Tap to Ride | Fares Overview (2024)

Keep your cards, devices, and bags away from readers if you're not ready to pay.

When tapping your chosen card or device, make sure you're not tapping with your entire wallet or cards stacked on top of one another.

Make sure to use the same card or device for your entire trip – this will ensure that you always get charged correctly and get charged the correct fare.

You cannot pay your fare by tapping a CharlieCard on the new Charlie readers. Readers will prompt you to tap again with a different card or device to pay your fare.

If you have a reduced fare card, you can link it to your account using the Charlie digital assistant.

The Charlie digital assistant will walk you through the process using a series of prompts—all you’ll need is your reduced fare card number.

Learn more about linking your reduced fare card

You can pay your fare using Apple Wallet on your iPhone or Apple Watch.

On iPhone:

1. Open the Apple Wallet app on your iPhone.
2. Tap the plus sign symbol at the top right of your screen. You may be asked to sign in with your Apple ID.
3. You can choose to add a new card or add a previously used card.
   • To add a new card: Select Debit or Credit Card, Continue, and then position your card so that it appears in the camera frame and the card details can be scanned, or enter the card details manually.
   • To add a previously used card: Tap Previous Cards and select the card of your choice. These cards may include the card associated with your Apple ID, cards you use with Apple Pay on your other devices, cards you added to Safari AutoFill, or cards you removed from Wallet. Tap Continue, authenticate with Face ID or Touch ID, then follow the onscreen instructions.

On Apple Watch:

If you are adding from your iPhone:

1. Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone.
2. Tap the My Watch app, then tap Wallet & Apple Pay.
3. If you have cards on your other Apple devices, or cards that you recently removed, tap Add next to a card you want to add, then enter the card’s CVV.
4. For any other card, tap Add Card, then follow the onscreen instructions.

If you are adding from your Apple Watch:

1. Open the Apple Wallet app on your Apple Watch.
2. Tap the three dot "more" symbol and then tap Add Card.
3. Choose Apple Account, or Debit or Credit Card, and follow the onscreen instructions.

Note: Your card issuer may require additional steps to verify your identity for either device.

You can pay your fare using a mobile wallet on your Google or Samsung phone or watch.

For Google Pay:

1. Download the Google Wallet app on your phone or watch.
2. Select add a card and enter your card details or choose a previously used card.
3. Make sure Near Field Communication (NFC) is enabled on your phone or device by going to the settings app and selecting "Connections."
4. Set Google Pay as the default payment app.

For Samsung Pay:

1. Open Samsung Pay on your phone or the Galaxy Wearable app on your watch.
2. On your phone, tap Add card and then Add credit/debit card.
3. Depending on your watch model, tap Apps and then App settings or Manage apps to navigate to Samsung Pay. You may also be able to tap Home and tap Samsung Pay from there.
4. Follow the instructions on the screen. Add your card information and wait for your card to be verified.