New York Subway Fare: Prices and How to Pay

2025 will be the last year of the MetroCard. By the end of the year it will be completely replaced by the OMNY contactless payment system.

Since there are still several months to go, I'll give you everything you need to know to use the MetroCard like a true New Yorker 🗽.

Did you know the MetroCard is already 30 years old? It's a symbol of the city and a nice souvenir to take home.

So take advantage of riding with New York's classic transit card before it disappears.

Below I'll explain how it works, where to buy one, and which type of MetroCard makes the most sense for you.

But first, it's important to know what will happen to current MetroCards so you can start getting ready for the switch to OMNY.

How will the transition from MetroCard to OMNY work?

OMNY has been rolling out gradually since 2019 across New York's subway and buses. Over these years, both systems have run side by side to make the transition easier.

The fact is that at the end of 2025 MetroCards will no longer be made or sold, giving way entirely to the OMNY contactless payment system, which will be the only way to ride NYC transit.

As you can see, it's important to know how OMNY works, since you'll have to use it on your next trips.

What will happen to current MetroCards?

MetroCards will remain valid through the first six months of 2026. If you still have a card with value on it by then, you'll be able to use it.

Until then, use that MetroCard! That's why below I'm giving you everything you need to ride with one like a local 🚇🗽.

Where to buy a MetroCard

You can buy a MetroCard at any of the vending machines in subway stations, which take both credit cards and cash.

Types of MetroCards

The card itself is physically the same; the difference comes down to the options you pick when you buy it.

There are basically three types of MetroCard:

1. Single ride: for one trip only
2. Unlimited-ride MetroCard: you can use it as many times as you want while it's valid.
3. Pay-per-ride MetroCard: each trip is deducted one by one from the balance loaded on the card.

New York MetroCard prices

To choose the best fare, the key is to figure out how many rides you'll take during your stay. Below I'll give you more details to help you make the best call and stretch your budget as far as it goes.

1. Single ride ticket

The single ride ticket has one flat price: US$3.25 no matter how long the trip. This ticket is only sold at station booths, not at the vending machines.

It works if you'll only take one or two rides, which honestly I doubt is your case, so keep reading.

2. Unlimited ride MetroCard

This MetroCard lets you take as many rides as you want during the validity period.

Each traveler has to buy their own; several people can't use the same one at the same time, because 18 minutes must pass between swipes.

As you can imagine, waiting around so everyone can get through is not convenient at all. Every minute you have to explore New York is worth gold (for example, if there are 3 of you, you'd have to wait an hour for everyone to get in!).

To check whether the Unlimited MetroCard is the best option for what you're planning in the city, this rule always works:

• If you're going to take more than 13 rides in less than a week, buy the 7-day unlimited ride MetroCard (US$34)
• If your stay is longer and you plan to take more than 48 rides, go for the 30-day unlimited ride MetroCard (US$132).

The unlimited ride MetroCard activates the first time you swipe it and lasts until midnight on the seventh day. Once it expires you can keep using it as a «pay-per-ride» card by adding more money, so don't throw it out.

3. Pay-per-ride MetroCard

If you'll take fewer than 13 rides during your stay, you're better off buying the pay-per-ride MetroCard and adding money as you need it.

It works like a prepaid card that deducts US$2.90 with each ride.

The nice thing about pay-per-ride is that when you load more than $5.50 you get a 5% bonus. For example, if you pay $20 they'll put US$21 on the card, bringing the cost per ride down a bit.

It also includes one transfer: subway-bus, bus-subway, or bus-bus, within 2 hours from the moment you swiped the card.

Another plus is that up to 4 people can ride on the same card, with no need to waste valuable time waiting to swipe again like with the unlimited ride MetroCard.

It simply deducts $2.90 for each passenger who swipes. The upside is that you save by buying just one card (each one costs $1).

If you buy a pay-per-ride MetroCard, take good care of it, since you can refill that same card and use every last cent.

If you have money left at the end of your stay, keep the card, because the balance doesn't expire (the cards do have an expiration date; if that's the case, when you come back to New York just ask any agent at a subway booth to transfer that amount to a new card). Nothing goes to waste!

Using pay-per-ride and unlimited ride together

For a while now the MetroCard has been more flexible: you can load «unlimited rides» onto a «pay-per-ride» card and vice versa.

For example: you bought the 7-day unlimited ride card and you still have one day left in New York. Now you can use that same «unlimited» card and load just the money you need for those last-day rides.

It works the other way too: when your unlimited ride card expires, you can add more «unlimited» time to the same card if you need it.

In short: if you need more time or more balance you won't have to buy another card, you can use the same one and save the extra dollar each time. Great news, because every dollar counts, as I always tell you 😉

Do kids pay?

Children up to age 3 ride free on New York's subway and city buses (you might like these ideas if you're traveling with kids).

Using the MetroCard on buses

New York city buses work with the same MetroCard, which is great for seeing the city above ground and taking a break from the dark subway.

In the NYC bus guide I give you more information.

Using the MetroCard on the AirTrain

You also need a MetroCard to ride the JFK AirTrain (the link has all the details on getting to and from the airport by subway). These days you can also pay for the AirTrain with the OMNY contactless payment system.

The AirTrain is the service connecting all JFK Airport terminals with the New York subway.

Using the MetroCard on PATH

If you need to travel to New Jersey, you can use the same MetroCard to board PATH trains (details at the link).

PATH is the service that connects New York with Jersey City, Hoboken, and Newark. Just note that you'll need «pay-per-ride» balance. For more details, check out the page where I explain how to travel between NYC and NJ.

Tips for riding the subway

The New York subway is huge. I put together a complete guide to the New York subway so you can learn to use it like a real New Yorker and get to every one of the attractions in New York without a hitch.

The other important tip is to learn how to use OMNY, the new way to pay for subway rides in New York, which will completely replace the MetroCard in 2026.

For more information you can check the official MTA page, New York's transit authority.