How can I save money on the NYC subway?

Tips for saving on subway and bus fares
  1. Use your contactless credit/debit card, smartphone, or wearable to tap and ride with OMNY. ...
  2. Rides include a free transfer between the subway and local buses and between local buses.
  3. Refill the MetroCard you have instead of paying the fee for a new card.




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While a single ride costs $2.90, the Unlimited card saves you money because the more you use it, the cheaper each ride is. If your stay is 30 days or longer, consider a 30-day unlimited card for $127 ($63.50 reduced fare). Important rules that apply to Unlimited MetroCards: It can only be used by 1 person.

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OMNY only offers the “pay-per-ride” option so you will pay full price every time you tap to pay. Unlimited passes and other discount prices will be added to the system sometime between late 2022 to 2023.

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Since MetroCards are still available until the end of 2024, so until then, it may not be worth buying an OMNY card, which costs $4 more than a MetroCard. On the other hand, if you use a pay-per-ride MetroCard, you do not get to take advantage of the OMNY fare cap mentioned above.

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Benefits of OMNY include: Free transfers – Use the same card or device for both legs of your trip to get a free transfer. Free trips – Pay for 12 rides using the same card or device in a 7-day period, and all additional rides within the week are free. Learn more here.

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While a single ride costs $2.90, the Unlimited card saves you money because the more you use it, the cheaper each ride is. If your stay is 30 days or longer, consider a 30-day unlimited card for $127 ($63.50 reduced fare). Important rules that apply to Unlimited MetroCards: It can only be used by 1 person.

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One difference between MetroCard and OMNY is that your free transfer will not be confirmed at the OMNY reader. If your trip qualifies for a free transfer, you will not be charged for that trip. You can register for an OMNY account or sign in to view your trips and charges.

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Purchase and use of this OMNY card constitutes your acceptance of the OMNY Terms of Service and the OMNY Privacy Policy at omny.info/terms-of-service and omny.info/privacy-policy. This OMNY card costs $5 to purchase and must be loaded with a minimum of $1 or a fare product at the time of purchase.

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Benefits of OMNY include: Free transfers – Use the same card or device for both legs of your trip to get a free transfer. Free trips – Pay for 12 rides using the same card or device in a 7-day period, and all additional rides within the week are free. Learn more here.

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Unlimited Ride MetroCard Cannot be used again at the same subway station or the same bus route for at least 18 minutes. Cannot be used by or transferred to another person until the completion of a trip for which entry was obtained.

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You can use cash, credit, or debit cards to make your purchase. New York City subway fares are $2.75 per trip. For visitors staying more than a couple of days you can buy a one week unlimited MetroCard for $33 or an unlimited monthly MetroCard for $127.00.

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You can buy MetroCards by using a MetroCard ticket machine, which are in most subway stations. MetroCards are also available at selected local merchants, at our mobile service vehicles, and through employers with pre-tax transit benefits programs.

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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. Tap a contactless card or a digital wallet at OMNY readers to pay the fare.

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You don't have to sign up or download an app to use OMNY; simply use your contactless credit or debit card, smartphone, wearable device, or OMNY card to tap and go. OMNY currently supports full-fare and Reduced-Fare pay-per-ride options.

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You can load a minimum of $1.00 at participating OMNY retailers (visit omny.info/retail to find a store near you), or by calling OMNY customer service at 877-789-6669. You can also reload your OMNY card online at omny.info ($5.80 minimum for online reloads).

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OMNY is available throughout New York City You can use OMNY with your own contactless card or smart device. OMNY currently supports a full-fare, pay-per-ride option for now, including free transfers.

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Credit cards are accepted everywhere. In New York (and in the rest of the US) people that use credit cards are more common than those that use cash. In many ways, it is comparable to using a debit card. Debit cards will work at ATMs and you can pay more and more with them in restaurants and stores in New York as well.

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Buses are your best option if you are traveling from East to West across the city. If it's a pleasant day try to rent a bike or ride a NYC ferry. You will see more of the city and have fun. NYC has many ride sharing options.

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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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