Fares & Payments

Learn about the latest DC Circulator fare, service, and route information.

Fares

  • Regular – $1.00
  • Senior/Disabled – 50¢- Discounted fares for passengers of the age of 65 and older. We recommend utilizing the Senior SmarTrip available in both plastic and digital versions or a government issue ID to confirm your age if asked.
  • DC Students (with Kids Ride Free SmarTrip® Card) – free to school and school-related activities
  • Children Under 5 – free (with paying adult rider)

Transfers

The following discounted fares for transfers are applied only to riders using a SmarTrip®Card.

*Transferring to Circulator

  • from Circulator (within 2 hours) – free
  • from Metrobus (within 2 hours) – free
  • from Metrorail – 50¢
  • senior/disabled persons from Metrorail – free
  • from Arlington Transit (ART) – free

*From Circulator

  • to Metrobus – 1.00
  • to Metrobus Express – $3.25
  • to Metrobus Airport shuttle – $6.50
  • to Metrorail – 50¢ credit

*Riders paying with cash cannot receive a transfer.  

Payment Options

  • Cash – DC Circulator accepts coins and dollar bills in exact change only. The driver does not carry cash to make change. Simply place your fare in the farebox located near the driver.
  • SmarTrip® Card – This is a permanent, rechargeable farecard you can use to pay fares and transfers on Circulator, Metrobus, Metrorail and more. To board a bus with a SmarTrip® card, simply tap your card on the fare box when you enter the front door. You may buy or add value to your SmarTrip® Card at any Metrorail station or at Metro sales offices, retail outlets, commuter stores and CommuterDirect.com.
  • DC Circulator only accepts the $17.50 7-day WMATA regional bus pass, which can only be loaded on to the Smartrip card. For more information visit: https://www.wmata.com/fares/farecard-options.cfm