Use Google Wallet for transportation

For some public transport systems, you can use Google Wallet to tap to pay for transportation at the fare terminal with a supported credit or debit card. For others, you can buy or save a transit pass to Google Wallet and use it at the point of entry.

Go to your public transport system's website to find out if Google Wallet works with your public transport systems and whether you can pay to travel through contactless payments or a transit pass.

Use tap to pay for transit

If your public transport system accepts contactless payments or mobile payment apps, you can pay through your debit or credit card:

1. Make sure you have a payment card added in Google Wallet. Learn how to add a debit or credit card to Google Wallet.
2. When you get to the public transport entrance, you can pay through one of these methods:
   • Phone: Hold your phone to the card reader.
     • You don't need to wake up your phone. However, you'll still be prompted to unlock the phone to verify purchase.
     • Tip: For faster transit payments, you can turn off verification before paying for transit with your debit or credit card. Learn how to turn off the verification setting for transit.
   • Smartwatch: Wake up your smartwatch and hold it to the card reader.
     • Make sure your smartwatch is unlocked.
     • For convenience, you can tap to pay without opening your Wallet. Learn how to turn on this setting.
3. Wait until you get a blue check mark.

Buy & activate a transit pass

You can save digital copies of transit passes to Google Wallet for use at participating public transport systems. Google Wallet doesn't work with all public transport systems. For more info, check your public transport system's website.

How to add a transit pass to Google Wallet

For this same video with audio descriptions: How to add a transit pass to Google Wallet.

Through the Google Wallet app

1. Open the Google Wallet app .
2. Tap Add to Wallet .
3. Tap Transit pass.
4. Select your public transport system. Recommended or nearby transit options are at the top.
   • To find all supported transit options, scroll.
   • If you can't find your public transport system, follow the instructions in "Through your public transport system."
5. To buy, follow the on-screen instructions.
6. After you buy a transit pass, open the Google Wallet app.
7. Scroll to find your transit pass.
8. Tap the transit pass that you want to use.
9. Tap Activate.
   • Tip: If you have more than one transit pass, when you activate the new one, your other transit pass will be deactivated.

Through your public transport system

1. To buy a transit pass, use your public transport system's website or mobile app.
2. Save the transit pass to Google Wallet.
   • If you don't find "Save to Google Wallet," you can't use your transit pass with Google Wallet. For more info, contact your public transport system administrators.
   • If you don’t have Google Wallet, you must install the Google Wallet app.
3. After you save a transit pass, open the Google Wallet app .
4. Scroll to find your transit pass.
5. Tap the transit pass that you want to use.
6. Tap Activate.
   • Tip: If you have more than one transit pass, when you activate the new one, your other transit pass will be deactivated.

Use your transit pass

With your watch

1. When you get to the public transport entrance, hold your smartwatch to the card reader.
   • You don't need to open the Wallet app on your smartwatch.
   • If you haven't unlocked your watch in the last 24 hours, you may be prompted to unlock it before you use the transit pass.
   • For Clipper (San Francisco) transit passes, you'll still need to open the Wallet app before holding it to the card reader.
2. Wait until you get a blue check mark.
   • For some transit systems, you have to show your pass to an attendant.

With your phone

1. When you get to the public transport entrance, hold your phone to the card reader.
   • You don't need to wake up your phone.
   • For some public transport systems, you need to unlock your phone and choose your transit pass.
2. Wait until you get a blue check mark.
   • For some transit systems, you have to show your pass to an attendant.

Convert an existing physical card to a digital transit pass

Important: This feature is only available for Seattle ORCA transit passes.

1. On your phone, open the Google Wallet app .
2. Tap Add to Wallet Transit pass
3. Select your public transport system. Recommended or nearby transit options are at the top.
   • To find all supported transit options, scroll.
   • If you can't find a public transport system, to find information on the different ways you can pay, check their website.
4. Read the Activation Terms.
5. Tap Continue.
6. Tap Transfer card.
7. On the “Transfer card to Google Wallet?” pop-up window, tap Transfer.
8. Enter your card details.
9. Tap Confirm.

Tip: You may be asked to verify if it’s you. To verify, enter the code sent to your Google Wallet’s registered email address.

Add money to a transit pass

For supported transit systems, you can add a reusable pass to Google Wallet. You can add money to the transit pass and may be able to set up low balance notifications and autoload.

Transfer a transit pass

Important: Transit passes can only be saved to one device at a time.

To manually transfer your transit pass to a different device through the Google Wallet app:

1. On your current device, open Google Wallet app .
2. Find and tap your transit pass.
3. Tap Menu .
4. Tap Move card to another device.
5. On the new device, open Google Wallet app .
6. On the transit pass, tap Activate.

Tip: For other methods to transfer or restore your transit pass, learn how to transfer a pass or card on Google Wallet.

Use a Transit Insights card

Use the Transit Insights feature to view your progress toward fare discounts and fare capping, savings over time, and recent trips and activity. Learn how to use Transit Insights in Google Wallet.