About L'Enfant Plaza
L'Enfant Plaza is the most versatile transfer station in the DC Metro system. Five of the six Metrorail lines converge here — Blue, Orange, Silver, Yellow and Green — making it the only station in the system served by all lines except the Red Line. From L'Enfant Plaza, you can reach virtually any point in the Metro network with at most one additional transfer.
The station has two levels of platforms. The upper level serves the Blue, Orange and Silver lines (running northeast–southwest), while the lower level serves the Yellow and Green lines (running north–south). Free transfers between all five lines are included within the fare zone.
Above ground, the station connects to L'Enfant Plaza itself — a mixed-use development with federal office buildings, a hotel, and the Promenade shopping concourse. The National Mall's eastern museums are a short walk north, and the revitalized SW Waterfront (The Wharf) is about 10 minutes on foot to the south.
Lines & Schedules
Nearby Attractions
Station Exits
Rider Tips
- Transferring between the upper (Blue/Orange/Silver) and lower (Yellow/Green) platforms requires walking through the paid zone. No exit needed — the transfer is free. Follow the overhead signs carefully as the station layout can be confusing on first visits.
- The Air & Space Museum is the most visited museum in the world. On peak summer weekends, the 6-minute walk from L'Enfant Plaza may be faster than Smithsonian station's closer but more crowded exit.
- The Wharf (SW Waterfront) is about a 12-minute walk south — one of DC's best newer dining districts with waterfront seafood, bars and live music. Uber from the station is also quick (2 min, ~$6).
- L'Enfant Plaza is Zone 1 — minimum fare from any other Zone 1 station. If traveling from the Virginia suburbs (Zone 3), your fare is the same whether you exit here or at Metro Center.
- Multiple federal agencies including HUD, DOT and DOE have offices in or near L'Enfant Plaza. If you're commuting here for government work, the underground Promenade shopping concourse has cafes and services open weekday mornings.
Adjacent Stations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Metro lines serve L'Enfant Plaza?
L'Enfant Plaza is served by five Metrorail lines: Blue (Franconia-Springfield – Largo), Orange (Vienna – New Carrollton), Silver (Ashburn/Dulles – Largo), Yellow (Huntington – Greenbelt), and Green (Branch Avenue – Greenbelt). It is the only DC Metro station served by all lines except the Red Line, giving it unmatched connectivity in the system.
Is L'Enfant Plaza close to the National Mall?
Yes — the National Mall's eastern museums (Air & Space, Hirshhorn, Freer Gallery) are about a 5–8 minute walk from the station's north exits. For the western end of the Mall (Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument), the Smithsonian or Federal Triangle stations are closer. The Smithsonian station (one stop on the Blue/Orange/Silver line) is also convenient for the Mall's central area.
How do I transfer between lines at L'Enfant Plaza?
Blue, Orange and Silver share the upper platform. Yellow and Green share the lower platform. To transfer between these two groups, use the escalators or elevators inside the paid fare zone. The transfer is included in your trip fare — no tap-out needed. Allow a few extra minutes; first-time visitors sometimes get turned around in the station's underground corridors.
What is The Wharf and how far is it from L'Enfant Plaza?
The Wharf is DC's revitalized Southwest Waterfront, opened in 2017 and expanded in 2022. It stretches along the Washington Channel with restaurants, music venues (the Anthem, Pearl Street Warehouse), hotels and outdoor space. From L'Enfant Plaza it's about a 12-minute walk south, or a 2-minute Uber/Lyft ride. The Waterfront Metro station (Green Line) is also close to the Wharf's eastern end.