About Federal Center SW Station
Federal Center SW station serves the Blue, Orange, and Silver lines in Southwest Washington DC, positioned between L'Enfant Plaza and Capitol South. The station sits at the edge of a dense cluster of federal office buildings and House of Representatives facilities, making it one of the primary Metro stops for congressional staff and federal workers in this quadrant of the city.
Within walking distance are the headquarters of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Department of Transportation (DOT), and the Department of Labor. The station is also a practical stop for the Rayburn House Office Building — the largest congressional office building on Capitol Hill — as well as the U.S. Botanic Garden on Maryland Avenue SW, one of the oldest botanic gardens in North America.
The Southwest DC neighborhood surrounding the station is a planned residential and commercial district developed largely in the 1960s. It features a mix of federal buildings, apartment complexes, the Arena Stage theater complex, and the Southwest Waterfront area along the Washington Channel — now fully transformed into The Wharf, a vibrant waterfront development with restaurants, music venues, and a marina.
Lines & Schedules
To L'Enfant Plaza: ~3 min. To Capitol South: ~3 min. To Smithsonian: ~5 min.
Nearby Attractions
Station Exits
Rider Tips
- The U.S. Botanic Garden is a free attraction about 6 minutes northeast of the station. The conservatory is open daily and houses tropical, desert, and medicinal plant collections. The outdoor gardens along Maryland Avenue are also worth a stroll.
- The Wharf, DC's waterfront entertainment district, is about a 10-minute walk south. For a faster connection, the Waterfront station on the Green Line is closer to The Wharf — consider using that station if you are coming from the Yellow or Green lines.
- Congressional visitors heading to the Rayburn House Office Building should exit at C Street and walk east along C Street SW for about 5 minutes. Bring a government-issued photo ID and check visitor access requirements before your visit.
- L'Enfant Plaza is one stop west and offers connections to the Yellow and Green lines, as well as the Postal Museum and access to the Mall. It is the more versatile transfer hub if you need to continue to other parts of the city.
Adjacent Stations
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Federal Center SW the best Metro stop for the U.S. Capitol?
Capitol South station (one stop east) is generally the best Metro stop for the U.S. Capitol building and Capitol Visitor Center. Federal Center SW is closer to the House office buildings on the southwest side of the Capitol complex, particularly the Rayburn and Longworth buildings. Union Station (Red Line) is another option for the Capitol's north side.
How do I get to The Wharf from Federal Center SW?
The Wharf waterfront district is about a 10-minute walk south from Federal Center SW along 4th Street SW. Alternatively, Waterfront station on the Green Line is slightly closer to The Wharf's main entrance. From Federal Center SW, take the Metro one stop west to L'Enfant Plaza, then transfer to the Green Line and go one stop south to Waterfront.
Does Federal Center SW station have parking?
Federal Center SW is a Zone 1 downtown station with no Park & Ride facility. Driving to this station is not practical. Use the Metro from outer stations with parking, such as Franconia-Springfield or Vienna, and ride the Blue or Orange line directly into Federal Center SW.