History of the Yellow Line
The Yellow Line opened in two phases, with the initial segment between National Airport and Gallery Place launching in April 1983. The southern extension to Huntington came in December 1983. Service north of downtown has changed several times: on May 7, 2023 the northern terminus was cut back to Mount Vernon Square, and since December 31, 2025 half of all Yellow Line trains run through to Greenbelt while the other half still turn back at Mount Vernon Square. The line shares extensive track with both the Blue Line (in Virginia) and the Green Line (in DC and Maryland).
The Yellow Line's U Street and Columbia Heights stations are among the most historically significant in the system — built above the Freedman's Bureau neighborhood and one of DC's most vibrant African-American cultural corridors.
Schedule & Frequency
| Day | First Train | Last Train | Peak Freq. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday–Friday | 5:00 AM | Midnight | Every 6–10 min |
| Saturday | 6:00 AM | 2:00 AM | Every 8–12 min |
| Sunday | 6:00 AM | Midnight | Every 12–15 min |
Reagan Airport Access
The Yellow Line provides direct access to Reagan National Airport (DCA) alongside the Blue Line. The station is connected to Terminal B/C — no shuttle or bus is needed. From Gallery Place, the trip takes approximately 20 minutes. This is one of the most convenient airport connections in the United States.
Parking Along the Yellow Line
- Huntington — southern terminus lot, reliable availability ($4.95/day)
- Eisenhower Avenue — commuter lot ($5.00/day)
- West Hyattsville — PG County commuter lot ($4.95/day)
- Hyattsville Crossing — structured parking ($4.45/day)
- College Park — large lot with MARC connection ($4.95/day)
- Greenbelt — large northern terminus lot ($4.95/day)

