About Tenleytown–AU Station
Tenleytown–AU is a Red Line station in upper Northwest Washington, DC, serving both the residential Tenleytown neighborhood and American University — one of the city's major universities, located about a 10-minute walk from the station entrance. The station opened on August 25, 1984, when the Red Line was extended north from Van Ness–UDC to Grosvenor.
Unlike its neighbors to the north (Friendship Heights, Bethesda), Tenleytown–AU has a decidedly local character. The surrounding Wisconsin Ave corridor is a mix of neighborhood retail, restaurants, and services catering primarily to AU students, long-time Tenleytown residents, and commuters. It's one of the calmer stations on the upper Red Line — without the shopping mall overlay of Friendship Heights or the biomedical campus traffic of Medical Center.
Tenleytown is one of the highest-elevation points in Washington, DC, and the station is one of eleven in the system built by rock tunnelling, lying more than 100 feet (30 m) below the surface. The neighborhood has a strong residential identity, with tree-lined streets and proximity to the Tenley Library, Janney Elementary School, and a scattering of longtime neighborhood businesses on Wisconsin Ave.
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
- American University's AUToBus shuttle runs from the station directly to the AU campus core on a frequent schedule during the academic year. Check AU's shuttle schedule — it's the fastest way to reach the main quad from the Metro.
- Fares are calculated by distance, not by zone. Weekday daytime trips across the network cost between $2.25 and $6.75, and after 9:30 pm and all weekend a flat $2.25–$2.50 applies. Trips from here into downtown DC are short, so they stay near the lower end with SmarTrip.
- Metrobus routes M4 and several others stop on Wisconsin Ave, connecting the station to Georgetown, AU's campus, and neighborhoods along Massachusetts Ave NW not served directly by the Red Line.
- Fort Reno Park, at the highest natural point in DC, is a short walk from the station. It hosts free summer concerts and offers great views of upper NW from its grassy hill.
- Capital Bikeshare docks at both exits make this a practical last-mile option for AU students and residents heading into Georgetown or Glover Park without an extra Metro fare.
Adjacent Stations on the Red Line
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get to American University from Tenleytown Metro?
Two options: walk or take the shuttle. The AU campus main entrance on Massachusetts Ave NW is about a 10-minute walk from the station — head south on Wisconsin Ave and turn left on Nebraska Ave, then right on Massachusetts. The faster option is the AU shuttle (AUToBus), which stops at the station and drops you at the campus core in about 5 minutes. The shuttle runs frequently during the academic year but has reduced service on weekends and during breaks.
How much is the fare from Tenleytown–AU?
Metrorail does not use fare zones: the fare is calculated from the distance between the station where you enter and the one where you exit. Monday to Friday from 5:00 am to 9:30 pm fares range from $2.25 to $6.75; after 9:30 pm and all weekend a reduced flat fare of $2.25–$2.50 applies. Trips from here into downtown DC are relatively short, so they sit near the lower end of the range with a SmarTrip card.
Is there parking at Tenleytown Metro?
There is no WMATA parking at Tenleytown–AU. The station is in a residential neighborhood with limited and metered street parking. Most riders arrive on foot, by bus, or by bike. Capital Bikeshare has docks near both station exits.
What is the closest Metro to American University?
Tenleytown–AU is the closest Metro station to American University, giving the station its name. The Friendship Heights station (one stop north on the Red Line) is slightly farther from the main campus but closer to the AU School of International Service and some campus housing. For most AU destinations, Tenleytown–AU is the correct stop.