Does NYU give you a MetroCard?

You must purchase a MetroCard for both the subway and bus lines. You can buy MetroCards by using a MetroCard ticket machine, which are in most subway stations or at a station booth.



No, New York University (NYU) does not provide a free MetroCard to its general student body. In 2026, the MetroCard is being officially retired in favor of the OMNY system, which allows for contactless "tap-and-go" payments using smartphones or credit cards. While NYU does not cover daily commuting costs, they do offer several transit-related benefits. Students can utilize the NYU Shuttle Bus system for free, which connects various campus hubs across Manhattan and Brooklyn. Furthermore, New York City offers a "Fair Fares" program for low-income residents, including students, which provides a 50% discount on subway and bus fares. NYU students are encouraged to link their OMNY accounts to take advantage of fare capping—where after 12 rides in a week, all subsequent rides are free—effectively lowering the cost of navigating the city without a dedicated university pass.

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Full-fare student MetroCards allow students to travel to and from school and school-related activities by bus and subway at no cost; visit the transportation eligibility page for more information: https://www.schools.nyc.gov/school-life/transportation/bus-eligibility.

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The NYU Museum Gateway gives students free access to many of the top museums in the state. All students need to do is show their NYU student card to gain entry. Included in this offer is the Grey Art Gallery, the Museum of the City of New York, the Whitney Museum of American Art and the Modern Art Museum.

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NYU offers seven fixed shuttle bus routes operating out of 715 Broadway throughout the academic year, Safe Ride after-hours service and charter services (bus and van rentals).

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CUNY offers several support and opportunity programs for students who need additional help. CUNY ASAP helps students earn an associate's degree within three years by providing financial, academic, and personal support. You'll benefit from: free unlimited MetroCards.

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Safe Ride. NYU partners with Via to provide free, on-demand Safe Ride service as a no-cost alternative means of transportation between designated facilities in Manhattan and Brooklyn during overnight hours. Access the Safe Ride app for availability details.

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  • Music. Whether you prefer to be subscribed to Amazon Prime, iTunes or Spotify, students can always find a discount for music streaming services. ...
  • Museums. NYU has agreements with different museums around NYC that allows NYU students free admission! ...
  • Mobile Apps.


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AMAZON PRIME STUDENT Amazon Prime is a membership program that has been designed specifically with students in mind. Students of NYU will receive a six month trial which includes the great two-day shipping Prime program.

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Subways and local buses Get free rides after 12 fares within seven days using the same device or contactless card with fare capping. Learn more about how to get free rides with OMNY.

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Consider an unlimited MetroCard. If you take the bus or subway more than 46 times in a month, a 30-Day Unlimited card, which costs $132, would save you money. A 7-Day Unlimited card, which costs $34, saves you money if you take more than 12 rides in seven days.

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Cost: $34 (7-day) or $132 (30-day). You have unlimited swipes on the subway and local buses for either 7 or 30 days. Your MetroCard can only hold one Unlimited Ride refill at a time. You can't pause an unlimited ride card once you've started using it.

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Pay for multiple people: Up to four riders can use the same payment method. Tap OMNY or swipe a pay-per-ride MetroCard as each person enters.

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In this card mode, the cost of riding the subway is $2.90 per ride (regardless of the destination or length of the ride). Pay-Per-Ride cards can be shared by up to four people. To share a card, you can swipe the card multiple times to let multiple people through the turnstiles.

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When can I use my Student MetroCard? You can use your Student MetroCard only on school days, during the hours specified on your card. It's important to remember that you can only use your Student MetroCard on days when your school is in session and only for transportation to and from schoolrelated activities.

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