To access the subway you can use a MetroCard (which you fill with money or can purchse a weekly pass) or with the new OMNY system which with a tap charges the $2.75 fare to your credit card through a contactless card of a e-wallet.

As of 2026, the traditional yellow MetroCard is in its final phase of retirement, but it is still technically accepted at most New York City subway stations and on buses. However, the MTA has almost entirely transitioned to OMNY (One Metro New York), the "tap-and-go" contactless payment system. While you can still find MetroCard vending machines in many stations, the MTA is no longer installing them in new or renovated entrances. Most New Yorkers and savvy tourists have switched to OMNY because you can simply tap your smartphone (Apple Pay/Google Pay) or a contactless credit card at the turnstile without needing to buy a separate card or stand in line at a machine. OMNY also features "fare capping," where you never pay more than the price of a weekly pass in a 7-day period, a benefit that was previously difficult to manage with a MetroCard. If you have an old MetroCard with a balance, you should use it soon, as the physical cards are expected to be completely phased out by the end of 2026 or early 2027. For the most seamless experience in NYC today, skip the MetroCard entirely and just use the device already in your pocket.