Guide To MTA & Path

The Guide To Metro/Omny and Path Cards

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Contactless Convenience

With contactless payment via phone or card, there’s no need to purchase a separate metro/omny/path cards unless you prefer the unlimited ride options, especially if you‘re staying for more than seven days on your visit. Simply tap your contactless card or device at the turnstile.

Important!

The MTA and PATH systems are separate; there are no free transfers between them. Use PATH exclusively for travel between New Jersey and NYC. Within NYC, rely on MTA subways and buses to take advantage of free transfers and unlimited ride options.

TAPP (NJ) vs OMNY (NYC)

TAPP is PATH’s Tap-to-Pay System

  • TAPP is the branding used by PATH
  • It allows riders to tap a credit/debit card or mobile wallet at PATH turnstiles to pay the standard $3.00 fare — similar to MTA’s OMNY.
  • TAPP does not currently support fare capping (no equivalent to OMNY’s free rides after 12 rides in 7 days).
  • You can also use Pay-Per-Ride MetroCards and SmartLink cards (PATH’s proprietary card), but:
    • Unlimited ride MetroCards do NOT work on PATH.
    • OMNY is not accepted on PATH.

Unlimited MetroCards are non-transferable and cannot be used more than once within 18 minutes at the same station or bus route to prevent sharing. This prevents the same unlimited card being used on multiple people at once.

Station Access

Most stations have vending machines and kiosks, though some may be located on only one side. Ensure you have access to a kiosk before entering if you’re not using contactless payment via phone or card

Visitor Tips

Planning Your Fare

  • 1–2 Days: Use OMNY or Pay-Per-Ride MetroCard for flexibility.
  • 3–7 Days: If you anticipate 13 or more rides, a 7-Day Unlimited MetroCard or utilizing OMNY’s 7-Day Fare Cap can be cost-effective.
  • Staying for 30+ Days? Buy a 30-Day Unlimited MetroCard

MTA Subway & Bus (NYC)

Fare Options

  • Single Ride: $2.90 per trip using OMNY or Pay-Per-Ride MetroCard.
  • Single-Ride Ticket: $3.25, available at vending machines.
  • 7-Day Unlimited MetroCard: $34; offers unlimited swipes for 7 consecutive days.
  • 30-Day Unlimited MetroCard: $132; provides unlimited swipes for 30 consecutive

OMNY Contactless Payment (phone and card)

  • Pay-Per-Ride: $2.90 per trip.
  • 7-Day Fare Cap: After 12 paid rides ($34) within 7 days using the same device or card, additional rides are free for the remainder of that period.

OMNY allows you to tap your contactless credit/debit card or smart device at turnstiles without any additional charges. This system is gradually replacing MetroCards.

Transfers

Free transfers between subways and local buses are available within a two-hour window when using the same payment method.

PATH Trains (NYC ↔ NJ)

Fare Options

  • Single Ride: $3.00.
  • 10-Trip Card: $28.50.
  • 30-Day Pass: $120.75.

PATH accepts SmartLink cards, Pay-Per-Ride MetroCards, and contactless payments via the TAPP system.

For more detailed information or to plan your trip, visit the MTA Fare Information page or the PATH Fares page