Bilhete Único is São Paulo's universal transportation card that works in all modes of transportation: metro, CPTM trains, SPTrans city buses and even some EMTU commuter buses. The card allows you to save money on transfers and eliminates the need to buy tickets every time. This article is all about the types of cards, how to get one, where to top up and what rules to follow.
All you need to know is how to get one.
Important for travelers: CPF and documents
The Personalized Bilhete Único can only be obtained by Brazilian residents or foreigners with Brazilian documents. CPF (Brazilian tax number) and RG (Brazilian identity card) or RNE/CRNM (foreigner's registration in Brazil) are mandatory.
On September 1, 2019, all Bilhete Único cards became personalized with mandatory CPF linkage - cards without registration will no longer accept recharges. Travelers without Brazilian documents cannot receive a regular Bilhete Único.
Alternative for tourists:
Razor tickets on the subway. Can be bought in cash at subway ticket offices and CPTM for 5.20 BRL without registration.
Metro tickets.
Paying cash on buses. Pay the conductor or driver 5 reals. Large bills may not have change, but in that case the controller will usually let you ride for free.)
Pay with cash on buses.
What the Bilhete Único is and why you need it
Bilhete Único is a personalized smart card with a chip that stores transport credits and travel data. The main advantage is the integration system: you can make up to 4 trips for the price of one within 3 hours.
Bilhete Único is a personalized smart card with a chip that stores transportation credits and trip data.
The card is personalized with the owner's name, CPF and number. It is forbidden to use someone else's card - it can be blocked and fined. There are facial recognition cameras at subway stations and buses to detect violators.
Face recognition cameras are installed at subway stations and buses to detect violators.
In 2025, about 1.5 million people in São Paulo will use Bilhete Único every day to commute to work, school and for personal errands.
Lifehack: A single Bilhete Único can simultaneously store multiple types of credit - regular, Vale-Transporte, monthly tickets and student fares.
Lifehack: A single Bilhete Único can store multiple types of credit - regular, Vale-Transporte, monthly tickets and student fares.
Types of Bilhete Único: what cards are available
In São Paulo, there are several types of Bilhete Único for different categories of passengers:
Bilhete Único card
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Bilhete Único Comum (regular card) - available to everyone from the age of 6 who has CPF. Accepts regular credits, Vale-Transporte and monthly tickets. Valid on SPTrans, Metro, CPTM, ViaMobilidade and ViaQuatro buses.
Bilhete Único de Estudante (student card) - for students with active registration in institutions recognized by the MEC (Ministry of Education). It entitles you to a half fare of 2.60 BRL and discounts at movies, theaters and museums.
Bilhete Único de Estudante (student card).
Bilhete Único do Professor (teacher card) - half fare on trains only (Metro, CPTM, ViaMobilidade, ViaQuatro). Not valid on SPTrans buses.
Bilhete Único Especial da Pessoa com Deficiência (card for people with disabilities) - free travel on buses and trains.
Bilhete Gestante e Mãe Paulistana (card for pregnant women) - for pregnant women from the 5th month onwards who are being monitored in public clinics. Allows you to enter and exit through the front door of the bus, paying the regular fare.
Bilhete Gestante e Mãe Paulistana (Pregnancy card).
Bilhete Único Especial da Pessoa Obesa (card for obese people) - for people with a body mass index ≥ 39.9 according to a medical certificate. Entry through the front door with the regular fare.
Bilhe Único Especial da Pessoa Obesa (obesity card).
Bilhete Único Vale-Transporte - special version for employees who receive Vale-Transporte from their employer. It is limited to a maximum of 2 trips within 3 hours instead of 4 for the regular card.
Bilhete Único Vale-Transporte.
How to get Bilhete Único Comum: regular card
The regular Bilhete Único can be obtained by any Brazilian resident or foreigner with CPF and RG/RNE for free.
How to get the Bilhete Único Comum.
Step-by-step instructions:
- Register online at bilheteunico.sptrans.com.br/cadastro.aspx. To register, you need: RG (Brazilian ID card) or RNE/CRNM (foreigner registration), CPF, CEP (zip code) and a 3x4 cm photo with a neutral background in digital format.
- After completing your registration, visit one of the SPTrans service posts with your original documents. A list of addresses is available at bilheteunico.sptrans.com.br/comumRecargaPostos.aspx.
- The card is issued free of charge on the spot at the service posts.
If you don't have a computer, you can register at the Poupatempo or Telecentros centers (free computer centers).
For foreign students:
International students registered at Brazilian universities can obtain a Bilhete Único de Estudante if they have an RNM/CRNM (foreigner registration) and CPF. Students must be officially enrolled in the institution and have a valid residency status.
A student must be officially enrolled in the institution and have a valid residency status.
For seniors (60-64 years old):
Passengers aged 60-64 can receive the card with free home delivery via Brazil Post (delivery time up to 10 days) or pick it up in person at one of 11 terminals after online registration.
For seniors (60-64 years old):
Terminals available: Pinheiros, Bandeira, Santo Amaro, Capelinha, Princesa Isabel, São Miguel, A. E. Carvalho, Água Espraiada, Vila Nova Cachoeirinha, Lapa and Parque Dom Pedro II.
The terminals are Pinheiros, Bandeira, Santo Amaro, Capelinha, Princesa Isabel, São Miguel, A. E. Carvalho, Água Espraiada, Vila Nova Cachoeirinha, Lapa and Parque Dom Pedro II.
Fare is free for people over 65 years old - you need to get a special Bilhete Único Especial through the SPTrans checkpoints.
How to get the Bilhete Único de Estudante: student card
The Bilhete Único Student Card entitles you to a half fare of 2.60 BRL (50% of the full fare of 5.20 BRL) and discounts in cultural institutions.
Who can receive:
Students of public and private schools, vocational schools, technical colleges and universities with active registration with the institution. RNM/CRNM and CPF are mandatory for international students.
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Step-by-step instructions:
Notify your institution that you wish to use the Bilhete Único de Estudante in 2025.
Notify your institution that you wish to use the Bilhete Único de Estudante in 2025.
The school will transfer your registration data to SPTrans (the process takes up to 3 days).
The school will send your registration data to SPTrans (the process takes up to 3 days).
After confirming your enrollment, go to sptrans.dne.com.br and fill out the application.
Pay the card processing fee of 35.00 BRL (equivalent to 7 fares) via credit card, boleto or PIX.
Pay the card processing fee of 35.00 BRL (equivalent to 7 fares) via credit card, boleto or PIX.
Receive the card at home or at the address provided during registration within 15 days.
Receive the card at home or at the address provided during registration within 15 days.
Revaluation of the card for 2025:
If you already have a student card issued starting in 2021, it must be revalidated annually. The process is the same as for your first card: notify your school, wait for the data to be transferred to SPTrans, and confirm the renewal at sptrans.dne.com.br.
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Registration and revalidation of student cards for 2025 opened on January 6, 2025.
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Tip: The student card also entitles you to half-price tickets to movies, theaters, museums and cultural events - keep the card to show at the box office.
Where to get the card: SPTrans service stations
SPTrans service stations are available at terminals, metro stations and individual offices.
Where to get your card: SPTrans service stations
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Main service points (24-hour terminals):
A.E. Carvalho, Amaral Gurgel, Bandeira, Capelinha, Lapa, Parque Dom Pedro II, Pinheiros, Princesa Isabel, Sacomã, Santo Amaro, São Miguel, Sapopemba, Vila Nova Cachoeirinha, Água Espraiada.
Main stations (24-hour terminals)
Subway Stations:
Jabaquara (open 7:00-17:00 Mon-Fri).
Metro stations:
Offices:
Loja Augusta (rua Augusta, 449, 8:00-16:30 pm Mon-Fri), Posto Santana (rua Olavo Egídio, 157, 7:00-17:00 pm Mon-Fri).
Loja Augusta (rua Augusta, 449, 8:00-16:30 pm Mon-Fri).
Full list of posts and current opening hours are available on the official SPTrans website sptrans.com.br.
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Lifehack: You can make an appointment at a service post through the central number 156 - this will help you avoid lines.
Lifehack: You can make an appointment at a service post through the central number 156 - this will help you avoid lines.
How to recharge Bilhete Único: all ways
There are several ways to top up the card:
Online - via the official SPTrans website, the SPTrans app, TOP or WhatsApp (+55 11). The most convenient way for residents.
In ticket offices - at metro and CPTM stations, also at bus terminals hubs. They work as per the schedule of the stations.
At the ticket offices.
In vending machines - at metro and CPTM stations (accepts cash and cards). Available 24 hours a day.
The minimum recharge amount is 10.00 BRL. Maximum balance on a regular card is 520.00 BRL and on a Vale-Transporte card is 1,140.00 BRL.
Maximum balance on a regular card is 520.00 BRL and on a Vale-Transporte card is 1,140.00 BRL.
After recharging, be sure to ask for a receipt (recibo) - it is protection against fraud and confirmation of legal purchase. The receipt contains a code for authentication on the SPTrans website.
What to look out for:Buy credits only through official channels - illegal top-ups will result in the card being blocked and all funds lost.
After topping up, be sure to ask for a receipt (recibo) to protect your card and confirm the authentication code.
Fares and integration: how much does it cost to travel
From January 6, 2025, the base fare is 5.20 BRL for metro, CPTM, and buses.
From January 6, 2025, the base fare is 5.20 BRL for metro, CPTM, and buses.
Common Bilhete Único Comum:
It allows you to make up to 4 trips (1 metro/CPTM + 3 buses) for the price of one within 3 hours. Metro + bus integration costs 8,90 BRL.
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Bilhete Único Vale-Transporte:
Limits apply - maximum 2 trips within 3 hours (instead of 4 with the regular card). The metro + bus integration costs 10.71 BRL.
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Monthly ticket (Bilhete Mensal):
Unlimited metro and CPTM rides cost 252.70 BRL per month. With bus integration, it's 392.08 BRL. For students, half price: rail only - 140.00 BRL, with integration - 230.00 BRL.
A half price for students.
Ticket for 24 hours:
Unlimited metro and CPTM rides cost 19.75 BRL. With buses, it is 26.02 BRL.
With buses.
Tip: Integration is valid for 3 hours from the time you first pass through the turnstile - you can travel bus → metro → bus → bus → bus for 8.90 BRL instead of 20.80 BRL.
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What to do in case of loss? Second card.
If your card is lost, stolen or damaged, you need to order a second card.
The cost of a second card is BRL 35.00 (cash only), equivalent to 7 fares. For users of discount cards (elderly people, people with disabilities) the second card is issued free of charge.
The second card is free of charge.
How to get a second card:
Go to any SPTrans service station with an ID (RG, RNE or other official photo ID).
How to get a second card:
Report a lost, stolen or malfunctioning card - a staff member will cancel the old card and issue a new one on the spot.
Pay 35,00 BRL in cash.
All fees are subject to change.
Alternatively, call 156, register the card cancellation and pick up the new card at the SPTrans post in 72 hours (3 working days).
An alternative method is to call 156, register the card cancellation and pick up the new card at the SPTrans post in 72 hours (3 working days).
If there is a balance remaining on the lost card, the funds will be returned to the new card 72 hours after you register the cancellation. There is no need to file a police report (Boletim de Ocorrência).
Card blocking: why it happens
SPTrans blocks cards in several cases:
illegal top-ups - buying discounted credits through unofficial channels. If fraud is detected, the card is blocked and all funds are canceled with no refund.
Fraud.
Use of someone else's card - if a non-owner uses a personalized card. Facial recognition cameras at stations and SPTrans agents identify violators.
Face recognition cameras at stations and SPTrans agents identify violators.
Transferring the card to third parties - even family or friends. The card is strictly personal.
When a card is blocked, all credits on the card are canceled without refund. SPTrans does not refund money for illegal deposits, as they are not registered in the system.
The card is strictly personal.
All credits on the card are canceled without refund.
If your card is blocked, please contact the SPTrans Service Desk to find out the reason. In some cases, a new card will need to be issued with a fee of 35.00 BRL.
A new card will be issued.
Tip: Always buy credit only through official channels and keep receipts - this is protection against fraud and proof of legitimate purchase.
Tip: Always buy credit only through official channels and keep receipts - this is protection against fraud and proof of legitimate purchase.
Tip:
Mistakes to avoid
- Don't buy discounted credits from unofficial places: it's fraudulent, threatening to block your card and lose all your funds.
- Do not give your card to other people: facial recognition cameras will detect a violation, the card will be blocked.
- Do not try to top up your card in Caixa lotteries. The service is discontinued as of October 2025.
- Do not use Vale-Transporte for non-work-related travel. Employers may request a route report from SPTrans.
- Do not try to issue a personalized Bilhete Único without CPF and RG/RNE - it is not possible, tourists need to buy day tickets or single tickets.