About L'Enfant Plaza
L'Enfant Plaza is the most versatile transfer station in the DC Metro system. Five of the six Metrorail lines converge here — Blue, Orange, Silver, Yellow and Green — making it the only station in the system served by all lines except the Red Line. From L'Enfant Plaza, you can reach virtually any point in the Metro network with at most one additional transfer.
The station has two levels of platforms. The upper level has two side platforms serving the Yellow and Green lines (running north–south); the lower level, opened in 1977 and deeper underground, has a single island platform serving the Blue, Orange and Silver lines (running northeast–southwest). Transfers between all five lines are free and stay inside the paid area.
Above ground, the station connects to L'Enfant Plaza itself — a mixed-use development with federal office buildings, a hotel, and the Promenade shopping concourse. The National Mall's eastern museums are a short walk north, and the revitalized SW Waterfront (The Wharf) is about 10 minutes on foot to the south.
Lines & Schedules
Nearby Attractions
Station Exits
Rider Tips
- Transferring between the upper (Yellow/Green) and lower (Blue/Orange/Silver) platforms is done entirely inside the paid area. No exit needed — the transfer is free. Follow the overhead signs carefully as the station layout can be confusing on first visits.
- The Air & Space Museum is the most visited museum in the world. On peak summer weekends, the 6-minute walk from L'Enfant Plaza may be faster than Smithsonian station's closer but more crowded exit.
- The Wharf (SW Waterfront) is about a 12-minute walk south — one of DC's best newer dining districts with waterfront seafood, bars and live music. Uber from the station is also quick (2 min, ~$6).
- What you pay on Metrorail depends on how far you travel. Short downtown hops from here cost the $2.25 minimum; the longest weekday daytime trips reach $6.75, and after 9:30pm and all weekend everything is a flat $2.25–$2.50.
- Multiple federal agencies including HUD, DOT and DOE have offices in or near L'Enfant Plaza. If you're commuting here for government work, the underground Promenade shopping concourse has cafes and services open weekday mornings.
Adjacent Stations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Metro lines serve L'Enfant Plaza?
L'Enfant Plaza is served by five Metrorail lines: Blue (Franconia-Springfield – Largo), Orange (Vienna – New Carrollton), Silver (Ashburn/Dulles – Largo), Yellow (Huntington – Greenbelt), and Green (Branch Avenue – Greenbelt). It is the only DC Metro station served by all lines except the Red Line, giving it unmatched connectivity in the system.
Is L'Enfant Plaza close to the National Mall?
Yes — the National Mall's eastern museums (Air & Space, Hirshhorn, Freer Gallery) are about a 5–8 minute walk from the station's north exits. For the western end of the Mall (Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument), the Smithsonian or Federal Triangle stations are closer. The Smithsonian station (one stop on the Blue/Orange/Silver line) is also convenient for the Mall's central area.
How do I transfer between lines at L'Enfant Plaza?
Yellow and Green use the upper level, which has two side platforms. Blue, Orange and Silver share a single island platform on the lower level. To transfer between the two groups, use the escalators or elevators inside the paid area. The transfer is included in your trip fare — no tap-out needed. Allow a few extra minutes; first-time visitors sometimes get turned around in the station's underground corridors.
What is The Wharf and how far is it from L'Enfant Plaza?
The Wharf is DC's revitalized Southwest Waterfront, opened in 2017 and expanded in 2022. It stretches along the Washington Channel with restaurants, music venues (the Anthem, Pearl Street Warehouse), hotels and outdoor space. From L'Enfant Plaza it's about a 12-minute walk south, or a 2-minute Uber/Lyft ride. The Waterfront Metro station (Green Line) is also close to the Wharf's eastern end.