About Dupont Circle Station
Dupont Circle is one of the most vibrant and heavily-used stations on the Washington DC Metrorail Red Line. Located beneath Connecticut Avenue NW at Q Street, the station serves the Dupont Circle neighborhood — a dense mix of embassies, independent restaurants, bars, bookstores, and historic row houses that makes it one of DC's most walkable urban cores.
The station is served by two side platforms and by some of the longest escalators in the WMATA network — the north (Q Street) escalator runs 188 feet (57 m) and the south escalator 170 feet (52 m) — a hallmark of the dramatic underground experience that architect Harry Weese designed for the entire system, with its signature coffered concrete barrel-vault ceilings.
Above ground, the Q Street exit opens steps from the iconic Dupont Circle fountain and the lively Connecticut Ave NW corridor. The South exit puts you at the corner of 19th and Q Street NW, closer to downtown.
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 shortly before midnight on weekdays, ~2am Fri–Sat.
Nearby Attractions
Station Exits
Rider Tips
- The Q Street escalators are among the longest in the system. If they're stopped for maintenance, the walk up the emergency stairs takes about 5–6 minutes — factor this into your commute.
- Metrorail fares are based on the distance between your entry and exit stations. Weekday trips from here range from $2.25 to $6.75; after 9:30 PM and all weekend a flat $2.25–$2.50 applies. Use a SmarTrip card for the best fare.
- Late-night crowds after bars close on Friday and Saturday mean the platform can get packed around midnight. The South exit tends to be less congested than Q Street for late-night departures.
- Capital Bikeshare has multiple docks around Dupont Circle — the one at 20th & P St NW is rarely empty. Good option for the last mile to Georgetown, Logan Circle, or U Street.
Adjacent Stations on the Red Line
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Metro line serves Dupont Circle?
Dupont Circle is served exclusively by the Red Line, which runs from Shady Grove in Montgomery County, Maryland, through downtown Washington DC, to Glenmont in Montgomery County on the other side. There are no transfers to other lines at this station — the closest transfer points are Metro Center (Red/Blue/Orange/Silver) and Gallery Place (Red/Yellow/Green), both a few stops toward Glenmont.
How long are the escalators at Dupont Circle station?
The north (Q Street) escalator runs 188 feet (57 meters) in a single continuous run — one of the longest in the network. The south escalator runs 170 feet (52 meters), with a vertical rise of about 85 feet. Escalator maintenance at this station is more disruptive than at most others because there is no shorter alternative route to the platform.
Is there parking near Dupont Circle station?
There is no WMATA parking lot at Dupont Circle. The station is in a dense residential and commercial neighborhood. Private garages are available on P Street NW and New Hampshire Ave NW, typically charging $15–25 per day. Street parking is metered and competitive. Most commuters in this area take Metro, bike, or walk.
Which exit should I use for the Dupont Circle fountain?
Use the Q Street exit (north). It deposits you directly at the edge of the circle park, steps from the fountain. The South exit on 19th Street puts you a 3-minute walk south of the fountain, which is better if you're heading toward P Street or 17th Street.
Can I reach Georgetown from Dupont Circle by Metro?
Georgetown has no Metrorail station. From Dupont Circle the usual options are Metrobus, Capital Bikeshare — a scenic 15-minute ride along the P Street corridor — or a walk of roughly 20–25 minutes west along P Street NW.