How to Use your PHONE to Ride DC Metro
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- Опубликовано: 6 июн 2024
- You can ride the DC Metro using the SmarTrip app along with Apple Pay or Google Pay. In this video I'll demonstrate how to download and install the SmarTrip app, how to use your smartphone to actually tap in and out of the DC Metro, and give my opinion about whether I think it's worth it for visitors to do this. Or is it better to just use a standard SmarTrip card?
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~Resources from this video~
Download the SmarTrip app - www.wmata.com/fares/MobilePay...
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~Video Chapters~
0:00 DC Metro with Apple Pay or Google Pay
1:23 Installing and setting up the SmarTrip App
5:40 Adding a SmarTrip card to Google Pay or Apple Pay
6:33 How to use your phone to ride Metro
7:10 Transferring a SmarTrip card balance to your phone
7:58 Should you use your phone to ride Metro?
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You can actually skip the SmarTrip app if you want and do everything in the Google Pay or Apple pay app. Here's a #shorts video update showing you how to do it: ruclips.net/video/TrHmnqBbkYo/видео.html
Tried that one too. But the smartrip card is not on the Google pay transit cards list.
The apple pay app is called wallet
I just returned after a one week vacation in DC. I wish I had seen your video before we went!! Neither of us had ever ridden public transportation before but it was super easy to figure out! We transferred our cards to our phones and it worked perfect.
Glad it worked out.
Really well presented. All necessary details, but concise. Clear. With thoughtful conclusions about whether using the phone option makes sense at the individual level. Thank you!
I've done this on about five rides over the past couple weeks using my Android phone. It has worked smoothly every time. I have a friend who said he has a little trouble getting the sensor to recognize his phone tap but I noticed he had quite a thick phone case. I transferred my primary card to the app with the thinking that I'll always have my credit card to buy a physical card if I'm in a pinch. Been waiting years for this to happen and glad it finally arrived. Great job demoing it too.
I have wondered to what extent the thickness and material of the case might impact it. I've also heard some phones have the NFC antenna near the top, others in the middle, and if you don't hold it in the right spot it can cause trouble. I tested so far with no case and haven't had any issues (yet).
I have a phone case on my iPhone, but it’s see through and it still had trouble smh
@@ThecrazyJH96 seethrough has no impact.
Some transparent materials pass RF well, some dont. Some solid materials pass RF well, some dont.
🎉🎉🎉 thank you man you were so helpful learning figure out how to load and use these cards!!!
Literally couldnt have asked for a better way to learn how to use this!
Great video! Leaving to DC tomorrow morning for first time.
This video is SOOO helpful! Thank you so much, I love the tips and hacks as I travel with metro everyday ☺️😆
Glad it was helpful!
This was helpful! Even as a once a year visitor, I prefer this method. (PS: Subscribed to you in 2019 preparing for my first leisure visit. Now even for work, preparing for the trip up, your update vids have helped me plan and catch up with the happenings 😀)
Nice! Thanks for watching over the years.
Thanks! Great tutorial. 👍
Thanks, John.
Thanks. Will be in DC in Sept. Was hoping it would be ready to use. Makes it so much easier.
Nice.
Great video! This saved me so much frustration. Thank you!
Glad it helped!
This was very helpful. Thank you.
Should SmarTrip be open on my phone when I tap at the turnstile?
Thanks Rob. Nice tip!
Sure thing.
On the iPhone you can just tap the phone even if it’s locked and screen is off. You can even use it if your phone is dead, as it’s still enough power for NFC.
Moving to the area. I bought my metro card and just loaded the card app and linked it to Google Pay on my phone. I plan to use my phone as my primary metro card, though I will keep a balance on my physical card (just in case). I will let you know how it all works out. Thank you!
I come from Philadelphia PA I have a SmarTrip card set up on my phone it’s great it’s so easy once it’s set up
Thanks for the info. 👍
Sure thing.
Thanks foR the video! Just got the app today and they're having a special half price ($6.50) thru mid Oct. Why don't you recommend the day pass btw? Thanks?
Thank you!!
I've been watching all of your videos for my upcoming trip. Thank you for all of your help! Can you have multiple cards for multiple people on one phone or does each person in your party (specifically your kids) need a physical card?
One card/phone per person. No sharing. For kids I recommend a physical card. Much easier for them to manage.
Hi Rob, in one week I will going to Washigton and I already download the smart trip app to pay with my cellphone, but i have issues to register my debit/credit card in order to do later the purchase of the virtual smart trip card. A foreign can do it or that is only for US residents?
Do you recommend getting a day pass for the metro?
Cool picture for the background
DC is one of the few transit systems that you can mail order their SmarTrip card in advance of your trip. I bought mine already for Otakon 2023 and they already mailed it to me.
Thank you!
No problem, Annie!
Is the "cards" screen what you scan to board?
Can my kids load the app on their phones and share my account? What is the most practical setup for a family. Having to line up at the machine to reload 5 cards seems like not a good use of time. Thanks
does this also work on ride ons?
I used it this weekend with iPhone and it was simple and convenient
@LaCour yes. It works just like Apple Pay.
In NYC, we have a choice of using a phone or credit card at the turnstile. I prefer the credit card option.
It's a bit easier on the NYC subway since you only need to swipe/tap on the way in.
Thanks
I tried using it in Dunn Loring but for some reason it didn’t work.
Does the case my phone is in interfere with the transaction?
Great stuff! If you have multiple people in your party can one person buy multiple tickets via the app and scan in using the same phone?
No. Sharing is not allowed.
If you pay when you exit does that mean one should not hangout at the station waiting for someone to pick you up? And should exit right away. I am from NY and we pay per ride regardless of distance.
All is set up good on Android using my old card. However, I'm confused about something though...Do I need to keep adding funds to my card balance like the old days or does it get deducted directly out of my bank account simply by using it?
Thanks
I just looked up my old account on the app, from when I visited Washington DC 6 years ago.. but it doesn't let me transfer it to Google Pay, because I don't have the physical card.. do you have a video about what I can do, to access my old card? or the money on it?
I moved to the Arlington from NY in August. I've tried this system, but unfortunately I have tons of issues with the sensors. I've had to speak to the station managers at multiple points to allow me to exit through the gates.
I do have a case, but I normally open it up to expose the phone, though there is still a layer of leather in between the sensor and the phone.
I'm going to try to give this another go--especially since I have been volunteering to go into the office and may invest in a Monthly pass. Hopefully I don't run into issues again.
I'm definitely not the only person who ever has issues with this--I constantly see mobile users struggle with having their phones register properly at the turnstiles. As of a few months ago, this is still a significant issue.
For whatever reason, using google pay seems to fail randomly at some points, requiring it to be reconfigured.
Do I have to have my GPay open on my phone when I get to the Metro or does my phone just need to be unlocked?
Is there no option to avoid paying the $2 card fee now? 😅 I see it when I’m trying to set up in Apple Pay
Apple wallet has the smartrip pass pre installed. You just have to add value if you already have Apple Pay set up. Took me 30 seconds and I was up and running.
Do I have to use Google pay app to to ride the metro if paying with credit card? can I just use the smart trip app if I'm paying with my credit card?
I have the metro smartcard on my Iphone 8a. The app is not consistently working for me to pay the fare. Sometimes it works and others it does not. It is very frustrating. I commute to work once a week. Yesterday , I went to work and it did not work at all. I took of the Iphone protective cover and tried to scan the app from the front and the back, but no luck. The station manager tried to help but nothing worked. Do I have to say "Pay with Pass code" in order to use the app to pay the fare? I did not do that before and it worked. I am wondering if I have to do that for the app to work. Any suggestions. Thank you.
What about passes rather fixed amounts?
In your video you said you wouldn't suggest the day passes (1, 3, 7, etc.). Why is that? Also, they are currently half off, so if you are going to be using the metro for three days as I am, which would you end up doing? I'm uncertain as to how much money I would be using per day traveling back and forth between where I'm staying (near MD).
Many visitors over estimate how much they are going to use Metro and the passes wind up being a bad deal. Also because if you put money on your card and don't use Metro as much as expected, it's still there the next time you visit. With a pass the value goes away when the pass expires.
The ratings for the SmarTrip app are terrible! It sounds like it's become super glitchy. However, I've been able to add a Metro Card to my Google Pay, thus cutting out the middle man. I assume it basically works the same way? Also, does the reader work when the phone is in a case?
I will do
How do you add a day pass to the Apple Pay SmarTrip? It shows up in the app, but not in Apple Pay.
What if my card is connected to my work and not Google or Apple Pay? (Like my work adds an amount to the card each month)
Any suggestions if you only use the metro one or two times in years, how do you determine the amount to load onto the card or app?
Definitely don't use the app, then. Just add it natively through your mobile wallet. If you use Google Maps to plot your route it'll tell you what the cost of the fare is.
Google Pay: System Settings > Google > Settings for Google apps > Google Pay > Add card > Transit > Washington, D.C. SmarTrip
Apple Wallet: Wallet > Plus button (top right) > SmarTrip
Thanks I just moved to the city and this helped me alot to figure out how to use if. To be honest if I went to the station before watching this I would have given up and used a fare machine
Glad it helped!
@@TripHacksDC I did want to ask would a city tour help me know the district more or should I just explore on my own. Cause when im just walking around I have everything i need in adams morgan so while I want to figure out the entire city im kind of lost.
I always recommend a guided tour vs. trying to DIY your own.
Great video, what about if there are three of us traveling together? Can I pay with one phone and use it multiple time to open the doors in and out of stations?
No sharing ruclips.net/user/shorts5OwXC4dLlIM
Thanks so much. Very useful videos. 1. Does the app work for the circulator bus also? 2. Does the app need to be open or just have the phone unlocked when going through a turnstile? @@TripHacksDC
Will this work on the Circulator
Routes as well?
Yes
Absolutely I would use my phone. I have an iPhone so the SmarTrip card and the app has been on my phone for awhile. The service is great in my opinion. Also on iOS if you run out of power on iPhone XS XR or newer it will work even if the battery is dead
Have you tried it yet Yoshi?
@@TripHacksDC yes when I went to DC to visit family and friends. It was flawless. The experience is great it’s transferring the card that can be a nuisance if u have a boxy case. But it works very well and I have zero complaints
Glad to hear it worked out for you.
Hi. I just saw there is a news that some of the station on red line is closed. I am traveling with family from outside USA, if you can make an summer metro updated vedio would be appreciated. Thank you
ruclips.net/video/HvLy_7_O_-U/видео.html
Why is this still not available for reduced price cards. You would think it would be more of a priority considering I have to physically go in to the accessibility office to replace this card and it's only open during work hours meaning I have to take the day off from work on top of it.
Do I need a physical SmartTrip card to use the app for the first time? I don't see an option to add money to a virtual card.
Hi, can I use the same card por 2 people? if not, options.. 2 cards en the same cellular phone? because, at the family, just one cell have NFC. thanks!!
Can Multiple DC Metro Riders Share the Same SmarTrip Card? | DC Travel Q&A
We just went to DC a couple weeks ago and used the app to put $$ on all 4 of my family's SmartTrip cards. One caution that I had to call WMTA support for is that if you put money on the card via the app, it goes into a pending status and unavailable and is confusing how to get it Stored Value. I had to put $ at the metro station and then travel to and from my destination and then the next day, still showing pending so had to make another trip using the same starting metro station and then after a couple hours the pending amount moved to Stored Value. For me as a tourist it worked, but doesn't apply immediately like i would think. Never used the app to add money after that.
Oof. That does not sound like a good experience. Thanks for sharing, Craig.
Can I use smart trip app in washington Dc and virginia metro Bus ?
Yes
Hi, I downloaded the smartrip application, but when I want to create an account, it gives me an error. Failed to load security questions from server. Please try again later.
super video… can a single iphone be used for the whole family? or each member must download the application? considering all the children
No sharing. Each person must have their own device or card.
@@TripHacksDC Nah, you can add multiple SmarTrips to one Apple Wallet. It isn't a good idea, though.
Can you pay for two people or what the other person with you need to have this on their phone as well?
No sharing ruclips.net/user/shorts5OwXC4dLlIM
Can you use one phone for several travellers? ie. A parent with three kids. Or do the kids need to each have a phone?
No sharing ruclips.net/user/shorts5OwXC4dLlIM
We're going to DC this summer and I've really been enjoying your videos. Questions about paying via phone:
1. Do I have it right that paying this way saves the $2 fee on a new SmarTrip card? ie: you a full $10 credit, rather than a $2 fee and only $8 credit?
2. Can I pay for all four of us this way by swiping the phone four times? Or do I have to add four separate SmarTrip cards to my phone?
No sharing. One phone/card per rider. The waived $2 fee for mobile was a promotion for the first six months so I do not believe it is still in effect.
Good tips, I wasn't going to do it after I saw the 2.7 rating for the app in the Google play store, but I might change my mind and try it for our July trip. Question- I have a 13 and 14 year old who have their own phones, but no credit cards. Does the app allow multiple users? Or does it allow the same Google pay account on multiple phones?
Not sure. I only tried it with one account. Honesty it could be way more user friendly so a 2.7 average rating actually doesn't surprise me.
Upon further investigation, each rider will need to use their own Google Pay account. In theory the kids can have a Google Pay account without any credit cards on it though. I believe each rider will also need to have their own SmarTrip account for the link because the SmarTrip app will only allow you to send one SmarTrip card over to Google Pay. I would not attempt to share between accounts.
Thanks for checking, good to know! I'll probably go with physical cards for this trip. I like the idea of an app, but maybe not just yet.
You don't need to install the "GPay" app btw, which requires users to be 18 or older. Go to System Settings > Google > Settings for Google apps > Google Pay to access your cards & passes. You can then add your transit cards through there. Google Pay just requires users to have a Google account. You also don't need to install the SmaTrip app either.
Glad you asked this. I’m traveling with my 13 year old in a couple weeks & was trying to figure it out.
Is the National Zoo open?
Yes
I wonder if in Baltimore they'll let you pay that way, they let you use your smartrip to pay on the Light Rail, Metro Subway and BusLink.
Interesting question 🤔
@@TripHacksDC Baltimore and Maryland have their own app called Charm Pass, which can be used to pay for MTA Commuter Bus, MARC Commuter rail, Baltimore's Light Rail Link, Metro Subway and Bus. It fits their system better.
Can I use it as a tourist from the Netherlands ? The tel nr stays on us ?
Is there someone who could answer
So I need to open the apple wallet to scan? And if I share this w my Android owning family members, can they open this in Google pay?
According to the other commenters, you do not need to have the app open when you scan.
Hello! You're all sold out and I'm curious if I should bother with a night tour on Saturday via Viator? I know roads will be closed and etc. Not sure if I should bother. Thanks for any help you can offer!
Absolutely do not recommend Viator. Please book direct if possible. These are all of the tour companies I recommend: www.triphacksdc.com/localtours
I'm so glad I found you in RUclips land for help! I've made traveling mistakes in the past, which have taught me some lessons. Plus, since I'm not familiar with the area I'm not aware of distances and etc. Google maps is handy, but so are people who know what's up. Thanks so much!
Do you know if it works using your phone to pay at the metro garages?
Yes, it does.
I keep getting this error saying see the manager or card error when using this. And I can't figure out why it's not working
Anyone know if is possible to pay the park and ride metrô parking with the smartrip on the phone??
Yes you can
My z fold 3 won't let me download the app can anyone help me
Can I add value to my physical card using the app?
yes
Is it true you can also scan it on a bus?
Yes
in order to log in, I am required to enter US phone number, and as I am doing it from home prior my trip to US i obviously dont have one..so dont know how much useful that could be anyway. And we will be in DC for around ~48hrs so we might just stick to single rides purchases..... anyone with some advice ? Or we can buy plastic smartrip card that does not need US mobile ? Other possibility is once we land to buys US sim (which we might do anyway) and then do the set-up in the app.
If I use my credit card to add value instead of Googlepay can I still use my physical card?
You can choose to do everything the same was as before if you want.
You don't need to add a new card, you can covert an existing plastic smartrip card into a virtual card. However, once you do that the plastic card will be deactivated and cannot be used anymore
I’m confused about the transferring of funds when our trip is over and I have metro money still on my metro card.
If you put $10 on the card as I did, then take a ride that costs $2.25, your SmarTrip will now have $7.75 on it. You can use that to take more rides but that's about it. If you're asking about transferring that money back to yourself as cash, I don't think you can.
I downloaded the SmarTrip app onto my phone and followed the instructions, but I don't get the same screens as in this demo. What's wrong?
Agree and not sure what screen I’m supposed to have open on my iPhone at the turnstile.
We have a SmarTrip card for each of us, but should we get a plastic card for our kids to use? I cannot see handing them my phone to pass through.
You can't share a phone. Everyone needs their own SmarTrip.
I have an iPhone it’s soooo much better using my phone also I can add balance on the fly
Quickly adding balance is my favorite feature.
That's one of my favorite things too!
Beginning in fall 2021, Metro is replacing all the old fare gates in their system in new fare gates
What if I want to use my physical card on my phone and keep the balance on phone?
You can't.
Can we use this with the bus?
Yea
Wish this would work on my Moto e phone with Android 10, but nope, nada, nothing
It's ok to keep your Smartrip card on your iPhone, even though there's a chance you might run it down. You will need to buy a SmarTrip card to complete your trip, but you would have had to do that anyway. The trick, though, is that once you've completed your trip and charged your phone again, you can add the balance of your physical card back onto your phone - the money you spent to buy the card in that 0% battery emergency is not wasted.
What if you're traveling with your significant other can you use the same phone/app? Is there anything else that would need to be done?
Each rider needs their own. If you don't have a phone for every rider buy a regular smartrip card.
@@TripHacksDC This was the answer I was looking for. I will be traveling with my husband and kids and for us to pay for the kids, I guess it's a no-brainer. We need the SmarTrip card. I thought maybe you could pay for multiple people with the app. This will be our first time riding any metro or subway together. Looking forward to it.
I would use my phone. Just in case I may get a secondary plastic card as a backup.
Backup is a good idea.
You should do multiple cards on how to use it. Like changing from one card to another
What are the prices per ride?
Better off buying a day pass or pay for each ride.
Check out ruclips.net/video/tyQDw3wKrn8/видео.html
I don't recommend the day pass
Awesome
Thank you sir
Problems: 1. at registration you do give an US phone number, and address. 2. you have to have an NFC phone (and this detail isnt there in the app description), 3. You have to have a 9+ android phone, which is relatively new version.
The fact that the physical card becomes de-activated once transferred to your phone is a real downer, and i only realized that upon getting the 'confirmation email' from WMATA after the fact. I shouldda wouldda couldda watched this video FIRST before completing all the steps you outlined herein. Also, you can only add ONE card to your phone for transit payment, unlike having multiple credit/debit cards in Apple Pay or Google Pay apps.
when i try to buy smartcard in apple wallet, dc metro doesn;t show up, only cities in china
I am going to DC for just 1 day later this month. Would the 1-day unlimited pass be worth buying for just 1 day or is adding money to the app still better?
I don't recommend passes.
Interesting how you still get hit with the $2 fee that typically goes towards a physical card
I use my iPhone for the Metro and I think it's a lot better than a card. You can't really forget it like you would a card, and you can put funds on it anywhere and much faster than the machines for your cards.
Glad to hear it is working out.
Oh another thing to add is that on iOS it's very easy to see your Metro Card in the Wallet app and you don't need your iPhone unlocked when using it at the turntables.
Good to know.
@LaCour Never had a problem. :)
What if you are traveling with a child that doesn't have a phone? Is there are way to pay for both of you with the phone or will we need a card to make that possible?
Not possible but they can just have their own smartrip card.
@@TripHacksDC Does each person need a SmarTrip card or can you pay for a whole family with one?
I think I will walk!