Hyderabad Metro's headline discount - 10% off every ticket type, including paper QR and tokens - has been in effect since 24 May 2025. But the smart card has one trick paper tickets don't: an extra 10% off during off-peak hours, stacking on top of the base discount.
Getting the card
A standard Contactless Smart Card (CSC) currently costs ₹100, non-refundable, from any station counter. (If you've read older guides quoting ₹200 split into a ₹100 top-up plus ₹100 deposit, that was the earlier pricing structure - ₹100 flat is the current official price.)
Want a card that works beyond the metro? An NCMC card costs ₹200 (₹120 card cost + ₹80 travel value) at station counters, and also comes via the PhonePe "On-The-Go" card, which is confirmed NCMC-enabled and metro-integrated.
The off-peak bonus, explained
On top of the standard 10% discount, smart card users get an additional 10% off during:
- 6:00 AM - 8:00 AM
- 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM
If your schedule is flexible, shifting a trip into either window is free money.
Recharging
| Channel | Increments | Range |
|---|---|---|
| Station counter (offline) | ₹50 | ₹50 - ₹3,000 |
| Apps - PhonePe, Paytm, T-Savaari (online) | ₹100 | ₹100 - ₹3,000 |
| NCMC card top-up | ₹100 | ₹100 - ₹2,000 |
Card payments carry a small surcharge (1.5% + GST). One thing worth knowing: online recharges can take 20 minutes to 2 hours to actually show up at the gate, and you need to tap in within 15 days of recharging or the amount goes into a refund cycle instead of your balance - so don't recharge and expect to walk straight through.
Skip the card: QR tickets
Digital QR tickets are available via PhonePe, Paytm, Rapido, T-Savaari, or WhatsApp - scan the QR code posted at the station. These are valid for one business day from purchase, same as paper tokens.
Bottom line
Regular rider? Get the ₹100 smart card and try to shift a trip or two into the off-peak windows for the stacked discount. One-off visit? A QR ticket via any of the listed apps gets you the same base 10% off without the card.