Welcome to MARC Train! We are glad to have Washington Metrorail passengers use our services due to the closure of the Red Line from July 6 to September 4. Riding MARC is easy, but there are some important things to be aware of before you travel. The information that follows is very important and will help make your trip more enjoyable.

Overview

The MARC Brunswick Line stations that will be most affected by the Metro closure are Rockville and Garrett Park .  Kensington is also an option (click links for Google Maps). Please allow extra time to get to your destination and arrive at your boarding station early.

Schedules

Click here to view and download the MARC Brunswick Line schedule.

Parking

Parking is available in the Washington Metrorail lot at Rockville (paid parking).  There is limited parking at Garrett Park and Kensington stations.  Please observe all No Parking, residential parking permit, and business-only signs in the surrounding neighborhoods and streets. Offending cars will be ticketed or towed.  Montgomery County RideOn bus service may be an option to get you to a MARC station.  RideOn is a free bus service; visit their travel planner to sort out your trip.

Fares

MARC Train is offering special discounted fares from Rockville and Garrett Park to Silver Spring and Union Station during the WMATA Red Line closure.  The discounted fares will be available for purchase starting July 6.

MARC Train:

Ticket type from Rockville, Garrett Park, or
Kensington to Silver Spring or Union Station

  Fare
One-way / Round trip $3.00 / $6.00
Senior, disabled, student one-way/round trip $1.50 / $3.00
Weekly pass $22.50
Monthly pass $81.00

How to Buy a Ticket

Click here for a full list of ways to buy a MARC ticket.

Ticket vending machines are located at:

  • Rockville -- In the station waiting room, located on the ground level of the station about half way between the bus loop and MARC platform elevator.
  • Garrett Park does not have a ticket machine, see next paragraph
  • Kensington -- Inside the station waiting room
  • Silver Spring -- adjacent to the elevator on the westbound (Track 1) platform.  Tickets are also available for purchase from the TRIPs store located on the second floor of the Silver SpringTransit Center.
  • Washington Union Station -- In the MARC Gate B waiting area and hallway adjacent to Gate A.

Conductors will be selling one-way and round trip special fares on the train and the on board penalty will be waived for passengers boarding at Rockville only (there is never a surcharge at Garrett Park station since there is not a ticket machine). Please note that cash is the only form of payment accepted on the train, no credit or debit cards are accepted, and exact change is appreciated.  Passengers boarding at Union Station must purchase a ticket prior to boarding. 

If you receive WMATA SmartBenefits through your employer, you can reallocate your benefits to either Charm Pass or the MARC TVMs. Click here to login to your SmartBenefits account or click here for more information on allocating your benefits to purchase tickets.

What to expect during your MARC Train ride

  • Parking lots, platforms, and trains may be crowded, so you should arrive at your station 20 minutes prior to your train's scheduled departure.
  • It is possible that some trains will have limited boarding based on crowding. We thank you in advance for your patience. Passengers may have to wait to board the next train.
  • When boarding the train, please move inside and to the center of the car; do not stop just inside the doors. This will ensure that there is enough space for standees.
  • Do not stand in the area between two railcars.
  • In the afternoon, please follow directions from Amtrak and MARC staff at Union Station. Trains begin boarding 15-20 minutes prior to departure. Remain inside the station at the designated boarding gate until your train is announced for boarding.

Questions?  

Please email us at marc@mta.maryland.gov .  Thank you for riding MARC Train. We hope you enjoy your trip!