Bangalore Metro Smart Card — Price, Recharge, Discount & Passes (2026)
The Namma Metro smart card saves you 5–10% on every ride versus buying a token. Buy one for ₹50 at any station, recharge it online, and tap through the gates. This guide covers card types, pricing, recharge methods and the new 1/3/5-day unlimited passes. Updated 17 September 2026.
Quick Answer
- Card cost: ₹50 (non-refundable) + minimum ₹50 top-up = ₹100 to start.
- Discount: ~5% off peak fares, ~10% off during off-peak, Sundays & holidays.
- Recharge online: BMRCL portal, Paytm, PhonePe, or Namma Metro app.
- Where to buy: Any Namma Metro station counter with a valid ID.
- Visiting / heavy-travel days: 1/3/5-day unlimited QR passes (₹250 / ₹550 / ₹850) in the Namma Metro app — no card or deposit needed.
Types of Namma Metro Cards
Smart Card (Varshik) Most Popular
Rechargeable contactless card for regular commuters. Tap at the entry and exit gates — no need to buy a token each time. Get 5–10% off on every ride. Valid for 7 years.
NCMC / Bengaluru One Card Metro + Bus
National Common Mobility Card that works on both Namma Metro and BMTC buses. Issued via RBL Bank at metro stations. One card for all public transport in Bengaluru.
QR Ticket Digital
Single-journey digital ticket bought via WhatsApp or the Namma Metro app. Same discount as smart card. No physical card needed — just scan the QR at the gate.
Token
Single-journey contactless token bought at the station counter or TVM. Standard fare, no discount. Good for occasional riders who don’t want a card.
Smart Card Price & Fare Discount
A smart card costs ₹50 (non-refundable) with a minimum first top-up of ₹50. After that, recharge any amount from ₹100 upward, up to a maximum stored value of ₹3,000.
Token vs Smart Card Fare Comparison
Smart card and QR-ticket fares are approximately 5% lower during peak hours and 10% lower during off-peak, Sundays and national holidays.
| Distance | Token fare | Smart card (peak) | Smart card (off-peak) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 – 2 km | ₹10 | ~₹10 | ~₹9 |
| 2 – 4 km | ₹20 | ~₹19 | ~₹18 |
| 4 – 6 km | ₹30 | ~₹29 | ~₹27 |
| 6 – 8 km | ₹40 | ~₹38 | ~₹36 |
| 8 – 10 km | ₹50 | ~₹48 | ~₹45 |
| 10 – 15 km | ₹60 | ~₹57 | ~₹54 |
| 15 – 20 km | ₹70 | ~₹67 | ~₹63 |
| 20 – 25 km | ₹80 | ~₹76 | ~₹72 |
| Above 25 km | ₹90 | ~₹86 | ~₹81 |
Smart card fares are approximate (5% and 10% discounts respectively). Peak hours: weekdays 8:00–11:00 AM and 5:00–8:00 PM. Everything else is off-peak. For exact fares, use the fare calculator.
How to Get a Namma Metro Smart Card
- Visit any metro station counter — all 83 stations sell smart cards and NCMC cards during operating hours (5:00 AM – 11:00 PM).
- Carry a valid ID — Aadhaar, PAN, voter ID, driving licence or passport.
- Pay ₹100 — ₹50 card fee (non-refundable) + ₹50 minimum initial top-up.
- Start riding — tap the card on the reader at the entry gate and again at the exit gate. The fare is deducted automatically.
How to Recharge Your Smart Card
Minimum recharge: ₹100. Maximum stored value: ₹3,000. Online top-ups are synced automatically when you tap the card at a station gate.
Online Recharge
At the Station
Namma Metro Unlimited Travel Passes (1, 3 & 5-Day)
Since 15 January 2026, BMRCL sells mobile QR-based unlimited-travel passes through the Namma Metro app. Buy it on your phone, scan the QR at the gate, and take unlimited rides across all lines for the pass period — no smart card, no ₹50 deposit and no counter queue.
| Pass | Price | Unlimited rides for |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Day Pass | ₹250 | 1 day |
| 3-Day Pass | ₹550 | 3 days |
| 5-Day Pass | ₹850 | 5 days |
- Best for: visitors, tourists, and event or heavy-travel days — anyone taking several rides in a day.
- Where to buy: the Namma Metro official app (Android & iPhone) — the pass is a QR code on your phone, activated on first use.
- Daily commuter? If you make the same two trips a day, the smart card’s 5–10% discount usually works out cheaper than a day pass; the passes pay off on days you ride a lot.
Is there a 30-day monthly pass? Not yet — as of 2026 BMRCL does not offer a conventional monthly pass, despite long-standing commuter demand for one. The 1/3/5-day passes above and the smart-card fare discount are the current ways to save on Namma Metro.
NCMC — Bengaluru One Card
The National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) is a single prepaid card that works across all public transport in Bengaluru — metro and buses.
What the NCMC card covers
- Namma Metro — all 3 lines, 83 stations. Same fare discount as regular smart card.
- BMTC buses — accepted on 11,000+ buses since June 2026.
- Other NCMC-enabled systems across India (Delhi Metro, Mumbai Metro, etc.).
- Issued by: RBL Bank, available at all metro station counters and RBL Bank branches.
- Cost: Same as a regular smart card — ₹50 card fee + minimum ₹50 top-up.
- Recharge: At metro stations, online via the BMRCL portal, or through your bank’s app.
- Available since: March 2023 for metro; extended to BMTC buses in June 2026.
If you use both metro and BMTC buses, the NCMC card is the better choice over a regular smart card — same metro discount, plus no separate bus pass needed. Read more: Bengaluru One Card now works on BMTC buses.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Bangalore Metro smart card cost?
₹50 (non-refundable card fee) plus a minimum top-up of ₹50, so you need ₹100 to get started. The card is available at all metro station counters.
How much discount do you get with the Namma Metro smart card?
About 5% off during peak hours (weekdays 8–11 AM and 5–8 PM) and around 10% off during off-peak hours, on Sundays and on national holidays, compared with single-journey token fares.
How do I recharge my Bangalore Metro smart card online?
Go to webtopup.bmrc.co.in, the Namma Metro app, Paytm or PhonePe. Enter your 16-digit card number, choose the amount (minimum ₹100), and pay via UPI or card. The balance syncs when you tap the card at a station gate on your next ride.
What is the Bangalore Metro monthly pass price?
As of 2026, Namma Metro does not offer a conventional 30-day monthly pass. For unlimited travel, BMRCL sells 1-day (₹250), 3-day (₹550) and 5-day (₹850) QR passes in the Namma Metro app. Daily commuters usually save most with the smart card’s 5–10% fare discount.
What is the NCMC Bengaluru One Card?
The NCMC (National Common Mobility Card) is a single prepaid card that works on both Namma Metro and BMTC buses. Issued through RBL Bank at metro stations since March 2023, it was extended to BMTC buses in June 2026.
Can I use the same metro card on BMTC buses?
Yes, if you have an NCMC (Bengaluru One Card). Since June 2026, NCMC cards work on 11,000+ BMTC buses. Regular smart cards (non-NCMC) work only on the metro.
Where can I buy a Namma Metro smart card?
At the customer care counter of any Namma Metro station. NCMC cards are also available at RBL Bank branches across Bengaluru. Carry a valid ID (Aadhaar, PAN, voter ID, driving licence or passport).
How do I check my Bangalore Metro smart card balance?
Open the Namma Metro app and tap “Check Balance” after linking your card, or tap your card on the reader at any station entry gate — the display shows your remaining balance. You can also ask at the customer care counter.
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Smart card discounts reflect BMRCL rates as of August 2026. This is an independent resource and is not affiliated with BMRCL. Always confirm current pricing on the official BMRCL website before purchasing.