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 platform sits more than 120 feet (37 meters) below street level, deep enough that it had to be bored through rock. Its escalator runs 212 feet with a rise of 106 feet — it held the record for the longest in the Western Hemisphere until Wheaton opened, and remains the second longest, which makes the descent a genuinely memorable one even for frequent riders.
The station opened on August 25, 1984, alongside Medical Center, 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
|
Peak service (Mon–Fri 5–9:30am, 3–7pm): every 6 min. Off-peak and weekends: every 12 min. Last train shortly before midnight on weekdays, ~2am Fri–Sat.
Nearby Attractions
Station Exits
Rider Tips
- The escalator at Bethesda is the second longest in the Western Hemisphere — a single unbroken run of 212 feet, after Wheaton’s 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?
The platform at Bethesda sits more than 120 feet (37 meters) below street level — one of eleven Metro stations bored through rock rather than cut and covered. The escalator descends 106 feet over a 212-foot run, the second longest in the Western Hemisphere after Wheaton. Forest Glen, also on the Red Line, is the deepest station in the system.
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.