An OMNY card costs $5 to purchase initially.
However, it’s important to understand the full details:
- The $5 is a one-time purchase fee for the physical card itself. This fee is non-refundable.
- The $5 does not include any fare value. You must load a minimum of $1 or more onto the card before you can use it to pay for rides.
- You can buy them at OMNY vending machines (located in many subway stations) and at participating retail locations (like many CVS, Walgreens, and 7-Eleven stores in the NYC area).
Key Advantages of Using OMNY (Card or Digital):
Even with the $5 fee, using an OMNY card can be beneficial because it allows you to access OMNY’s fare caps and free transfers, just like using a contactless credit/debit card or a digital wallet (Apple Pay, Google Pay, etc.).
- Weekly Fare Cap: After you pay for 12 rides (subway or local bus) in a 7-day period, all additional rides for the rest of that week are free. The cap is calculated from Monday to Sunday.
- Free Transfers: You get free transfers between subway and bus within a 2-hour window, just like with a MetroCard.
Cost Comparison: OMNY Card vs. Other Methods
Payment Method
Upfront Cost
Pros
Cons
OMNY Card
$5 (card fee) + fare
Access to fare caps without using a bank card. Good for visitors or those without