About Arlington Cemetery Station
Arlington Cemetery station is a small, single-line Blue Line station specifically designed to serve visitors to Arlington National Cemetery — America's most revered military burial ground, where over 400,000 veterans and their dependents are interred. The station's exit places visitors within steps of the cemetery's main visitor center and entrance gates.
The station opened in 1979, several years after the initial 1977 Blue Line opening, as a dedicated access point for this major national memorial site. It is located in Zone 1A — the same zone as DC itself — despite being in Virginia, reflecting its proximity to the Potomac River and to central DC attractions.
The Marine Corps War Memorial (Iwo Jima Memorial) is approximately 0.5 miles north of the station along Marshall Drive. The Netherlands Carillon, a gift from the Dutch people, stands nearby with excellent views of Washington DC across the river.
Lines & Schedules
Note: Only Blue Line trains stop here — Yellow Line trains skip this station. To Rosslyn: ~3 min. To Pentagon: ~4 min. To Metro Center: ~14 min.
Nearby Attractions
Station Exits
Rider Tips
- Arlington National Cemetery is open daily from 8 am to 5 pm (7 pm in summer). Metro is the recommended way to visit — no parking inside the cemetery grounds. Allow at least 2–4 hours for a thorough visit.
- Only Blue Line trains stop at Arlington Cemetery — Yellow Line trains bypass this station. If you're coming from downtown DC, any Blue Line train heading toward Franconia-Springfield will stop here.
- The Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier occurs every hour (on the hour) from October through March, and every 30 minutes April through September. It is free to watch.
- The Iwo Jima Memorial (Marine Corps War Memorial) is a 10-minute walk north of the station. Combine with the Netherlands Carillon for great views of the DC skyline across the Potomac.
Adjacent Stations
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get to Arlington National Cemetery by Metro?
Take the Blue Line to Arlington Cemetery station. From Metro Center it takes about 14 minutes. The station exit puts you directly at the cemetery's main visitor center and entrance. Yellow Line trains do NOT stop here — take the Blue Line only.
Does the Yellow Line stop at Arlington Cemetery?
No. Only Blue Line trains stop at Arlington Cemetery station. Yellow Line trains bypass this station. If you board a Yellow Line train heading toward Pentagon, it will not stop here.
Is parking available at Arlington Cemetery Metro?
There is no WMATA parking at Arlington Cemetery station. Parking within Arlington National Cemetery requires prior arrangement for specific ceremonies. Metro is the recommended transportation for visitors.
What zone is Arlington Cemetery Metro?
Arlington Cemetery is in Fare Zone 1A — the same fare zone as most DC stations. Peak fares to Zone 1 downtown stations start at $2.25, and off-peak fares are $2.00.