How to Ride the MBTA: The Basics (2024)

FAQs

How do you ride the MBTA in Boston? ›

At most MBTA subway stops, you'll use your CharlieCard or CharlieTicket at a fare gate to access the train platform. At street-level stops on the Green Line and Mattapan Trolley, you'll pay your fare with your card, ticket, or cash at the onboard fare box.

Most machines accept cash, major credit/debit cards, and EBT cards. Some machines only accept credit/debit/EBT cards and are marked to indicate that they don't accept cash. At fare vending machines, you can add cash value or 1-day, 7-day, or monthly passes to a CharlieCard or CharlieTicket.

Cash and credit/debit cards are accepted. One-way, round trip, and monthly Commuter Rail passes up to Zone 10* are available at fare vending machines, which are located at all subway stations and the Lynn and Worcester/Union Commuter Rail stations.

Contactless payment options provide better flexibility and allow riders to pay by tapping a contactless credit/debit card, phone with a mobile wallet, or watch on fare readers on buses, on Green Line vehicles, on Mattapan Line vehicles, and at all gated subway stations.

Credit/debit card: Check if your card has the four-waved contactless symbol on the front or back. Phone/watch: Make sure you have a card set up in your mobile wallet. Note: Tapping with contactless payment is optional. You can still use cash or a CharlieCard to pay your fare.

To set up the new Apple Pay feature for the MBTA trains, go to your iPhone's settings and click on "Wallet & Apple Pay." Then, there should be an option for "Transit Cards." From there, you can pick any card you have set up for Apple Pay. Now you can tap and hop on.

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.

There are a variety of smartphone apps to help you plan trips on the MBTA, buy Commuter Rail tickets, pay for parking, and report safety concerns to the Transit Police. All MBTA apps are available for free from Google Play and the Apple App Store.

The new system will be rolled out in phases, starting with the launch of contactless payments in Summer 2024. The first phase was successful and contactless payment is now available on bus, trolleys and all subway stations. In this next phase, we're asking riders to help us test the new Charlie Card.

Is MBTA Commuter Rail free on weekends? ›

With the $10 Weekend Pass, you get unlimited rides across all Commuter Rail lines throughout Saturday, Sunday, and holidays. You'll have the freedom to explore multiple stops, lines, and attractions, so you can travel as much or as little as you please for only $10.

Children age 11 and under ride the MBTA for free. Groups including 10 or more children (regardless of the number of chaperones), must register their travel using the field trip form.

To pay for the T in Boston, you have several options. At subway stations, you can purchase tickets or add value to a reusable CharlieCard at ticket machines. These machines accept cash and credit/debit cards.

Today the Mayor announced the City will continue to use American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to reimburse the MBTA for an additional two years. These bus routes run along some of the highest ridership bus corridors in the City of Boston, with over half of riders on Routes 23, 28, and 29 classified as low income.

Take the "T"

Subway stops are color-coded - Red Line, Green Line, Blue Line, Orange Line, or Silver Line. To ride the T, you'll need a CharlieCard or CharlieTicket, which can be purchased at most subway station vending machines and select convenience stores.

How much does the subway cost? A one-way fare on the subway is $2.40 with a CharlieCard, CharlieTicket, or cash. Reduced fares are available for eligible riders.

You can purchase a Wave card online, at Rapid Central Station, or at a retail location. Single-ride Silver Line fares can be purchased with cash as you board through the front doors. We recommend paying with exact fare as our buses cannot provide change.