How to Pay for Delhi Metro as a Tourist: Cards & Tokens 2026
Delhi Metro payment for tourists: token vs smart card vs tourist card vs QR — costs, where to buy, and which saves money for 1–3 days.
Three ways to pay for Delhi Metro: token, smart card, QR — but for tourists the decision is token vs tourist card vs QR, and 3-day stays almost always win with a tourist card. Don't buy a new token each ride if you'll ride four times a day.
See mechanics at metro first-timer and Airport Express.
The Three Options#
| Method | Where to Buy | Cost | How to Use | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Token (jeton) | Counter or TVM at any station | Fare by distance (₹10–60) | Tap in, drop in slot at exit | Single rides, 1–2 rides/day |
| Smart card / Tourist card | Counter only (tourist card at select counters: New Delhi, Kashmere Gate, etc.) | Tourist card ~₹500 for 3 days unlimited / smart card ₹50 deposit + top-up | Tap in/out | 3+ rides/day, 2–3 days |
| QR (DMRC app / WhatsApp) | Phone | Same fare as token | Scan phone at gate | Phone-first travelers, no queue |
TVMs at major stations accept foreign Visa/Mastercards for tokens — confirmed in DelhiMetro foreign card reports and TransitIndia 2-day use. Counters take cash/UPI.
Tourist Card Math (Pays Back at 4 Rides/Day)#
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Single rides average ₹30 → 4 rides = ₹120/day → 3 days = ₹360. Tourist card at ~₹500 breaks even by day 3 evening and wins from ride 13 onward. If you do the 1-day + 2-day loops (4–6 rides/day), it pays by day two.
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Smart card discount is ~10% per ride vs token — good for 4+ days, not for a weekend. Requires ₹50 deposit + top-up at counter/TVM.
How to Actually Use It#
- Token: queue, say destination, keep token — tap at entry, insert at exit. Don't lose it before exit — ₹200 fine equivalent.
- Tourist/smart card: tap in, tap out — don't tailgate.
- QR: generate per ride in DMRC app/WhatsApp before gate — needs data.
Interchange (e.g., Yellow→Violet) is inside paid area — no second tap — just follow colour signs.
Pitfalls#
- Tourist card is not sold at every station — don't assume. New Delhi, Rajiv Chowk, Kashmere Gate counters most reliable.
- QR needs data — patchy in some underground sections. Token/card is more reliable for first day.
- Refund: smart card deposit refund at counter only — keep card if you might return.
“In Delhi 3 days, will ride metro 5 times daily. Should I buy tourist card or tokens, and where at New Delhi station?”
FAQ#
Can tourists buy metro cards with foreign cards? Yes at TVMs — foreign cards work for tokens; tourist/smart cards are counter cash/UPI more reliably.
Is tourist card worth 1 day? No — only from 2–3 days at 4+ rides/day. One-day visitors use tokens/QR.
What is Delhi Metro tourist card cost 2026? ~₹500 for 3 days unlimited (confirm at counter day-of — DMRC adjusts).
Can I share a card/token? No — one card/token per person; gates enforce.
Does Airport Express take tourist card? No — Airport Express is separate Orange Line with its own fare — see Express guide. Use tourist card for city metro, token for Express.