About Fort Totten Station
Fort Totten is one of Washington DC's most important transit transfer points, located in the Riggs Park neighborhood of northeast DC. The station is one of only two places in the entire WMATA system where riders can cross-platform transfer between the Red Line and the Green/Yellow Lines — the other being Gallery Place downtown.
The Red Line platform opened on December 15, 1978, making Fort Totten one of the original Metro stations. The Green and Yellow Line platforms were added more than two decades later on January 13, 2001, completing the station's role as a multi-line hub. The station has two separate platforms — an upper platform for the Red Line and a lower platform for Green and Yellow trains.
The surrounding neighborhood is primarily residential — Riggs Park to the north and Brookland to the south — with few shops or restaurants immediately adjacent to the station. However, the Metropolitan Branch Trail passes near the station, offering cyclists and pedestrians a car-free route connecting to Silver Spring to the north and Union Station to the south.
Lines & Schedule
From Fort Totten to Metro Center: ~18 min via Red Line. To Union Station: ~12 min via Red Line. To Gallery Place: ~14 min via Green or Yellow Line.
Nearby Attractions
Station Exits
Rider Tips
- Fort Totten is a key transfer point between the Red Line and the Green/Yellow Lines. If you need to switch between these line groups, this is one of your two options — the other is Gallery Place. The transfer is cross-platform within the same station at no additional cost.
- The Metropolitan Branch Trail starts near the station and runs north to Silver Spring, making it an excellent option for cyclists commuting between Maryland and DC. Bike parking is available at the station entrance.
- Fort Circle Parks preserves Civil War-era earthwork fortifications that are worth exploring on foot. The trail system winds through several NE DC neighborhoods and connects multiple fort remnants along a wooded path.
- Very few restaurants or shops are immediately around the station — it is primarily a transit hub in a residential area. Plan to grab food before your trip or head one stop south on the Red Line to Brookland–CUA for more dining options.
- There is no WMATA parking lot at Fort Totten. A handful of street spaces exist on nearby blocks but fill quickly on weekday mornings. If driving to use transit, consider parking at a nearby station with a lot such as West Hyattsville or Greenbelt.
Adjacent Stations
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer from Red Line to Green Line at Fort Totten?
Yes. Fort Totten is one of only two stations in the Washington DC Metro system where you can transfer between the Red Line and the Green/Yellow Lines (the other is Gallery Place). The transfer is cross-platform — you exit one level and cross to the other within the same station. No additional fare is required when transferring.
What is Fort Totten Metro known for?
Fort Totten Metro station is best known as a strategic transfer point between the Red Line and the Green/Yellow Lines. It is also the gateway to Fort Circle Parks — a chain of Civil War-era earthwork fortifications — and provides access to the Metropolitan Branch Trail, a multi-use path running from Silver Spring to Union Station in DC.
Is there parking at Fort Totten station?
Parking at Fort Totten is very limited. There is no dedicated WMATA parking lot at this station. A few street parking spaces exist on surrounding blocks but fill quickly during peak hours. Riders are encouraged to use Metrobus connections or bike access via the Metropolitan Branch Trail.
How many lines serve Fort Totten?
Three lines serve Fort Totten: the Red Line, the Yellow Line, and the Green Line. The station has two separate platforms — one for Red Line trains and one for Green and Yellow Line trains. The Red Line opened here December 15, 1978; the Green and Yellow platforms were added January 13, 2001.