Arlington VA Metro Access and Commuter Guide for Homebuyers | Samantha Bard
Arlington has 11 Metrorail stations packed into about 26 square miles, and that's a big reason many buyers start their search here. The Orange, Silver, Blue, and Yellow lines all run through the county, with a one-seat ride into D.C. from many stops. I-66, I-395, Route 50, and the George Washington Memorial Parkway carry drivers to the Potomac bridges. ART buses, VRE trains at Crystal City, and trails like the Custis and Mount Vernon add even more ways to get to work. Still, the trip from a condo above a station can look very different from the trip out of a home a mile away. Arlington real estate near Metro includes high-rise condos, townhomes, and single-family homes at many distances from the platform. Samantha Bard, REALTOR® ABR|SRS with Coldwell Banker Realty, helps buyers compare homes by their real commute. Here are 10 things to know before you buy your next home.
10 Things Arlington Commuters Should Know Before Buying
1. Arlington Has 11 Metro Stations on Four Lines
Arlington County is served by 11 Metrorail stations on the Orange, Silver, Blue, and Yellow lines. Most of them sit in two corridors. One runs east to west along Wilson and Clarendon Boulevards, from Rosslyn to Ballston. The other runs north to south along the Potomac, from the Pentagon to Reagan National Airport.
That layout shapes the housing around each station. Much of the county's high-rise and mid-rise housing sits within a few blocks of the platforms, with townhomes and single-family homes farther out. When you start your search, pick the corridor that fits your commute first, then narrow down to the stations and homes that work.
2. The Rosslyn-Ballston Corridor Runs on the Orange and Silver Lines
Five stations line the Rosslyn-Ballston corridor: Rosslyn, Court House, Clarendon, Virginia Square-GMU, and Ballston-MU. The stations sit close together under Wilson and Clarendon Boulevards, so many homes in the corridor are within walking distance of more than one stop.
Orange and Silver trains share this stretch, so you get frequent service toward D.C. in the morning. Both lines continue through Foggy Bottom, Farragut West, and Metro Center. Heading west, Orange trains go toward Vienna, and Silver trains head to Tysons, Reston, and Dulles Airport.
3. Rosslyn Is the County's Three-Line Hub
Rosslyn station is the only stop in Arlington served by the Orange, Silver, and Blue lines. It sits at the north end of the county, right across the Key Bridge from Georgetown. The next stop east is Foggy Bottom-GWU, the first station in D.C.
For buyers who work in D.C. or need to switch lines often, Rosslyn's three lines can save a transfer. The station also has one of the longest escalator runs in the Metro system, so plan a few extra minutes at rush hour. Homes near Rosslyn tend to be condos and apartments, with townhomes and single-family homes in the neighborhoods to the west.
4. East Falls Church Is Where the Orange and Silver Lines Split
East Falls Church station sits in the median of I-66 on Arlington's western edge, near the border with the City of Falls Church. It's the last stop the Orange and Silver lines share. West of here, Orange trains continue along I-66 toward Vienna, while Silver trains turn toward Tysons, Reston, Herndon, and Loudoun County.
If you commute toward Tysons or the Dulles corridor, a home near East Falls Church can give you a one-seat Silver Line ride in that direction. The station also has commuter parking, which is rare in Arlington. Check WMATA for current parking details before you count on a space.
5. The Blue and Yellow Lines Serve the Pentagon and National Landing
Along the Potomac, the Blue and Yellow lines stop at Pentagon, Pentagon City, Crystal City, and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Arlington Cemetery station, between Rosslyn and the Pentagon, is served by the Blue Line only. Crystal City, Pentagon City, and the Arlington part of Potomac Yard make up the area known as National Landing, home to Amazon's HQ2.
From the Pentagon, Yellow trains cross the Potomac toward L'Enfant Plaza and downtown D.C., while Blue trains go through Rosslyn into the city. The Pentagon station also has one of the region's largest bus hubs. Housing near these stations includes high-rise condos, plus townhomes and single-family homes in the neighborhoods nearby.
6. Reagan National Airport Is on Metro, and More Connections Are Coming
Reagan National Airport has its own Metro station, connected to the terminals by covered walkways. It's one or two stops from Crystal City and Pentagon City, so frequent travelers can get to their flight without a car. Drivers reach the airport from the George Washington Memorial Parkway and Route 1.
Two projects near the airport are worth tracking. A second entrance to Crystal City station, at Crystal Drive and 18th Street South, is under construction and expected to open in summer 2027. The county is also designing a pedestrian and bike connection from Crystal City to the airport, with construction projected to start around Fiscal Year 2031. Timelines can shift, so check Arlington County for updates.
7. ART, Metrobus, Metroway, and VRE Fill in the Gaps
Arlington Transit (ART) runs local bus routes that link neighborhoods to Metro stations, and Metrobus adds routes across the county and into D.C. Metroway, a bus rapid transit line, runs between Pentagon City, Crystal City, and Potomac Yard, using dedicated lanes along part of the route.
VRE commuter trains also stop at Crystal City on weekdays, with service on the Fredericksburg and Manassas lines and into D.C. A good bus or train link can make a home farther from Metro work well for a daily commute. Routes and schedules change, so check ART, WMATA, and VRE for current service from a specific address.
8. Driving: I-66, I-395, Route 50, and the GW Parkway
I-66 runs across north Arlington to the Roosevelt Bridge. Inside the Beltway, it has rush-hour tolls in the peak direction, and HOV-3 drivers with an E-ZPass Flex set to HOV mode ride free. I-395 runs through south Arlington to the 14th Street bridges, with Express Lanes in the middle. Route 50 (Arlington Boulevard) and Langston Boulevard (Route 29) carry local traffic across the county.
The George Washington Memorial Parkway follows the river from the airport to the Key Bridge and Memorial Bridge. Toll rules and hours change, so check VDOT before you budget for a daily drive. Test your route at the time you'd normally travel, since traffic at the bridges can make a big difference.
9. Trails and Bikeshare Make Biking a Real Option
The Custis Trail runs along I-66 from Rosslyn to the East Falls Church area, where it meets the W&OD Trail. The Mount Vernon Trail follows the Potomac past Rosslyn, the Pentagon area, and the airport. The Four Mile Run Trail runs along Arlington's southern edge. Capital Bikeshare also has stations across the county, many near Metro.
For bike commuters, these trails connect to the bridges into D.C. If biking is part of your plan, check bike storage, garage space, or condo bike rooms when you tour. For more Northern Virginia real estate tips, browse Samantha's blog.
10. Test Your Commute and Plan for Its Costs
Before you buy, run your actual commute from the address at the hours you'd travel. Then add up the costs: Metro or VRE fares, I-66 or I-395 tolls, parking at work, and any assigned or extra parking fees at home. Many homes near Metro are condos, so ask about condo or HOA dues, parking spaces, and storage for each home you like.
A hybrid schedule changes the math too, so plan around how many days a week you'll really make the trip. The Northern Virginia buyer's guide walks through pre-approval, budgeting, and each step of the purchase. It's a helpful place to start before you begin touring Arlington homes.
FAQs
Q: How many Metro stations are in Arlington VA?
A: Arlington is served by 11 Metrorail stations on the Orange, Silver, Blue, and Yellow lines. Most sit along the Rosslyn-Ballston corridor or along the Potomac between the Pentagon and Reagan National Airport, with East Falls Church on the county's western edge.
Q: Can I take Metro from Arlington to Reagan National Airport?
A: Yes. Blue and Yellow line trains stop at the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport station, which connects to the terminals by covered walkways. It's one or two stops from Crystal City and Pentagon City.
Q: Is there parking at Arlington Metro stations?
A: Commuter parking is limited. Most Arlington stations are designed for riders who walk, bike, take the bus, or get dropped off. East Falls Church station does offer commuter parking. Check WMATA for current parking details and fees.
Q: How long is the commute from Arlington to downtown D.C.?
A: It depends on where the home is, where you work, and how you travel. Many Arlington stations offer a one-seat Metro ride into D.C., while driving times change a lot with rush-hour traffic at the bridges. The most reliable step is to test your route from a specific address at the time you'd normally travel.
Q: How do I find a home in Arlington that fits my commute?
A: Start with pre-approval and a clear picture of where and how often you'll commute. Then work with a local agent who can compare homes by station, bus route, and drive time. Samantha Bard offers buyer consultations and can build a search around your commute, budget, and timeline.
Ready to Find an Arlington Home That Fits Your Commute?
If Arlington is on your list, let's talk about how you'll get to work and what matters most in a home. Samantha Bard can walk you through current listings, compare Metro, bus, and drive options for each home you like, and help you move with confidence when the right one comes up. Do you have time to talk this week?
Samantha Bard, REALTOR® | ABR | SRS
Coldwell Banker Realty
📞 (703) 298-2651 | ✉ samantha.bard@cbmove.com | 🌐 www.samanthabard.com
Virginia License #0225198344 | Equal Housing Opportunity