The Circulator has three distinct routes that sometimes make using the Circulator much easier than the Metro's subway or bus. The first route runs along the K Street Corridor, connecting Union Station to popular shopping district Georgetown. The second route loops around the National Mall, which makes visiting D.C.'s museums much easier. The third route starts at the Convention Center and finishes at D.C.'s Southwest Waterfront, now the home of D.C.'s MLB team, the Washington Nationals.
Once you know which route is most convenient for you, it's time to find a place to catch the Circulator. Most Circulator stops coincide with Metrobus stops. Circulator signs will often be next to the blue, white and red Metrobus signs. The Circulator signs are a silver, red and yellow color and often have a circular tube around the sign post that give you information about the route.
Once you've found a stop, be prepared with your form of payment. Circulators take cash, but can't give you change. The fare is $1 and you can also use transfers from Metrobus routes. If you have a SmarTrip card, you can also use that on the Circulator.
If you plan on getting back onto a Circulator or jumping onto another Metrobus route, ask for a transfer. If you do transfer to a Metrobus route, you will need 25 cents to cover the transfer fare.
Circulator buses don't have an electronic screen or announcer to let you know which stop will be next, so you'll have to pay attention to the roads. Bus drivers are friendly and know their routes well, so don't be scared to ask for a reminder as to where your stop is.
Circulator buses don't have the same yellow cords to signal the bus driver that you want the next stop, so when you're ready to get off, press one of the yellow and red buttons located on the arm rails or walls of the bus to alert the driver.
