The Virginia Square–GMU Metro: A Q&A Guide
What line is Virginia Square–GMU on? Where is it?
Virginia Square–GMU is on Metro’s Orange Line and Silver Line, in the heart of Arlington’s Rosslyn–Ballston corridor.
The station entrance is at Fairfax Drive and N Monroe Street, and the station address is commonly listed as 3600 Fairfax Dr, Arlington, VA 22201.
It’s right in the middle of the Rosslyn–Ballston corridor, which makes it a great home base. You’re close to DC, one stop from Clarendon or Ballston, and in a part of Arlington that feels more for everyday living than for visitors.
- It’s not on the river like Rosslyn or National Landing
- It’s not out in the quieter, more suburban parts of North or South Arlington
- It’s right in the middle of Arlington’s main Metro-oriented development spine
What do people use this station for most?
This is a commuter-friendly, daily-life station. It’s less of a tourist station than Rosslyn, and less retail-centric than Ballston. People use it for:
- Downtown DC access (work, meetings, events)
- Quick trips to other Rosslyn–Ballston stops (Clarendon, Ballston, Courthouse, Rosslyn)
- GMU Arlington campus access (classes, events)
Is there parking directly at Virginia Square–GMU?
No—there’s no Metro-operated daily parking, metered spaces, or reserved parking at this station, which also happens to be in a highly walkable, pedestrian-friendly area of Arlington. People typically:
- Walk from nearby apartments
- Get dropped off / rideshare
- Use nearby public or private garages (paid) if they need to drive (these aren’t Metro lots)
Latitude Apartments is located around the corner from the station: we offer garage parking for residents, including with electric/hybrid charging stations.
What are the most common transfer points from here?
Because you’re on Orange/Silver, the “default” connection logic is:
- Rosslyn for connections across the core and to other lines in Arlington/DC (and for lots of DC-bound routing flexibility)
- Metro Center for easy system-wide linking in the heart of downtown (common for transfers depending on destination)
- L’Enfant Plaza when you’re heading to destinations better served by the south-of-downtown transfer hub
(Exact best transfer depends on where you’re going, but those are the ones riders most often route through.)
Can I use this station to get to the airport?
Yes. Virginia Square–GMU is a straightforward station for airport access because it’s on the corridor with direct regional connectivity:
- Reagan National (DCA): typically reached via transfers through the core network
- Dulles (IAD): the Silver Line is the backbone for Dulles access across the region
Is it a good station for a car-light lifestyle?
Yes, especially because it’s positioned between higher-energy nodes (Clarendon/Ballston) while still being fully Metro-connected. You can build routines around walking + Metro here and use a car occasionally rather than daily.
What buses connect at Virginia Square–GMU?
You’ll see a mix of Metrobus and Arlington Transit (ART) connections in the area. Commonly cited connections include ART routes like 41/42/56/75 and Metrobus routes like A58/A76.
(Practically: people use the buses here for short hops within Arlington—especially along the corridor and toward larger transfer stations like Ballston/Pentagon.)
Is the station accessible and bike-friendly?
Yes! Virginia Square–GMU is an accessible Metro station, and the area supports bike commuting with racks/lockers and Capital Bikeshare nearby.
What’s the “vibe” around this station compared to Clarendon or Ballston?
A simple way to put it:
- Clarendon: more dining/nightlife energy
- Ballston: bigger, denser, more commercial gravity
- Virginia Square–GMU: more balanced and weekday-oriented—academic + office + residential mix, generally a little calmer
Modern Apartments near Virginia Square–GMU
Latitude (3601 Fairfax Dr) is essentially around the corner from the Virginia Square–GMU station, which is exactly what most renters mean when they say “walk-to-Metro.” You’re positioned for quick DC trips, easy corridor movement, and a daily routine that doesn’t revolve around parking.
