Anyone in the District during the inauguration should be ready for packed Metro platforms, crowded streets and high security. If  traveling anywhere in the city that weekend, consider these tips.

If traveling by Metrorail

• The Metro will open at 4 a.m. and close at 2 a.m. on Inauguration Day, operating rush-hour service and charging rush-hour fares. Trains are expected to be very crowded, so travelers are probably better off walking. The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority recommends walking to the National Mall if you are within two miles.
• Those taking the Metro should consider picking up a SmarTrip card prior to Inauguration Day in order to bypass potentially long lines at ticket machines. For those riding Metrobus or Metrorail who do not have a SmarTrip card, they might consider purchasing a one-day pass, or be sure to have enough fare value on a SmarTrip card or farecard for a round trip to avoid standing in line multiple times.
• For security reasons, the Archives-Navy Memorial/Penn Quarter Metro station on the green and yellow lines and the Smithsonian Metro station, on the blue and orange lines, will be closed all day on Jan. 20. The Washington Post reported on Jan. 12 that the Mt. Vernon Sq/7th St Convention Center and Judiciary Square stations will be closed for much of Inauguration Day.
• Before and after the inaugural ceremony, it may take several hours to clear the Mall. WMATA will monitor crowds and hold people at entrances if they see overcrowded conditions. Be prepared for extremely congested conditions and long lines. The Metro will be running at full capacity, but rail service can only handle as many as 120,000 people per hour, according to The Washington Post.
• All Metro restrooms will be closed for security reasons. Bikes will also be prohibited.
• Safety will be a top priority on Inauguration Day, so there will be security details on every Metro car.
• Check out this page for specific information about multiple Metro stops.

If traveling by Metrobus

• Metrobus will run from 4 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Inauguration Day, using routes similar the ones used on a Saturday schedule. With the likely street closures around the National Mall and Pennsylvania Avenue for the parade, buses may need to take detours. Riders should budget extra time to travel through these areas. Expect that no vehicular traffic – including buses – will get near the U.S. Capitol or cross Pennsylvania Avenue.
  • Traveling by car on Inauguration Day is probably not a good idea, but those who must drive should avoid downtown as much as possible.
  • With the exception of some residential areas, all curbside parking will be set aside for buses. Many streets – including a big chunk of downtown – will be restricted to buses and official inaugural vehicles.
  • Any vehicles parked within roadways designated for charter bus parking will be towed after 12:01 a.m. on Jan. 20.

If traveling by car

• Traveling by car on Inauguration Day is likely not a good idea, but those needing to get around should avoid downtown as much as possible.
• With the exception of some residential areas, all curbside parking will be set aside for buses. Many streets – including a big chunk of downtown – will be restricted to buses and official inaugural vehicles.
• Any vehicles parked within roadways designated for charter bus parking will be towed after 12:01 a.m. on Jan. 20.

Raffi Salbashian and Amy Rhodin