Paying for a trip on the MBTA
The MBTA making paying for your trip better by upgrading their fare systems.
Since 2025, you can pay for all your MBTA subway and bus trips, with:
- Your own contactless debit or credit card or with a mobile wallet on your smartphone or smart watch.
- An MBTA CharlieCard - CharlieCards are reusable cards that can be loaded with cash value or passes to pay bus and subway fares.
See more below about the new ways to pay and to find out which city buildings have free, "blank" standard CharlieCards.
New Option: Pay with your own contactless payment
You can pay with your own contactless debit or credit card or with a mobile wallet on your smartphone or smart watch. The MBTA invites everybody to "Tap to Ride" with your own contactless card or mobile wallet.
Getting your own CharlieCard from an MBTA Fare Vending Machine
You can buy CharlieCards from MBTA fare vending machines at all stations. Click here to learn how to purchase a CharlieCard at an MBTA station.
For more information about CharlieCards, visit the MBTA’s website.
Getting your own CharlieCard at a city building
The City of Cambridge also offers free, no-balance, "blank" standard CharlieCards at the following buildings:
City Hall / City Clerk’s Office
795 Massachusetts Ave., 1st Floor
Monday: 8:30 AM – 8 PM
Tuesday - Thursday: 8:30 AM – 5 PM
Friday: 8:30 AM – 12 PM
City Hall Annex / Community Development Department
344 Broadway, 3rd Floor
Monday: 8:30 AM – 8 PM
Tuesday - Thursday: 8:30 AM – 5 PM
Friday: 8:30 AM – 12 PM
City Hall Annex / Parking Services
344 Broadway, 1st Floor
Monday: 8:30 AM – 8 PM
Tuesday - Thursday: 8:30 AM – 5 PM
Friday: 8:30 AM – 12 PM
City of Cambridge Veteran’s Services
51 Inman St., 2nd Floor
Monday: 8:30 AM – 8 PM
Tuesday - Thursday: 8:30 AM – 5 PM
Friday: 8:30 AM – 12 PM
City of Cambridge Department of Public Works
147 Hampshire St.
Monday: 8:30 AM – 8 PM
Tuesday - Thursday: 8:30 AM – 5 PM
Friday: 8:30 AM – 12 PM
City of Cambridge Department of Public Health (Limited Hours)
119 Windsor St.
Cambridge, MA 02139
Wednesday: 9 AM – 1 PM
Thursday: 9 AM – 1 PM
Cambridge Multi-Service Center
362 Green St., 1st Floor
Cambridge, MA 02139
Monday: 9AM - 7:30 PM
Tuesday - Thursday: 9 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday: 9 AM - 11:30 PM
Cambridge Public Library Branches
Click here to view branch hours & locations.
Main Library
449 Broadway
Central Square Branch
45 Pearl St.
O’Connell Branch
48 Sixth St.
O’Neil Branch
70 Rindge Ave.
Valente Branch
826 Cambridge St.
Boudreau Branch
245 Concord Ave.
Collins Branch
64 Aberdeen Ave.