CharlieCard
CharlieCards are reusable cards that can be loaded with cash value or passes to pay bus and subway fares. CharlieCards are available at fare vending machines in most subway stations.
If you don’t have a CharlieCard, you can also pay your fare with:
- Contactless payment by tapping your contactless debit/credit card, phone, or watch with a mobile wallet on bus and subway
- CharlieTicket, a tappable ticket that can be loaded with subway, bus, Commuter Rail, and ferry tickets or passes
- mTicket, an Android and iPhone app for Commuter Rail and ferry tickets or passes
- Cash at onboard fare boxes on buses or load a CharlieCard onboard with in the event you expect change
Note: For street-level Green Line and Mattapan trolleys, we encourage riders to use exact change, contactless payment, or to load a CharlieCard at their nearest fare vending machine prior to travel as change will not be provided.
Auto-pay
Get a monthly subway or bus pass that renews automatically.
MyCharlie
Already have a CharlieCard? Register your card with MyCharlie to protect it against loss, theft, or damage.
Should I get a CharlieCard?
The type of MBTA pass you use depends on which modes you take and how often you take them.
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CharlieCard
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Best for frequent subway and bus riders
Easily tap into stations and vehicles
Online card management and protection
Activate at fare gates
Not valid on Commuter Rail or ferry, except for the Fairmount Line -
CharlieTicket
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Great for visitors
Great for Commuter Rail and ferry riders who also take the subway and bus
Available at all fare vending machines
Commuter Rail and ferry passes also valid on bus and subway
Activate at purchase
Limited or no transfers when loaded with cash value
No online management or protectionPlease note, CharlieTickets with stored value expire 18 months from the purchase date.
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Contactless payment
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Best for visitors and regular bus and subway riders
Easy to tap and go
Can connect with reduced fare benefits
Online card management
Not valid on Commuter Rail or ferry
Not compatible with daily, weekly, or monthly passes
Valid on:
Subway
Bus
Silver Line
Mattapan Line -
mTicket
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Best for Commuter Rail and ferry riders who don’t often take the subway or bus
$10 discount on monthly passes
Instant purchase on smartphone
Online account management
No transfers to other modes
Where can I get a CharlieCard?
You can get a CharlieCard from any of our upgraded fare vending machines, or from MBTA staff at most subway stations and select bus stations.
Note: CharlieCards are not available at the following fare vending machines:
- Boston Convention & Exhibition Center
- Fenway Park
- Lynn Busway
- Museum of Fine Arts
- Woburn Anderson
- Worcester Union Station
You can also get a CharlieCard from any of the locations below.
CharlieCard Services
Register your CharlieCard with MyCharlie to protect it against loss, theft, or damage. The MBTA can also help you replace your card or consolidate multiple cards.
Replace an Expired Card and Transfer a Balance
Other Services
Please note, there is no way to check your CharlieCard balance online. To check your balance, visit the nearest fare vending machine.