CharlieCards are reusable cards that can be loaded with cash value or passes to pay bus and subway fares. CharlieCards are available at fare vending machines in most subway stations.
If you don’t have a CharlieCard, you can also pay your fare with:
Note: For street-level Green Line and Mattapan trolleys, we encourage riders to use exact change, contactless payment, or to load a CharlieCard at their nearest fare vending machine prior to travel as change will not be provided.
Get a monthly subway or bus pass that renews automatically.
Already have a CharlieCard? Register your card with MyCharlie to protect it against loss, theft, or damage.
The type of MBTA pass you use depends on which modes you take and how often you take them.
Best for frequent subway and bus riders
Easily tap into stations and vehicles
Online card management and protection
Activate at fare gates
Not valid on Commuter Rail or ferry, except for the Fairmount Line
Great for visitors
Great for Commuter Rail and ferry riders who also take the subway and bus
Available at all fare vending machines
Commuter Rail and ferry passes also valid on bus and subway
Activate at purchase
Limited or no transfers when loaded with cash value
No online management or protection
Please note, CharlieTickets with stored value expire 18 months from the purchase date.
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 or ferry
Not compatible with daily, weekly, or monthly passes
Bus
silver line
Silver Line
mattapan line
Best for Commuter Rail and ferry riders who don’t often take the subway or bus
$10 discount on monthly passes
Instant purchase on smartphone
Online account management
No transfers to other modes
Check the expiration date on your CharlieCard. If your card is expired, you may be able to transfer the balance to a new card.
You can get a CharlieCard from any of our upgraded fare vending machines, or from MBTA staff at most subway stations and select bus stations.
Note: CharlieCards are not available at the following fare vending machines:
You can also get a CharlieCard from any of the locations below.
Select municipalities and organizationsYou can get a free, blank CharlieCard at these locations:
City of Boston
1 City Hall Square
Boston, MA 02201
Cambridge City Hall Annex
Community Development Department
344 Broadway, 3rd Floor
Cambridge, MA 02139
Hours:
Chelsea City Hall
500 Broadway
Chelsea, MA 02150
Greater Ashmont Main Street
1914 Dorchester Ave
Dorchester, MA 02124
Lynn City Hall
3 City Hall Square
Lynn, MA 01901
Salem Parking Department
Within the Downtown Parking Garage
1 New Liberty Street
Salem, MA 01970
Mayor Jean A. Levesque Community Life Center
401 Bridge St
Salem, MA 01970
Watertown Town Hall
Administration Building
149 Main Street
Watertown, MA 02472
Winthrop Public Library
2 Metcalf Square
Winthrop, MA 02152
You can get a free, blank CharlieCard at any Boston public library location.
Boys and Girls Clubs of BostonYou can get a free, blank CharlieCard at these Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston:
Stores throughout Greater Boston offer blank CharlieCards. You can also buy passes for any mode or load value onto your CharlieCard at these locations.
Charlie Service CenterVisit the Charlie Service Center at 296 Washington St to get a free, blank CharlieCard, load cash value or passes to a card, replace a lost or damaged card, or apply for a reduced fare card.
Register your CharlieCard with MyCharlie to protect it against loss, theft, or damage. The MBTA can also help you replace your card or consolidate multiple cards.
CharlieCard expiration dates are located on the lower right-hand corner, across from the serial number. If an expiration date is not printed on your card, you can check at your nearest fare vending machine.
We can transfer stored value and passes from an expired CharlieCard to a new one. Visit the Charlie Service Center at 296 Washington St.
Or, mail your expired card to the MBTA Revenue Department—you’ll receive your new CharlieCard in 7 – 10 business days.
MBTA Revenue Department
10 Park Plaza
Room 4730
Boston, MA 02116
If you registered your CharlieCard online, log into your MyCharlie account, or call CharlieCard Support at 888-844-0355 for more information.
Senior, Blind Access, or TAP CharlieCardEligible riders can renew or replace their Senior, Blind Access, or TAP CharlieCard online or can do so by calling Customer Support at 617-222-3200.
Riders can also visit the Charlie Service Center. After you apply, you’ll get a 30-day temporary reduced fare CharlieCard while your new pass is mailed to you.
Or, mail your expired CharlieCard to the center, and your new card will be mailed within 7 – 10 business days.
Charlie Service Center
296 Washington St
Boston, MA 02108
First, contact your program administrator for a new card.
We can only transfer stored value—passes cannot be transferred. To transfer a balance, bring your old and new cards to the Charlie Service Center at 296 Washington St.
Or, mail your expired card to the MBTA Revenue Department—you’ll receive your new CharlieCard in 7 – 10 business days.
Note: If you are no longer with your employer, we can instead transfer stored value from your Corporate Perq Card onto a standard CharlieCard.
Youth Pass or Student CharlieCardWe can transfer stored value and passes from an expired Youth Pass or Student CharlieCard to a new one. To transfer a balance, bring your old and new cards to the Charlie Service Center at 296 Washington St.
Or, mail your expired card to the MBTA Revenue Department—you’ll receive your new CharlieCard in 7 – 10 business days.
Note: Semester passes cannot be replaced at the Charlie Service Center. Please contact your administrator for assistance.
