Fare vending machines

Updated: 5/14/2026

Using rail station fare vending, add value, and exitfare vending machines

Fare vending machines are in every station. A Smart Trip card is required for each rider age 5 and older. Up to two children under age five may travel free with each fare-paying adult. The blue Fare Vending Machine is your best choice if you need a Smart Trip card.

Fare Vending Machine

Fare vending machine

The blue Fare Vending Machine sells up to six Smart Trip cards at a time. You may add up to $300 in value to each Smart Trip card to pay your fare as you go on Metro Rail, Metro Bus, or a Regional Transit Partner, or you may add a Metrorail pass. Metrorail passes include:

  • One-Day Pass
  • 7-Day Short Trip Pass
  • 7-Day Fast Pass
  • 28-Day Fast Pass

Follow the prompts using the ABC buttons to purchase a new card with value or to purchase a new card with a pass.

If you already have a card, tap it on the white Smart Trip target and follow the ABC button prompts to add value or a pass.

Payment options

  • Cash and major credit and debit cards accepted
  • Bills up to $20 accepted
  • Machines provide up to $10 in change
  • Change is returned in coins

Add value vending machine

The black “Add Value” machines are used only to add value to an existing Smart Trip card.

Key details

  • Do not sell Smart Trip cards
  • Do not sell passes
  • Cash only
  • Bills up to $20 accepted
  • Machines provide up to $10 in change

How to add value

  1. Tap your Smart Trip card on the white Smart Trip target.
  2. Insert your money into the bill acceptor.
  3. Use the white toggle buttons if you prefer to add less than the amount inserted.
  4. Tap your card again to add the value.
  5. Collect any change.

Exitfare machine

The brown “Exitfare” machines are located near the rail exit fare gates and accept credit, debit, and cash (coins and $1, $5, and $10 bills).

If you are prevented from exiting because your Smart Trip card has insufficient fare, follow the instructions on an Exitfare machine to add the remaining fare. The machines provide up to $9.95 in change.

Tap your Smart Trip card on an Exitfare target only if the exit fare gate instructs you to: “Stop – Take card Add value.” The amount displayed on the Exitfare machine is the amount you owe, not the remaining balance on your card.