Bus and Rail in Alexandria

Page updated on May 12, 2022 at 9:35 AM

DASH

The DASH system provides safe, reliable, and courteous bus service within the City of Alexandria and connects with Metrobus, Metrorail, VRE, and other local bus systems. DASH serves all of the Alexandria Metrorail stations and the Pentagon Metrorail station during morning and evening peak periods. Hours vary according to route. All buses are accessible to people with disabilities. Bicycle racks are currently available on all buses.  

Metrobus

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) operates Metrobus, which consists of 335 routes and 15,000 bus stops throughout Virginia (counties of Arlington, Fairfax, and Loudon, and the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, and Falls Church), Washington D.C., and Maryland (counties of Anne Arundel, Montgomery, and Prince George’s). All buses are accessible to people with disabilities. There are bicycle racks on all buses. Hours vary according to route.

System Maps (PDFs)

Great Tools

Metroway

Metroway is a new premium transit service offering a faster trip along Route 1 between Crystal City and Braddock Rd Metrorail stations, via Potomac Yard.  The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) operates Metroway, which features dedicated bus-only lanes, consolidated bus stops, and more service, seven days a week.  Because Metroway buses travel on bus-only lanes through congested areas, beating traffic is a breeze.  Buses come often and make limited stops, so you’ll get where you need to go—faster.

For the Metroway website click HERE 

Fairfax Connector

The Fairfax Connector system serves a number of communities through Fairfax County, which includes Herndon, Reston, Tysons, Springfield, Mount Vernon, and others as well as areas of Alexandria and Arlington. Most buses are wheelchair equipped. Hours vary according to route. Bicycle racks are currently available on some buses.  

Metrorail

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority operates Metrorail, which consists of 106 miles of rail lines and 86 stations throughout Virginia (counties of Arlington, Fairfax, and Loudon, and the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, and Falls Church), Washington D.C., and Maryland (counties of Montgomery and Prince George’s). On weekdays, service hours begin at 5:00 a.m. and end at midnight Sunday through Thursday nights. On weekends service begins at 7:00 a.m. and ends at 3:00 a.m. Friday and Saturday nights.

VRE (Virginia Railway Express) 

VRE is a commuter rail service, operating Monday through Friday from as early as 5:05 a.m. until as late as 8:25 p.m. depending on the route, and mainly serves people traveling to and from work. Service is provided from Northern Virginia suburbs to Alexandria, Crystal City, and downtown Washington D.C.