The short version
OMNY, the MTA's contactless tap-to-pay system, has become the default way most riders pay across the subway and buses, and the older physical MetroCard is being phased out over time. For a visitor, this mostly simplifies things: your existing contactless credit card, debit card, or phone wallet works directly at the turnstile without needing to buy anything first.
What this means for a short trip
Unless you specifically want a physical card, or your card isn't contactless-enabled, you likely don't need to seek out a MetroCard machine at all. Just tap the same card or phone at the turnstile every time — OMNY tracks your rides and automatically applies weekly fare-capping, matching the value of the old 7-day unlimited MetroCard without you having to buy one upfront.
Where MetroCards still exist
Physical MetroCard vending machines are still operating in many stations during the transition period, and some readers may still be MetroCard-only in a shrinking number of locations — but the overall direction is clearly toward OMNY. Check the current status before a trip, since transit rollouts like this can shift their timeline.
Weekly fare capping explained
OMNY's fare capping is the key detail for visitors: once you've made twelve paid rides in a seven-day period using the same contactless card or device, all further rides in that same seven-day window are free. This mirrors the value of the old 7-day unlimited MetroCard ($34 at last check) but without requiring an upfront purchase — the discount applies automatically at the turnstile. The cap period is rolling (based on when you made your first tap, not a fixed Monday-to-Sunday week), and it resets automatically after seven days.
Using your phone instead of a card
Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay all work directly at OMNY readers — tap your phone or watch the same way you'd tap a contactless card. If you're using a phone wallet, make sure the relevant payment method is set as default before you arrive, and that your phone has enough battery for transit use (a painful thing to discover mid-trip). The MTA's OMNY app also lets you preload a balance if you prefer to pay in advance rather than have transit charges hit a credit card directly.
When you might still need a MetroCard
Some bus routes, particularly in outer boroughs where OMNY reader installation is still in progress, may still require MetroCard at specific stops. The number of these locations is shrinking each year. If you're doing significant outer-borough transit and want to be safe, a pay-per-ride MetroCard (rather than unlimited) can be loaded at station machines and used as a backup without committing to more than you need.