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Metro and Shuttle Service

Metrorail service is available from Washington's Reagan National Airport and from Union Station (railway). To get to NCI Shady Grove, take the Washington, DC Metro Red line to the Shady Grove stop (terminal station). Shuttle buses depart from the Shady Grove Metro station beginning at 6:00 a.m. and 6:15 a.m. respectively. During peak commuting times from 6:00 – 9:30 a.m. and 3:00 – 7:00 p.m., service runs more frequently. During non-peak times, from 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., shuttles run every 30 minutes. The last shuttle leaves for the Metro at 6:45 p.m.

The NCI Shady Grove Metro shuttle picks up passengers on the west side of the Metro. To reach it:

1. Take the exit on your left when exiting the metro station – at the top of the escalator.
2. The shuttle stops on your right side as you walk up the stairs.
3. Look for the signs saying “NCI shuttle stops here” written in red letters on a white background.

For your convenience, you can download the NCI Shady Grove Shuttle Schedule (pdf), or check on the status of the next shuttle in real-time using the NCI live shuttle schedule.

Alternatively: you may choose to take Metro Red line to the Medical Center stop at the NIH main campus, then take the NIH Express Shuttle from the main lobby of Building 31 to NCI Shady Grove.  Shuttle service runs every thirty minutes nonstop from 7:15 a.m. – 6:45 p.m.

Note: To ride the shuttle, employees are required to show proper NIH badge identification. Visitors need to secure a shuttle pass from their sponsor. The Shuttle Pass Request Form is available online.

Taxi

From the Shady Grove Metro, exit the station to the left, and the taxi stand will be visible.

Bus

Various Montgomery County Ride-On bus routes service NCI Shady Grove. These buses all have bike racks. Download the Ride On User Guide for tips on riding the bus, accessibility, fares, trip planning resources, the SmarTrip card fare media, transfers, and our commitment to Title VI principles.

Select a route number below for a complete timetable and a map of each Ride-On bus route, or use the Ride-On Real-time app.

• Route 43 – From Traville Transit Center and Shady Grove Metro. Drops off/Picks up in front of NCI Shady Grove on Medical Center Dr.
• Route 56 – From Rockville Metro and Lakeforest Transit Center. Drops off/Picks up at the intersection of Medical Way and Shady Grove Rd., approximately 200 yards away from NCI Shady Grove.
• Route 66 – From Traville Transit Center and Shady Grove Metro. Drops off/Picks up in front of NCI Shady Grove on Medical Center Dr.
• Route 74 – From Germantown Transit Center and Shady Grove Metro. Drops off/Picks up on Key West Ave., approximately 100 yards from NCI Shady Grove entrance.

Additionally, the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) offers commuter bus routes to the Shady Grove Metro (routes 201 and 202).

Driving Directions

There are ample parking spaces in the NCI Shady Grove parking garage, and parking is free.

From the south using Interstate 270

• Take Exit 8 toward Shady Grove Road
• Keep left on the exit ramp
• At the end of the ramp, turn left at the light onto Shady Grove Road heading west
• Turn right onto Key West Avenue (MD 28 W)
• Turn left at the next light onto Medical Center Drive
• Turn right onto Blackwell Road
• Turn right into the NCI Shady Grove parking garage

From the north using Interstate 270

• Take Exit 8 and keep right to take the Omega Drive ramp
• The ramp will bring you to a stop sign
• Turn left, and continue on Omega Drive, which turns into Medical Center Drive after it crosses Key West Avenue
• From Medical Center Drive, turn right onto Blackwell Road
• Turn right into the NCI Shady Grove parking garage

Upon Arrival at NCI Shady Grove

Upon arrival at the NCI Shady Grove building, here’s what you will need to do:

1. Call your NCI host to be signed in and, after going through security, escorted upstairs.
2. Provide a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, to security personnel for sign-in.
3. Put your bags through a scanner and walk through a scanner yourself, just as in an airport.

Departing from NCI Shady Grove

By Shuttle/Metro:

When departing NCI Shady Grove, go to the shuttle stop in front of the building where you were dropped off.

• Shady Grove Metro: Take the shuttle labeled "Shady Grove Metro".
• NIH Campus/Medical Center Metro: Take the shuttle labeled "NCI Shady Grove Express".

Taxis may be ordered by calling from the front lobby.