About Farragut North Station
Farragut North is one of the original Red Line stations, opening on December 5, 1977, as part of the first phase of the WMATA Metrorail system. Situated at the intersection of Connecticut Avenue and K Street NW, it sits at the epicenter of Washington DC's legendary lobbying corridor — a stretch of law firms, trade associations, public affairs offices, and think tanks that earned K Street its reputation as the symbolic home of American political influence.
The station serves one of the highest concentrations of daytime office workers in DC, making morning and evening rush hours particularly busy. Two street exits — one at K Street and one at L Street — feed into the dense commercial blocks surrounding Farragut Square, the small park named after Civil War Admiral David Farragut whose statue stands at its center.
The White House is just a few blocks south, making Farragut North a common arrival point for visitors to the White House Visitor Center, the Renwick Gallery, and the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. The World Bank headquarters and International Monetary Fund are also within walking distance.
Lines & Schedule
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Via the K Street tunnel, Blue, Orange, and Silver Line service is also accessible at Farragut West — a ~6-minute walk within the paid fare zone. Peak service 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 underground tunnel to Farragut West is one of Metro's best-kept practical secrets. If you need the Blue, Orange, or Silver lines, skip Metro Center and use the free tunnel transfer here — it often saves 10–15 minutes compared to riding to Metro Center and backtracking.
- Rush hours (7–9am and 5–7pm weekdays) are extremely congested. The K Street exit backs up significantly — use the L Street exit if you're heading north, or time your commute just outside peak windows when possible.
- For the White House Visitor Center, exit at K Street and walk south on Connecticut Ave NW to H Street, then east to 17th Street NW. The Visitor Center at 1450 Pennsylvania Ave NW is free and open daily 7:30am–4pm.
- Farragut North is Fare Zone 1 — the minimum Metro fare applies. With SmarTrip: $2.25 peak, $2.00 off-peak. Paper farecard riders pay a $1 surcharge — load a SmarTrip card before your trip to avoid this.
- The blocks around Farragut Square are packed with lunch options catering to the office crowd. Most close by 3pm; dining options thin out significantly in the evening when the office workers leave.
Adjacent Stations on the Red Line
Via the K Street tunnel (free transfer):
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer from Farragut North to Farragut West for free?
Yes. An underground pedestrian tunnel beneath K Street NW links Farragut North (Red Line) to Farragut West (Blue/Orange/Silver Lines). WMATA allows this as a fare-free in-system transfer — tap out at Farragut North, walk through the tunnel (about 5–7 minutes), and tap into Farragut West within the standard transfer window. You will not be charged a new entry fare as long as you complete the transfer within the time limit.
Which Metro line serves Farragut North?
Farragut North is a Red Line station, running from Shady Grove (Maryland) to Glenmont (Maryland). Via the free K Street pedestrian tunnel, the Blue, Orange, and Silver Lines at Farragut West are also accessible without paying an additional fare. The nearest formal transfer station on the Red Line is Metro Center, one stop toward Glenmont.
How far is Farragut North from the White House?
The White House is approximately 0.4 miles south of Farragut North — an 8-minute walk. Exit at the K Street exit, head south on Connecticut Ave NW to H Street NW, then east one block to 17th Street NW. The White House fence line is at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW. Metro Center station, one stop away, is a similar walking distance from the east side of the White House grounds.
Why is K Street famous in Washington DC?
K Street NW is synonymous with the lobbying industry. The corridor between approximately 12th and 22nd Streets NW is home to hundreds of law firms, trade associations, lobbying shops, and public affairs firms that represent corporations, industries, and foreign governments before Congress and federal agencies. The term "K Street" is widely used as a metonym for Washington's influence industry, similar to how "Wall Street" denotes finance or "Hollywood" denotes the film industry.
Is there parking near Farragut North station?
There is no WMATA parking at Farragut North. The surrounding blocks have numerous private parking garages, typically charging $20–$35 for the day. Street parking is metered and very limited. Given the station's prime location in downtown DC, Metro is by far the most practical way to reach this area on weekdays.