Fares Overview
Starting September 1, 2026, on a pilot basis, Express Bus fares will be the same as Local Bus fares. Express Bus passes will no longer be available for purchase.
Additionally, riders will be able to make "unlimited" transfers between subway, bus, and ferry within the two-hour transfer window when using the same payment method.
Learn more about the Fall Fare Pilots
One-way fares and passes are available for the subway, bus, Commuter Rail, and ferry. Transfer rules depend on your pass type and how you pay.
Reduced fares are available for eligible customers. Children age 11 and under ride for free.
Standard One-Way Fares
with CharlieCard, CharlieTicket, contactless payment, or cash
with CharlieCard, CharlieTicket, contactless payment, or cash
Commuter Rail One-Way
with CharlieTicket or mTicket App
Price based on distance traveled
Ferry One-Way
with mTicket App, paper ferry ticket, contactless payment, or cash
Price based on route taken
with mTicket App, paper ferry ticket, contactless payment, or cash
Price based on route taken
The MBTA also offers The RIDE, a paratransit service, for customers who are unable to use other modes.
Transfers
Subway, Bus, and Ferry
Starting September 1, 2026, the MBTA is piloting an updated transfer policy on subway, bus, and ferry. For these modes, make an “unlimited” number of transfers within the two-hour window and pay only the cost of the highest-priced service. You must use the same form of payment between all modes for transfers to apply.
Commuter Rail
Certain monthly Commuter Rail passes printed on a CharlieTicket include unlimited transfers to any mode. Single-ride Commuter Rail and ferry tickets generally do not include free transfers.
Note: Transfers are not available with stored value CharlieTickets or cash payments. Transfer rules still apply to travel with contactless payment.
Tap to Ride
Most Common Passes
Riders can pay for their travel with passes in 1-day, 7-day, and monthly increments. Passes can be purchased at:
- Fare vending machines
- The Charlie Service Center
- Locations across our retail sales network
- Online with the Auto-pay program
Refunds are not available for these passes once purchased.
Subway and Bus Passes
-
1-Day Pass
-
$11.00
Unlimited travel for 24 hours from first use
CharlieCard and CharlieTicket valid on:
Subway
Local Bus and Express Bus
Silver Line
Commuter Rail Zone 1A Pass on CharlieTicket also valid on:- Commuter Rail Zone 1A
- Inner harbor Zone 1A ferries
-
7-Day Pass
-
$22.50
Unlimited travel for 7 days from first use
CharlieCard and CharlieTicket valid on:
Subway
Local Bus and Express Bus
Silver Line
Commuter Rail Zone 1A Pass on CharlieTicket also valid on:- Commuter Rail Zone 1A
- Inner harbor Zone 1A ferries
-
Monthly LinkPass
-
$90.00
Unlimited travel through the last day of the month
CharlieCard and CharlieTicket valid on:
Subway
Local Bus and Express Bus
Silver Line
CharlieTicket also valid on:- Commuter Rail Zone 1A
-
Monthly Local Bus Pass
-
$55.00
Unlimited travel through the last day of the month
Valid on:
Local Bus and Express Bus
SL4 and SL5
Auto-pay Monthly Passes
Sign up for Auto-pay so you never have to worry about reloading your CharlieCard again. Signing up is quick and easy, and your pass renews automatically each month.
Learn more about Auto-pay
Commuter Rail Passes
Each Commuter Rail station is located in a fare zone, from 1A-10. Your Commuter Rail fare depends on which zones your boarding and exiting stations are located in. Find your fare using our trip planner or zone maps.
-
Monthly Commuter Rail Pass
CharlieTicket -
$90.00 – $426.00
Unlimited travel for 1 calendar month
Valid on:
- Commuter Rail, up to designated pass zone
- Subway
- Local Bus and Express Bus
- Silver Line
- All ferries, up to or beyond the designated pass zone
Note: Interzone passes not valid on subway or ferry.
-
Monthly Commuter Rail Pass
mTicket -
$80.00 – $416.00
Unlimited travel for 1 calendar month
Valid on:
Commuter Rail, up to designated pass zone
All MBTA ferriesNo transfers to other modes.
Commuter Rail Summer Promotions
This summer, we're encouraging riders to travel on the Commuter Rail with promotions including:
- 50% off monthly passes during June, July, and August
- Free rides on Fridays for all riders
- All-zone travel on weekends for monthly passholders
- $1 companion passes for monthly passholders
Ferry Passes
Ferry fares depend on your route. Use our trip planner to plan your route and calculate your fare.
-
Monthly Passes
on CharlieTicket -
$90.00 – $329.00
Unlimited travel for 1 calendar month
Hingham/Hull Ferry pass valid on:
All MBTA ferry routes
Subway
Silver Line
Local Bus and Express Bus
Commuter Rail Zones 1A-5You can also purchase zone-specific monthly passes for any ferry route within that zone.
-
Ferry Monthly Pass
mTicket -
$80.00 – $319.00
Unlimited travel for 1 calendar month
Visiting Boston?
We've put together a guide with everything visitors need to know about riding the MBTA.
Check out our visitor guide
Ways to Pay
The right way to pay depends on which modes you want to take, and how often.
You can load cash onto a CharlieCard or purchase a Charlie Ticket at a retail sales location in our network. You can also pay in cash when boarding buses or trolleys at street-level stops.
-
CharlieCard
-
Best for regular bus and subway riders
Online card managementValid on:
Subway
Bus
Silver Line -
CharlieTicket
-
Best for visitors, Commuter Rail, and ferry riders
Purchase at any subway station1-Day Passes, 7-Day Passes, and cash-value CharlieTickets valid on:
Subway
Bus
Silver Line
Ferry
Monthly LinkPass CharlieTickets valid on:
- Subway
- Bus
- Silver Line
- Commuter Rail Zone 1A
-
Contactless payment
-
Best for visitors and regular bus and subway riders
Easy to tap and go
Can connect with reduced fare benefits
Online card management
Not valid on Commuter Rail
Not compatible with daily, weekly, or monthly passes
Valid on:
Subway
Bus
Silver Line
Mattapan Line
Ferry -
mTicket
-
Best for Commuter Rail and ferry riders
Easy online purchase and ticket scan
Discount on monthly passes
iPhone and Android appValid on:
Commuter Rail
Ferry
Note: At new Green Line Extension (GLX) stations, you will need to validate your fare at street-level fare vending machines.
CharlieCard
CharlieCards are reusable plastic cards that can be loaded with cash value or 1-Day, 7-Day, or monthly passes.
Learn more about CharlieCards
Reduced Fares
MBTA offers discounted fares for people 65 and older, people with disabilities, middle and high school students, and low-income adults. Some customers, such as people who are blind or have low vision and children 11 and under, ride for free.
The RIDE
The RIDE is a paratransit service for people who are unable to use the MBTA's other modes.
ADA Ride One-Way
Depends on location of pick up and drop off as well as booking time.
Depends on location of pick up and drop off as well as booking time.
Premium Ride One-Way
Depends on location of pick up and drop off as well as booking time.
Depends on location of pick up and drop off as well as booking time.
Institutional Sales
Reduced Fares
Some customers are eligible for reduced fares or can ride the T for free.
Tap to Ride
Reduced Fares
Some customers are eligible for reduced fares or can ride the T for free.