History of the Blue Line
The Blue Line opened on July 1, 1977, as the second Metrorail line to serve the system. The original segment connected National Airport (now Reagan National) through the Virginia suburbs. It remains one of the most strategically important lines in the system, linking three of DC's most-visited destinations: the Pentagon, Reagan National Airport, and the US Capitol.
The line shares significant track with the Orange and Silver lines through the DC core, and with the Yellow Line through much of Virginia — creating a dense transfer network in the region's most-traveled corridors.
Schedule & Frequency
| Day | First Train | Last Train | Peak Freq. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday–Friday | 5:00 AM | 11:30 PM | Every 6–10 min |
| Saturday | 7:00 AM | 1:00 AM | Every 8–12 min |
| Sunday | 8:00 AM | 11:00 PM | Every 12–15 min |
Getting to Reagan National Airport (DCA)
The Blue Line offers one of the most convenient airport connections in the United States. The Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport station is directly connected to Terminal B/C with no shuttle required. From Metro Center, the trip takes approximately 15 minutes and costs $2.25–$6.75 depending on time of day. The Yellow Line also serves this station.
Parking Along the Blue Line
- Franconia-Springfield — large terminus lot, fills early ($6.00/day)
- Van Dorn Street — surface lot with availability past 8 AM ($5.00/day)
- Capitol Heights — commuter lot ($4.95/day)
- Addison Road — structured garage ($4.95/day)
- Morgan Blvd — spacious surface lot ($4.95/day)
- Largo Town Center — large terminus lot ($6.00/day)