How to Use the Transit Day Pass Breakeven Calculator
When visiting an unfamiliar city, it's hard to know upfront whether a transit day pass or paying per ride will actually cost less. This calculator takes the day pass price, single-ride fare, and how many rides you expect to take, then shows the single-ticket total, the breakeven ride count, and which option is cheaper.
For example, if a day pass costs $8 and a single ride is $2.50, you'd need about 4 rides or more for the pass to pay off. If you're hopping between your hotel, sights, and restaurants throughout the day, a day pass can also be the more worry-free option even at the breakeven point.
Keep in mind that transfer discount policies vary by city, so your effective single-ride fare might be lower than the listed base fare. If you transfer often, recalculate using the average effective fare for a more accurate comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions
If your expected number of rides times the single-ride fare is higher than the day pass price, the day pass is cheaper. If you plan to travel very little, single tickets can work out cheaper instead.
If your city offers transfer discounts, enter the average effective fare including transfers instead of the base single-ride price for a more accurate comparison. Transfer policies vary by city, so check your actual fare receipts.