OMNY
The MTA's tap-to-pay fare system on all subways and buses, which took over from the MetroCard when card sales ended on December 31, 2025.
Example
At the turnstile you tap the same contactless card, phone or watch every time, and after enough paid rides in a seven day window the rest of the week rides free.
Best tours and tickets
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Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Tour with Reserved Ferry Entry
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Related terms
Getting around
MetroCard
The yellow swipe card that ruled New York transit from 1993 until sales ended December 31, 2025.
Getting around
Local vs Express Trains
The subway's two service patterns: express trains skip stations on the middle tracks, locals stop everywhere.
NYC slang
Uptown and Downtown
The two directions of Manhattan life: uptown means north toward Harlem, downtown means south toward the Financial...
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Staten Island Ferry
The free 24-hour ferry between Lower Manhattan and Staten Island, sailing past the Statue of Liberty.
Pages that mention this term
- MTA Adds Glass-Door Subway Fare Gates at 20 More NYC Stations in 2026
- MTA Weighs Monthly and Single-Day OMNY Fare Caps for NYC Subway
- Newark Flights Grounded, JFK and LaGuardia Resume: What to Check Before You Fly
- Pizza Rat at First Avenue L Station: Visit the Exact Staircase
- Staten Island Travel Guide: NYC's Fifth Borough, Done Right (2026)
- The Bronx Travel Guide: 2026 Itineraries, Food and Practical Tips
- Queens Travel Guide 2026: What to See, Eat and Where to Stay
- New York Travel Guide 2026: What to See, Costs and 3-Day Plan
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to buy anything to ride the subway as a visitor?
No. Tap the same contactless card or phone at every turnstile and fare capping automatically limits your weekly spend.
Does each family member need their own card?
Yes, one card or device per rider, or capping and transfers tangle. Kids under a height limit ride free with an adult.
What if my card is not contactless?
Buy a physical OMNY card at a station machine or participating shop and load it there. Everything else works the same, including fare capping on that card.
