Last verified: November 8, 2026. By Joe Bjorklund · How we check · Report an error
Key Takeaways
- A New York City subway or local bus ride costs $3.00 in 2026, up from $2.90, effective January 4, 2026 (MTA).
- OMNY stops charging after 12 paid rides in any rolling 7 days, so no one paying the base fare spends more than $35 a week (MTA).
- The reduced fare for seniors and riders with disabilities is $1.50 a ride, with a $17.50 seven-day cap (MTA).
- Express buses cost $7.25 a ride in 2026, with a $67 seven-day cap that also covers local buses and the subway (MTA).
- A weekday commuter taking 10 rides a week spends about $130 a month on the subway; a rider who hits the cap every week spends about $152 (NewYorkCostOfLiving.com calculation).
- LIRR and Metro-North CityTickets for trips within New York City cost $7.25 peak and $5.25 off-peak in 2026 (MTA).
How much is a subway ride in NYC in 2026?
A New York City subway or local bus ride costs $3.00 in 2026, according to the MTA. The fare rose from $2.90 on January 4, 2026, after the MTA Board approved the increase on September 30, 2025. The reduced fare rose from $1.45 to $1.50, and a paper Single Ride ticket from a vending machine now costs $3.50.
The subway fare was $2.50 in 2015, according to CBS New York, so a ride costs 50 cents more than it did a decade ago.
| Fare | 2026 (since Jan 4) | Before Jan 4, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Subway or local bus (OMNY or card) | $3.00 | $2.90 |
| Reduced fare (seniors, riders with disabilities) | $1.50 | $1.45 |
| Express bus | $7.25 | $7.00 |
| Express bus, reduced fare | $3.60 | $3.50 |
| Single Ride ticket (vending machine) | $3.50 | $3.25 |
How does the OMNY fare cap work?
The OMNY fare cap makes subway and local bus rides free after you pay for 12 rides within any rolling seven days, using the same card, phone or device, according to the MTA. At the $3.00 base fare, that caps weekly spending at $35. The MTA made the cap permanent with the 2026 fare change.
The seven-day window rolls: it starts with your first tap rather than on a fixed day of the week. Reduced-fare riders are capped at $17.50, and express bus riders have a separate $67 seven-day cap that also covers local buses and the subway.
| Rider | Most you pay in 7 days | How it works |
|---|---|---|
| Subway and local bus | $35 | After 12 paid rides in a rolling 7 days |
| Reduced fare | $17.50 | Rolling 7 days |
| Express bus (includes local bus and subway) | $67 | Rolling 7 days |
How much does the subway cost per month in NYC?
A New York City commuter riding the subway twice a day, five days a week, pays $30 a week, or about $130 a month (NewYorkCostOfLiving.com calculation: $30 × 52 ÷ 12). That stays under the $35 weekly cap, so the cap never kicks in for a two-ride weekday commute.
A rider who takes 12 or more rides every week pays the $35 cap each week, about $152 a month (NewYorkCostOfLiving.com calculation: $35 × 52 ÷ 12). Those are the two figures to use in a New York City budget, for example in the NYC salary calculator.
| Riding pattern | Per week | Per month (approx.) | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commuter: 2 rides a day, 5 days a week (10 rides) | $30.00 | $130 | Under the cap |
| Daily rider: 12 or more rides every week | $35.00 | $152 | Capped at $35 every 7 days |
What do express buses, LIRR and Metro-North cost within NYC?
An NYC express bus ride costs $7.25 in 2026, or $3.60 at the reduced fare, according to the MTA. Express bus riders pay no more than $67 in any seven days for unlimited express bus, local bus and subway rides.
For Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North trips that start and end inside New York City, a CityTicket costs $7.25 at peak times and $5.25 off-peak in 2026, according to the MTA. One-way tickets within the city’s zones are capped at those same amounts.
| Ticket | 2026 | Before Jan 4, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Peak CityTicket (LIRR or Metro-North within NYC) | $7.25 | $7.00 |
| Off-peak CityTicket | $5.25 | $5.00 |
What happened to the MetroCard?
The MTA no longer sells 7-day, 30-day or Express Bus Plus unlimited MetroCards, according to its 2026 fare notice; OMNY’s seven-day cap replaces them. The fee for a new physical OMNY card rises to $2 once the MetroCard is no longer accepted for fares later in 2026.
What does driving into Manhattan cost?
Drivers entering Manhattan south of 60th Street pay the congestion relief zone toll: $9 for a car with E-ZPass at peak hours in 2026, according to the MTA. The MTA plans to raise the peak car toll to $12 in 2028. See the Manhattan cost of living page for other driving costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the NYC subway fare in 2026?
The New York City subway fare is $3.00 a ride in 2026, according to the MTA, up from $2.90 on January 4, 2026. The same fare applies to local buses. Seniors and riders with disabilities pay a reduced fare of $1.50, and a paper Single Ride ticket from a vending machine costs $3.50.
What is the weekly fare cap on OMNY?
OMNY caps subway and local bus fares at $35 in any rolling seven days, according to the MTA. After you pay for 12 rides with the same card, phone or device, the rest of that seven-day period is free. Reduced-fare riders are capped at $17.50, and express bus riders at $67.
Is there still a monthly unlimited MetroCard?
No. The MTA no longer sells 7-day, 30-day or Express Bus Plus unlimited MetroCards, according to its 2026 fare notice. OMNY’s rolling seven-day fare cap replaces them: after 12 paid rides in seven days, the rest of your rides that week are free, so weekly spending tops out at $35.
How much does the subway cost per month?
A New York City commuter taking two rides a day, five days a week, spends about $130 a month on the subway in 2026, while a rider who hits the $35 weekly OMNY cap every week spends about $152 (NewYorkCostOfLiving.com calculation from MTA fares). Occasional riders pay $3.00 per ride.
How much is an express bus in NYC?
An NYC express bus ride costs $7.25 in 2026, according to the MTA, up from $7.00 on January 4, 2026. The reduced express bus fare is $3.60. Express bus riders have a separate seven-day cap of $67, which also covers unlimited local bus and subway rides during that period.
Related: NYC congestion pricing · Cost of owning a car in NYC · NYC cost of living FAQ · Compare the five boroughs · How much it costs to live in NYC · NYC salary calculator · Manhattan cost of living · Brooklyn cost of living · Queens cost of living · The Bronx cost of living · Moving to NYC checklist · NYC sales tax
Sources
- MTA, 2026 fare and toll changes (effective Jan 4, 2026) (approved Sept 30, 2025)
- CBS New York, NYC subway, bus and train fares going up (fare history since 2015) (Jan 2026)
- MTA, Congestion Relief Zone tolls (2026)