Metro is making fares free for bus, train, and MetroAccess riders after 5 p.m. on the Fourth of July.

The Fourth is traditionally one of the busiest holidays on Metro with four to five hundred thousand trips pre-pandemic.

You won’t need to tap in at stations or on buses as gates will be open and fare machines off.

“The best way to beat traffic and get to barbecues, parades, and fireworks is with Metro, America’s transit system,” Metro Board Chair Paul Smedberg said in a statement.

Train service will increase after 4 p.m. to accommodate crowds heading to fireworks on the National Mall and other events. Rail closes at midnight, but the last trains vary by station. Vienna and Dunn Loring stations on the Orange Line remain closed for rail replacement, but free shuttle buses are provided. You can also park at West Falls Church for free and take the train from there.

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 and Yellow lines: Trains arrive every 8 minutes from opening to close.
Blue, Orange, and Silver lines: 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.

Metrobus: Operating on a Sunday schedule, but more service will be added to routes that typically experience high ridership on July 4 to alleviate crowding. Delays and detours are possible due to road closures near the National Mall.

Parking: free all day at Metro parking facilities and garages.

Metro is suggesting customers…

• Avoid rail transfers. Select a station near your destination on the same line as your origin to avoid the need to transfer and reduce crowding.
• Delay return travel after the fireworks, if possible. The fireworks show runs from 9:09-9:27 p.m.
• Follow the 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”).
• Consider using stations other than Smithsonian, which typically sees the most crowding. Smithsonian Station will become ‘exit only’ at 5 p.m., and ‘entry only’ after 9 p.m. to accommodate crowds traveling to and from the National Mall.
• Other convenient stations include: Foggy Bottom (may become ‘entry only’ after fireworks), Metro Center, Federal Triangle, Archives, Gallery Place, Judiciary Square, Union Station, L’Enfant Plaza, Capitol South, Federal Center SW, Arlington Cemetery (open until 11 p.m.)