Apple Pay is convenient, but Express Transit Pay takes it to the next level. I got to experience this novelty first hand on a recent trip to England, but I made a dumb mistake: I hadn't set it up in advance.
Unlike every other time I use Apple Pay to buy something, the Express Transit payments go a lot more smoothly because I don't need to authenticate with the wearable. That means I just need to place the Apple Watch against the NFC reader, skipping the double-click of the button or making eye-contact with Face ID.
Learn from me, friends. Avoid the mistake I made as I rolled into the London Underground station at Heathrow airport. Enable Express Transit Card payment, because some day you're gonna find it really useful and you might regret waiting.
Here's how to set up Express Transit Card payment on the iPhone and Apple Watch.
How to set up an Express Transit Card on iPhone
1. Open Settings
2. Tap Wallet & Apple Pay
3. Under Transit Cards, tap Express Transit Card
4. Select a card
All that's left is authentication and you're ready to ride!
How to set up an Express Transit Card on Apple Watch
1. Open the Apple Watch app
2. Tap Wallet & Apple Pay
3. Under Transit Cards, tap Express Transit Card
4. Select a card
Authenticate on your Apple Watch with your unlock code. Now you've set up Express Transit Card payments on your iPhone and/or Apple Watch! Have fun moving through stations and buses with more ease.
MORE: For additional tips, tricks, and how-tos, be sure to check out our complete Apple Watch Guide.