Key takeaways
- Ask for the SBI NMRC City1 card at any Noida Metro (Aqua Line) ticket counter. The issuance fee is ₹100.
- Carry your PAN (or Form 60) and one officially valid ID. The operator verifies your mobile with an OTP.
- Top-ups start at ₹100 and go up in multiples of ₹100. A standard card holds up to ₹2,000.
- NMRC launched NCMC service on all 21 Aqua Line stations on 15 August 2026.
- For a one-off trip, a WhatsApp QR ticket (send "Hi" to 9599030188) is quicker than buying a card.
If you commute on the Noida Metro Aqua Line between Noida Sector 51 and Greater Noida, a metro card saves you from queueing for tokens every day. Getting one takes about ten minutes at any station counter. This guide covers exactly what to carry, what it costs, how to recharge it and which other cards now work at Noida Metro gates.
Which card do you need?
Noida has two metro systems, and this confuses a lot of people:
- Noida Metro (Aqua Line), run by Noida Metro Rail Corporation (NMRC), connects Noida Sector 51 with Greater Noida (Depot station) across 21 stations. Its own card is the SBI NMRC City1 card.
- Delhi Metro Blue and Magenta Lines also run inside Noida (for example Noida City Centre, Noida Electronic City and Botanical Garden). These are Delhi Metro (DMRC) stations, so your Delhi Metro card works there as usual.
If you only ride the Blue or Magenta Line, you don't need a Noida Metro card at all. See our Delhi Metro card guide. If you ride the Aqua Line, read on.
How to make a Noida Metro card: step by step
- Go to any Aqua Line station and ask at the ticket counter for the SBI NMRC City1 card.
- Fill in the short application form. SBI says it's available in both Hindi and English.
- Show your documents: your PAN (or Form 60) and the number of one officially valid document, such as Aadhaar, passport, voter ID or driving licence.
- Verify your mobile number. The operator enters your details, and you receive an OTP. Share it with the operator to validate.
- Pay the issuance fee and your first top-up. The card is ready to tap straight away.
That's it. No bank account with SBI is needed, because City1 is a prepaid card, not a debit or credit card.
Noida Metro card fees and limits
These are the charges SBI lists for the City1 card:
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Card issuance fee | ₹100 |
| Annual maintenance fee | ₹25 |
| Replacement card | ₹100 |
| Top-up (reload) fee | 1.8% or ₹12, whichever is less |
| Minimum top-up | ₹100, then in multiples of ₹100 |
| Maximum balance (standard card) | ₹2,000 |
A ₹100 top-up costs you about ₹1.80 in fees; a ₹1,000 top-up costs ₹12. Topping up in larger amounts is slightly cheaper per rupee, up to the ₹2,000 balance limit. SBI also says balances on the City1 MTS card are not refundable, so don't load much more than you'll use.
How to recharge your Noida Metro card
- At any Noida Metro station counter, with cash or UPI.
- Online through SBI's City1 customer portal.
- Through BBPS (Bharat Bill Payment System), which is available inside most UPI and banking apps under "NCMC recharge" or "transit card".
If you recharge online, the new balance usually needs to be "picked up" by tapping the card at a station reader or add-value machine before it shows on the card. Ask station staff if the balance doesn't update.
Can I use NCMC or my bank's RuPay card?
Yes, since 15 August 2026. That day NMRC launched National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) service across all 21 Aqua Line stations, according to reports of the launch. NCMC is the "One Nation One Card" standard: a single tap-and-go card that works on metros, buses and other transit systems across India that have NCMC readers.
What this means for you:
- An NCMC-enabled debit or prepaid card from your bank should work at Aqua Line gates. Many RuPay debit cards now carry the NCMC logo. Check the back of your card.
- Your City1 card is itself an NCMC card, so in principle it works on other NCMC-ready networks too. Local reporting notes that acceptance on every network hasn't been confirmed card by card, so test it before relying on it for a trip.
- Credit cards: ordinary contactless credit cards are not the same as NCMC. Unless your card specifically says NCMC, don't expect it to open the gates.
Our metro card guides cover NCMC status city by city.
Noida Metro QR ticket on WhatsApp
For occasional trips, you don't need a card. NMRC sells QR tickets on WhatsApp:
- Save 9599030188 and send "Hi".
- Tap "Book Now", choose your origin and destination stations.
- Pick single, return or group journey, and the number of passengers.
- Pay by UPI and scan the QR code at the gate.
The same WhatsApp chat also has station details, parking information and helpline numbers.
Card vs QR ticket vs token: which should you use?
| You ride the Aqua Line… | Best option | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Daily (office or college) | SBI NMRC City1 or NCMC card | Tap and go, no queue, one-time ₹100 fee |
| A few times a month | WhatsApp QR ticket | No card fee or unused balance |
| Once, as a visitor | QR ticket or token | Nothing to buy or recharge |
| Across Delhi, Noida and other cities | An NCMC-enabled bank card | One card for several networks |
Lost or damaged card
Because you registered with your mobile number and PAN, contact SBI's card helpline or the station counter to block the card. A replacement costs ₹100. Keep your card's number (printed on it) somewhere safe, as you'll need it to report a loss.
Paying for metro rides with a credit card
Metro fares are small, so rewards matter less than convenience. But if you top up a transit card with a credit card, check whether your card excludes wallet or prepaid loads from rewards; many do. For everyday spending around Noida, see our guide to using the right card for each purchase, or find your best card with the credit card finder.
Fees and limits are from SBI's City1 card page as of 27 September 2026. NMRC and SBI can change them, so confirm at the counter.
FAQs
How much does a Noida Metro card cost?
The SBI NMRC City1 card has a ₹100 issuance fee plus a ₹25 annual maintenance fee. Your first top-up must be at least ₹100.
What documents are needed for a Noida Metro card?
Your PAN (or Form 60) and the number of one officially valid document such as Aadhaar, passport, voter ID or driving licence, plus a mobile number for OTP verification.
Does the Delhi Metro card work on the Noida Metro Aqua Line?
The Delhi Metro Blue and Magenta Line stations in Noida accept Delhi Metro cards as usual. For the Aqua Line, use the City1 card, an NCMC-enabled card, a token or a WhatsApp QR ticket.
Can I recharge my Noida Metro card online?
Yes. Recharge via SBI's City1 portal or BBPS in most UPI and banking apps, then tap the card at a station reader to update the balance.
Is the Noida Metro card balance refundable?
SBI says balances on the City1 MTS card are not refundable, so load only what you will use.
Sources
- SBI: SBI NMRC City1 card (fees, limits, KYC)
- Daily Jagran: Noida Metro launches NCMC service (15 Aug 2026)
- Pulse of Noida: Noida Metro WhatsApp QR tickets and City1 card
