You're standing at the turnstile at 42nd Street, the heat from the tracks is rising, and you realize you have no idea what the screen is trying to tell you. It’s a classic New York moment. Honestly, figuring out how much is subway fare used to be a simple matter of checking the change in your pocket for a token, but those days are long gone. Now, it's a mix of digital taps, weekly caps, and the lingering ghost of the MetroCard.
Right now, a single ride on the New York City subway costs $2.90.
That’s the base fare. But if you’re just tapping your credit card and walking away, you might be leaving money on the table—or worse, paying for "single-use" tickets that carry hidden surcharges. Most people think the price is static. It’s not. Depending on how you pay, that $2.90 can fluctuate or, eventually, become free.
The $2.90 Reality and the Death of the MetroCard
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) raised the fare to $2.90 back in August 2023. Before that, we were living in a $2.75 world for what felt like an eternity. If you buy a physical New York City Transit Single Ride ticket from a machine, you’re actually going to pay **$3.25**. Why? Because the MTA wants you to use OMNY. They want the physical cards to go away.
OMNY stands for One Metro New York. It’s the contactless system. You just tap your phone, your smartwatch, or a contactless credit/debit card. No more swiping three times while a line of angry commuters forms behind you.
Why the "Single Ride" Ticket is a Trap
If you’re a tourist, you’ll see the big green machines. They offer a "Single Ride" ticket. Don't do it. Not only is it $3.25, but it doesn't allow for transfers. If you tap with your phone or a regular MetroCard, you get a free transfer between subways and buses within two hours. If you buy that paper single-ride ticket, you’re stuck. You step out of the station and need a bus? That’s another three bucks. It’s a rookie mistake that adds up fast.
The "Fare Cap" is the New Unlimited Pass
This is where people get confused. In the old days, you’d buy a 7-day unlimited MetroCard for $34. You had to do the math: "Will I ride the subway more than 12 times this week?" If the answer was yes, you bought the pass.
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Now, OMNY does the math for you.
It’s called "Fare Capping." Basically, once you hit 12 paid rides in a single week (Monday through Sunday) using the same device or card, every ride after that is free. You don’t have to commit to the $34 upfront. You just keep tapping. Once you hit **$34.00** in total spend, the system stops charging you.
There is a catch, though. The "week" used to be a rolling seven-day period, but the MTA eventually aligned it to a fixed Monday-to-Sunday schedule for OMNY users. If you start your trip on a Friday, you probably won't hit the cap before the clock resets on Monday morning. It's a bit of a quirk that favors the Monday-to-Friday commuter over the weekend visitor.
Discounted Fares: Who Actually Pays Less?
Not everyone pays the full freight. The "Fair Fares" program is a massive deal for low-income New Yorkers, offering a 50% discount. Then you have the seniors (65+) and people with disabilities. For them, how much is subway fare drops to $1.45.
- Seniors: You need an ID. You can apply online or at the stone-and-mortar MTA centers.
- Students: NYC school kids get specialized OMNY cards or MetroCards that give them free rides to and from school and activities.
- The "Double Tap" Warning: If you tap your phone for yourself and then tap it again for your friend, only the first tap counts toward your fare cap. Your friend’s ride will cost $2.90, but it won’t help you get to your "free" rides any faster.
Beyond the Five Boroughs: PATH and Express Buses
Don't confuse the Subway with the PATH train or the Express Bus. They are different beasts with different price points.
If you are heading to New Jersey, you’re taking the PATH. As of early 2024, the PATH fare is $2.75. Interestingly, they haven't matched the MTA's $2.90 jump yet, though they finally started accepting OMNY-style taps at most stations.
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The Express Buses—those big, comfy coaches with the soft seats that go from Staten Island or Queens into Manhattan—are a whole different price tier. You're looking at $7.00 per ride. They are great for avoiding the crowded L train, but your wallet will feel it. If you have a 7-day unlimited "Plus" card, it covers these, but a standard subway fare cap does not.
The $1.00 "New Card" Fee
If you are stubborn and really want a new physical MetroCard, the machine is going to charge you an extra $1.00 just for the plastic. It’s a "Green Fee." Just keep your old card and refill it to avoid this. Or, again, just use your phone. The plastic MetroCard is officially on life support, with the MTA planning to phase them out entirely in the near future.
Real-World Math: Is it Worth it?
Let's look at a typical three-day tourist visit.
You arrive Friday. You take 4 rides Friday, 4 rides Saturday, and 4 rides Sunday.
Total rides: 12.
Total cost: $34.80.
If you had used OMNY starting on a Monday, those last few rides might have been getting close to free. But since you're on a weekend schedule, you pay full price for every single one. In this specific scenario, the "fare cap" doesn't help you. You're better off just tapping as you go and not worrying about it.
Conversely, if you're staying for ten days, OMNY is a godsend. You'll hit your cap during the first full week, and your travel for the remainder of that week is essentially subsidized by your earlier commutes.
Navigating the Transfer Rules
The $2.90 gets you more than just a seat on a train. It gets you a transfer. But there are rules that feel like they were written in a secret language.
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- Subway to Bus: Free.
- Bus to Subway: Free.
- Bus to Bus: Free (unless it's the same route going the opposite way).
- Subway to Subway: Free, as long as you don't leave the turnstiles.
If you exit a station, walk two blocks, and enter another station, that’s a new $2.90 charge. There are a few "out-of-system" transfers—like between the 59th Street Lexington Ave station and the 63rd Street F/Q station—where the system recognizes the transfer and won't charge you again, but these are exceptions.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Trip
Stop overthinking the fare. The complexity of the MTA is legendary, but for the average person, the path is actually getting simpler.
First, check your wallet for a contactless card. If your credit card has the little radio wave symbol, you are ready. Do not go to the machine. Do not buy a card. Just walk to the turnstile and tap the screen that says "OMNY." It works instantly.
Second, download the OMNY app or create an account on the website if you’re going to be in the city for more than a few days. You can track your progress toward the fare cap. It's surprisingly satisfying to see "Free" pop up on the screen after your 12th ride.
Third, avoid the "Single Ride" paper tickets. They are a legacy product designed to extract an extra $0.35 from people who don't know better.
Finally, if you are traveling with a family, remember that up to three children under 44 inches tall ride for free with a paying adult. If your kid is tall for their age, you might end up paying, but generally, the station agents are pretty relaxed about it.
The subway is still the fastest way to get around the city, and at $2.90, it remains one of the better deals in New York, considering a taxi from Midtown to Brooklyn will easily run you $40 plus tip. Just tap, watch for the "Go" signal, and keep moving. The city doesn't wait for anyone to count their nickels anymore.