Fare vending machines
업데이트: 5/16/2026
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
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
- Tap your Smart Trip card on the white Smart Trip target.
- Insert your money into the bill acceptor.
- Use the white toggle buttons if you prefer to add less than the amount inserted.
- Tap your card again to add the value.
- 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.