How to get a Namma Metro Smart Card in Bengaluru, what it costs, the 5% and off-peak discounts, the ₹90 minimum balance rule, recharge options and refunds, updated for the 2025 fare revision.
How to Get the Namma Metro Smart Card
Buy the card at the ticket counter or customer care desk of any Namma Metro station. The card costs ₹50, and you load a starting balance on top. After that, recharge at station counters and machines, in the Namma Metro app, or through UPI and wallet apps.
Namma Metro Smart Card Benefits
- 5% discount on every journey compared with a token.
- An extra 5% off on weekdays before 8:00, between 12:00 and 16:00, and after 21:00.
- 10% off all day on Sundays and national holidays.
- No queue: tap in and tap out at any gate on the Purple, Green and Yellow lines.
- Recharge online at any time, so you never need cash at the station.
How to get a Namma Metro Smart Card, step by step
- Go to the ticket counter at any Namma Metro station. Busy stations such as Majestic, MG Road and Indiranagar also have customer care desks.
- Ask for a Smart Card and pay ₹50 for the card plus the amount you want to load. Load at least ₹90 so you can ride straight away.
- Keep the receipt and check that the balance on it is correct.
- Tap the card flat on the reader at the entry gate and wait for the gate to open.
- Tap the same card at the exit gate. The fare for your journey is deducted when you exit.
The standard card is sold only at stations. Online, you can recharge it and buy QR tickets, but not order a new card.
How much the Smart Card saves
The saving depends on when you travel. At peak times you save 5%. On weekdays in the off-peak windows (before 8:00, 12:00 to 16:00 and after 21:00) you save about 10% in total, and on Sundays and national holidays you save 10% all day.
| Token fare | Smart Card, peak | Smart Card, off-peak or Sunday |
|---|---|---|
| ₹30 | ₹28.50 | ₹27 |
| ₹60 | ₹57 | ₹54 |
| ₹90 | ₹85.50 | ₹81 |
Example: a commuter making 44 trips a month at ₹60 saves about ₹132 at peak times, or about ₹264 travelling off-peak. The ₹50 card pays for itself in the first month.
Ways to recharge
- Station ticket counters: cash or UPI.
- Recharge machines at stations: UPI and cards.
- The official Namma Metro app and the BMRCL website.
- UPI and wallet apps that list Namma Metro as a biller.
If an online top-up does not appear, tap the card at a station recharge machine or gate to update the balance, or ask at the counter.
Smart Card, QR ticket or token?
| Smart Card | QR ticket | Token | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discount | 5% to 10% | Standard fare (check app offers) | None |
| Queue at station | No | No (buy on phone) | Yes |
| Minimum balance | ₹90 | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Best for | Daily and frequent riders | Occasional riders and visitors | A single one-off trip |
Common problems and how to fix them
- Gate will not open at entry: your balance is probably below ₹90. Recharge at the machine or counter.
- Card not read: hold it flat and still on the reader for a second. If it still fails, the counter can check whether the card is damaged.
- Forgot to tap out, or the exit gate rejected the card: go to the counter at the exit station before leaving, so staff can close the journey correctly.
- Online recharge not showing: tap the card at a station recharge machine, or wait and try again. Keep the payment reference in case you need to raise it with customer care.
Fare Reference (INR)
Payment methods: Namma Metro Smart Card · QR ticket (Namma Metro app, WhatsApp and payment apps) · Token (single journey) · Day passes.
💡 The Smart Card saves 5% on every trip, plus an extra 5% on weekdays before 8:00, from 12:00 to 16:00 and after 21:00, and 10% all day on Sundays and national holidays. Keep at least ₹90 on the card, or the entry gate will not open.
| Journey | Off-Peak (INR) | Peak (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| 0–2 km | ₹10 | ₹10 |
| 2–4 km | ₹20 | ₹20 |
| 4–6 km | ₹30 | ₹30 |
| 6–8 km | ₹40 | ₹40 |
| 8–10 km | ₹50 | ₹50 |
| 10–15 km | ₹60 | ₹60 |
| 15–20 km | ₹70 | ₹70 |
| 20–25 km | ₹80 | ₹80 |
| 25+ km | ₹90 | ₹90 |
Peak hours: No peak surcharge. Smart Card off-peak discounts apply on weekdays before 8:00, 12:00–16:00 and after 21:00.
Tips for Using the Namma Metro Smart Card
- Tap in and tap out with the same card at every gate. The fare is worked out when you exit.
- Top up before you travel, through the official Namma Metro app or website where available, or at station machines using UPI.
- If you ride most days, the card pays for itself quickly. For a short visit, a QR ticket on your phone may be simpler.
- Travelling to or from the airport? See the airport transfer guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum balance for a Namma Metro Smart Card?
You need at least ₹90 on the card to enter a station, which matches the maximum fare. If the balance is lower, the entry gate will not open, so recharge before you tap in.
Can I recharge my Namma Metro card online?
Yes. You can top up in the official Namma Metro app, on the BMRCL website, and through UPI and wallet apps. Online top-ups can take a while to reach the card; tapping the card at a station gate or recharge machine updates it.
Does the Smart Card work on the Yellow Line?
Yes. The same Smart Card works on all three open lines: Purple, Green and Yellow. You can change lines at Majestic and RV Road without tapping out.
How do I get a refund on my Namma Metro Smart Card?
Go to the customer care desk at a station with the card. The remaining balance can be refunded. If the card is damaged, staff can usually move the balance to a new card.
Can two people share one Smart Card?
No. Each card pays for one person per journey, because you must tap the same card to enter and exit. Buy a card for each traveller, or use QR tickets for companions.
See also: Namma Metro ticket prices · Airport connection · Full Namma Metro guide
Source: Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL). Fares and card terms change from time to time, so verify before travel.