How to Check Your Metrocard Balance

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: December 5, 2022

If you're using the public transportation system in New York City, Adelaide, Tokyo, or New Zealand, you'll want to keep track of your Metrocard balance. Each city or country has its own system for accessing Metrocard balances. Depending on the system, you may be able to check your balance online, at the station, while boarding the transportation vehicle, or by calling an information line. Find your Metrocard's corresponding city or country so you can access your card balance quickly and easily.

Part 1

Part 1 of 4:

Checking Your NYC Metrocard Balance

1
Check your balance at the subway station booth reader. Locate a Metrocard booth reader and swipe your card in the corresponding slot. On the booth reader's screen, you can read information about your card's balance and expiration date.^{[1]
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- If you don't know where to find a booth reader, ask a subway employee.
2
Try reading the information on a Metrocard machine. Insert your card into the Metrocard machine to access the main menu. Click on the "Get Info" button. From there, you can access your card type, balance, and expiration date.^{[2]
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- Once you've found your Metrocard balance, click "OK" to return to the main menu.
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3
Read your Metrocard balance on the turnstile. Every time you swipe your Metrocard balance on the subway turnstile, it will display the amount you paid and how much money you have left. Remember to check your card's balance as you swipe it if you need to know its current balance.^{[3]
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- This method does not work if you have an Unlimited Ride Metrocard. It only works for Pay-Per-Ride cards.
4
Check the farebox if you're using your Metrocard on the bus. When you swipe to pay your bus fare, look at the farebox screen. It should display the amount you paid and either its expiration date (for Unlimited Ride cards) or how much you have left (for Pay-Per-Ride cards).^{[4]
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5
Keep in mind that you cannot check your Metrocard balance online. Currently, the New York City Metrocard does not offer an online method for checking your card balance. If you need to access your balance, you'll need to do so while at the subway station or using the bus.
- There are, however, several unofficial apps that help you track your Metrocard balance so you can record it on your phone. You can find these apps by searching "Metrocard balance tracker" in your phone's app store.

Part 2

Part 2 of 4:

Finding Your Adelaide Metrocard Balance

1
Log in to your Adelaide Metrocard account. Create a Metrocard account and either purchase a card or connect your existing card to your account. From there, you can check your balance by logging in and reading your account information.
- Log in to your Metrocard account here: https://mc.adelaidemetro.com.au/
- You can create a Metrocard account here if you don't have one: https://mc.adelaidemetro.com.au/UserNew/Preregister.aspx
2
Call the Adelaide Metrocard information line. You can access your card balance and other account details through the Metrocard info line. Prepare your account and card information to provide to the line representatives so they can find your balance.
- The Metrocard info line is: 1 300 311-108
3
Locate a Metrocard information center. If you're at an Adelaide public transport station, you can visit the information center to check your card balance. Give the information center worker your card so they can look up your account and tell you how much money you have on it.
- If you can't find the information center, ask an employee for directions.
4
Check the card validator as you use Adelaide public transportation. When you swipe or scan your card on the bus, train, or tram, the validator screen will display your card balance. Read the screen while boarding the vehicle and record the number for future reference.
- You can also check the card validator while entering or exiting the Adelaide Railway Station.

Part 3

Part 3 of 4:

Checking a New Zealand Metrocard Balance

1
Look up your New Zealand Metrocard balance online. Create a Metrocard account and link it to your card or log in if you've already made a Metrocard account. From there, you can access your balance in your account settings or on the site homepage.^{[5]
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- Log in to or create a Metrocard account here: https://metrocard.metroinfo.co.nz/#/login
- You can also add funds to your Metrocard after you've logged in.
2
Check your balance at a Metro information counter or on the bus. If you're using your Metrocard on the bus, you can read your account balance on the farebox screen after you swipe it. Otherwise, locate a Metro information counter so a customer service agent can look up your balance.^{[6]
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- Find the nearest Metro information counter here: http://www.metroinfo.co.nz/metrocard/Pages/WhereToBuy.aspx
- Have your card ready to give to the customer service agent so they can easily find your account.
3
Call the New Zealand Metrocard information line. If you cannot currently go to a Metrocard station, you can call their information line to check your balance. Have your card information ready for the line representative so they can easily find your account.^{[7]
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- The New Zealand Metrocard phone number is: (03) 366-88-55.

Part 4

Part 4 of 4:

Calculating Your Tokyo Metrocard Balance

1
Check the Tokyo Metrocard information when you swipe your card. Tokyo uses a public transportation system that is interchangeably called the "Tokyo Metro" and "Tokyo Pasmo." You can find your balance displayed when you touch your card to the ticket gate or the onboarding machine while riding the bus.^{[8]
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2
Print your Tokyo Metrocard transaction history. You can access your remaining balance and access history on bus or subway ticket vending machines. Check your balance by inserting your card, selecting "Print Balance History," and taking the transaction receipt.
- Transaction receipts display the 20 most recent card charges.
3
Add funds to your card at the bus or subway ticket vending machines. Insert your card and select "Charge" from the menu. Select the amount you want to add to your card and insert that amount in cash into the machine.^{[9]
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- You can add between 1,000-10,000 ¥ at a time.
- If you want to add money to your card on the bus, you can by asking your bus driver. They can transfer up to 1,000 ¥ to your card.

Community Q&A

Question

What if you have no metrocard system in your city?

Simeon Watson

Community Answer

Then you probably use either an app and/or a card. The card's balance can be checked on most ticket machines and by e.g. train conductors. The app usually shows the balance directly.
Question

I found three metrocards. Is there any way to find out who they belong to?

Joe

Community Answer

The best thing would be to turn them into the closest metro station, they should be able to identify their owners.