About North Bethesda Station
North Bethesda is a Red Line station in North Bethesda, Maryland, sitting between the outer suburban corridor and the more urban core of Montgomery County. It opened on 15 December 1984 as White Flint and was renamed North Bethesda on 11 September 2022; its surroundings have undergone a dramatic transformation since then — making it one of the most interesting transit-oriented redevelopment stories in the DC suburbs.
When North Bethesda opened, it was anchored by White Flint Mall — one of the first enclosed malls in the region to open adjacent to a Metro station. The mall operated for decades before anchor tenants departed and it was demolished in 2015. In its place rose Pike & Rose, a dense mixed-use urban district developed by Federal Realty Investment Trust. Today Pike & Rose brings over 30 restaurants, bars, an iPic luxury cinema, Pinstripes (bowling and bocce), fitness studios, a Whole Foods, and thousands of new apartment units — all within a 5-minute walk of the Metro platform.
The station also sits directly on Rockville Pike (MD-355), one of the most commercially dense corridors in Maryland, with easy bus access north toward Rockville and south toward Bethesda. Ongoing development continues to densify the area around North Bethesda, cementing its role as a growing suburban hub.
Lines & Schedule
North Bethesda is served exclusively by the Red Line between Shady Grove and Glenmont.
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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
- Pike & Rose is an excellent Metro-accessible entertainment destination. The iPic Theater and Pinstripes are both within a 5-minute walk — ideal for an evening out without driving or dealing with DC parking.
- Fares are calculated by distance, so North Bethesda is a little cheaper to travel from than the stations further out (Twinbrook, Rockville, Shady Grove). If you're deciding between nearby Park & Ride stations, North Bethesda saves a small amount on the daily fare.
- Ride On and WMATA buses along Rockville Pike (MD-355) stop directly outside the station's west exit, providing connections north to Rockville and south to Bethesda without riding the Metro.
- The AC Hotel and Marriott at Pike & Rose are among the most transit-accessible hotels in suburban Maryland — worth bookmarking if you need lodging in North Bethesda for an event at Strathmore or a corporate visit.
- Capital Bikeshare has a dock at Pike & Rose. The Rockville Pike corridor is bike-unfriendly for most, but the quieter streets behind Pike & Rose toward Strathmore are a reasonable cycling option.
Adjacent Stations on the Red Line
Frequently Asked Questions
What is near North Bethesda Metro station?
North Bethesda Metro is immediately adjacent to Pike & Rose, a major mixed-use development with over 30 restaurants and bars, an iPic luxury cinema, Pinstripes bowling and bocce, Equinox fitness, a Whole Foods Market, and several hotels. It is one of the best-served suburban Metro stations for dining and entertainment in Montgomery County.
What happened to White Flint Mall?
White Flint Mall opened in 1977 — one of the first enclosed malls built adjacent to a Metro station — and operated until 2015, when its anchor tenants departed. The mall was subsequently demolished and the site was redeveloped by Federal Realty Investment Trust into Pike & Rose, a walkable urban mixed-use district that is now one of the more successful transit-oriented development projects in the DC suburbs.
How much is the fare from North Bethesda?
Metrorail does not use fare zones — the fare depends on 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. Since North Bethesda is one stop closer in than Twinbrook, a trip to downtown costs slightly less than from Twinbrook, Rockville or Shady Grove.
How far is North Bethesda Metro from Bethesda?
North Bethesda is two stops from Bethesda on the Red Line (via Grosvenor–Strathmore and Medical Center). The ride takes about 8–10 minutes. Alternatively, Ride On and WMATA buses run south along Rockville Pike and reach Bethesda in about 20–30 minutes depending on traffic.
Is there parking at North Bethesda Metro?
Yes, North Bethesda has a WMATA surface parking lot on the west side of the station. Payment requires a SmarTrip card. The lot is moderately sized and fills earlier than Twinbrook's due to the station's popularity. Weekend parking is free. Pike & Rose also has public parking garages nearby with commercial rates.