How much is an unlimited MetroCard?

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.



As of my last update in October 2023, the unlimited MetroCard options for New York City’s MTA subway and buses are:

  1. 7-Day Unlimited MetroCard — $34 (plus a $1 fee for a new card if you don’t have one).
  2. 30-Day Unlimited MetroCard — $132 (plus the $1 new card fee if applicable).

Important notes:

  • Unlimited cards are for one person only — you cannot swipe multiple times in a row (there’s an 18-minute timeout between uses at the same station).
  • They are valid on NYC subways and local MTA buses (express buses require additional fare).
  • Prices may have increased since my last update — always check the official MTA website for current fares before purchasing.
  • The MTA is gradually phasing out MetroCards in favor of OMNY (contactless payment using tap-to-pay cards, phones, or wearables), but unlimited MetroCards are still available for now.

For the most up-to-date fare information, visit:
MTA Fares and Tolls

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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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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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Subways and buses Fare for most riders on subways and local, limited, and Select Bus Service buses: $2.90. Express buses cost $7. Tap to pay your fare with your contactless credit/debit card, smartphone, or OMNY card, or pay with a MetroCard.

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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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In fact, 88% of the time, OMNY is cheaper than a 30-day MetroCard if I average 10 rides a week. Let's see if we can generalize this to other weekly averages: As you can see, up until I average 11 rides a week, OMNY is usually better. More often than not, I'll save money if I stick with it and skip the Unlimited card.

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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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A weekly unlimited MetroCard will be replaced by OMNY ride bundles, which allow riders who accumulate 12 rides over a seven-day period to ride for free. This service will be offered to all users regardless of which OMNY payment service they use.

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Pay Per Ride MetroCard is nothing but a rechargeable card that will allow you to pay each individual ride at the reduced fare of $2.75 fee. You are free to re-load the Metro Card as many times as you like, plus at any station, you can swipe as many as 4 times back-to-back meaning 4 people can share the same card.

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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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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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Subways and buses Fare for most riders on subways and local, limited, and Select Bus Service buses: $2.90. Express buses cost $7. Tap to pay your fare with your contactless credit/debit card, smartphone, or OMNY card, or pay with a MetroCard.

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Simply tap and go with the same contactless credit or debit card, smart device, or OMNY card. It's like a 7-Day Unlimited MetroCard without the upfront cost. Start any day and $34 (or $17 for Reduced-Fare customers) is the most you'll pay.

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The results might shock you. She found that without tips or surge pricing, hailing a cab was always less expensive than an UberX or a standard Lyft. Cab prices averaged 35-83% less than a ride-share.

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It is absolutely possible to visit New York City on a budget. The most important aspect of saving money in NYC is planning your trip ahead of time and doing research. There are many cheap to free activities, restaurants, and places to see in New York City.

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