, we will be in Arlington which is a few miles out of DC, I checked faires and they seem to be around $5 or $6, not sure if that's 1 way or 2 ways.. do you think we'd be wasting money to buy an unlimited pass? we'll have our car also, which means if possible we could park at places..
These are the areas I recommend to stay: ua-cam.com/video/OTv8XnSdFnM/v-deo.html
I do not recommend tourists drive their own car: ua-cam.com/video/_5-USCmSpCY/v-deo.html
I don't recommend unlimited ride passes.
@@TripHacksDC I already got my room, non-refundable.. I had no idea, and the reason I took it was because it was one of 2 hotels with Queen beds, the ones closer to DC had only twins and cost double the price. now that I have it what do you recommend for me as far as faire? btw I will also be there Monday-Saturday.. so will there be less traffic weekdays?
I got stuck in a elevator lucky someone came
Yikes!
Trip Hacks DC I am Never riding it again!
Nathan Boat Review Channel elevators in public transportation systems are notorious for shutting down all the time.
When you need your SmartTrip card to enter or exit the subway systems, is that when your charged on the card? If so then shouldn't it be the amount of time your in the station rather than the distance traveled? Time usually determines the distance, but are you charged more if your in the station longer?
Time doesn't matter. Fares are based on distance.
I found out the cards can only load up to $300 in value at a time. Why is that?
Do smart trip cards expire?
Money added at a fare machine does not expire.
Trip Hacks DC And that goes for the card that comes from the machine. Cause I still have my card from last year and I haven't used it since.
If you have a Smartrip from one year ago you are good to go.
Hi I would like to invite my own place Turkish caffe & tea end Turkish food .are you interesting ebout Turkish culture at Washington DC ? Let me know please.thanks
I'm interested in all different types of cultures!
UBER