I got 4 of these smarttrip charmcards for the 4 of us for upcoming trip.  Id like to load some passes to be able to ride the rail around central DC, optionally would really like to be able to ride bus around DC as well.    would need a 7 day pass.

but their website, have no idea what "transit system" i need or what short/long/full/omgwtfbbq to get.  some stuff I see says baltimore only, nothing else says anything specific.  so i dont watnt o buy 4 of these 50 dollar deals to find out I got the wrong thing.

ETA:
wtf???  what a load of shit.  i bought 4 smarttrip cards, then when I got them in the mail 2 days before my trip I went online and for each card added th 7 day short trip metrorail pass as well as the 7 day bus pass.  the info on the DC Circulator says the smart trip 7 day bus pass is valid fare.

so we got the the airport and the passes work great, take metrorail to GWU and we're at the AirBNB.  so next day (yesterday) was all the monuments touring, and the DC circulator buses kept taking $ off our cards.  WTF?  I called in to complain they say the7 day short pass doesnt work on the circulator.  I say, no I also put the 7 day buss pass on there, and its supposed to be valid fare.  then they say, well the bus's 7day pass will not kick in until 2-3 days *after* I first even attempt to use it on a bus by swiping it on a bus somewhere.v WTF?

WTF??  so until then, I just have to pay out $ for rides?  WTF??  we havent even swiped them on a regular metrobus at all, only on the metrorails and the dc circulator busses.  WTF????

What you want is Metro. https://www.wmata.com/

VRA and MARC are the commuter trains to VA and MD.

ok thanks.  ok so WMTA then thanks.  can you tell me the difference between the 2:

just not sure which one I need, there doesnt seem to find any good overall view of which station pairs cost which prices
thanks

Fares
To see the fares between stations, go to theMetrorail stations page and click on the station where you're starting your trip.

Of the two plans you posted, it looks like the Fast pass is a flat rate.
The short trip you pay extra (meaning you have to have additional value stored on the card if the trips you take exceed the amount referenced. ) If you don't plan to travel during rush hour, this is likely the better deal (or if you're only traveling a few stations during rush hour)

The DC metro fare system is not as user friendly as some other large cities I have visited. I am sure it is not the worst but they could do a much better job.

London Underground Oyster Card FTW!!

WMATA is the single worst transport system in the developed world, it's a disgrace.

ok it looks like fares even during rush hour, between RR airport and way out to the Capitol would fall below that $3.60 fare, so it looks like that short pass is ok for us as I cannot see us doing anything longer than that.

we got the 7 day WTMA bus system pass as well.  how often do the buses fall behind schedule?  would be nice to know if we can rely on them for our tours we have appointments for

thanks all.

I would not rely on the buses.  They get stuck in traffic just like everyone else

wtf???  what a load of shit.  i bought 4 smarttrip cards, then when I got them in the mail 2 days before my trip I went online and for each card added th 7 day short trip metrorail pass as well as the 7 day bus pass.  the info on the DC Circulator says the smart trip 7 day bus pass is valid fare.

so we got the the airport and the passes work great, take metrorail to GWU and we're at the AirBNB.  so next day (yesterday) was all the monuments touring, and the DC circulator buses kept taking $ off our cards.  WTF?  I called in to complain they say the7 day short pass doesnt work on the circulator.  I say, no I also put the 7 day buss pass on there, and its supposed to be valid fare.  then they say, well the bus's 7day pass will not kick in until 2-3 days *after* I first even attempt to use it on a bus by swiping it on a bus somewhere.v WTF?

WTF??  so until then, I just have to pay out $ for rides?  WTF??  we havent even swiped them on a regular metrobus at all, only on the metrorails and the dc circulator busses.  WTF????