How to Pay
Tap. Ride. Go. - Credit or Debit, Full-Fare Only
Benefits:
- New feature: Pay for Metrorail and Metrobus by tapping your contactless
credit or debit card at the faregate or farebox. - No need to sign up, register, or purchase a SmarTrip card.
- Skip the fare vending machines.
Some restrictions apply.
SmarTrip
SmarTrip is one way to pay for fare on all Metrorail stations in DC, Maryland, and Virginia, Metro parking garages and lots, Metrobus routes, Maryland Transit Administration (MTA), and partner regional bus providers.
Benefits:
- One payment method for rail, bus, and parking.
- Contactless mobile payments on your smartphone and watch.
- Auto Reload and never worry about reloading again.
- Balance Protection if your plastic card is lost or stolen.
Mobile Wallet
Benefits:
- Pay for Metro with just your phone!
- Includes SmarTrip and our new payment feature for contactless credit/debit for Metrorail (Tap. Ride. Go.).
- Know where your credit/debit/SmarTrip card is, always.
- Skip the fare vending machines.
Pass Options
Benefits:
- Pay less per ride with an unlimited pass that can be used on Metrorail and Metrobus.
- Range of daily, weekly, and monthly unlimited passes to fit your needs.
- Purchasing:
- Buy your pass in the SmarTrip app and then add it to Apple or Google Wallet.
- Add your pass to your plastic SmarTrip Card online, at Fare Vending Machines located in Metrorail stations, and at the Commuter stores and retail outlets.
Learn more about Metro's pass options.
Cash
- Metrobus:
- Cash payments - accepted but must be made with exact change - bus operators do not carry cash.
- Metrorail:
- Cash must be loaded onto a SmarTrip card before traveling.
