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New York, United States

New York City Subway payment methods

Check how to enter the gates, buy tickets and use fare cards on New York City Subway. Operated by Metropolitan Transportation Authority; last verified on 2026-07-21.

Official website ↗
Yes
bank card at gate
Yes
open-loop payment

Quick answer

Can I tap a bank card on New York City Subway?

Yes. New York City Subway accepts physical contactless bank cards directly at its fare gates. Documented schemes: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover.

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Passenger access

Gate entry

Transit card

Yes
OMNY card, MetroCard Source: MTA fares

Contactless bank card

Yes
Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover Source: OMNY

Mobile wallet

Yes
Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay Source: OMNY

QR gate entry

No

Official app

No
OMNY is account-based contactless payment, not QR gate entry.

Paper ticket or token

Deprecated
Tokens are discontinued; MetroCard is being phased out.

Visitor pass

Partial
Visitors can use contactless cards or buy OMNY/MetroCard products.

Purchase and top-up

Ticket purchase

Cash

Yes
Source: MTA fares

Bank card

Yes
Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover Source: MTA fares

Contactless card

Partial
Machine capability varies; gate contactless is the primary open-loop channel.

Mobile wallet

Partial
Treated as partial because mobile wallets generally follow card acceptance at compatible machines.

QR payment

No

Evidence

Sources

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