Metrorail Farecard and SmarTrip® Vending Machines

Farecard machines are in every station. Small bills are recommended as there are no change machines in stations and a maximum of $10 in change may be received from a single transaction. Change will be returned in coins. SmarTrip® card dispensers are available at all stations with Metro-operated daily parking lots. The dispensers sell SmarTrip® cards for $10, $5 for the card itself and $5 in fare value. The dispenser accepts only $1, $5, and $10 bills.

There are two kinds of farecard vending machines:

• Those labeled "Farecards" sell single farecards and only accept cash.
• Those labeled "Passes/Farecards" accept cash and credit cards (American Express, Visa, Mastercard, Diners Club, JCB, and Discover cards accepted) and sell single or multiple farecards and passes: the One Day Pass, Short Trip Pass, and Fast Pass. You can also add value to your SmarTrip® card at Passes/Farecards machines.

Both are easy to use.

Using the Farecards Vending Machine

1. Put your money in the slot.
2. Press the minus (-) or plus (+) button until the value you want is displayed.
3. Press the Push for Farecard button.
4. Remove your farecard. Your change will be returned in coins near the bottom of the machine.

Using the Passes/Farecards Machine

Passes/farecard machines have a display screen in the center of the machine that guides you through your transaction. Simply follow the prompts. The A, B, and C buttons are located to the left of the screen.

To buy farecards:

1. Select B (single farecard) or C (multiple farecards). If buying more than one, select the quantity you want.
2. Use the (+) or (-) button to choose the value.
3. Press C to view your selection.
4. Press C again to confirm your selection.
5. Either:
   1. Insert money and/or farecard.

   Or:

   1. Insert and quickly remove your credit card.
   2. Press B.
   3. Press B again to receive a receipt; otherwise, press C to decline.
6. Remove farecard(s), receipt, and any change.

To buy passes:

1. Select A (pass), then select type of pass.
2. Choose the number of passes you want.
3. Press C to view your selection.
4. Press C again to confirm your selection.
5. Either:
   1. Insert money and/or farecard.

Or:

1. Insert and quickly remove your credit card.
2. Press B.
3. Press B again to receive a receipt; otherwise, press C to decline.
6. Remove passes as they're dispensed and any change.

Farecards are not refundable. Exchanges are made for damaged farecards only. For more information, see our Refunds and Exchanges page.

To add value to a SmarTrip card:

See our SmarTrip® Q&A's for information on adding value to a SmarTrip® card.

Using Farecards/Passes in Faregates

See the using Metrorail faregates page.