Smart Card and Ticketing Guide
Surat Metro offers three ticket booking options: single-use tokens for casual trips, rechargeable Smart Cards that save 10% per ride, and unlimited-ride Tourist Cards for visitors. Smart Cards cost Rs 150 upfront and pay for themselves within a month of regular use. Card recharge starts at Rs 100 per top-up at any station counter or vending machine.
Ticket Types at a Glance
Fare calculator| Type | Cost | Validity | Discount | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Token | Rs 10-60 | Single journey (120 min) | None | Occasional riders and first-time visitors |
| Smart Card | Rs 150 | 5 years from issue | 10% on every ride | Daily commuters and regular riders |
| Tourist Card (1-Day) | Rs 200 | 24 hours from first tap | Unlimited rides | Day-trippers exploring multiple areas |
| Tourist Card (3-Day) | Rs 500 | 72 hours from first tap | Unlimited rides | Weekend visitors covering both corridors |
Smart Card
Purchase and cost
- Total cost: Rs 150 (Rs 100 usable balance + Rs 50 refundable deposit)
- Available at station ticket counters - no photo or ID required for purchase
- Valid for 5 years from the date of issue
- Register your mobile number at purchase to enable card blocking if lost
Recharging
- Minimum recharge: Rs 100 per top-up
- Maximum recharge: Rs 2,000 per transaction
- Recharge at station counters (cash/UPI) or automatic vending machines
- App-based and web recharge expected at commercial launch
How it works
- Tap your card on the AFC reader at the entry gate - the gate opens and debits are pending
- Board the train, transfer at Majura Gate if needed - no additional tap required for interchange
- Tap out at the exit gate - fare is calculated on distance and deducted with the 10% discount applied
- Remaining balance displays on the gate screen after each exit tap
Savings example
A commuter travelling Kapodra to Althan Gam daily (approx. 12 km, Rs 30 token fare):
The Rs 100 initial balance covers 3 round trips. The card pays back its upfront cost within 17 rides.
Single Journey Token
How tokens work
- Buy at any station counter or automatic vending machine
- State your destination at purchase - the fare is charged upfront based on distance
- Tap the token at the entry AFC gate to enter, deposit it in the exit gate slot when leaving
- Must exit within 120 minutes of entry - exceeding this incurs a penalty fare
Token limitations
- No discount - you pay the full fare every time
- Requires queuing at the counter or vending machine before each trip
- Non-refundable once the token has been used to enter the AFC gate
- If you exit at a different station than the one specified, the fare difference is charged or refunded at the exit counter
Tourist Cards
Unlimited-ride cards for visitors. The timer starts on your first AFC tap, not at purchase. Both types work across the full network including Majura Gate interchange.
Rs 200
- Rs 150 fare value + Rs 50 refundable deposit
- Valid for 24 hours from first tap
- Break-even after 4 short trips or 3 medium-distance rides
- Covers Surat Railway Station to Dream City round trip + 2 additional rides
Rs 500
- Rs 450 fare value + Rs 50 refundable deposit
- Valid for 72 hours from first tap
- Equivalent to 9 mid-range trips at token rates
- Ideal for business visitors at Surat Diamond Bourse needing multi-day transit
QR Code and NFC Payments
GMRC is expected to support open-loop contactless payments alongside the closed-loop Smart Card system. These features are planned for launch or early post-launch rollout:
QR code tickets
Purchase a single-journey QR ticket via the GMRC mobile app. The QR code displays on your phone screen and scans at AFC gates for entry and exit. Eliminates the need to queue at counters for tokens. Fare is the same as a physical token (no discount).
NFC tap-to-pay
Tap a contactless bank card (Visa, Mastercard, RuPay) or mobile wallet (Google Pay, Apple Pay) directly at AFC readers. The system calculates the fare on exit and charges your bank account. No separate metro ticket needed. Ahmedabad Metro already supports this on its Phase 2 line.
Concessions and Special Fares
| Category | Discount | Required document |
|---|---|---|
| Students | 25% | Valid student ID card from a recognized school, college, or university |
| Senior Citizens (60+) | 25% | Aadhaar card, voter ID, or any government-issued photo ID showing date of birth |
| Divyang (PwD) | 50% | Disability certificate issued by a certified medical authority (40%+ disability) |
| Children (3-12 years) | 50% | No document needed - height-based verification at AFC gate (under 120 cm) |
| Children under 3 | Free | One child per adult - accompanies through the adult's AFC gate |
Concession fares apply to the token fare rate. GMRC will confirm whether concessions stack with the Smart Card's 10% discount or are applied to the base token fare only.
Lost Card and Refund Procedures
Lost or damaged card
- 1Report immediately at any station's customer service counter to block the card
- 2Provide your registered mobile number or card serial number for identification
- 3A replacement card is issued with the remaining balance transferred (minus Rs 50 handling fee)
- 4The original Rs 50 security deposit is forfeited - a new Rs 50 deposit is required for the replacement
Card surrender and refund
- Visit any station counter with the Smart Card and a valid photo ID
- Remaining balance is refunded minus Rs 50 processing fee
- The Rs 50 security deposit is returned in full on top of the balance refund
- Refunds up to Rs 1,000 are processed immediately in cash; above Rs 1,000 may require 7 working days via bank transfer
Ticketing Questions
Where can I buy a Surat Metro Smart Card?
Smart Cards will be available at ticket counters inside every metro station. No advance booking is needed. Walk up to any counter with Rs 150 (Rs 100 loaded balance + Rs 50 refundable security deposit). Some stations may also have automatic vending machines that dispense Smart Cards via cash, UPI, or card payment. Third-party retail sales (at convenience stores or online) have not been confirmed by GMRC yet.
How do I recharge my Smart Card and what is the maximum balance?
Recharge at any station counter or automatic vending machine. The minimum top-up is Rs 100 and the maximum per recharge is Rs 2,000. GMRC is expected to support UPI-based recharges at vending machines. An app or web-based recharge option may launch alongside commercial operations. The maximum card balance at any time is capped at Rs 3,000.
Can I use one Smart Card for multiple people travelling together?
No. Each Smart Card is linked to a single passenger and records entry/exit at AFC (Automatic Fare Collection) gates. One card must tap in and out for one person per journey. If you are travelling as a group, each person needs their own card or token. Children under 3 travelling free do not need a separate card - they pass through with the accompanying adult.
What is the refund process if I want to surrender my Smart Card?
Visit any station counter with your Smart Card and a valid photo ID. The remaining balance is refunded minus a Rs 50 processing fee. The Rs 50 security deposit is returned in full. Refunds are processed immediately in cash at the counter. If your balance exceeds Rs 1,000, GMRC may process the refund via bank transfer within 7 working days. Cards expired beyond their 5-year validity are not eligible for balance refund.
Do Tourist Cards work across both the Red and Green Lines including the interchange?
Yes. Both the 1-Day (Rs 200) and 3-Day (Rs 500) Tourist Cards provide unlimited travel across the entire 40.35 km network, including transfers at Majura Gate interchange. The timer starts on your first tap at any AFC gate, not at the time of purchase. A 1-Day card bought at 2:00 PM is valid until 1:59 PM the next day. Return the card at any counter within 30 days to get the Rs 50 deposit back.
Ticketing details based on GMRC operational plans and the Surat Metro DPR. Smart Card specifications reference Ahmedabad Metro's existing AFC system, which shares the same GMRC operator.