ORCA Cards
The ORCA card is the easiest, healthiest way to pay your transit fares in the Puget Sound region. After loading your ORCA card with E-purse (electronic purse) funds, and/or a monthly pass, you’re ready to ride! The ORCA card will automatically track paid fares and transfers, so you don't have to.
Which ORCA card or fare is right for you?
Online
- ORCA card website for Adult ORCA cards
- Reduced Fare Portal for Regional Reduced Fare Permit (seniors or riders with disabilities), ORCA Youth, and ORCA LIFT cards
Phone
888-988-6722 / TTY: 711
Ticket vending machines (Adult ORCA cards only)
- Link light rail stations
- Sounder train stations
- Burien Transit Center, Federal Way Transit Center, King Street Center, and Northgate Transit Center
Retail outlets (Adult ORCA cards only)
Find the nearest retail location (PDF).
ORCA customer service offices
- King County Metro Pass Sales Office: 206-553-3000 / TTY: 711
- Pierce Transit: 253-581-8000 / TTY: 711
- Community Transit: 425-348-2350 / TTY: 711
- Everett Transit: 425-257-7777 / 425-257-7778 / TTY: 711
- Kitsap Transit: 360-377-2877 / TTY: 711
By mail
Print the order form (PDF) and mail to:
ORCA Regional Mail Center
KSC TR-0108
201 S. Jackson St.
Seattle, WA 98104
- Adult ORCA cards cost $5.
- ORCA Youth cards have no fee for the initial card, and replacements are just $5.00. You can get one online, at an ORCA customer service office, or through the mail. Proof of age is required such as school ID, birth certificate, or passport.
- Regional Reduced Fare Permit and ORCA LIFT cards also have no fee for the initial card. Replacements cost $3.
- Once you have an ORCA card, you’ll need to add value to pay your fare—add $5–$300 on the card's E-Purse or purchase a monthly PugetPass.
Tap your ORCA card to board
You are just a tap or scan away from your next ride. The process varies slightly depending on which transit system you are boarding.
Tap your card as you are boarding
As you board the bus, tap your ORCA card on the card reader inside.
Tap your card before boarding
Before boarding Link light rail, RapidRide, the Sounder commuter train, and the Seattle Streetcar, tap your ORCA card on a yellow card reader outside/on the platform. When you exit Link and Sounder, re-tap your ORCA card to complete the trip.
Scan your card
When boarding the Water Taxi, Access, the Seattle Center Monorail, Via to Transit, and Trailhead Direct, the loading agent or cashier will note or scan your card.
You can add value to an ORCA card at orcacard.com, at Ticket Vending Machines, by phone at 888-988-6722, by mail, or at an ORCA customer service office:
You can add a PugetPass or any value from $5–$300 to the card's E-purse.
An ORCA Youth card is available to youth ages 6–18. It allows you to pay only $1.50 for your trip—including transfers to other services—within a 2-hour window. This includes Link light rail, Sound Transit buses, Community Transit and other participating agencies. Children 5 and younger can ride free with a paying adult passenger.
With ORCA LIFT you have all the power and convenience of the ORCA card system at a fraction of the cost.
If you qualify for the ORCA LIFT program, you'll receive an ORCA LIFT card registered to your name, with the same features as every other ORCA card. You can load E-purse value to pay for trips one at a time or load a monthly PugetPass that lets you take unlimited trips for that calendar month. For any special trips costing a higher fare than your monthly PugetPass, you can add E-purse value.
The Regional Reduced Fare Permit (RRFP) simplifies travel for seniors and riders with disabilities around Puget Sound. Any eligible person may apply for an RRFP card on our Reduced Fare Portal or at an ORCA customer service office.
Senior RRFP cards can also be obtained by mailing the application to our customer service office.
The ORCA Multifamily Development Passport is an annual transportation pass that property owners can offer to residents. This pass gives residents comprehensive access to transit services in the Puget Sound Region, including local and express bus service, Link light rail, Sounder commuter rail, Seattle Center Monorail, Seattle Streetcar, and King County Water Taxi.
You can add $5–$300 onto an ORCA card's E-purse (electronic purse), which works just like a pre-paid debit card. The ORCA tracks your rides and deducts the correct fare each time you tap. When your E-purse balance gets low, simply add value at select retailers, online, at a kiosk, or in person at an ORCA customer service office.
Please be aware that E-purse funds added online or by phone may not be available for use until up to 24-48 hours after your purchase. To activate, your ORCA card must be tapped within 60 days. Without a tap within those 60 days, the E-purse can only be reactivated by contacting ORCA customer service at 888-988-6722 or by sending a message.
How to add money to your ORCA card E-purse
Choose one of the 5 options below.
Enjoy unlimited rides per day on the region's transit services with the ORCA regional day pass.
- Regional day passes are loaded on ORCA cards.
- Starts with first use and ends at 3 AM the next day.
- Accepted for regular service on public buses, trains, streetcars, and water taxis throughout the Central Puget Sound region.
- Not valid on King County Metro Access, paratransit services, Kitsap Fast Ferries, or Washington State Ferries. Not available for Autoload.
- If the cost of your trip is more than $3.50 Adult or $1.75 RRFP, ORCA Youth, or ORCA LIFT, pay the difference with E-Purse funds stored on the ORCA card. On a bus, additional fare can also be paid with cash.
- Can be purchased wherever ORCA cards are sold.
- ORCA cards are not included in the Day Pass price. Adult ORCA cards cost $5. ORCA RRFP cards are initially issued at no fee to senior riders (age 65+) and riders with disabilities.
Monthly passes are convenient and cost-efficient for frequent riders. These passes are valid for an unlimited number of trips during a calendar month, up to a certain fare value. You can have E-purse funds and a monthly pass on the same ORCA card at the same time—add E-purse to fund any additional fares beyond what your monthly pass covers.
The cost
| Trip value | Pass total cost per month |
|---|---|
| $0.50 | $18.00 |
| $0.75 | $27.00 |
| $1.00 | $36.00 |
| $1.25 | $45.00 |
| $1.50 | $54.00 |
| $1.75 | $63.00 |
| $2.00 | $72.00 |
| $2.25 | $81.00 |
| $2.50 | $90.00 |
| $2.75 | $99.00 |
| $3.00 | $108.00 |
| $3.25 | $117.00 |
| $3.50 | $126.00 |
| $3.75 | $135.00 |
| $4.00 | $144.00 |
| $4.25 | $153.00 |
| $4.50 | $162.00 |
| $4.75 | $171.00 |
| $5.00 | $180.00 |
| $5.25 | $189.00 |
King County Metro and Sound Transit have partnered to create a new, subsidized annual pass program, allowing qualified riders to travel on select transit in our region at no cost to the customer. The subsidized annual pass is valid for up to 12 calendar months and is renewable each year, provided eligibility requirements are met.
Already have an ORCA card?
- Create a My ORCA Login to add value and manage your registered ORCA card.
- Login to your account.
- Why register?
For more information
ORCA card website
Visit orcacard.com or call 888-988-6722 /TTY 711 during regular business hours, Monday – Friday, 8 AM – 5 PM
Watch ORCA card how-to videos.
Neighborhood Pop-up events
Attend a Neighborhood Pop-Up event for a great way to get your questions answered and learn more about our programs and services!
Link/share this page: kingcounty.gov/metro/orca
