Union Station Metro 1st Street Exit Washington DC: Location, Directions and What to Know

The Union Station Metro 1st Street Exit Washington DC is an entrance to the Union Station Metro station. It links the Metro system with the Union Station complex. The station is on the 1st Street side and the exit is on the 1st Street side. It is a part of the Washington, DC Metro system and provides service to the Red Line. The exit also leads to Amtrak’s side of Union Station. This proves useful to riders exiting the Metro and traveling through the Metro complex. It’s also a great option for travelers going to the 1st Street side of Union Station. Riding through this exit will be better understood if the rider knows how to get out without confusion. 

Where Is the Union Station Metro 1st Street Exit?

The Union Station Metro 1st Street exit is on the 1st Street NE side of Washington Union Station in Northeast Washington, D.C.

The current station IDs provided by WMATA are Station at 605 1st Street NE in Washington, DC 20002 and the access point is labeled “1st Street, NW/Amtrak Station Entrance.” Google Maps lists a separate “Union Station” at 701 1st St NE and a “Union Station Metro – 1st Street Exit” as a separate location. These are the address/maps that refer to the larger Union Station transportation complex, not two separate Metro stations. 

Where the entrance is in the Union Station complex is therefore the best way to determine.

What the 1st Street Exit Connects To

The 1st Street entrance connects the Metro station with the Union Station/Amtrak side of the complex. Union Station D.C. states that the entrances to and from Metro are on the west side and First Street of the building, as well as on the lower level. 

This will allow the use of the 1st Street exit if your destination is nearer to:

• 1st Street NE
• The north side of Union Station
• The Amtrak section of the complex
• Stations and offices to the north (including the station)
• Access to transportation from the Union Station complex

The ideal exit will differ based on your destination. Another entrance is more convenient if the destination is on the front side of the historic station building or around Massachusetts Avenue.

Union Station Metro 1st Street Exit Operating Hours

The Union Station Metro 1st Street exit follows the general Metrorail service schedule. WMATA currently lists these regular operating hours for Metro Rail.

These are general Metrorail hours. The exact first and last train times at Union Station can vary by direction and should be checked through WMATA’s station-specific information.

Union Station Metro Is on the Red Line

Union Station is a station on the Washington Metro’s Red Line. This is known as the Red Line and according to WMATA’s Red Line materials, the line extends between Shady Grove and Glenmont with a stop at Union Station. 

This is one of the most significant connections at Washington Union Station by train. The transportation complex also provides an intercity and commuter rail/metro switch.

The station has a center platform and WMATA considers the 1st Street/Amtrak entrance a connection point for the street or Amtrak side and the Metro mezzanine. 

How to Find the 1st Street Exit From Inside Union Station

When you get to Washington Union Station by rail, check the signs for directions to Metro and the 1st Street side of the station.

Because Union Station has several floors and several exits onto the street, it is safer to follow signs than to walk toward the first street entrance that you see.

A sensible path:

• Take the Metro in Union Station, following the signs.
• Turn right for the entrance to the Metro on the 1st Street platform.
• For the 1st Street and Metro entrance, look for signage.
• Turn into the Metro area and head towards the Red Line.
• Take the Metro to the Metro mezzanine and then proceed to the platform via the fare gates.

On a Metro train, if you are already on a train but you want to get off at 1st Street, do not assume that you will get off at Massachusetts Avenue; follow the station signs for 1st Street/Amtrak.

1st Street Exit vs. Massachusetts Avenue Entrance

There are two or more entry and exit points from the Metro station to Union Station. Depending on the destination, it can make a significant difference to choose the right one.

Union Station D.C. confirms that there are Metro entrances/exits located on both sides of the building, on the First Street side, as well as on the lower level on the west side. 

Which Exit Should You Use?

Take the 1st Street exit if you are on or to 1st Street NE, or if you are directed to do so by the directions.

Take the Massachusetts Avenue side to the main front entrance of Union Station and Massachusetts Avenue, or to a destination that is near the retail area at Union Station.

A helpful tip from an official District of Columbia government guide for visitors: it points to a spot close to 1st Street near K Street and recommends that Metro riders take the 1st Street exit and walk down 1st Street. 

That is why it’s important to choose the right exit. The nearest exit isn’t necessarily the biggest entrance to the station.

Accessibility at the 1st Street Entrance

The Union Station Metro station is accessible and WMATA has identified two elevators that are connected to the 1st Street, NW/Amtrak Station Entrance: one between the Amtrak station and the Metro mezzanine and another between the platform and the Metro mezzanine. 

This is especially beneficial for passengers with mobility challenges, those with bags and anyone who doesn’t like to use escalators.

But the availability of elevators and escalators may vary due to maintenance. In September 2026, the elevators in the 1st Street entrance were live, though some of the escalators were temporarily not in service, according to WMATA’s live status information. These conditions may change, so travelers who rely on a particular piece of equipment should verify the status of elevators and escalators prior to travel on WMATA’s website. 

It is crucial to differentiate this: having an accessible station does not mean that all the escalators or elevators will be in use at all times.

Fares for Union Station Metro

Union Station is not a special stop, nor is there a special fare just because you use it. Metrorail fares are dependent on the trip and fare period.

The current tariff for WMATA’s 2026 Ridgeline significantly increases rates based on the amount of travel. The base fare for the initial three composite miles is $2.25 and any travel beyond the initial three composite miles will cost $0.45 per mile. The tariff also sets out different rules for fare charges during late hours and on weekends. 

Your charge for your trip may thus vary from the basic charge.

WMATA’s fare system processes fare payments for Metro, including the SmarTrip and contactless payment methods. Use WMATA’s up-to-date fare information or its trip planner to verify the fare to your origin/destination before traveling.

Connections at Washington Union Station

The Union Station Metro stop is significant in part because it’s not just a subway stop.

Union Station complex links a number of transportation services. Union Station D.C. lists the rail services that serve the station as Metro, Amtrak, MARC and VRE. The Maryland Transit Administration also calls Washington Union Station an ADA accessible MARC station with access to WMATA’s Red Line, Metrobus, DC Circulator, DC Streetcar, Amtrak and VRE. 

This is why 1st Street is so important for passengers switching between transportation services and Metro.

Amtrak

For Washington intercity train riders, the Metro system is convenient to Washington Union Station, where Amtrak runs its service.

Union Station D.C. lists Amtrak services at street level and identifies the Metro entrances as being within the Union Station building. 

MARC

MARC is a commuter rail that runs between Washington and places in Maryland. Washington Union Station is accessible for people with disabilities via the MARC system and the Maryland state station information states that the Red Line runs through Union Station Metro. 

VRE

Another commuter rail alternative to Northern Virginia is the Virginia Railway Express that runs to Washington Union Station. 

Union Station Metro 1st Street Exit and Nearby Transportation

There are also buses and other local transportation services that provide service to the Union Station complex. The Union Station materials include information on Metrobus routes around the station and the Union Station vicinity map includes information on Metrobus and DC Streetcar connections. 

The DC Streetcar connection is especially important for the people who travel along H Street NE. The station area information provides for the streetcar connection with the Union Station area and parking garage/bus-loading side. 

The boarding locations for the various buses vary by route, so passengers should check the most up-to-date WMATA or other transit authority information or assume that all buses board from the same curb.

Union Station Metro Parking

There is no Metro parking facility at the 1st Street entrance of the Metro station. The current information on WMATA’s website indicates that there is no parking at the station. 

However, it does not mean there are no parking options anywhere in the Union Station complex. There is a separate parking garage at Union Station D.C. and its official site offers information about the garage and permits. 

For those who plan to drive to Union Station, be sure to follow the current parking directions for the Union Station complex and not Metro station parking.

Tips for Using the 1st Street Exit

Once you get the hang of it, the 1st Street exit is simple, but these are a few habits that can help.

Check your destination before leaving the platform.  There are multiple exits at Union Station and if you take the wrong one, you may wind up on the other side of the complex.

Follow WMATA signs rather than relying only on map pins. The mapping service Google Maps or others can provide different address references for the large Union Station complex. 

Allow extra time when carrying luggage. Metro, intercity, commuter, buses, retail and multiple levels are all under one roof at Union Station.

Check accessibility equipment before traveling. Conditions at elevators and escalators may change during maintenance or other service problems. 

Use the official transit information for current service. Routes and station access may be impacted by temporary construction, maintenance, special events and station changes.

Conclusion

The Union Station Metro 1st Street exit Washington DC is an important access point for riders using Union Station.  It links the Metro station to the west side of the Union Station complex, on 1st Street. Red Line serves the exit, which leads to the Amtrak side of the station. It also offers elevator service for passengers who require it. Selecting an appropriate exit can make it easier to proceed along a route after leaving the Metro. This exit may be useful if you’re headed to 1st Street. Coming out of the station knowing where to go will help you to avoid the need to walk and get lost.

Must Read: Brickell Metrorail Station Routes, Fares, Schedule & Visitor Guide 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Union Station Metro 1st Street exit in Washington, DC?

It is on the NE side of 1st Street in Washington, DC, at Union Station.

Which Metro line serves Union Station?

Union Station is served by the Red Line.

Is the 1st Street Metro entrance connected to Amtrak?

Yes. The entryway links up to the Amtrak side of Union Station.

Is the Union Station 1st Street exit wheelchair accessible?

Yes. There are elevators at this entrance.

Should I use the 1st Street or Massachusetts Avenue exit?

Take the 1st Street exit to get to nearby 1st Street NE. Walk down the Massachusetts Avenue side.

Can I transfer from Union Station Metro to Amtrak?

Yes. Amtrak and Metro’s services are linked at the Union Station complex.

Does Union Station have parking?

While Union Station does have a parking garage, there is no separate station parking provided by Metro.

What is the Union Station Metro fare?

Union Station does not have a special fare. Fares are based on your trip and Metro fare rules.