Key takeaways
- Hyderabad Metro counters sell the PhonePe RuPay On-The-Go NCMC card for ₹200: ₹120 card cost plus ₹80 travel value.
- You only need to verify your phone number with an OTP to buy one.
- The card holds up to ₹2,000, with offline payments of up to ₹500 each.
- It works on NCMC-enabled metros, buses and parking across India, including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Bengaluru.
Hyderabad Metro, run by L&T Metro Rail, moved to NCMC in 2026. Since March 2026, its ticket counters sell PhonePe's RuPay On-The-Go card, a stored-value NCMC card that works without an internet connection. Here's what it costs, how to get it and how it compares with QR tickets.
How to buy the Hyderabad Metro card
- Go to any Hyderabad Metro ticket counter and ask for the PhonePe On-The-Go card.
- Verify your phone number with an OTP. No other documents are needed for the basic card.
- Pay ₹200. That's ₹120 for the card and ₹80 of travel value.
- Tap at the gate and you're in.
Limits
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Price at metro counters | ₹200 (₹120 card + ₹80 travel value) |
| Maximum card balance | ₹2,000 |
| Maximum offline transaction | ₹500 |
The balance is stored on the card's chip, so gates deduct fares instantly even with no network.
How to top up
- At metro counters by UPI, cash or card.
- Through PhonePe, as the card is linked to your phone number. Follow the app's instructions to load and then update the card at a station reader.
Where else it works
The On-The-Go card is interoperable: it works at NCMC-enabled metros, buses, trains, tolls and parking across India, including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Bengaluru. You can top it up at NCMC-enabled stations in other cities too. That makes it a useful single card if you travel between cities.
Card vs QR ticket
| On-The-Go card | QR ticket | |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | ₹200 (includes ₹80 travel) | None |
| Needs a phone at the gate | No | Yes |
| Works without network | Yes | Only if downloaded |
| Works in other cities | Yes, on NCMC networks | No |
| Best for | Daily commuters and frequent travellers | Occasional riders |
Already have an NCMC debit card?
If your bank's RuPay debit card has the NCMC mark, it should work at NCMC gates without buying another card. Load its offline wallet through your bank's app. See which banks issue NCMC cards.
Tips for Hyderabad commuters
- Keep ₹200–500 on the card rather than the full ₹2,000; a lost stored-value card's balance may not be recoverable.
- Top up before peak hours so you're not queueing at counters.
- For your daily non-metro spending, choose a card that rewards what you spend most on. Use our credit card finder.
- Flying from Rajiv Gandhi International Airport? Check lounge access with our lounge finder.
What happened to the old Hyderabad Metro smart card?
Hyderabad Metro's move to NCMC means new riders are pointed toward the On-The-Go card and QR tickets. If you still have an older smart card with balance, ask at a ticket counter about using or transferring it. Rules for legacy cards can change, so don't top up an old card heavily.
Common problems and fixes
- Gate doesn't open: check the balance at a ticket counter; the card may need a top-up or an online top-up may not have been loaded yet.
- Online top-up not showing: tap the card at a station reader or ask the counter to update it.
- Card not reading: separate it from other contactless cards before tapping.
- Charged incorrectly: note the date, time and stations and raise it at the customer care counter.
Paying for the card with a credit card
You can usually pay for the card and top-ups by card at the counter. Rewards on transit and prepaid loads are often excluded, and the amounts are small anyway, so pay whichever way is most convenient.
Who should buy it
- Daily commuters on the Red, Blue and Green lines, who save time at gates every day.
- People without smartphones or with unreliable data, since the card works offline.
- Frequent inter-city travellers, who can use one card in several cities.
Visitors on a short trip can skip it and use QR tickets instead.
Using the card outside Hyderabad
Because the On-The-Go card is an NCMC card, you can carry it on trips to other cities. It should work at NCMC-enabled metros, including Delhi Metro, Chennai Metro, Namma Metro in Bengaluru and Mumbai Metro Line 3, and on NCMC-enabled city buses. Check your balance before you travel, as top-up options at other networks can differ from Hyderabad.
Is the card worth ₹120?
If you ride the metro more than a few times a month, yes. You skip ticket queues, don't need your phone at the gate and can use the same card in other cities. If you only ride occasionally, QR tickets cost nothing extra. See the Hyderabad metro card page and our other city metro card guides.
FAQs
How much is the Hyderabad Metro card?
The PhonePe On-The-Go NCMC card costs ₹200 at Hyderabad Metro counters: ₹120 for the card and ₹80 of travel value.
Do I need documents to buy the Hyderabad Metro card?
Only an OTP check on your phone number for the basic card.
Does the Hyderabad Metro card work in other cities?
Yes. It is an NCMC card and works on NCMC-enabled transport across India, including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Bengaluru.
What is the maximum balance?
₹2,000, with offline payments of up to ₹500 each.
