Subway's monthly pass lets you ride unlimited trains for a flat fee each month

Subway operates a monthly subscription pass in most U.S. cities where it has restaurants. The pass gives you unlimited rides on the Subway train system for 30 days from the date you buy it. You pay one price upfront and then ride as many times as you want during that month — there is no per-ride charge after that.

The monthly cost varies by city because each Subway system sets its own fares. New York City's MTA, for example, charges differently than the Washington DC Metro or the Chicago CTA. You buy the pass at a station ticket window, through a mobile app if your city's system offers one, or sometimes at a kiosk in the station.

The pass is meant for people who ride the same system regularly — commuters, students, or anyone who takes the train multiple times a week. If you only ride occasionally, a single-trip ticket or a shorter pass (like a weekly or daily option) might cost less.

Key Takeaways

  • Monthly passes cost different amounts depending on which city's subway system you use, so check your local transit authority's website for the exact price.
  • The pass covers unlimited rides for 30 days from purchase, with no limit on how many trips you take during that period.
  • You can usually buy a pass at a station ticket window, through a mobile app, or at a kiosk, depending on what your local system offers.
  • A monthly pass saves money only if you ride enough times per month to make the flat fee cheaper than paying per trip.

How to calculate whether a monthly pass saves you money

Before you buy a monthly pass, figure out how many trips you actually take in a month. Count both directions — a commute to work and back home counts as two trips. Multiply that by the cost of a single trip in your city.

For example, if a single trip costs $2.75 and you ride 20 times a month, you would spend $55. If the monthly pass costs $33, the pass saves you money. If the monthly pass costs $60, you would be better off buying single trips or a weekly pass instead.

Most transit systems publish a break-even point — the number of trips where a monthly pass becomes cheaper than single fares. The MTA in New York, for instance, has historically made the monthly pass worth it around 12 rides per month, but that number changes when fares change. Check your local transit authority's website to see the current single-trip fare and monthly pass price.

Where to buy a monthly pass in your city

The way you buy a pass depends on which subway system you use. Most cities offer at least two methods: in-person at a station and online or through an app.

At the station, go to the ticket window or ticket machine and ask for a monthly pass. You pay cash or card on the spot. The pass is usually a physical card that you tap or swipe at the turnstile each time you enter the system. Some systems still use paper passes, though these are becoming less common.

Many cities now let you buy a pass through a mobile app — the MTA's MYmta app, WMATA's app in Washington DC, and the CTA's Ventra app in Chicago all offer monthly passes. You load the pass onto a card or phone, and you tap your phone at the turnstile to enter. This method is often faster than waiting in line at a ticket window.

A few systems let you buy online and pick up at a station, or have the pass mailed to you. Check your local transit authority's website to see which options are available where you live.

What happens if you lose your pass or it stops working

If your physical pass card is lost or stolen, contact your transit authority's customer service line right away. Some systems will replace it for free if you report it within a certain time frame — usually 24 hours. Others charge a replacement fee, which varies by city.

If your pass stops working at the turnstile, try tapping it again or swiping it more slowly. If that does not work, go to a ticket window and show the agent your pass. They can test it and either fix it or issue a replacement. This usually takes a few minutes.

If you bought your pass through a mobile app and your phone dies or the app crashes, you may not be able to enter the system. Keep a backup payment method — a single-trip ticket or a stored value card — in case your phone is not working when you need to ride.

Monthly passes versus other payment options

Most subway systems offer several ways to pay besides a monthly pass. Understanding the trade-offs helps you pick the right one for how often you ride.

Single-trip tickets cost the most per ride but require no commitment. You buy one ticket each time you enter the system. This works if you ride fewer than 5 or 6 times a month.

Weekly passes cost less than buying seven single trips but more than a monthly pass spread across four weeks. They make sense if you ride regularly during the week but skip weekends, or if you want to test whether a monthly pass is worth it before committing.

Stored value cards let you load money onto a card and tap it at the turnstile. Each ride deducts the fare from your balance. Some systems offer a small discount on stored value — for example, loading $20 might give you $21 in riding credit. This is flexible if your riding pattern changes month to month.

Employer or student passes are sometimes cheaper than the public monthly pass because your employer or school subsidizes part of the cost. If you are a student or work for a large company, ask whether your institution offers a transit benefit.

How to use your pass at the turnstile

When you arrive at the subway station, go to any turnstile with a card reader or phone reader. Hold your pass card or phone near the reader — usually a small square or circle on the turnstile gate — and wait for a beep or light. The gate will open and you can walk through.

If the gate does not open, the reader may not have detected your card. Try again, holding it closer or at a slightly different angle. If it still does not work, use a different turnstile or go to the ticket window for help.

Some older systems still use a swipe motion instead of a tap. The station signs will show you which method to use. If you are unsure, watch another rider or ask a station agent.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I share a monthly pass with someone else?

No. Monthly passes are non-transferable — only the person whose name is on the pass can use it. If you share a card or phone, the system may flag it as fraud. Each person who rides regularly needs their own pass.

What if I buy a monthly pass but then move or stop riding?

Refund policies vary by city. Some transit authorities will refund an unused pass if you request it within a certain number of days of purchase. Others do not offer refunds at all. Check your local system's policy before you buy. If you think you might not use the full month, a weekly pass or stored value card is safer.

Do monthly passes work on buses too, or just trains?

In most cities, a subway monthly pass also covers buses run by the same transit authority. For example, an MTA monthly pass in New York covers both the subway and local buses. But if a bus is run by a different agency, your pass may not work. Check your transit authority's website to see which services are included.

Can I buy a monthly pass for someone else as a gift?

It depends on the system. Some allow you to buy a pass for another person if you have their information, while others require the cardholder to be present. A few systems sell gift cards instead, which the recipient can use to buy their own pass. Contact your transit authority to ask what is possible.

What if my pass expires in the middle of a trip?

Your pass works for the entire month from the date you buy it, even if it expires while you are on a train. You can complete your ride. However, you cannot enter the system again once the 30 days are up — you will need to buy a new pass or a single trip to leave the station.