Are CharlieCards still used in Boston?

The CharlieCard is a contactless smart card used for fare payment for transportation in the Boston area. It is the primary payment method for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) and several regional public transport systems in the U.S. state of Massachusetts. Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.



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On all MBTA buses, you can add cash value to your CharlieCard with coins or bills, up to $20. You cannot buy or reload 1-day, 7-day, or monthly passes at onboard fare boxes. To pay your fare: Tell the driver you need to add value to your CharlieCard.

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CharlieTickets are valid for travel on the subway and local bus routes. You can buy them at fare vending machines in the terminals at Logan Airport, at Airport Station, and at South Station. You can buy Commuter Rail tickets with the mTicket app, or at the ticket booths located in South Station.

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CharlieTicket, a tappable ticket that can be loaded with subway, bus, Commuter Rail, and ferry tickets or passes. an Android and iPhone app for Commuter Rail and ferry tickets or passes. Cash at onboard fare boxes on buses and trolleys at street-level stops.

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The Charlie Card actually gets its name from a 1949 campaign song about a man named Charlie who was eternally stuck on the T when he couldn't pay his exit fare (a concept that no longer exists). In New York City, phone, or credit card tap in has been the way of life through the city's OMNY system for years.

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Most machines accept cash, major credit/debit cards, and EBT cards. Some machines only accept credit/debit/EBT cards and are marked to indicate that they don't accept cash. At fare vending machines, you can add cash value or 1-day, 7-day, or monthly passes to a CharlieCard or CharlieTicket.

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Children age 11 and under ride the MBTA for free. Groups including 10 or more children (regardless of the number of chaperones), must register their travel using the field trip form. People who are legally blind, as well as an accompanying guide, ride the MBTA for free with a Blind Access CharlieCard.

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First, choose how you'll pay your fare You can also pay in cash or add cash value to a CharlieCard at onboard fare boxes, or use your EBT card to load value or passes onto a CharlieCard or CharlieTicket at fare vending machines, the CharlieCard Store, or MBTA retail sales locations that accept EBT cards.

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Read on for some of the top options to get around Boston.
  1. Hop On and Off with a Trolley Tour. Your best bet to getting around Boston with ease is to get a seat aboard the Old Town Trolley Tour. ...
  2. Ride like a Local on Public Transportation. ...
  3. Cycle around by renting a Bike. ...
  4. Call a Taxi or Use a Rideshare App.


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Starting March 1, 2022, Route 23, 28, and 29 bus riders are able to board at all doors without paying a fare for two years. From March 1, 2022 through February 29, 2024, MBTA Routes 23, 28, and 29 will be free for all riders.

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Monthly passes are specific to the agency where you buy it. For example, you can have a monthly pass for the MVRTA and one for either the LRTA or MBTA. How much money can I add to my card? You can add up to $100 on a full fare Charlie Card or $40 on a ½ fare card.

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Can I pay for more than 1 person using the same CharlieCard or CharlieTicket? Yes, if you use stored value (pay as you go) on a CharlieCard. You can pay for up to 4 one-way fares at once using a single CharlieCard at the same station. You can also store 1 pass of any type on the same card.

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Did you know that Boston is the third most walkable large city in the US? We only trail behind New York and San Fransisco when it comes to pedestrian friendliness. Boston scored 83 out of 100 on Walk Score's walkability meter. Turns out, Boston is nicknamed “The Walking City” for good reason.

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You can pay your fare in cash onboard all MBTA buses.

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Tap and board at any door with a fare card, smartphone, or contactless credit card. Reload using cash or credit card at vending machines at all stations and some bus stops.

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Our Services and Standard Fares Subway one-way: $2.40 with cash, CharlieCard, or CharlieTicket. The MBTA operates 171 bus routes and 4 rapid transit routes in the Greater Boston area, with connections to the subway and Commuter Rail. Local bus one-way: $1.70 with cash, CharlieCard, or CharlieTicket.

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