Everything about paying for the NYC Subway in 2026 — OMNY tap-to-pay, MetroCard types, weekly caps, and whether you still need a MetroCard.
How to Get the MetroCard & OMNY
OMNY: tap any contactless Visa, Mastercard, Amex card or phone at any turnstile — no setup required. MetroCard: purchase at any station vending machine with cash or card ($1 card fee for new MetroCards).
MetroCard & OMNY Benefits
- OMNY weekly cap: pay for 12 rides Mon–Sun and all further rides that week are free (~equivalent to $34 unlimited).
- No zone system or peak pricing — flat $2.90 fare at all times.
- OMNY works with any contactless card or phone — no separate card needed.
- 7-day Unlimited MetroCard ($34): unlimited rides for 7 days, good value for 12+ rides per week.
- Subway-to-bus free transfer within 2 hours when using OMNY or MetroCard.
Fare Reference (USD)
Payment methods: OMNY (contactless Visa/Mastercard/Amex/phone) · MetroCard (being phased out) · 7-day Unlimited MetroCard · 30-day Unlimited MetroCard.
💡 OMNY auto-caps at 12 rides per week (Mon–Sun) — all further rides that week are free. Tap your contactless card or phone; no MetroCard needed.
| Journey | Off-Peak (USD) | Peak (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Single ride (OMNY / MetroCard) | $2.90 | $2.90 |
| 7-day Unlimited MetroCard | $34.00 | $34.00 |
| 30-day Unlimited MetroCard | $132.00 | $132.00 |
| Express Bus (single) | $7.00 | $7.00 |
| AirTrain JFK (add-on) | +$8.50 | +$8.50 |
Peak hours: No peak pricing — flat $2.90 fare at all times, 24/7.
MetroCard & OMNY vs Single-Journey Ticket
| MetroCard & OMNY | Single-Journey Token / Ticket | |
|---|---|---|
| Fare benefit | OMNY weekly cap: pay for 12 rides Mon–Sun and all further rides that week are free (~equivalent to $34 unlimited). | Standard full fare |
| Queue time | Tap and go — no queue | Buy at machine each time |
| Initial cost | $1 | Journey cost only |
| Works on all lines | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Best for | Anyone staying 2+ days | Single one-off journey |
Tips for Using the MetroCard & OMNY
- Always tap in AND tap out at every fare gate — tapping out is required to correctly calculate the fare.
- Keep the card topped up before travel to avoid holding up queues at entry gates.
- The MetroCard & OMNY works for the airport connection — see the airport guide.
- If you lose the card, contact Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) — some systems allow balance transfer to a new card.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I still need a MetroCard in 2026?
Not if you have a contactless bank card or phone. OMNY now covers all subway stations and MTA buses. MetroCards still work at all stations but are being phased out — the MTA plans to retire them fully by 2027.
What is the OMNY weekly cap?
Once you tap 12 paid rides in a Monday–Sunday week using the same contactless card or device, all subsequent subway and local bus rides that week are free. The cap resets every Monday at midnight.
Is the 7-day Unlimited MetroCard worth it?
Yes if you take more than 12 rides in 7 days ($34 ÷ $2.90 = 11.7 rides to break even). OMNY's weekly cap gives the same benefit automatically without buying a separate card.
Can I use one MetroCard for multiple people?
Pay-per-ride MetroCards can be shared — swipe for each person separately. Unlimited MetroCards are one person only and have an 18-minute lock between swipes to prevent sharing.
See also: New York City Subway ticket prices · Airport connection · Full New York City Subway guide
Source: Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). Fares and card terms subject to change — verify before travel.