The more often you ride, the more money you save. With our 5 for 50 offer, you earn five free single ride trips for every 50 single ride trips you purchase using a METRO Q® Fare Card or a METRO Q Mobile Ticket.
On this page, you’ll find information about:
- Regular and discounted fares for our transit services
- Ways to pay for your ride
- Where to get fare cards or ride tickets
- How to pay your fare when you board
Fares
| Service | Fare Zone | Regular Fare | Discounted Fare |
|---|---|---|---|
Local Bus METRORail METRORapid METRO curb2curb | n/a | $1.25 | $0.60 |
Park & Ride Commuter Express Bus Routes are divided into different zones throughout Houston and Harris County. Your fare is based on the zone where you board. See what zone you're in | Zone 1 | $2.00 | $1.00 |
Zone 2 | $3.25 | $1.60 | |
Zone 3 | $3.75 | $1.85 | |
Zone 4 | $4.50 | $2.25 | |
Zone 7 | $8.00 | $4.00 | |
METROLift To use this service, you must meet certain eligibility requirements. Learn more about METROLift | |||
METRO STAR Vanpool To use this service, you must first register for an account. Learn more about METRO Star Vanpool | |||
If you’re a student, senior 65-69, or a person with a disability who isn't a METROLift customer, you may be eligible for a discounted fare.
Learn More
Ways to Pay
With the exception of vending machine tickets and cash, all ways to pay shown below include free transfers between any METRO services of equal or lesser value forup to three hours in any direction. For transfers to a service with a highercost, you only pay the fare difference for up to three hours in any direction.
METRO Q® Fare Card
Functions as a debit card for riding METRO. You can continually load and store money on it – and then money will be deducted each time you pay your fare.
What services can you pay for with it?
Local Bus
Park & Ride Commuter Express Bus
METRORail
METRORapid
METRO curb2curb
Where can you get one?
Obtain and load - or reload a card
- METRO RideStore | See locations
- Participating retailers | Find a store
Obtain and load only
Buy preloaded card
- Select vending machines |More info
Reload only
- Online
- Select vending machines |More info
- Reload machine on all local buses |More info
What can you use to load or reload money on it?
- Cash
- Credit card
- Debit card
Exceptions:
- Reload machines on local buses accept cash only (no coins).
- Oval-shaped vending machines at METRO Park & Ride lots and select transit centers accept credit/debit only.
- METRO RideStore at Downtown Transit Center accepts check or money order as well.
- METRO RideStore at Main Street Square doesn't accept cash.
- METRO Online RideStore doesn’t accept cash.
METRO Q Mobile Ticket
Purchase and use mobile tickets (regular fare only) on your smartphone.
What services can you pay for with it?
Local Bus
Park & Ride Commuter Express Bus
METRORail
METRORapid
METRO curb2curb
Where can you purchase a mobile ticket?
Experienced riders:
We recommend you download the free METRO Q Ticketing App. When you first open the app, you’ll need to create a secure, password-protected account. That will allow you to purchase and activate mobile tickets.
New or occasional riders:
We recommend you download both of the following:
- RideMETRO App
- METRO Q Ticketing App
The RideMETRO App offers a variety of tools and information you may find useful. That includes one-tap access to the companion METRO Q Ticketing App where you can purchase and activate mobile tickets.
What can you use to load or reload money on it?
- Credit card
- Debit card
- PayPal
- Apple Pay (iOS devices only)
- Google Pay (Android devices only)
METRO Day Pass
Functions as a debit card for riding METRO. It allows you to ride local service as often as you like during the day for a maximum of $3 (regular fare) or $1.50 (discounted fare). Using a day pass on Park & Ride service may require an upcharge.
What services can you pay for with it?
Local Bus
Park & Ride Commuter Express Bus
METRORail
METRORapid
METRO curb2curb
Where can you get one?
Obtain and load - or reload a card
- METRO RideStore | See locations
- Participating retailers | Find a store
Obtain and load only
Reload only
- Online
- Select vending machines |More info
- Reload machine on all local buses | More info
What can you use to load or reload money on it?
- Cash
- Credit card
- Debit card
Exceptions:
- Reload machines on local buses accept cash only (no coins).
- Oval-shaped vending machines at METRO Park & Ride lots and select transit centers accept credit/debit only.
- METRO RideStore at Downtown Transit Center accepts check or money order as well.
- METRO RideStore at Main Street Square doesn't accept cash.
- METRO Online RideStore doesn’t accept cash.
METRO Money
A disposable smart card, preloaded with one of these amounts: $1.25; $5; $10; $20. These cards can’t be reloaded.
What services can you pay for with it?
Local Bus
Park & Ride Commuter Express Bus
METRORail
METRORapid
METRO curb2curb
Where can you purchase one?
- METRO RideStore | See locations
- METRO Online RideStore
- Select vending machines |More info
What can you use to purchase one?
- Cash
- Credit card
- Debit card
Exceptions:
- METRO RideStore at Downtown Transit Center accepts check or money order as well.
- METRO RideStore at Main Street Square doesn't accept cash.
- METRO Online RideStore doesn't accept cash.
Vending Machine Ticket
METRORail tickets are only valid on METRORail. METRORapid tickets are only valid on METRORapid.
What services can you pay for with it?
METRORail
METRORapid
Where can you purchase one?
For METRORail:
- Select vending machines |More info
For METRORapid:
- Select vending machines | More info
What can you use to purchase one?
- Cash
- Credit card
- Debit card
Cash
When paying your fare with cash, you can use bills and/or coins.
What services can you pay for with it?
Local Bus
Park & Ride Commuter Express Bus
For METRORail and METRORapid, cash can be used to purchase a vending machine ticket. You can't pay with cash as you board.
Where do you place cash?
As you board, you’ll place your bills and/or coins into the fare box directly in front of the bus operator.
Do you need to pay with exact change?
Yes. METRO bus operators can’t provide change.
What To Do When Boarding
| If you're paying with: | You need to: |
|---|---|
METRO Q® Fare Card
METRO Day Pass
METRO Money | Tap card on fare validator, or hold your card near validator until light registers green. On buses and curb2curb: On METRORail and METRORapid: |
METRO Q Mobile Ticket | Show to operator when boarding Local bus, Park & Ride bus or METRO curb2curb. Show to |
Cash | Place in fare box inside vehicle as you board Local bus, Park & Ride bus or METRO curb2curb (no change provided). Purchase a vending machine ticket prior to boarding METRORail or METRORapid. |
Vending Machine Ticket | Show to METRO Fare Inspector, upon request, prior to boarding or during your ride on METRORail or METRORapid. |
Retail Locations
There are more than 200 retailers across the Houston region where you can obtain or reload a METRO Q® Fare Card or METRO Day Pass. Many of these retailers also sell tickets and passes for our paratransit service, METROLift. Just enter your ZIP code below to find stores near you. Each entry will show what you can obtain at that location.
Find Your Store
Map of Retail Locations
Click or tap on any map marker for more details, including address, phone number and ticket types available. The plus and minus symbols in the lower left allow you to zoom in or out. And the square icon in the upper right allows you to open a larger version of the map in a new window. This map is more easily viewed on a desktop computer.
Common Questions
Costs
For the following services, the regular fare to board is $1.25 and the discounted fare is 60 cents:
- Local bus
- METRORail
- METRORapid
- METRO curb2curb
For METRO Park & Ride bus service, the regular fare to board ranges from $2-8 depending on your location. The discounted fare is half price.
Yes. You’re eligible for a discounted fare on Local bus, Park & Ride bus, METRORail, METRORapid and METRO curb2curb if you fit any of these categories:
- Student (K-12 or college)
- Senior 65-69
- Person with a disability who isn't a METROLift customer
Yes. You’re eligible to ride free on Local bus, Park & Ride bus, METRORail, METRORapid and METRO curb2curb if you fit any of these categories:
- Senior 70+ with a discounted METRO Q® Fare Card
- Disabled or decorated veteran with a METRO Veterans Pass
- METROLift customer with a METROLift Freedom Q Card, and up to one assistant
- Child five or younger, accompanied by an adult
Fare Cards
You can obtain a METRO Q® Fare Card, METRO Day Pass or METRO Money Card at any of the following:
- METRO RideStore locations
- METRO Online RideStore
- Participating retail locations
- Select vending machines
You have the option of loading money on your card when you first obtain it. Reload options vary by fare card and location.
Additional payment options to ride METRO can be obtained through other sources.
More details can be found on the All About Fares page.
The METRO Q® Fare Card and METRO Day Pass both function as debit cards for riding METRO. You can continually load and store money on either of them – and then money will be deducted each time you pay your fare.
METRO Money Cards come preloaded with certain dollar amounts and can’t be reloaded.
If you have a registered METRO Q® Fare Card or METRO Day Pass and would like to check its balance, visit the Reload Your Fare Card page for more information, or do any of the following:
- Call METRO Customer Service at 713-635-4000
- Visit any METRO RideStore location
- Look at the fare validator screen after tapping or waving your card to pay your fare
Paying Your Fare
All of the following services accept a METRO Q® Fare Card, METRO Q mobile ticket, METRO Day Pass and METRO Money card:
- Local bus
- Park & Ride bus
- METRORail
- METRORapid
- METRO curb2curb
Other payment options vary by service.
More details can be found on the All About Fares page.
If you’re a METROLift customer or looking to become one, more details about payment options can be found on the METROLift page.
This varies by service and what you use to pay your fare.
More details can be found on the All About Fares page.
Yes – if you pay with a METRO Q® Fare Card, METRO Day Pass or METRO Money card.
The transfer policy below applies to the following services:
- Local bus
- Park & Ride bus
- METRORail
- METRORapid
- METRO curb2curb
You receive free transfers between any METRO service of equal or lesser value for up to three hours in any direction.
For transfers to a service with a higher cost, you only pay the fare difference for up to three hours in any direction.
If you pay with a METRO Q Mobile Ticket, the transfer policies differ depending on what type of mobile ticket you purchase.
Other
If you own a vehicle, driving less would save you money on gas, maintenance and/or parking fees. You might also qualify for lower auto insurance rates.
To do a more specific calculation that accounts for these factors, you can use METRO’s Savings Calculator.
If you can document this, you’re eligible to have your account balance refunded for any of the following:
- METRO Q® Fare Card
- METRO Day Pass
- METRO Q Mobile Ticket
Please visit any METRO RideStore location or contact Customer Service at 713-635-4000 and they can assist you.
Yes. You can find it on the Fare Policies and Procedures page.
See More Questions
Park and Ride Zones
Park & Ride Bus Zones
Find your zone by clicking or tapping on the tab that represents the location within the region where you’ll be boarding.
The following routes travel on Interstate 10, east of Houston:
| Route | Downtown Destination | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| 236 Maxey | Central Business District | 1 |
| 237 Baytown | Central Business District | 4 |
The following routes travel in the HOV express lane on Interstate 45, north of Houston:
| Route | Downtown Destination | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| 202 Kuykendahl | Central Business District | 3 |
| 204 Spring | Central Business District | 3 |
| 209 Spring / Kuykendahl | Central Business District | 3 |
| 212 Seton Lake | Central Business District | 3 |
| 291 Conroe | Central Business District; Texas Medical Center | 7 |
The following routes travel in the HOV express lane on U.S. Highway 59, northeast of Houston:
| Route | Downtown Destination | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| 256 Eastex / 255 Kingwood | Central Business District | 2 |
| 257 Townsen | Central Business District | 2 |
| 259 Kingwood / Townsen / Eastex | Central Business District | 2 |
The following routes travel in the HOV express lane on U.S. Highway 290, northwest of Houston:
| Route | Downtown Destination | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| 216 West Little York / 214 Northwest Station | Central Business District | 2* |
| 217 Cypress | Central Business District | 4 |
| 219 Cypress / Northwest Station / West Little York | Central Business District | 2 |
* If your destination is Texas Medical Center, your transfer from the 216 to the 298 at Northwest Transit Center includes an upcharge of $1.25.
The following routes travel in the HOV express lane on Interstate 45, southeast of Houston:
| Route | Downtown Destination | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| 244 Monroe / 248 El Dorado | Central Business District | 1 |
| 247 Fuqua / 246 Bay Area | Central Business District | 2 |
| 249 Bay Area / El Dorado / Fuqua / Monroe | Central Business District | 1 |
| 297 Gulf Freeway | Texas Medical Center | 2 |
| Route | Downtown Destination | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| 270 Missouri City - Fondren | Texas Medical Center | 1 |
| 271 Missouri City - SH6 | Texas Medical Center | 2 |
The following routes travel in the HOV express lane on U.S. Highway 59, southwest of Houston:
| Route | Downtown Destination | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| 269 West Bellfort / Westwood / Hillcroft | Central Business District | 2 |
| 292 Southwest Freeway | Texas Medical Center | 2 |
The following routes travel on Interstate 10, west of Houston:
| Route | Downtown Destination | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| 221 Kingsland | Central Business District | 4 |
| 222 Grand Parkway | Central Business District | 4 |
| 228 Addicks | Central Business District | 3 |
| 229 Grand Parkway / Kingsland / Addicks | Central Business District | 3 |
| 298 Katy Freeway | Texas Medical Center | 4 |
METRO RideStore Locations
METRO RideStore Locations
Each location offers complimentary route schedules and maps, and is staffed with METRO customer service representatives. They can answer questions about riding METRO and assist with various fare card issues.
1900 Main St.
What you can do here:
- Obtain and load a new fare card
- Reload an existing fare card
- Apply for a discounted fare card, free fare card or METRO Veterans Pass
- Extend the eligibility of your discounted fare card
- Report stolen or lost fare cards
- Replace a defective fare card and transport funds to a new card
- Obtain any and all METROLift tickets and passes
- Apply for METROLift
- Get route, schedule and trip planning information
- Pick up printed schedules and maps of our routes
- Report and inquire about Lost & Found
Hours: Mon-Fri, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Phone: 713-739-6968
We accept: Cash, credit card, debit card, check or money order
1604 West Bellfort St.
What you can do here:
- Obtain and load a new fare card
- Reload an existing fare card
- Apply for a discounted fare card, free fare card or METRO Veterans Pass
- Extend the eligibility of your discounted fare card
- Report stolen or lost fare cards
- Replace a defective fare card and transport funds to a new card
- Apply for METROLift
- Purchase a $3 preloaded METRO Day Pass (unregistered)
- Get route, schedule and trip planning information
- Pick up printed schedules and maps of our routes
- Report and inquire about Lost & Found
Hours: Mon-Fri, 6 a.m.-5 p.m.
Phone: 713-652-8937
We accept: Cash, credit card or debit card
Operating hours at this location are extended during special events.
1001 Travis St.
What you can do here:
- Obtain and load a new fare card
- Reload an existing fare card
- Apply for a discounted fare card, free fare card or METRO Veterans Pass
- Extend the eligibility of your discounted fare card
- Report stolen or lost fare cards
- Replace a defective fare card and transport funds to a new card
- Obtain METROLift one-way trip tickets and monthly pass
- Apply for METROLift
- Get route, schedule and trip planning information
- Pick up printed schedules and maps of our routes
- Report and inquire about Lost & Found
Hours: Mon-Fri, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Phone: 713-652-8994
We accept: Credit card or debit card
7373 Old Katy Road
What you can do here:
- Obtain and load a new fare card
- Reload an existing fare card
- Apply for a discounted fare card, free fare card or METRO Veterans Pass
- Extend the eligibility of your discounted fare card
- Report stolen or lost fare cards
- Replace a defective fare card and transport funds to a new card
- Obtain any and all METROLift tickets and passes
- Apply for METROLift
- Get route, schedule and trip planning information
- Pick up printed schedules and maps of our routes
- Report and inquire about Lost & Found
Hours: Mon-Fri, 7 a.m.-5 p.m.
Phone: 713-739-6031
We accept: Cash, credit card or debit card
Select Vending Machines
Vending Machines
(Q Card)
This vending machine is located at:
- Various METRORail platforms (primarily along the Green and Purple lines)
- Northwest Transit Center
- Westpark / Lower Uptown Transit Center
You can buy a preloaded $5 METRO Q® Fare Card from this machine, and change can be provided.
The machine accepts:
- Cash
- Credit card
- Debit card
Vending Machines Where You Can Reload a METRO Q® Fare Card
Vending Machines (reload Q Card)
This vending machine is found on various METRORail platforms, primarily along the Red and Green lines.
This machine accepts:
- Cash
- Credit card
- Debit card
Change can be provided.
This vending machine is found at METRO Park & Ride lots and select transit centers throughout Houston and Harris County.
The machine accepts:
- Credit card
- Debit card
Back of Bus Reloader
Reload Machine
This machine allows you to reload your METRO Q® Fare Card using cash only - no coins.
The machine accepts the following bills:
- $1
- $5
- $10
- $20
Place your card in the card holder, insert your money in the slot one bill at a time and the value is automatically added to your card.
Vending Machines Where You Can Reload a Day Pass
Vending Machines (reload Day Pass)
This vending machine is found on various METRORail platforms, primarily along the Red and Green lines.
This machine accepts:
- Cash
- Credit card
- Debit card
Change can be provided.
This vending machine is found at METRO Park & Ride lots and select transit centers throughout Houston and Harris County.
The machine accepts:
- Credit card
- Debit card
Ticket vending machine on METRORapid
This vending machine is on all station platforms along the METRORapid Silver Line.
It accepts:
- Cash
- Credit card
- Debit card
Change can’t be provided.
Back of Bus Reloader
Back of Bus Reloader
This machine allows you to reload your METRO Day Pass using cash only - no coins.
The machine accepts the following bills:
- $1
- $5
- $10
- $20
Place your card in the card holder, insert your money in the slot one bill at a time and the value is automatically added to your card.
Vending Machine for METRO Money
Vending Machines
(METRO Money card)
This vending machine is located at:
- Various METRORail platforms (primarily along the Green and Purple lines)
- Northwest Transit Center
- Westpark / Lower Uptown Transit Center
You can buy a $5 METRO Money Card from this machine, and change can be provided.
The machine accepts:
- Cash
- Credit card
- Debit card
METRORail Paper Ticket
METRORail Vending Machines
1 / 3 slide 1 of 3
This make and model is mostly on station platforms along the METRORail Red Line. Some are on Green and Purple Line platforms as well. The machine accepts cash, credit card or debit card – and change can be provided.
2 / 3 slide 2 of 3
This make and model is mostly on station platforms along the METRORail Green and Purple Lines. Some are on Red Line platforms as well.
You can also find it at:
- Northwest Transit Center
- Westpark / Lower Uptown Transit Center
3 / 3 slide 3 of 3
This make and model is on various station platforms along all three METRORail lines. It accepts cash, credit card or debit card. Change can’t be provided.
METRORapid Paper Ticket
METRORapid Vending Machines
This vending machine is on all station platforms along the METRORapid Silver Line.
It accepts:
- Cash
- Credit card
- Debit card
Change can’t be provided.
