About King Street–Old Town Station
King Street–Old Town is one of the most visitor-friendly stations in the WMATA system, serving as the gateway to Old Town Alexandria — a beautifully preserved 18th-century port town on the Potomac River. Opened in 1983, the station anchors the western end of King Street, Alexandria's main commercial corridor lined with boutiques, restaurants, galleries, and historic landmarks.
Both the Blue and Yellow lines serve this station, providing frequent service from downtown Washington DC and Reagan National Airport. The free King Street Trolley, run by Alexandria's DASH network, goes from the Metro station all the way to the Potomac waterfront, making it easy to explore Old Town without walking the full 1.3-mile stretch of King Street.
The station is also a hub for DASH bus routes throughout Alexandria (30, 31, 32, 33 and 102 all call here). Metrorail charges by the distance travelled, and after 9:30pm and all weekend a flat $2.25–$2.50 fare applies — which makes weekend trips out from DC for dining and exploring Old Town's cobblestone streets particularly cheap.
Lines & Schedules
To Reagan National Airport: ~7 min. To Pentagon: ~10 min. To Metro Center: ~20 min.
Nearby Attractions
Station Exits
Rider Tips
- Take the free King Street Trolley from right outside the station to reach the waterfront. It runs daily, makes many stops along the length of King Street, and requires no fare.
- Old Town is one of the DC area's premier dining destinations. Weekend evenings get very busy — consider arriving early (5–6 pm) for easier restaurant reservations or just walk King Street until something catches your eye.
- Reagan National Airport is just 2 stops away (~7 min). Many travelers use King Street as a base for staying near the airport without airport hotel prices.
- There is no WMATA parking at King Street–Old Town: the station's metered spaces were removed in the 2021 rebuild and replaced with extra bus bays. Drive-and-ride commuters should use a station that has a WMATA lot; visitors are better off arriving by Metro, DASH bus or bike.
Adjacent Stations
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get to Old Town Alexandria by Metro?
Take the Blue or Yellow Line to King Street–Old Town station. From Metro Center, the ride takes about 20 minutes. The free King Street Trolley runs along King Street to the waterfront, or you can walk the 1.3 miles in about 25 minutes.
Is there parking at King Street Metro?
No. The station's metered parking was removed during the 2021 rebuild, which added three extra bus bays in its place. There is no WMATA park-and-ride facility here — reach the station by Metro, DASH bus, bike or on foot, or use one of the commercial garages in Old Town.
What is the King Street Trolley?
The King Street Trolley is a free daily DASH service running between King Street–Old Town Metro station and the Potomac waterfront, with many stops along King Street. It is a great way to explore Old Town without walking the full length of the street.
How far is King Street Metro from Reagan Airport?
King Street–Old Town is 2 stops from Reagan National Airport on the Blue or Yellow Line — approximately 7 minutes. Many travelers use Old Town hotels as a base when flying into or out of Reagan.