Paying with cash at an Ahmedabad Metro counter every single ride is the expensive way to do it. The GMRC Cashless Smart Card (CSC) shaves 10% off your fare on every tap, and it costs next to nothing to start using.
What it costs
| Item | Charge |
|---|---|
| Security deposit | ₹50 |
| Initial stored value | ₹50 |
| Total to walk out with a working card | ₹100 |
| Discount on every journey | 10% |
| Card validity | 5 years from last recharge |
| You can pay by cash or card (POS) at any operational station counter — no separate application, no waiting period. |
National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) also works
Ahmedabad Metro accepts NCMC cards issued by any bank, not just GMRC's own card, and NCMC riders get the same 10% discount. If you already carry an NCMC-enabled RuPay card from your bank, you can use it here — just get it validated at a station customer-service counter before your first ride. One catch: GMRC doesn't handle NCMC refunds or top-up support itself, that's on your issuing bank.
How to recharge
- Token Vending Machines (TVM) and Recharge Card Machines (RCM) at stations
- Station counters, cash or card
- The GMRC app Your balance needs to cover at least the base fare before the gate will let you through, so don't run it right down to zero.
QR tickets if you don't want a card
The official Ahmedabad Metro app generates a scannable QR ticket — useful if you're only riding once or twice. There's a real difference in how long each type stays valid: a paper QR ticket from a counter is good for 30 minutes, but an app-generated QR ticket is valid for 180 minutes, though both only let you enter from the station where you bought them. If you're not sure you'll make your train in the next half hour, book through the app instead of the counter.
Card vs QR: which one?
Riding more than a couple of times a week? Get the CSC — tap in, tap out, 10% off, done. Visiting for a day or two, or riding once? A QR ticket through the app is simpler and skips the ₹100 upfront cost. Either way, skip paying full fare in cash at the counter — there's no reason to.