About Bethesda Station
Bethesda is one of the most distinctive Red Line stations in the WMATA system — and one of the most dramatic. Located in the heart of downtown Bethesda, Maryland, the station sits approximately 180 feet (55 meters) below street level, ranking among the deepest in the entire Metro network. The escalators descend in a single continuous run of roughly 230 feet, making them some of the longest in the Western Hemisphere and a genuinely memorable experience even for frequent riders.
The station opened on December 15, 1984, as part of the extension of the Red Line into Montgomery County. Its mezzanine and platform follow architect Harry Weese's signature coffered concrete vault design, with the dramatic scale amplified by the extraordinary depth. The station serves as the primary Metro anchor for downtown Bethesda — a dense, walkable urban core with some of the best restaurant density in the entire Washington metro area.
A future Purple Line light rail station will connect at Bethesda, providing a new cross-county route into Prince George's County. When completed, it will significantly expand the reach of transit connections at this station beyond the Red Line corridor.
Lines & Schedule
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Peak service (Mon–Fri 5–9:30am, 3–7pm): every 6 min. Off-peak and weekends: every 12 min. Last train ~11:30pm weekdays, ~1am Fri–Sat.
Nearby Attractions
Station Exits
Rider Tips
- The escalators at Bethesda are among the longest in the system — a single unbroken run of ~230 feet. If they stop, the emergency stairs are strenuous. Check WMATA's elevator/escalator status app before heading down.
- Downtown Bethesda has one of the highest restaurant-per-block densities in the region. Bethesda Row (3–5 min walk) and the Woodmont Triangle (2 min walk) both offer dozens of options at every price point.
- Multiple Ride On and Metrobus routes depart from the Wisconsin Ave bus bay at street level, connecting to NIH, Bethesda Naval Hospital, and areas of Montgomery County not on the Red Line.
- The Capital Crescent Trail — a 11-mile paved trail to Georgetown — is accessible from the Elm Street exit. Capital Bikeshare has docks at both exits.
- The Purple Line light rail, when completed, will connect at Bethesda for east-west travel to Silver Spring, College Park, and New Carrollton without needing to go through downtown DC.
Adjacent Stations on the Red Line
Frequently Asked Questions
How deep is Bethesda Metro station?
Bethesda station platform sits approximately 180 feet (55 meters) below street level, making it one of the deepest stations in the WMATA system. The escalators descend in a continuous run of about 230 feet. This depth was required to tunnel beneath the dense underground infrastructure of downtown Bethesda, including utilities and the water table.
Is there parking at Bethesda Metro?
There is no WMATA-owned parking lot at Bethesda station. The station is in a dense urban downtown where driving and parking is challenging. Private garages are available along Wisconsin Ave and Woodmont Ave, typically $10–20 per day on weekdays. Most visitors arrive by bus, bike, or on foot from the surrounding neighborhoods.
Will the Purple Line stop at Bethesda?
Yes. The Purple Line, Maryland's east-west light rail project currently under construction, will have a station at Bethesda that connects with the existing Red Line station. When complete, it will allow riders to travel between Bethesda and destinations like Silver Spring, Takoma/Langley Park, College Park, and New Carrollton without needing to go through downtown DC.
How far is Bethesda Metro from NIH?
NIH's main campus is about 0.7 miles (14 min walk) from Bethesda station. However, the closest Metro station to NIH is Medical Center station, one stop toward Shady Grove, which places you directly at the NIH visitor entrance on Rockville Pike. For NIH visits, take the train one extra stop to Medical Center rather than walking from Bethesda.