SmarTrip^®
More than a smart card. It's pure genius.

Note: For questions or problems with, your SmarTrip card, call 888/762-7874
or send us an email using the SmarTrip User comment form

SmarTrip card Buy online Citi-SmarTrip card More information and apply now

SmarTrip news

SmarTrip now accepts a used farecard of any denomination to be added to its value.

Discover the security and convenience of SmarTrip.

SmarTrip is a permanent, rechargeable farecard. It's plastic – like a credit card – and is embedded with a special computer chip that keeps track of the value of the card. The benefits of using SmarTrip include:

Using SmarTrip is easy and fast! Instead of inserting a farecard through the Metrorail faregate slot, you simply touch the SmarTrip card to the circular target panels on top of or inside station faregates. Likewise, you can tap the SmarTrip farebox on Metrobus to pay your fare with SmarTrip. see the SmarTrip on Metrobus Fact/FAQ sheet.
You may add up to $300 in Metro value on a SmarTrip card, so it can last a long time between charging. See how to add value to SmarTrip.
If you lose the card, you don't lose the value. For a $5 fee to replace the card itself, we'll issue you a new SmarTrip card with the value on the card at the time you notified us it was lost. For this important replacement feature, you must register your card. You can register your SmarTrip card online or, if you are purchasing SmarTrip from a sales office, a SmarTrip application that you can print, complete and take with you.

Does your employer provide the Metrochek transit benefit to you? Your employer can load the value of your Metrochek benefit onto your SmarTrip card using SmartBenefits. Ask your employer about it.

It's easy to buy SmarTrip.

Purchase online with your Visa, Mastercard or Discover card. The total cost of buying online is $30. That's because your SmarTrip card will be mailed to you with $25 in value already on the card.
Purchase at Metro sales offices, retail outlets and commuter stores for $5. SmarTrip cards are also sold for $10 (with $5 value loaded) through vending machines at all stations where parking is available. See parking page for details.
Note: Senior citizens (65 and older) and persons with disabilities must have a valid WMATA Senior/Disabled ID card to purchase the reduced fare senior/disabled SmarTrip card.

SmarTrip Card and credit card in one

Metro and Citi® have teamed up to bring you the Citi® Platinum Select® SmarTrip® MasterCard®, a Metro SmarTrip card and a Citi credit card (with no annual fee) in one. For more information visit Citi's web site.

Points to remember

You must use the same SmarTrip card to enter and exit the Metrorail system; to pay discounted transfer fares on bus and rail; and to pay discounted rates in Metro parking lots.
A SmarTrip card is used in place of a Metrorail paper farecard on Metrorail and cash/tokens on Metrobus. (Each rider must have his/ her own SmarTrip card, farecard or pass.)
You may transfer the value of a used farecard or Metrocheks worth any value onto a SmarTrip card. Each trade-in requires a separate transaction.
A maximum value of $300 can be added onto a SmarTrip card.
A SmarTrip card will let you take one trip which results in a negative balance, but value must be added before it can be used again on Metrorail or Metrobus.
When adding value, remember that your transaction begins and ends with a touch of the SmarTrip card to the circular target.
Should the faregate fail to open, please see the station manager.
The remaining value on a registered SmarTrip card that is lost or stolen can be replaced when reported. Cash refunds not available.
If you have questions or problems with, your SmarTrip card, call 888/762-7874 or send us an e-mail using the SmarTrip User comment form.
Senior citizens (65 and older) and persons with disabilities must have a valid WMATA Senior/Disabled ID card to purchase the reduced fare senior/disabled SmarTrip card.

SmarTrip® More than a smart card. It's pure genius.