Fee vs. Fare: What's the Difference?
Edited by Harlon Moss || By Janet White || Updated on October 5, 2023
"Fee" is a charge for a service or privilege, while "Fare" specifically refers to the cost of travel, such as on a bus or train.
Key Differences
"Fee" and "Fare" are terms often used to describe some type of monetary charge, but they apply to different contexts. A "fee" is a general term for the cost associated with a particular service or privilege, such as legal fees or a park entrance fee. On the other hand, "fare" is a specific term that refers to the cost of transportation, like a bus fare or an airplane fare.
The word "fee" is broad and can be applied to numerous domains. You might pay a "fee" to a lawyer for their legal services or a "fee" to enter a private facility. "Fare" is limited mainly to the realm of transportation. You'd pay a "fare" to ride a bus, subway, or taxi, for instance.
From a grammatical standpoint, both "fee" and "fare" are nouns, although they are used in slightly different contexts. For example, you'd hear "The fee for the application is $50," whereas with fare you'd hear "The taxi fare was quite reasonable."
In summary, "fee" is a more general term that can cover various kinds of charges for services or privileges, while "fare" is a specialized term dealing almost exclusively with the cost of travel.
Comparison Chart
Meaning
Charge for a service or privilege
Cost of travel
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Context
Various, from legal services to entrance fees
Transportation
Grammatical Role
Noun
Noun
Synonyms
Charge, cost, price
Ticket price, passage fee
Antonyms
Free service
Free ride
Fee and Fare Definitions
Fee
Payment for Services
The lawyer charged a fee for his consultation.
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Fare
Cost of Bus Ride
The bus fare is $2.50.
Fee
Licensing Charge
The fishing license comes with a small fee.
Fare
Train Ticket Cost
The train fare varies depending on the distance.
Fee
Penalty
There's a late fee if you don't pay on time.
Fare
To get along
How are you faring with your project?.
Fee
Entrance Cost
The museum has an admission fee.
Fare
To happen or develop
How does it fare with you?.
Fee
A fixed sum charged, as by an institution or by law, for a privilege
A license fee.
Tuition fees.
Fare
To travel; go.
Fee
A charge for professional services
A surgeon's fee.
Fare
To dine; eat.
Fee
A tip; a gratuity.
Fare
A transportation charge, as for a bus.
Fee
(Law) See fee simple.
Fare
A passenger transported for a fee.
Fee
In feudal law, an estate in land granted by a lord to his vassal on condition of homage and service. Also called feud2, fief.
Fare
Food and drink; diet
Simple home-cooked fare.
Fee
The land so held.
Fare
(obsolete) A going; journey; travel; voyage; course; passage.
Fee
To give a tip to.
Fare
(countable) Money paid for a transport ticket.
Train fare
Bus fare
Taxi fare
Fee
(Scots) To hire.
Fare
(countable) A paying passenger, especially in a taxi.
Fee
(feudal law) A right to the use of a superior's land, as a stipend for services to be performed; also, the land so held; a fief.
Fare
(uncountable) Food and drink.
Fee
(legal) An inheritable estate in land held of a feudal lord on condition of the performing of certain services.
Fare
(uncountable) Supplies for consumption or pleasure.
The television channel tended to broadcast unremarkable downmarket fare.
Fee
(legal) An estate of inheritance in land, either absolute and without limitation to any particular class of heirs (fee simple) or limited to a particular class of heirs (fee tail).
Fare
A prostitute's client.
Fee
(obsolete) Property; owndom; estate.
Fare
To go, travel.
Behold! A knight fares forth.
Fee
(obsolete) Money paid or bestowed; payment; emolument.
Fare
(intransitive) To get along, succeed (well or badly); to be in any state, or pass through any experience, good or bad; to be attended with any circumstances or train of events.
Fee
(obsolete) A prize or reward. Only used in the set phrase "A finder's fee" in Modern English.
Fare
To eat, dine.
Fee
An additional monetary payment charged for a service or good that is minor compared to the underlying cost.
Fare
To happen well, or ill.
We shall see how it will fare with him.
Fee
To reward for services performed, or to be performed; to recompense; to hire or keep in hire; hence, to bribe.
Fare
(intransitive) To move along; proceed; progress; advance
We will continue to monitor how the hurricane fares against projected models.
Fee
Property; possession; tenure.
Once did she hold the gorgeous East in fee.
Fare
To go; to pass; to journey; to travel.
So on he fares, and to the border comesOf Eden.
Fee
Reward or compensation for services rendered or to be rendered; especially, payment for professional services, of optional amount, or fixed by custom or laws; charge; pay; perquisite; as, the fees of lawyers and physicians; the fees of office; clerk's fees; sheriff's fees; marriage fees, etc.
To plead for love deserves more fee than hate.
Fare
To be in any state, or pass through any experience, good or bad; to be attended with any circummstances or train of events, fortunate or unfortunate; as, he fared well, or ill.
So fares the stag among the enraged hounds.
I bid you most heartily well to fare.
So fared the knight between two foes.
Fee
A right to the use of a superior's land, as a stipend for services to be performed; also, the land so held; a fief.
Fare
To be treated or entertained at table, or with bodily or social comforts; to live.
There was a certain rich man which . . . fared sumptuously every day.
Fee
An estate of inheritance supposed to be held either mediately or immediately from the sovereign, and absolutely vested in the owner.
Fare
To happen well, or ill; - used impersonally; as, we shall see how it will fare with him.
So fares it when with truth falsehood contends.
Fee
An estate of inheritance belonging to the owner, and transmissible to his heirs, absolutely and simply, without condition attached to the tenure.
Buy the fee simple of my life for an hour and a quarter.
Fare
To behave; to conduct one's self.
She ferde [fared] as she would die.
Fee
To reward for services performed, or to be performed; to recompense; to hire or keep in hire; hence, to bribe.
The patient . . . fees the doctor.
There's not a one of them but in his houseI keep a servant feed.
Fare
A journey; a passage.
That nought might stay his fare.
Fee
A fixed charge for a privilege or for professional services
Fare
The price of passage or going; the sum paid or due for conveying a person by land or water; as, the fare for crossing a river; the fare in a coach or by railway.
Fee
An interest in land capable of being inherited
Fare
Ado; bustle; business.
The warder chid and made fare.
Fee
Give a tip or gratuity to in return for a service, beyond the agreed-on compensation;
Remember to tip the waiter
Fee the steward
Fare
Condition or state of things; fortune; hap; cheer.
What fare? what news abroad ?
Fee
Subscription Price
The monthly fee for the gym is $50.
Fare
Food; provisions for the table; entertainment; as, coarse fare; delicious fare.
Fare
The person or persons conveyed in a vehicle; as, a full fare of passengers.
Fare
The catch of fish on a fishing vessel.
Fare
An agenda of things to do;
They worked rapidly down the menu of reports
Fare
The sum charged for riding in a public conveyance
Fare
A paying (taxi) passenger
Fare
The food and drink that are regularly consumed
Fare
Proceed or get along;
How is she doing in her new job?
How are you making out in graduate school?
He's come a long way
Fare
Eat well
Fare
Airline Ticket Price
The fare for the flight to Paris is $500.
Fare
Cab Charge
The fare for the taxi ride was $20.
Fare
Amount to be Paid
The fare for the boat trip is $30.
FAQs
Can "fee" and "fare" be used interchangeably?
No, "fee" is general, while "fare" is specific to the cost of travel.
Can "fee" apply to penalties?
Yes, like a late fee for overdue bills.
Is "fare" limited to public transportation?
No, it can apply to private transportation like taxis and ferries too.
Is "fare" ever free?
Rarely, but some public services might offer free fare in special cases.
Can "fare" refer to food?
Yes, in old usage, "fare" can mean "food available."
What's a "finder's fee"?
It's a fee paid for facilitating a business arrangement or deal.
Is "fare" related to "fair"?
No, despite the similar spelling, they are not synonymous.
Is "fee" only applicable to professional services?
No, "fee" can apply to a wide range of services and privileges.
Is "farewell" related to "fare"?
They share etymological roots but have different meanings.
Is "fare" always a fixed price?
No, it can vary based on distance, time, and type of service.
Is "fee" ever refunded?
It depends on the service provider's policy.
Can "fee" include taxes?
Sometimes, but it's best to clarify with the service provider.
Can a "fee" be negotiable?
Often, especially for professional services.
Is "fare" applicable to cruises?
Yes, it's the cost of passage on the cruise ship.
What is a "service fee"?
It's a charge added for the provision of services, often seen in restaurants or hotels.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
