How to Pay for the NYC Subway?

Here’s a simple, step-by-step guide to paying for the NYC Subway without getting lost. We’ll cover every way you can pay, which options are cheapest, and how to stay safe—think of this like talking to a friend who’s never been on the subway before, no techno-jargon, promise! Between old yellow cards, new tap-and-go readers, and various fare rules, it can feel confusing. But once we know our options—tapping our phone, swiping a card, or using cash—we’ll breeze through the turnstiles like pros. Read on, and you’ll learn exactly how to pay, save money, and get moving in no time.

1. All the Payment Options

When it comes to paying for the NYC Subway, here are the main choices. We’ll explain each one and point out which is easiest for tourists.

OMNY (Contactless Tap-and-Go)

What it is: A tap-and-go system that lets you pay with a credit/debit card, your phone (Apple Pay, Google Pay), or a special OMNY card you buy.
Where to use it: Every subway station turnstile and on all MTA buses.
How it works: Tap once at the reader; it automatically charges the fare. No need to take out cash or a separate ticket—just tap and walk in.
Fare capping: After you pay for 12 rides in a week, the rest are free until the week resets. That costs you $34 total for unlimited rides that week.

MetroCard (Yellow Plastic Card)

What it is: The old-school plastic card with a magnetic stripe. You can load it with cash value (called “Pay-Per-Ride”) or unlimited-ride passes (7-day or 30-day).
Is it still around? Yes, but it’s being phased out. You can still use it through early 2026, though sales and refills stop on December 31, 2025.
Where to get it: Station vending machines (take cash or card) or certain retailers (like convenience stores).
Pay-Per-Ride vs. Unlimited:
- Pay-Per-Ride: Each swipe costs $2.90. If you only ride once or twice per day, this works fine.
- 7-Day Unlimited: Costs $34, so if you ride more than 12 times in a week, it’s the same as OMNY’s weekly cap.
- 30-Day Unlimited: Costs $132, good if you’ll ride a lot all month.

Reduced-Fare Options

Who qualifies: Seniors (65+), people with disabilities, and approved students.
How to get it: Apply online or at an MTA Customer Service Center. You’ll get an OMNY reduced-fare card or a special MetroCard.
Cost: Half the regular fare (about $1.45 per ride) with OMNY or MetroCard.

2. Which Option Is Best?

If you want the easiest, no-hassle way:
OMNY on your phone or credit card.
Just tap and go—no lines at vending machines, no worrying about running out of stored value.
If you’re visiting for a week:
Use OMNY and reach the $34 weekly cap, then ride free for the rest of the week. Exactly the same as buying a 7-day MetroCard, but without holding a card.
If you ride every day:
For a month, compare:
- OMNY monthly cap (if you tap enough, it caps at $132 in 30 days).
- MetroCard 30-day unlimited for $132.
  Same price either way; pick whichever feels simpler.
If you ride just once or twice:
You could do OMNY pay-per-ride (tap each time for $2.90) or a MetroCard pay-per-ride. Either works, but OMNY means one less card to lose.

3. Cheapest Ways to Ride

OMNY Weekly Cap: $34 for unlimited subway and bus rides for a 7-day period. If you’ll ride at least 12 times in a week, you’re saving after that 12th ride.
MetroCard 7-Day Unlimited: Also $34, so same deal if you already have a MetroCard.
OMNY Monthly Cap: $132 if you ride enough over a 30-day span. Same as MetroCard 30-day pass.
Reduced-Fare OMNY/MetroCard: If eligible, you pay half ($1.45) per ride. Over time, cap applies at half price, too.

4. Safest Ways to Pay

OMNY on Your Phone or Watch
- Pros: No physical card to steal or lose. If you lose your phone, you can lock it down remotely—no one can tap and ride.
- Cons: Your phone battery might die. Always carry a backup if you rely on it 100%.
OMNY Card (Plastic)
- Pros: Works just like a credit-card tap. If you lose it, you can register it online (link it to an account) and protect your balance.
- Cons: If you don’t register it and someone finds it, they could ride until the value’s gone.
MetroCard (Plastic)
- Pros: Familiar and simple. If you register your MetroCard in MTA’s EasyPay program (if you had one), you could replace it if lost—though EasyPay ended March 23, 2025.
- Cons: Unregistered MetroCards can’t be replaced, so if someone steals it, they get your balance. Also, magnetic strips wear out or demagnetize over time.
Cash-Only Option
- Reality Check: Nowadays, you can’t just feed cash directly into the turnstile. You have to go to a MetroCard vending machine first. Then you get a MetroCard and “load” cash value onto it.
- Cons: Standing in line to buy or refill a MetroCard. Risky if you carry a lot of cash in public.

5. Step-by-Step: How to Get Ready, Pay, and Ride

Download a Mobile Wallet (Optional but easiest)
- Set up Apple Pay (iPhone), Google Pay (Android), or Samsung Pay.
- Link a valid credit/debit card (Visa, MasterCard, AMEX, Discover).
Get Your OMNY Card (If you want a standalone card)
- Go to an OMNY vending machine in the station (look for the “OMNY” sign).
- Pay $1 for the OMNY card itself. That $1 is a one-time fee—you load separate fare value on top of it.
- Or buy OMNY cards at some neighborhood retailers (pharmacies, bodegas).
Using OMNY to Tap
- When you enter the station, look for a small white reader (usually on a yellow pole or right next to the turnstile).
- Put your phone or card within an inch of the reader until you hear a beep. Then push the turnstile.
Using a MetroCard
- If you already have one: Check that it still has value or an active pass.
- To reload cash or an unlimited option, use the MetroCard vending machine (takes cash, credit, or debit).
- Slide your MetroCard into the turnstile slot, pull it out quickly. You’ll hear a click and the turnstile unlocks.
Transferring Between Bus and Subway
- Free Transfer: If you tap OMNY on a bus first, then tap OMNY at the subway station within two hours, you won’t be charged a second fare. Same with MetroCard.
- Important: You must tap/click at both bus and station so the system recognizes it as a transfer.

6. FAQ (Frequently “Uh-Oh, I Didn’t Know That!” Questions)

Q: What if my phone battery dies?
A: Carry a backup—either a physical OMNY card or a (last-use) MetroCard. If your phone’s dead, tap your card at the reader.
Q: Can I use a debit/credit card I already own?
A: Yes! Any contactless Visa, MasterCard, AMEX, or Discover works. Just tap your card the same way you’d tap your phone.
Q: How do I check my OMNY balance or passes?
A: Go online to the OMNY website or app. Log in (or register if you haven’t) and see your taps, balance, and weekly/monthly cap progress.
Q: Can I still get a new MetroCard?
A: Yes, until December 31, 2025. After that, they’ll stop selling new cards and refilling old ones. But old cards remain valid until early 2026.
Q: I lost my OMNY card—what now?
A: If you registered it online, you can lock the lost card, get a new one, and transfer your remaining balance. If you didn’t register, you lose whatever value was on it.
Q: Are there discounts if I’m a student or senior?
A: Yep. You can apply for a reduced-fare OMNY or MetroCard. It charges half the normal fare (about $1.45 per ride).
Q: Can my whole family use one OMNY card?
A: No—each person needs to tap individually. OMNY knows how many people pass; it charges per person per tap.

7. Extra Tips and Tricks

Avoid the Lines: Once you switch to OMNY on your phone, you never have to wait to reload or buy another card. Just tap and go.
Keep an Eye on Promotional Caps: Sometimes, OMNY introduces temporary promotions (like free rides on certain holidays). Watch MTA announcements.
Check for Card Readers on Buses: When you board a bus, the OMNY reader is right by the front door. Tap there before you sit down.
Never Fold or Bend a MetroCard: The magnetic stripe will get damaged, and you’ll get “READ ERROR.”
Use a Lanyard or Card Case: Keep your OMNY or MetroCard in an easy-to-grab slot so you don’t fumble at rush hour.
Set a Weekly Alert: If you’re using OMNY pay-per-ride, set a phone reminder for “Once you’ve tapped 12 times, you’re free.” Saves you mental math.
Beware of “Tap Twice”: If someone else taps at the reader right when you do, one of you might get charged twice. Wait until the green light/beep shows you’ve been processed.
Keep Your Card or Phone Clean: Dirt and lint can interfere with the reader detecting your OMNY card or contactless payment.

8. Quick Recap

OMNY = Tap with your phone or contactless card. Weekly cap at $34, monthly at $132. No lines. Works everywhere.
MetroCard = Still around until end of 2025. Can buy Pay-Per-Ride or 7/30-day passes. Get them at vending machines or retailers.
Cheapest = Hit the 12-ride OMNY cap in a week (that’s $34 total) or buy a 7-day MetroCard for $34.
Safest = OMNY on your phone (can lock your phone if stolen), or a registered OMNY card that can be replaced.

That’s it! Now you know exactly how to pay for the subway in NYC, which way is cheapest, and what’s safest. Have fun riding—no more standing in long lines or carrying extra cash!